Effect of large dietary doses of beta-carotene on plasma retinoid and beta-carotene levels and on progesterone production in the granulosa cells of Japanese quail

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of large-dose beta-carotene supplementation on blood retinoid and beta-carotene levels as well as on the progesterone secretion of the granulosa cells in Japanese quail. Laying quails were assigned to three dietary groups. The control group (Group C) received the basal diet (laying feed containing 9000 IU vitamin A/kg). In the treated groups (Groups BC1 and BC2) the basal diet was supplemented with 10(2) and 10(3) mg/kg beta-carotene (BC), respectively. At the end of the two-week feeding period, 10 birds from each group were euthanised. Blood samples were analysed for retinol, retinyl palmitate and beta-carotene concentrations. Granulosa cells were isolated from ovarian follicles (F1 and F2), and PMSG-induced in vitro progesterone (P4) secretion was measured. Similar retinol concentrations were found in both beta-carotene supplemented groups, indicating saturation of the retinol-transporting system. beta-carotene supplementation was accompanied by hypercarotenaemia, but did not increase the retinyl palmitate levels in the blood. PMSG-induced P4 production of the granulosa cells decreased significantly in Groups BC1 and BC2 in a dose-dependent manner.     

Effect of dietary fumonisin B1 on laying Japanese quail

1. A 28-d experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of fumonisin B1 (FB1) on egg production and egg quality of young laying Japanese quail fed on fumonisin-contaminated rations. 2. To this end, 128 7-week-old birds were randomly distributed into 4 experimental groups (32 birds per group) and given rations containing 0 (control), 10, 50 and 250mg FB1/kg feed. Each treatment consisted of 4 replicates of 8 quail. Egg production and egg weight were checked daily. Feed consumption and feed conversion were determined weekly. Eggs laid on the last day of each 7-d period were collected and subjected to individual analysis for specific gravity, Haugh units and percentage eggshell. 3. Compared with controls, quail given > or = 50 mg FB1/kg had reduced feed intake and lower body weight gain. Feed conversion was reduced only in birds given 250 mg FB1/kg. 4. Mean egg production and egg weight were lower in birds given 250mg FB1/kg. Eggshell weight was reduced in birds given > or =50mg FB1/kg. However, mean specific gravity, Haugh units and percentage eggshell were not affected by FB1. 5. No histopathological changes were observed in liver, kidney or heart samples from any treatment group. 6. The results indicated that exposure to FB1 at concentrations > or = 50 mg/kg could adversely affect quail performance, emphasising the importance of controlling fumonisin contamination of quail rations.     

Effect of dietary cereal on liver and plasma lipids in laying Japanese quail

1. In three experiments the effect of diets containing maize or wheat on hepatic and plasma lipids in laying japanese quail were studied. In two of these diets of equal energy, nitrogen and fat contents were used. 2. Liver weight, relative to body weight, liver lipid content and plasma lipid concentration were greater in birds fed on maize-containing diets. 3. The maize-containing diet also produced more (14 : 0, 16 : 0, 16 : 1 and 18 : 1) and less (18 : 0, 18 : 2 and 20 :4) fatty acids in the liver lipid. 4. Egg production was not affected by the treatments. 5. The effect of dietary cereal on hepatic and plasma lipids may be due to altered lipogenesis and the quail may be a useful model for the laying hen with respect to hepatic lipid accumulation.     

营养水平对鲁农2号配套系生长肥育猪生长性能以及养分消化率的影响

为探讨鲁农2号配套系生长肥育猪适宜的能量和粗蛋白质需要量,试验采用单因子随机区组设计,在保持消化能/粗蛋白质比不变的基础上,设为高能量粗蛋白质、中能量粗蛋白质和低能量粗蛋白质3个处理组。选取健康、初始体重（49.58±1.49）kg的鲁农2号配套系生长肥育猪108头（公母各半）随机分3个处理,每个处理4个重复,每个重复（圈）9头猪。试验分为50～80 kg和80～100 kg两个阶段。结果表明,试验全期饲粮营养水平的降低对猪日采食量、日增重和料重比影响不显著,但50～80 kg低营养水平组日增重和粗蛋白质日摄入量显著低于高、中营养水平组。养分表观消化率,50～80 kg以低营养水平组最高,与中营养水平组相比,其干物质、有机物、粗蛋白质和能量的表观消化率分别提高6.97%、8.53%、10.48%和6.45%,差异显著。饲粮营养水平对钙和磷的表观消化率均无显著影响（P〉0.05）。80～100 kg不同营养水平组养分表观消化率差异显著,其中,高营养水平组养分表观消化率最高,其干物质表观消化率分别比中、低营养组提高5.49%和7.17%（P〈0.05）;有机物的表观消化率分别提高4.48%和6.07%（P〈0.05）;钙的表观消化率分别提高32.76%和27.93%（P〈0.05）;磷的表观消化率分别提高38.77%（P〈0.05）和17.44%;粗蛋白质的表观消化率比中营养水平组提高8.56%（P〈0.05）。综合考虑,在50～80 kg阶段,鲁农2号配套系生长猪适宜的消化能为12.98 MJ/kg、粗蛋白质为14.56%;80～100 kg阶段,鲁农2号配套系肥育猪适宜的消化能为12.98 MJ/kg、粗蛋白质为12.40%。     

Effect of dietary boron on immune function in growing beef steers*

Thirty‐six Angus and Angus × Simmental cross steers (initial BW 269.5 ± 22.3 kg) were used to determine the effects of dietary boron (B) on performance and immune function. Steers were fed on one of the three dietary treatments: (i) control (no supplemental B; 7.2 mg B/kg DM), (ii) 5 mg supplemental B/kg DM and (iii) 50 mg supplemental B/kg DM, from sodium borate for 78 days. Supplementation of dietary B had no effect on body weight (BW) gain, feed intake or gain:feed during the study. Jugular blood samples were collected prior to feeding on days 28, 63 and 77 for plasma‐B analysis. Supplementation of dietary B increased (p < 0.001) plasma B‐concentration in a dose‐responsive manner. Furthermore, plasma B‐concentration was correlated (p < 0.001; R² = 0. 95) to daily B‐intake (mg B/day). Jugular blood was also collected, from an equal number of steers from each treatment, on day 42 or 44 for determination of in vitro production of interferon‐γ and tumour necrosis factor‐α from isolated monocytes and assessment of lymphocyte proliferation. Dietary B did not affect T‐ or B‐lymphocyte proliferation or in vitro cytokine production from monocytes. On day 49 of the study, the humoral immune response was assessed by i.m. injection of a 25% pig red blood cell (PRBC) solution for determination of anti‐PRBC IgG and IgM titre responses. Boron‐supplemented steers had greater (p = 0.035) anti‐PRBC IgG titres than controls on day 7 but not on day 14 or 21 post‐injection. Anti‐PRBC IgM titres did not differ throughout the sampling period. Results from this study indicate that supplemental B had minimal effects on immune function and did not affect performance of growing steers.     

日粮硫水平对辽宁绒山羊产绒性能及绒品质的影响

选用4只装有瘤胃和十二指肠近端瘘管的辽宁绒山羊羯羊(2周岁左右),按4×4拉丁方设计,系统研究了4种不同日粮硫水平(0.11%、0.17%、0.23%、0.29%)对辽宁绒山羊产绒性能的影响。研究结果表明:日粮硫水平对辽宁绒山羊的产绒性能及羊绒品质影响显著(P0.05);日粮添加硫可显著提高辽宁绒山羊绒生长速度、产绒量、绒长度(P0.05),但对绒的细度没有显著影响(P0.05);综合分析认为,日粮硫水平为0.23%(N:S为7.39:1)对提高辽宁绒山产绒性能较为适宜。     

Effect of selenium, vitamin E and riboflavin supplementation of the feed on the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses of growing pigs

The feed of weaned piglets of Hungarian Large White X Duroc and Dutch Landrace X Duroc genotype was supplemented with 0.5 mg selenium, 50, 100 or 150 mg vitamin E, and 2.5 or 5 mg riboflavin per kg. Feed supplementation enhanced the cytotoxic reaction and elevated the antibody titres produced against purified horse gamma globulin antigen. However, as compared to the control the differences were not significant. Feed supplementation exerted a beneficial, though varying, influence on the indices of cell-mediated immunity. The proportion of rosette-forming cells and blastogenic transformation induced by specific (horse globulin) and nonspecific (phytohaemagglutinin, PHA) mitogens underwent the most expressed and most significant increase in pigs fed 5 mg selenium, 100 mg vitamin E and 5 mg riboflavin per kg of feed. On the other hand, feed supplementation failed to enhance the responsiveness to intradermal PHA (type IV allergic reaction).     

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.     

Effect of dietary supplementation of Bacillus subtilis spores on growth performance,oxidative status,and digestive enzyme activities in Japanese quail birds

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The present trial investigated the feeding effect of B. subtilis spores on growth performance, blood metabolites, antioxidative status, and digestive enzyme...     

Effect of dietary xylitol on growth and inflammatory responses in immune stimulated chickens

It has been argued that stimulation of the immune system depresses performance. Accordingly, an experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary xylitol (150 g/kg diet) on growth and selected inflammatory responses in male broiler chickens. During the final 6 d of the experimental periods, chicks were injected with antigens: Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on days 1, 3 and 5 and with Sephadex-G50 superfine on days 2 and 4 to stimulate macrophage functions. The immune stimulation reduced body weight gain and food intake, but enhanced alpha 1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) concentration and interleukin (IL-1) like activity in plasma. Feeding the xylitol diet partially, but significantly, prevented the reductions in body weight gain and food intake, without affecting the early stage of inflammatory responses triggered by LPS and Sephadex injections.     

The effect of dietary lysine excess and deficiency on metabolism in Japanese quail

We conducted three experiments with Japanese quail to study the influence of deficient and excessive contents of lysine in the feed in relation to certain zootechnical parameters, protein value, to the active of liver xanthine dehydrogenase, content of free plasma lysine under the conditions of the maximum saturation of blood pool, and to the changes in 14C-labelled lysine degradation. The zootechnical parameters and protein value were optimum at the content of 5.22 g Lys per 16 g nitrogen in the feed, the activity of liver xanthine dehydrogenase was maximum. In a separate experiment the maximum saturation of blood pool determined with respect to a lysine supply in the feed reached the highest value at 6.88 g Lys per 16 g nitrogen and it decreased later on although the lysine supply increased. We assume the existence of a regulating mechanism that does not allow exceeding certain lysine concentrations in the blood plasma. Lysine degradation measured by the value of 14CO2 expired from 14C-labelled lysine was higher both with lysine deficient and excessive content, than with the lysine content in the feed approaching the required value.     

The influence of dietary selenium levels on blood levels of selenium and glutathione peroxidase activity in the horse

Twenty mature geldings, averaging 535 kg, were used to determine the influence of dietary selenium (Se) on the blood levels of Se and Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (SeGSH-Px) activity in the horse. Horses were randomly assigned within breed to four treatments consisting of five horses each and fed a basal diet containing .06 ppm of naturally occurring Se. Diets were supplemented with .05, .10 and .20 ppm Se, as sodium selenite. Blood was drawn for 2 wk before, and for 12 wk following, the inclusion of supplement Se in the diets. Whole blood and plasma Se concentrations and plasma SeGSH-Px activities were determined from all blood samples. Selenium concentrations in plasma and whole blood increased linearly from wk 1 to wk 5 and 6, respectively, in Se-supplemented horses. After these times, no significant changes in Se concentration were observed in Se-supplemented or in unsupplemented horses throughout the remainder of the 12-wk trial. Plasma Se reached plateaus of .10 to .11, .12 to .14, and .13 to .14 micrograms/ml in horses supplemented with .05, .10 and .20 ppm Se, respectively. Whole blood Se reached plateaus of .16 to .18, .19 to .21, and .17 to .18 micrograms/ml in horses supplemented with .05, .10 and .20 ppm Se, respectively. Plasma SeGSH-Px activity was not significantly affected by dietary treatment. Therefore, this enzyme was not a good indicator of dietary Se in these mature horses.     

Effect of dietary supplementation with vitamins E and C on production performance, immune responses and antioxidant status of White Leghorn layers under tropical summer conditions

1. The effects of vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) supplementation on performance, some immune variables and antioxidant status of White Leghorn layers (aged 44-56 weeks) exposed to tropical summer conditions were investigated. 2. Both vitamins E and C significantly improved the egg production, food conversion efficiency, antibody responses to inoculated sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine, lymphocyte proliferation in response to mitogen and activities of antioxidant enzymes red blood cell catalase (RBCC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in layers. Vitamin C increased the inflammatory response to phytohaemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) inoculation. 3. Supplemental vitamin C at 200 mg/kg diet significantly increased eggshell weight, eggshell thickness, and shell breaking strength. However, no effect of supplemental vitamin E on eggshell quality was observed. 4. Vitamins E and C, as well as interactions between them, significantly influenced the activities of glutathione reductase and lipid peroxidase. A combination of vitamin E at 125 IU/kg with vitamin C at 200 mg/kg diet had an additive effect on reducing the activity of oxidative enzyme lipid peroxidase (LP) and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzyme glutathione reductase (GSHR). 5. It is concluded that vitamin E (125 IU/kg) and vitamin C (200 mg/kg) could independently alleviate the effects of heat stress on production performance and immunological variables of layers. However, combination of both the vitamins at the above-mentioned concentrations is beneficial in eliciting higher antioxidant status in laying hens exposed to tropical summer conditions.     

Influence of various dietary protein levels on carcase composition in the male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

1. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of various dietary protein concentrations on the carcase composition of male Japanese quail.

2. Six diets varying in protein from 160 to 300 g/kg and containing approximately 11–72 MJ/kg ME were fed for 5 weeks and analysed for dry matter, protein, fat and ash.

3. Treatments affected carcase weight, dry matter, protein, ether extract and ash

4. The water content of the carcases decreased with increasing dietary protein concentrations, while the carcase protein content increased with higher dietary protein. The carcases with the highest fat content were obtained from quail receiving the low protein diet.     

Effect of dietary probiotic on performance and humoral immune response in layer hens

1. The effects of dietary supplementation of a commercial probiotic (Protexin) on daily feed consumption, egg yield, egg weight, food conversion ratio and humoral immune response in layer hens were investigated. In 7 replicates, a total of 280 40-week-old layers were given diets containing either 0, 250, 500 or 750 parts per million (ppm) for 90 d. 2. When compared with the controls, the food consumption, food conversion ratio and the proportions of damaged eggs were lower in the group consuming 500 ppm probiotic (P<0.05). 3. There was no significant difference between the controls and the groups receiving 250 and 750 ppm probiotic in food consumption, food conversion ratio and proportion of damaged eggs. Similarly, the egg yield, egg weight, specific gravity, and peripheral immune response showed no statistically significant differences between the groups.     

饲粮氨基酸水平对生长期固始白鹅生长性能影响

本试验选取30日龄健康固始白鹅雏鹅162只,雌雄各半,随机分成9组,每组3个重复,每个重复6只。采用3×3三因素正交试验设计．研究30～60日龄固始自鹅对赖氨酸、蛋氨酸和苏氨酸的需要量。其中赖氨酸含量为0．75％、9．0％、1．05％;蛋氨酸为0．38％、0．48％、0．58％;苏氨酸为0．60％、0．70％、0．80％。结果表明．不同的赖氨酸、蛋氨酸和苏氮酸水平对固始白鹅的生长性能影响差异显著（P〈0．05）。当日粮中赖氨酸含量为0．90％、蛋氨酸含量为0．48％、苏氨酸含量为0．60％时,固始白鹅生长性能最佳。     

酵母培养物对蛋雏鸡生长及免疫机能的影响

试验研究了在蛋用雏鸡日粮中添加0.1%、0.3%、0.5%的酵母培养物(YC),对其生长性能及免疫机能的影响,以及酵母培养物替代抗生素的效果。试验选用了1日龄海兰褐蛋用雏鸡400只,随机分成5组,每组设4个重复,每个重复20只鸡。Ⅰ组为对照组,饲喂基础日粮,其余为试验组,在基础日粮中分别添加0.1%YC、0.3%YC、0.5%YC和抗生素,试验期为5周。结果表明,酵母培养物有促进雏鸡生长,提高雏鸡免疫机能的作用,尤其0.3%YC效果最好,酵母培养物可以替代抗生素。     

酵母培养物对蛋鸡生产性能及免疫性能的影响

为研究酵母培养物对蛋鸡生产性能及免疫性能的影响,本试验选用健康、体重相近的23周龄海兰褐蛋鸡120只,随机分成2个组,每组设3个重复,每个重复20只鸡。其中一组为对照组,饲喂基础日粮;另外一组为试验组,饲喂基础日粮中添加0.3%酵母培养物日粮,其他条件均保持一致,试验期共6周。试验结果表明:(1)在基础日粮中添加0.3%的酵母培养物可极显著提高4 ~ 6周的蛋重(P < 0.01),试验组比对照组提高了2.33%;但对蛋鸡的平均日采食量、产蛋率和料蛋比无显著影响(P > 0.05)。(2)添加0.3%酵母培养物可极显著提高第3周末血清中IgG含量(P < 0.01),提高了21.74%;并且可极显著提高第6周末血清中IgM和IgG的含量(P < 0.01),分别提高了10.69%和16.15%;对IgA有提高的趋势,但是差异不显著(P > 0.05)。由此试验表明添加0.3%酵母培养物可有效提高鸡蛋蛋重,并且可以极显著提高蛋鸡的免疫性能。