Effects of dietary supplementation with carnosine on meat quality and antioxidant capacity in broiler chickens

1. This study aimed to investigate the effects of carnosine supplementation on meat quality, antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation status in broiler chickens.

2. A total of 256 1-d-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly assigned to 4 treatments consisting of 8 replicates of 8 chickens each. The birds were supplied with 4 different diets: a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg carnosine, respectively. The whole experiment lasted 42 d.

3. The results showed that dietary supplementation with carnosine linearly increased the values of pH_45 min and redness and reduced drip loss of breast meat. Dietary carnosine increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes in liver, serum and breast meat and decreased the contents of lipid peroxides at 21 and 42 d of age.

4. These findings indicated that dietary supplementation with carnosine was beneficial to enhance meat quality, antioxidant capacity and decrease lipid peroxidation status of breast meat.     

Effects of oxidised dietary oil and antioxidant supplementation on broiler growth and meat stability

1. Broilers were fed on diets containing oxidised sunflower oil, sunflower oil and sunflower oil supplemented with alpha-tocopherol, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). 2. Oxidised oil caused a significant reduction in broiler body and carcase weights, whereas alpha-tocopherol and BHA/BHT supplementation improved growth. 3. Meat samples from these broilers were stored at 4 degrees C and -20 degrees C and their oxidative stability evaluated. Feeding oxidised oil to broilers resulted in meat that underwent rapid oxidative changes during refrigerated and frozen storage. 4. On the other hand, dietary alpha-tocopherol and BHA/BHT supplementation increased alpha-tocopherol and BHA/BHT concentrations in meat and significantly (P less than 0.05) improved the oxidative stability of meat during refrigerated and frozen storage.     

Effects of direct-fed microbial supplementation on broiler performance,intestinal nutrient transport and integrity under experimental conditions with increased microbial challenge

1. The effects of Aspergillus oryzae- and Bacillus subtilis-based direct-fed microbials (DFM) were investigated on the performance, ileal nutrient transport and intestinal integrity of broiler chickens, raised under experimental conditions, with increased intestinal microbial challenge.

2. The first study was a 3 × 2 factorial experiment, with 3 dietary treatments (control (CON), CON + DFM and CON + antibiotic growth promoter) with and without challenge. Chicks were fed experimental diets from 1 to 28 d, while the challenge was provided by vaccinating with 10 times the normal dose of commercial coccidial vaccine on d 9. In a second experiment, two groups of 1 d-old broilers, housed on built-up litter (uncleaned from two previous flocks), were fed the same CON and CON + DFM diets from 1 to 21 d.

3. The challenge in the first experiment reduced performance, but no differences were observed among dietary treatments from 8 to 28 d. The challenge reduced the ileal epithelial flux for D-glucose, L-lysine, DL-methionine and phosphorus on d 21. Epithelial flux for D-glucose, L-lysine and DL-methionine were increased by DFM. Ileal trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TER) was increased in challenged broilers fed DFM, although this was not observed in unchallenged birds as indicated by a significant interaction.

4. Ileal mucin mRNA expression and colon TER were increased, and colon endotoxin permeability was reduced by DFM on d 21 in the second experiment.

5. It was concluded that the addition of DFM in the diet improved the intestinal integrity of broiler chickens raised under experimental conditions designed to provide increased intestinal microbial challenge.     

屎肠球菌NCIMB11181对鼠伤寒沙门菌感染肉鸡生产性能、肠道微生物菌群和血液抗氧化功能的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮添加屎肠球菌对鼠伤寒沙门菌感染肉鸡的生产性能、肠道微生物菌群和血液抗氧化功能的影响。试验选取432只1日龄罗斯308雄性肉鸡,随机分为4个试验组,每组6个重复,每个重复12只鸡。分别在各试验组基础饲粮中添加0、100、200、300 mg/kg屎肠球菌。在11,12日龄时,各个试验组口服鼠伤寒沙门菌(1×109CFU/m L,1 m L/只鸡)。结果:(1)与无添加组相比,饲粮中添加屎肠球菌可显著提高1~21 d,22~35 d和1~35 d日采食量和日增重(P<0.05);(2)与无添加组相比,添加屎肠球菌可显著降低感染前期有害菌大肠杆菌和沙门菌的数量(P<0.05),能显著提高感染前期和后期屎肠球菌的数量(P<0.05);(3)与无添加组相比,屎肠球菌的添加能显著降低感染前期GSH-Px和MDA含量(P<0.05);在感染后期,屎肠球菌组MDA含量显著降低(P<0.05)。表明饲粮中添加屎肠球菌可以缓解鼠伤寒沙门菌感染导致的肉鸡饲料转化效率下降、肠道菌群失调及机体的氧化应激损伤。肉鸡在沙门菌感染的情况下,饲粮中屎肠球菌的适宜添加剂量为200 mg/kg。     

低寡糖饲粮中添加果寡糖对肉鸡生产性能的影响

果寡糖(Fructooligosaccharide,简称FOS),是由葡萄糖和果糖构成的直链果聚糖混合物,分子式为GFn(n≤4)。果寡糖因结构中含β-1,2糖苷键,而动物消化道上段主要分泌α-1,4糖苷酶,难以对果寡糖消化水解,其进入大肠后被肠道内双歧杆菌和乳酸杆菌等有益微生物选择性利用,同时抑制沙门氏菌与大肠杆菌等病原菌增殖,从而改善肠道微生态环境和动物健康。目前,关于饲料原料中天然寡糖含量对果寡糖应用效果及作用机理的影响研究报道较少。大豆浓缩蛋白不但蛋白质含量丰富,而且去除了绝大部分的可溶性糖(包括寡糖)和抗营养因子,是研究寡糖的理想原料…     

Effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation in different stages on growth performance,antioxidant capacity and meat quality in broiler chickens

1. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of basal dietary supplementation with 500 mg/kg alpha-lipoic acid (LA) on growth performance, antioxidant capacity and meat quality in different stages in broiler chickens.

2. A total of 240 Arbor Acre chickens were randomly assigned into 4 treatment groups, each treatment containing 6 replicates of 10 chickens each. Group 1 was the control group without LA supplementation; Group 2 was supplied with LA in the starter period; Group 3 was supplied with LA in the grower period; and Group 4 was supplied with LA in the whole period.

3. The results showed that LA supplementation improved average feed intake and body weight gain in all three experimental groups, especially in Group 2. LA supplementation significantly decreased abdominal fat yield in Groups 3 and 4.

4. LA supplementation all improved hepatic total antioxidant capacity, the level of glutathione, the activities of total superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase, in particular in Group 4. LA supplementation decreased the activity of liver xanthine oxidase (XO) in all experimental groups, and that of liver monoamine oxidase in Group 3. The activities of liver CAT and XO in Group 2 were higher than that in Group 3. LA supplementation elevated the pH_24 h and decreased drip loss in breast meat in Groups 3 and 4.

5. In conclusion, LA supplementation can improve growth performance, antioxidant properties and meat quality in broiler chicken. LA supplementation in the starter period can improve growth performance and supplementation in the grower – and in the whole period can improve carcass characteristics. There was no significant difference in meat quality of broiler chickens fed on LA-supplemented diet in different stages.     

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.     

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。     

外源酶制剂对黄颡鱼免疫抗氧化指标和肠道形态结构的影响

试验旨在研究在以鱼粉、豆粕、棉籽粕和双低菜籽粕为蛋白质源的实用饲料中分别添加植酸酶和复合酶制剂对黄颡鱼免疫抗氧化力和肠道结构形态的影响。以黄颡鱼实用饲料中分别添加1 000 IU/kg植酸酶和400 mg/kg复合酶制剂作为试验料。选用初始体质量为(1.02±0.01)g的黄颡鱼360尾,随机分成3组,每组4个重复,每个重复30尾鱼,分别投喂基础饲料和试验料。养殖56 d。结果显示:各组酸性磷酸酶、碱性磷酸酶、过氧化氢酶及抗超氧阴离子自由基含量无显著差异(P>0.05);与对照组比较,试验组超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)均有升高,但差异不显著(P>0.05);试验组丙二醛(MDA)含量有所下降,其中复合酶组下降幅度达到17.88%,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。植酸酶和复合酶组黄颡鱼的前肠肠壁厚度和肠绒毛高度均高于对照组,植酸酶组分别提高了2.27%、3.76%,复合酶组分别提高了16.28%、15.22%,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。结果提示,在黄颡鱼实用饲料中分别添加植酸酶和复合酶能一定程度上提高血清SOD、GSH-Px、T-AOC和降低MDA含量,改善鱼体抗氧化力;同时能够增加黄颡鱼肠壁厚度,提高肠绒毛高度,改善鱼体肠道健康状况。     

Influence of peas (Pisum sativum) as a dietary ingredient and flavomycin supplementation on the performance and intestinal microflora of broiler chicks

1. Two experiments were carried out to study the effects of diets containing various concentrations of pea meal (Pisum sativum L.), with or without flavomycin supplementation, on the performance and intestinal microflora of broiler chicks. 2. During the 7 to 28-d period, chicks fed on diets containing 300, 600 and 800 g pea meal/kg consumed more food and gained more weight than chicks receiving a maize-isolated soyabean protein control diet. The addition of flavomycin to the diets had similar effects on the performance of both the control and the pea groups. 3. Pea diets, with and without supplemental flavomycin, had little influence on the composition of intestinal microflora. The counts of enterococci in the small intestine and Clostridium perfringens and coliforms in the caeca of pea-fed chicks exceeded those of control chicks.     

茶多酚对生长猪机体维生素E状态、抗氧化性能及肉质的影响

日粮添加维生素E对降低动物脂质过氧化具有重要作用,可以改善动物肉品质及动物健康状况。本试验在日粮中添加不同水平的茶多酚,研究其对生长猪维生素E状态、血浆抗氧化性能及肉质的影响。选择240头平均体重为(31.24±0.48)kg的三元猪,随机分为3组,每组4个重复,每个重复20头猪。试验共设计3种日粮,对照组饲喂基础日粮,处理组在基础日粮中分别添加10和100 mg/kg茶多酚,试验共进行5周。结果显示:各处理组对生长猪试验初期和末期血浆总抗氧化力和铁还原力均无显著影响(P> 0.05),但对照组、10和100 mg/kg茶多酚添加组血浆试验末期铁还原力均显著高于试验初期(P <0.05)。日粮添加茶多酚对生长猪肝脏、肌肉、血浆α-生育酚和γ-生育酚含量均无显著影响(P> 0.05),其中肝脏生育酚含量最高,之后依次是肌肉、肺和血浆。日粮添加10或100 mg/kg茶多酚,肺中α-生育酚和γ-生育酚含量较对照组有提高趋势(P=0.09)。各组对生长猪肉质均无显著影响(P> 0.05)。日粮添加100 mg/kg茶多酚较对照组提高了生长猪屠宰后48 h肌肉的滴水损失。综上所述:生长猪日粮添加茶多酚对组织维生素E水平、血浆抗氧化力及肌肉品质无显著改善作用。     

纳米银对断奶仔猪生长性能、肠道绒毛形态及微生物菌群的影响

文章旨在研究日粮添加不同水平的纳米银对断奶仔猪生长性能、肠道形态及微生物菌群的影响。本研究共进行3个试验,试验1收集8头断奶后7 d仔猪的回肠内容物,在体外37℃条件下分别添加0、20、40和80μg/kg纳米银,孵育4 h。结果显示,随着纳米银添加水平的升高,回肠内容物大肠杆菌和乳酸杆菌的含量显著线性降低(P<0.05),但对乳酸杆菌比例无显著影响(P>0.05)。试验2分为3个组,每组10头21 d断奶的仔猪,日粮中分别添加0、20和40 mg/kg纳米银,结果发现随着纳米银添加水平的升高,断奶后2周仔猪的日增重表现为显著线性升高(P<0.05),同时回肠大肠杆菌含量有显著线性降低的趋势(P=0.07),显著降低了细菌总量和奇异菌属含量(P<0.05)。20 mg/kg纳米银组产气荚膜杆菌与梭菌比例最低(P<0.05)。试验3分为3组,每组选择10头21 d断奶仔猪,日粮中分别添加0、20和40 mg/kg纳米银,结果发现,日粮纳米银添加水平对仔猪断奶后前两周绒毛形态无显著影响(P>0.05),而隐窝深度有降低趋势(P=0.08)。20 mg/kg纳米银组仔猪在断奶前两周表现为最高(P<0.05),之后随着纳米银添加水平的升高在3~4周显著降低(P<0.05),料比显著升高(P<0.05)。日粮添加低剂量的纳米银可以改善断奶仔猪的采食量和日增重,适宜添加水平为20~40 mg/kg。     

Assessment of dietary supplementation with probiotics on performance, intestinal morphology and microflora of chickens infected with Eimeria tenella

We evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with different preparations of probiotics on the performance of broiler chickens experimentally infected with 2 × 10(4) sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella at 14 days of age. Three hundred, day-old, Cobb-500 chicks, as hatched, were separated into 10 equal groups with three replicates. Two of the groups, one challenged with E. tenella oocysts and the other not, were given a basal diet and served as controls without medication. The other challenged groups were given the anticoccidial lasalocid (60 mg/kg) or Enterococcus faecium (5 × 10(8) or 5 × 10(9)cfu/kg feed), Bifidobacterium animalis (5 × 10(8)cfu/kg feed), Lactobacillus reuteri (5 × 10(8)cfu/kg feed), Bacillus subtilis (5 × 10(8)cfu/kg feed), or a multi-species probiotic mix at 5 × 10(8) or 5 × 10(9)cfu/kg feed, respectively. The trial lasted 6 weeks. Individual body weight, feed intake per pen and feed conversion ratio values were recorded weekly, along with the extent of bloody diarrhea, excreta oocyst numbers and bird mortality. Caecal lesions were assessed and intestinal samples were taken for histopathological and bacteriological evaluation from ileum and caecum. Overall growth performance of chickens fed the multi-species probiotic mix at both levels was higher (P<0.05) compared to the infected control. Overall oocyst shedding was lowest (P<0.05) in the lasalocid supplemented group. Villous height was higher (P<0.05) in Bacillus supplemented groups compared to infected controls. The Lactobacillus supplemented group had the highest (P<0.05) numbers of both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in ileum and caecum. In conclusion, dietary probiotics are promising for further investigation on improving intestinal health and growth performance of broiler chickens experimentally challenged with E. tenella.     

Effects of age and diet on the viscosity of intestinal contents in broiler chicks.

1. A standard methodology was developed for the determination of the viscosity of digesta in broiler chickens. 2. The best variables considered for use (those which gave the most consistent results) were: digesta obtained from the foregut area (defined as the region from the pancreas to Meckel's diverticulum) using a minimum of 6 replicates and offering experimental diets for 5 d before slaughter at 25 d of age. 3. There was evidence that the viscosity of digesta obtained from the hindgut (defined as the region between Meckel's diverticulum and the ileo-caecal junction) was reduced the longer the birds were fed on one diet, suggesting possible dietary acclimatisation. Hindgut digesta viscosity from birds fed on a barley-based diet over a longer period was 10% to 30% less than that of birds fed for 5 d. 4. There was an apparent reduction in viscosity with age of bird up to 45 d of age, with hindgut digesta viscosity from birds fed on barley-based diets falling from 20.6 cps at 25 d to 9.8 cps at 45 d. 5. In an assessment of the procedure developed, the following digesta viscosities were obtained at 25 d: 3.1 cps (wheat-based diet, foregut), 19.8 cps (barley-based diet, foregut), 5.7 cps (wheat-based diet, hindgut), 22.8 cps (barley-based diet, hindgut).     

Pathology and histology of dietary tryptophan deficiency in broiler chicks

The purpose of this experiment was to characterize a lesion of the rhamphotheca associated with tryptophan (TIRP) deficiency, search for other histological abnormalities,and determine whether bird size and housing conditions are contributing factors to these lesions. Day-old broiler chicks (Ross X Ross 308) were placed in either floor pens with fresh pine shavings or Petersime battery brooders with two pens of 10 chicks each per treatment. Broiler chicks from 0 to 21 days of age were fed adequate (0.24%) and deficient (0.09%) levels of TRP in diets based on corn, corn gluten meal, and gelatin. Separate groups of control chicks were pair fed daily with the deficient chicks. Deficient chicks grew less efficiently than did the pair-fed controls. Upon gross examination, a lesion of the maxillary rhamphotheca in the vicinity of the nares was observed in 61% of TRP-deficient birds housed in the battery and 13% of the birds housed in floor pens. A similar gross lesion was only observed in one control bird. These lesions were located along the upper portion of the beak between the nares and appeared as a crusty or scab-like area on gross examination, composed of detritus, heterophils, and plasma protein. Inflammation occasionally was observed at the dermoepidermal junction. The incidence of lesions was reduced in floor pens compared to battery brooders, but similarly sized birds did not exhibit the lesion. The number of lesions seen grossly and histologically in TRP-deficient birds, as compared to control birds, supports the hypothesis that TRP deficiency is the primary cause of these lesions around the nares of broilers. Secondary environmental factors, perhaps coprophagy, also influence the incidence of the lesion.     

Effects of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on phytate phosphorus utilization and efficiency of microbial phytase in broiler chicks

Previous studies have suggested that organic acids may improve P utilization in animals. To evaluate the ability of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to improve phytate P utilization and the possible synergistic effect between EDTA and microbial phytase (MP) an experiment was conducted using 360 Ross 308 broiler chicks. The experiment was carried out using a completely randomized design with a 3*2 factorial arrangement (0, 0.1 and 0.2% EDTA and 0 and 500 IU MP). Four replicate of 15 chicks per each were fed dietary treatments including (i) P-deficient basal diet [0.2% available phosphorus (aP)] (NC); (ii) NC + 500 IU MP per kilogram of diet; (iii) NC + 0.1% EDTA per kilogram of diet; (iv) NC + 0.1% EDTA and 500 IU MP per kilogram of diet; (v) NC + 0.2% EDTA per kilogram; and (vi) NC + 0.2% EDTA + 500 IU MP per kilogram of diet. Weight gain (WG), feed efficiency and serum Ca, P and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were assessed. Addition of 0.2% EDTA to low aP diets resulted in significantly lower feed consumption (FC) and WG, but 0.1% EDTA did not depress WG compared to NC. Phytase supplementation of P-deficient diets significantly improved WG and feed efficiency, but it had no effect on FC. Microbial phytase supplementation significantly decreased ALP concentration. Results obtained in our study suggest no synergistic effect between phytase and EDTA in broiler chicks.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of fermented garlic powder on growth performance,apparent total tract digestibility,blood characteristics and faecal microbial concentration in weanling pigs

A total of 144 weanling pigs (5.5 ± 0.42 kg) were used in a 5‐week trial to evaluate the effect of fermented garlic powder (FGP) supplementation in weaning pigs. Pigs were randomly allocated to the following four dietary treatments: (i) control (CON; basal diet), (ii) FGP0.5 (CON + 0.5 g/kg FGP), (iii) FGP1 (CON + 1 g/kg FGP), (iv) FGP2 (CON + 2 g/kg FGP). There were six replications with six pigs (three barrows and three gilts) per pen. Pigs fed FGP0.5 treatments increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) during 3–5 and 0–5 week. No difference was observed on gain/ feed (G/F) ratio in this study. The inclusion of FGP1 and FGP2 treatments increased DM (p < 0.05) digestibility compared with the CON treatment throughout the experiment. The apparent total tract digestibility of N was (p < 0.05) increased by the dietary FGP throughout the experiment. Pigs fed FGP1 and FGP2 treatments increased the lymphocyte concentration (p < 0.05) and RBC concentration compared with the CON group. Dietary FGP decreased the blood total cholesterol (p < 0.05) in comparison with the CON group. The triglyceride (p < 0.05) concentration was decreased in FGP1 and FGP2 treatments compared with those in the CON treatment at the end of the experiment. Pigs fed FGP1 and FGP2 treatments had a lower number of Escherichia coli in faeces on 21 (p < 0.05) and 35 days (p = 0.05) than those in the CON treatment. In conclusion, dietary fermented garlic powder (0.5 g/kg) can improve ADG and ADFI in weanling pigs, but not at higher levels (1 and 2 g/kg). Dietary fermented garlic powder can also increase the nutrient digestibility, lymphocytes and RBC concentrations, but decrease the faecal E. coli concentration in weaning pigs.     

Effects of dietary copper supplementation on production performance and plasma biochemical parameters in broiler chickens

1. A study was conducted to estimate the effect of copper (Cu) supplementation on growth performance and biochemical profiles of blood and meat in broiler chickens.

2. A total of 240?d-old broiler chicks (Vencobb-100) were randomly divided into 12 groups, each of 20 chicks (4 treatments?×?3 replicates).

3. The basal diet (T₁) contained 215?g?kg^?1 crude protein (CP), 12·76?MJ?kg^?1 ME, 32?g?kg^?1 total calcium and 5?g?kg^?1 total phosphorus. T_2, T₃ and T₄ were formulated to contain an additional 75, 150 and 250?mg?Cu?kg^?1 diet, respectively. Copper sulphate pentahydrate (CuSO₄, 5H₂O) was used as the source of Cu.

4. Significant reductions in plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride, and an elevated concentration of HDL-cholesterol, were observed in the chickens fed with 250?mg?Cu?kg^?1 (T₄) of feed at the 3rd and 6th week of the experiment. Total cholesterol in meat decreased significantly in the birds fed with dietary Cu at 250?mg?kg^?1 (T₄) of feed.

5. Growth performance was measured in terms of live weight gain, cumulative feed intake and feed conversion ratio at the end of d 21 and d 42 of the experiment, and the result was found to be commercially beneficial for the chickens receiving 150?mg?Cu?kg^?1 (T₃) of diet. The concentration of Cu in breast muscle and liver increased significantly at the end of experiment.

6. From this study it can be concluded that supplementation with dietary Cu may be beneficial for production performance and plasma biochemical characteristics of broiler chickens.     

Effect of dietary high- and low-methylated citrus pectin on the activity of the ileal microflora and morphology of the small intestinal wall of broiler chicks.

1. A study was conducted with broiler chicks to evaluate the effects of dietary high-methylated citrus pectin (HMC) or low-methylated citrus pectin (LMC) on the performance, nutrient digestibility, morphology of the small intestinal wall and ileal microbial activity. 2. Both pectin products were tested at a dietary content of 30 g/kg using a diet based on maize and soya flour. 3. Inclusion of HMC in the diet depressed weight gain and food utilization significantly. With a dietary addition of LMC there were only small decreases in weight gain and food utilisation. 4. Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude fat, starch and amino acids, nitrogen retention and metabolisable energy value were reduced significantly when HMC was added to the diet. The addition of LMC to the diet reduced fat and ash digestibility and metabolisable energy value significantly. 5. Inclusion of LMC in the diet increased ileal viscosity marginally, whilst HMC had such an effect that the supernatant could not be extracted. Microbial activity in the ileum, particularly that of Enterococci, Bacteroidaceae, Clostridia and E. coli, was increased significantly with dietary addition of HMC. Inclusion of LMC in the diet did not greatly affect microbial activity as only the number of Clostridia was increased. 6. The addition of HMC to the diet markedly affected the morphology of the intestinal wall and significantly increased the number of goblet cells per 100 villus cells and the sucrase isomaltase activity was increased significantly. However, the morphology of the intestinal wall was hardly affected by LMC, whereas the number of goblet cells per 100 villi cells was significantly increased. 7. Results of the present study indicate that the inclusion of water-soluble pectins in diets of chicks changes ileal microbial activity and the morphology of the small intestinal wall. The magnitude of these changes depends on the degree of methylation of the pectins.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of Chinese medicinal herbs on polymorphonuclear neutrophil immune activity and small intestinal morphology in weanling pigs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary Chinese medicinal herbs (CMH) supplementation composed of Panax ginseng, Dioscoreaceae opposite, Atractylodes macrocephala, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Ziziphus jujube and Platycodon grandiflorum, on the performance, intestinal tract morphology and immune activity in weanling pigs. Two hundred and forty weaned pigs were assigned randomly to four dietary groups including the negative control (basal diet), 0.1% CMH, 0.3% CMH and 0.114% antibiotic (Chlortetracycline calcium Complex, Sulfathiazole and Procaine Penicillin G) supplementation groups for a 28-day feeding trial. Results indicated that both CMH supplementation groups had a better gain and feed/gain than control group (CT) during the first 2 weeks of the experimental period. The 0.3% CMH had a significant decrease in the diarrhoea score in first 10 days of experimental period when compared with other groups. The CMH supplementation groups had a higher villous height, increased lactobacilli counts in digesta of ileum and decreased coliform counts in colon compared with CT. The immune activities of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs), including the respiratory burst and Salmonella-killing ability, were significantly enhanced in CMH supplementation groups at day 7 of experiment period. The CMH and antibiotic supplementations increased the nutrient digestibility such as dietary dry matter, crude protein and gross energy in weanling pigs. In conclusion, the dietary CMH supplementation improved intestinal morphology and immune activities of PMNs, thus giving rise to nutrient digestibility and reduce diarrhoea frequency in weanling pigs.