Tea polyphenols increase the antioxidant status of laying hens fed diets with different levels of ageing corn

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ageing corn levels (stored for 4 years) with or without the supplementation of tea polyphenols (TPP) on the performance, egg quality and antioxidant status of laying hens. A total of 288 Lohmann commercial laying hens (63-week-old) were used under a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement with 4 levels of dietary ageing corn (0%, 25%, 50%, or 100%) and 2 levels of TPP (0 and 600 mg/kg) for 8 wk. Dietary ageing corn linearly decreased (P < 0.05) the egg production, serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), liver glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) of laying hens, yolk index, yolk colour, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) value and the reducing power value of egg yolk, but it linearly increased (P < 0.05) the feed conversion rate, ovary malondialdehyde (MDA) content of laying hens, and the protein carbonyl content of egg yolk. Tea polyphenol supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the serum T-AOC, serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), liver SOD, liver GSH-Px, ovary SOD, GSH-Px, the expression of antioxidant-related genes of laying hens, albumen height, Haugh unit, DPPH value and the majority free amino acids of egg yolk, but it decreased (P < 0.05) the serum MDA content of laying hens, MDA and protein carbonyl of egg yolk. In conclusion, the ageing corn significantly reduced the performance, egg quality, antioxidant status and egg antioxidant capacity of laying hens, while TPP supplementation partially counteracted the adverse effects, especially antioxidant status and egg antioxidant capacity of laying hens.     

Effect of gestation dietary methionine-to-lysine ratio on methionine metabolism and antioxidant ability of high-prolific sows

The uptake and metabolism of methionine (Met) are critical for epigenetic regulation, redox homeostasis, and embryo development. Our previous study showed that appropriate supplementation of dietary Met promoted the birth weight and placental angiogenesis of high-prolific sows. To further explore the metabolic effect of Met on pregnant sows, we have evaluated the influence of dietary Met level on Met metabolism, and the relationship between metabolites of Met and reproductive performance, antioxidant ability, and placental angiogenesis throughout the gestation of high-prolific sows. Sixty sows (the 3rd parity, Large White) were randomly divided into 5 groups that were fed diets with standardized ileal digestible (SID) methionine-to-lysine (Met:Lys) ratios of 0.27 (control), 0.32, 0.37, 0.42, and 0.47 from the mating day (gestational d 0, G0d) until the farrowing day. HPLC-MS/MS analysis was used to simultaneously evaluate the metabolites related to Met, e.g. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), homocysteine (Hcy), cysteine (Cys), and glutathione (GSH). The concentration of SAM and SAH in plasma had significant fluctuations, especially in late pregnancy. Increasing dietary Met supplementation significantly improved the plasma SAM and methylation potential (SAM-to-SAH ratio) at d 114 of pregnancy (G114d). Moreover, a positive association of the plasma SAM concentration at G114d was observed with the litter weight of born alive (P < 0.05; R² = 0.58). Furthermore, Hcy concentration in plasma was at the lowest level for 0.37 ratio group at G114d. However, it significantly increased during late pregnancy. Moreover, there were negative correlations between plasma Hcy concentration at G114d (P < 0.05) and the placental vascular density in the fold and stroma (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) in the placenta tissue of 0.37 ratio group increased significantly (P < 0.05). Collectively, these findings indicate that dietary Met:Lys ratio (0.37 to 0.57) in the pregnant diet dose not influence the antioxidant ability of the high-prolific sows; however, the improvement of fetal development and placental angiogenesis of high-prolific sows by supplementation of Met are closely associated to the key Met-related metabolite of SAM and Hcy, respectively.     

Effects of starch and gelatin encapsulated vitamin A on growth performance,immune status and antioxidant capacity in weaned piglets

To evaluate the effects of gelatin and starch encapsulated vitamin A on growth performance, immune status and antioxidant capacity in weaned piglets, a total of 96 weaned piglets (body weight = 9.11 ± 0.03 kg, 30-d-old) were randomly allotted to 3 treatments with 4 replications of 8 piglets each. The 3 treatments were control diet (basal diet without addition of vitamin A), gelatin vitamin A diet (basal diet + 13,500 IU/kg gelatin encapsulated vitamin A), and starch vitamin A diet (basal diet + 13,500 IU/kg starch encapsulated vitamin A), respectively. The results showed that piglets fed starch vitamin A diet had significantly higher final body weight and average daily gain compared to those in control and gelatin vitamin A groups (P < 0.05). Gelatin and starch vitamin A supplementation both highly increased serum retinol concentration and immunoglobulin (Ig) M level when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, serum IgA level and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity were significantly increased by gelatin vitamin A diet on d 21 and starch vitamin A diet on d 42, respectively (P < 0.05). These results demonstrated that dietary supplementation of vitamin A could improve immune function and antioxidant capacity in weaned piglets, and starch vitamin A is better than gelatin vitamin A, especially in promoting the growth performance of piglets.     

Imbalanced dietary methionine-to-sulfur amino acid ratio can affect amino acid profiles,antioxidant capacity,and intestinal morphology of piglets

Animal protein sources such as fishmeal and plasma powder are excellent and indispensable sources of energy, amino acids, and minerals in animal production. Amino acid imbalance, especially methionine-to-sulfur amino acid (Met:SAA) ratio, caused by an imbalance of animal protein meal leads to growth restriction. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of imbalanced Met:SAA ratio supplementation of different animal protein source diets on growth performance, plasma amino acid profiles, antioxidant capacity and intestinal morphology in a piglet model. Twenty-four weaned piglets (castrated males; BW = 10.46 ± 0.34 kg), assigned randomly into 3 groups (8 piglets/group), were fed for 28 d. Three experimental diets of equal energy and crude protein levels were as follows: 1) a corn-soybean basal diet with a Met:SAA ratio at 0.51 (BD); 2) a plasma powder diet with a low Met:SAA ratio at 0.41 (L-MR); 3) a fishmeal diet with a high Met:SAA ratio at 0.61 (H-MR). Results revealed that compared to BD, L-MR significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the activities of plasma total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase, plasma amino acid profiles, and significantly reduced (P < 0.05) villus height and crypt depth in the duodenum and jejunum. Additionally, L-MR significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the mRNA expression level of solute carrier family 7 member 9 (SlC7A9) in the ileum, and significantly increased (P < 0.05) mRNA expression levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in the duodenum, and Claudin-1, ZO-1, sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporters 2 (SNAT2) and SlC7A7 in the jejunum. H-MR significantly increased (P < 0.05) plasma SAA levels, and significantly reduced (P < 0.05) average daily feed intake, villus height, and villus height-to-crypt depth (VH:CD) ratio in the ileum compared to BD. In conclusion, L-MR may result in oxidative stress and villous atrophy but proves beneficial in improving intestinal barrier function and the activity of amino acid transporters for compensatory growth. H-MR may impair intestinal growth and development for weaned piglets. The research provides a guidance on the adequate Met:SAA ratio (0.51) supplementation in diet structure for weaned piglets.     

Dietary pectic oligosaccharide supplementation improves rat reproductive performance via regulating intestinal volatile fatty acids during middle gestation

As a kind of green additive, pectic oligosaccharide (POS) may regulate some physiological functions of animals, such as gut health, antioxidant capacity, immunity and lipid metabolism. This study aimed to identify whether POS administration can improve maternal reproduction, and to determine the possible metabolism. A total of 48 pregnant Wistar rats randomly allotted into 2 groups, and each group was fed a diet supplemented with 0 or 800 mg/kg of POS. Pectic oligosaccharide administration increased rat born number (P < 0.05), did not affect rat embryo number on d 7 of gestation, but increased rat fetus number on d 14 of gestation (P < 0.05). On d 14 of gestation, POS treatment improved Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium populations and volatile fatty acid concentrations of cecal digesta (P < 0.05), hormone (progesterone and nitric oxide) and cytokine (interleukin 2) concentrations of serum (P < 0.05), and antioxidant capacity of serum (increased total antioxidant capacity and decreased malondialdehyde) and placenta (increased total superoxide dismutase, decreased malondialdehyde) (P < 0.05) in pregnant rats. These results suggest that POS administration improved rat reproduction via decreasing fetus loss in middle gestation. This was due to the increased volatile fatty acid concentrations in rat gut improving hormone and inflammatory-cytokine productions, and antioxidant capacity.     

Milk selenium content and speciation in response to supranutritional selenium yeast supplementation in cows

The effects of selenium (Se) yeast supplementation on performance, blood biochemical and antioxidant parameters, and milk Se content and speciation were evaluated. Thirty-six mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: 1) control (basal diet containing Se at 0.11 mg/kg DM), 2) basal diet + 0.5 mg supplemental Se/kg DM (SY-0.5), and 3) basal diet + 5 mg supplemental Se/kg DM (SY-5). Selenium was supplemented as Se yeast. The trial consisted of a 1-week pretrial period and an 8-week experimental period. Milk somatic cell score decreased with SY-5 supplementation (P < 0.05), but other performance parameters were not affected (P > 0.05). The serum Se concentration increased with the increasing levels of Se yeast supplementation (P < 0.05), however, blood biochemical parameters showed few treatment effects. The antioxidant capacity of dairy cows was improved with Se yeast supplementation reflected in increased serum glutathione peroxidase activity (P < 0.05) and total antioxidant capacity (P = 0.08), and decreased malondialdehyde concentration (P < 0.05). Milk total Se concentration increased with Se dose (P < 0.05). Also, the selenomethionine concentration increased with Se dose from 13.0 ± 0.7 μg/kg in control to 33.1 ± 2.1 μg/kg in SY-0.5 and 530.4 ± 17.5 μg/kg in SY-5 cows (P < 0.05). Similarly, selenocystine concentration increased from 15.6 ± 0.9 μg/kg in control and 18.9 ± 1.1 μg/kg in SY-0.5 to 22.2 ± 1.5 μg/kg in SY-5 cows (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Se yeast is a good organic Se source to produce Se-enriched cow milk with increased Se species including selenomethionine and selenocystine. The results can provide useful information on milk Se species when a high dose Se yeast was supplemented in the cow diet.     

Alfalfa polysaccharides improve the growth performance and antioxidant status of heat-stressed rabbits

The study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant properties of alfalfa polysaccharides (APS) extracted from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) through 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay and the effects of the inclusion (0%, 0.1%, and 0.5%) of APS in the diet on the growth performance and antioxidant status in heat-stressed rabbits. 120 New Zealand male rabbits (average body weight 1123 g, 40 d old) were divided into three groups (40 rabbits per group) and were fed with a basal diet or the basal diet with 1 g or 5 g of APS/kg of diet. Rabbits had free access to diets and water in an environmentally controlled room at 30 ± 1 °C and 55% relative humidity during the entire period (21 d). On days 7, 14 and 21 of the trial, body weight and feed intake were measured and blood samples were collected for assay of antioxidant induces. Liver tissue samples were collected on day 21 for assay of antioxidant induces. Results in vitro showed the scavenging effect of APS on DPPH radicals increased (P < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. The APS exerted an inhibitory effect on DPPH radical generation, with 66.3% inhibition at 100 µg/mL and 74.5% inhibition at 250 µg/mL. Results in vivo showed that APS 0.1% supplementation increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and reduced (P < 0.05) feed conversion rate (FCR) in the first week of trial. Compared with the control group, average daily feed intake (ADFI) was significantly (P < 0.01) reduced by APS treatment. From days 8 to 14 of the trial, ADG of the APS 0.5% group was greater (P < 0.05) than that of the control group. Compared with the control group, FCR was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by APS treatment. From days 15 to 21 of the trial, ADFI of the APS 0.1% group was greater (P < 0.05) than that of the control group. For the overall period, APS 0.5% supplementation had a significantly (P < 0.05) positive effect on ADG. ADFI and FCR were lower (P < 0.05) with APS than without APS. Furthermore, on day 7, the inclusion of APS reduced significantly MDA (P < 0.01). The rabbits fed with APS 0.1% had significantly (P < 0.01) lower cortisol and greater (P < 0.05) T-AOC, SOD, and GSH-Px than the control group. On day 14, addition of APS increased T-AOC (P < 0.01) and reduced MDA (P < 0.05). The APS 0.5% group showed lower (P < 0.05) cortisol and greater (P < 0.05) GSH-Px than the control group. On day 21, the rabbits fed with the APS 0.5% diet had greater (P < 0.05) GSH-Px and T-AOC compared with the control rabbits. In contrast, the opposite was true for cortisol (P < 0.05) and MDA (P < 0.05). On day 21, MDA was lower (P < 0.01) with APS than without APS in the liver tissue. Hepatic GSH-Px activity of rabbits fed with the APS 0.5% diet was greater (P < 0.05) than those of other groups. APS supplementation seemed to have a positive influence on the growth performance and antioxidant status of heat-stressed rabbits.     

Dietary supplementation of Bacillus subtilis PB6 improves sow reproductive performance and reduces piglet birth intervals

We investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with Bacillus subtilis PB6 (B. subtilis PB6) during late gestation and lactation on sow reproductive performance, antioxidant indices, and gut microbiota. A total of 32 healthy Landrace × Yorkshire sows on d 90 of gestation were randomly assigned to 2 groups, with 16 replicates per group, receiving basal diet (CON) or the basal diet + 0.2% B. subtilis PB6, containing 4.0 × 10⁸ CFU/kg of feed (BS). The litter sizes (total born) and numbers of piglets born alive were larger in the BS group (P < 0.01), whereas the weights of piglets born alive and the piglet birth intervals were lower in the BS group (P < 0.05). Although the litter weights and piglet bodyweights (after cross-fostering) were lower after BS treatment (P < 0.05), the litter sizes, litter weights, lactation survival rate, and litter weight gains at weaning were higher in BS group (P < 0.05). The concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the sow sera at parturition were lower in the BS group (P < 0.01). The serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) at parturition and the serum catalase (CAT) concentrations on d 21 of lactation were higher in the BS group (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with B. subtilis PB6 (P < 0.05) reduced the serum endotoxin concentrations in the sows and the serum cortisol concentrations of the piglets at d 14 of lactation. The α-diversity indices of microbial were higher in the CON group (P < 0.05). At the phylum level, B. subtilis PB6 supplementation increased the relative abundances of Gemmatimonadete and Acidobacteria (both P < 0.01) and reduced those of Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria (both P < 0.05). At the genus level, B. subtilis PB6 supplementation increased the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae_UCG-013 cc (P < 0.05) and reduced that of Streptococcus (P < 0.05). This study demonstrated that adding 4.0 × 10⁸ CFU/kg B. subtilis PB6 to sows’ feed during late gestation and lactation could shorten piglet birth intervals, enhance the growth performance of suckling piglets, and improve the gut health of sows during late gestation.     

Impact of zinc and arginine on antioxidant status of weanling piglets raised under commercial conditions

The effects of dietary zinc and L-arginine supplements on the weight gain, feed efficiency, antioxidant capacity and oxidative status of weanling piglets raised under commercial conditions were examined. A total of 288 piglets aged 21 d were fed for 15 d a diet supplemented or not with 2,500 mg/kg of zinc (provided as zinc oxide) and 1% L-arginine·HCl. The 4 treatments were distributed in a randomized complete block design with 6 initial body weight categories (12 animals per pen). Access to feed and water was ad libitum. Data were analyzed as a 2 × 2 factorial experiment using the SAS MIXED procedure, with zinc and arginine as the main independent variables. Blood collection day (d 8 and 15, samples were collected from the same 2 piglets in each pen before the morning feeding) was included as a third factor. The zinc supplement increased the average daily gain (ADG) from d 0 to 7, d 8 to 15 and d 0 to 15 (0.289 vs. 0.217 kg/d), average daily feed intake (ADFI) from d 8 to 15 and d 0 to 15 (0.338 vs. 0.279 kg/d) and the gain to feed (G:F) ratio from d 0 to 7 and d 0 to 15 (0.86 vs. 0.77) (P < 0.001). Both supplements significantly decreased the malondialdehyde concentration (zinc: 4.37 vs. 3.91 μmol/L, P = 0.005; arginine: 4.38 vs. 3.89 μmol/L, P = 0.002). Total antioxidant capacity and reduced glutathione (GSH) increased from d 8 to 15 (0.953 vs. 1.391 μmol/L, 2.22 vs. 3.37 μmol/L, P < 0.05) regardless of dietary treatment. Total and oxidized GSH concentrations on d 8 were higher in response to the combined supplements (zinc × arginine interaction, P < 0.05). Piglets fed either Zn-supplemented diet had a lower haptoglobin serum concentration (509 vs. 1,417 mg/L; P < 0.001). In conclusion, the zinc supplement improved piglet growth performance (ADG and ADFI) and oxidative status (based on malondialdehyde concentration). The arginine supplement had a limited effect on growth performance and oxidative status under these conditions.     

Oxidative Stress Associated With Spasmodic,Flatulent, and Impaction Colic in Draft Horses

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the oxidative stress level and antioxidant trace elements status associated with spasmodic, flatulent, and impaction colic in draft horses. For this purpose, venous blood samples were obtained from 20 randomly selected clinically healthy draft horses (control group) and 60 draft horses with different types of colic (spasmodic colic, n = 20; flatulent colic, n = 20; and impaction colic, n = 20). In horses with flatulent and impaction colic, there was a significant (P < .05) decrease in the total antioxidant capacity and activity of reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) as well as level of selenium, copper, zinc, and iron. However, there was a significant (P < .05) increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and in the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and manganese. Meanwhile, glutathione reductase (GR) was significantly (P < .05) increased in flatulent colic and significantly (P < .05) decreased in impaction colic. The oxidative stress index (OSI) was significantly (P < .05) increased in horses with flatulent and impaction colic. In horses with flatulent colic, there was a negative correlation between CAT and SOD (r = −0.446), MDA and zinc (r = −0.450), and IL-6 and zinc (r = −0.470). However, those with impaction colic, a negative correlation was recorded between CAT and MDA (r = −0.602), copper and GSH (r = −0.474), iron and GR (r = −0.511), and OSI and GR (r = −0.662). The results of the present study indicate that oxidative stress, with alteration of antioxidant trace element levels, is a feature of flatulent and impaction colic in draft horses.     

Combined yeast culture and organic selenium supplementation during late gestation and lactation improve preweaning piglet performance by enhancing the antioxidant capacity and milk content in nutrient-restricted sows

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with yeast culture (YC) and organic selenium (Se) during late gestation and lactation on reproductive performance, milk quality, piglet preweaning performance, antioxidant capacity, and secretion of immunoglobulin in multiparous sows. A total of 160 healthy cross-bred sows (Landrace × Yorkshire, mean parity 4.1 ± 0.3) were randomly assigned to 4 groups as follows: 1) high nutrient (HN), 3,420 kcal/kg digestible energy (DE) and 18.0% crude protein (CP); 2) low nutrient (LN), 3,240 kcal/kg DE and 16.0% CP; 3) LN + YC, LN diet + 10 g/kg YC; 4) LN + YC + Se, LN diet + 10 g/kg YC + organic Se (1 mg/kg Se). Feeding trials of sows started from d 85 of pregnancy to d 35 of lactation. Compared with sows in the LN group, sows fed the LN + YC + Se diet had greater litter weaning weight, average litter gain, and milk fat content (14-d and 25-d milk) (P < 0.05). The content of malonaldehyde (MDA) (colostrum and 14-d milk) was lesser, and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (colostrum and 25-d milk) was greater when sows were fed the LN + YC + Se diet, compared with sows fed the LN diet (P < 0.05). Supplementation of YC and organic Se in the nutrient-restricted diet improved sows’ reproductive performance and pig weaning body weight by enhancing the antioxidant capacity and fat content in milk.     

Effect of daidzein on production performance and serum antioxidative function in late lactation cows under heat stress

Forty Chinese Holstein cows were randomly divided into 4 groups according to birth, milk yield, and close lactation. The cows in 4 groups were fed with basic diet, basic diet plus 200, 300, 400 mg/day daidzein, respectively; and the experimental period was 60 days. The milk yield in all cows was monitored everyday and the quality of milk was examined regularly. Blood was collected on days 0, 10, 30, 60 of experiment to isolate serum, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the serum were measured. Results showed that the milk yield and the percentage of milk fat were significantly higher after feeding daidzein (P<0.01), and the percentage of milk protein was significantly elevated on day 60 in three daidzein groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01), especially in 400 mg/day daidzein group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group (basic diet), the TAC and activities of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT were markedly elevated in three daidzein groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the MDA content was significantly reduced in three daidzein groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). All data suggest that daidzein has positive effects on increasing the production performance and antioxidative activity in late lactation cows, and enhancing the body adaptability and resistance to heat stress.     

The crucial role of lysine in the hepatic metabolism of growing Holstein dairy heifers as revealed by LC-MS-based untargeted metabolomics

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of supplementing rumen-protected Lys based on a Lys-deficient diet on liver metabolism in growing Holstein heifers. The experiment was conducted for 3 months with 36 Holstein heifers (initial body weight: 200 ± 9.0 kg; 7-month-old). Heifers were randomly assigned to 2 diets based on corn, soybean meal, alfalfa hay, and wheat bran: control, Lys-deficient diet (LD; 0.66% Lys in diet), and Lys-adequate diet (LA; 1.00% Lys in diet). The results showed no difference in growth performance between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). However, there was a clear trend of increasing feed conversion rate with Lys supplementation (0.05 < P < 0.01). The serum urea nitrogen concentration was significantly decreased, and the aspartate aminotransferase-to-alanine aminotransferase ratio was significantly decreased by Lys supplementation (P < 0.05). Moreover, growing heifers fed a Lys-adequate diet had lower levels of urine nitrogen excretion and higher levels of the biological value of nitrogen (P < 0.05). Metabolomic analysis revealed that 5 types of phosphatidylcholine and 3 types of ceramide were significantly increased and enriched in sphingolipid metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism (P < 0.05). His, Leu, and Asp levels were significantly decreased in the liver following Lys supplementation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Lys supplementation may promote the synthesis of body tissue proteins, as evidenced by significantly decreased amino acids in the liver and urine N excretion, it also improves hepatic lipid metabolism by providing lipoprotein precursors.     

Supplementing daidzein in diets improves the reproductive performance,endocrine hormones and antioxidant capacity of multiparous sows

Certain hormones play important roles in modulating mammalian reproductive behaviour. Daidzein is a well-known isoflavonic phytoestrogen that possesses oestrogenic activity. This study was conducted to probe the effects of daidzein supplementation in gestation diets on the reproductive performance in sows. A total of 120 multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly assigned to 2 groups (n = 60) and fed either a base diet (control) or one containing 200 mg/kg daidzein during gestation. We discovered that daidzein supplementation significantly increased the total number of piglets born per litter and number of piglets born alive per litter (P < 0.05), decreased the farrowing time (P < 0.05) and increased the serum oestrogen and progesterone concentrations (P < 0.05) at 35 d of gestation. Moreover, serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were higher in the daidzein-treated group than in the control group at 35 d of gestation (P < 0.05). Daidzein increased the serum SOD activity and total anti-oxidative capacity (T-AOC) at 85 d of gestation (P < 0.05). Interestingly, daidzein elevated the expression levels of the sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 1 (SLC38A1) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) genes in the placenta (P < 0.05). These results suggest that daidzein ingestion could improve sow reproductive performance by changing serum hormones, elevating anti-oxidative capacity and up-regulating critical functional genes in the placenta.     

Supplemental lipoic acid relieves post‐weaning diarrhoea by decreasing intestinal permeability in rats

Lipoic acid (LA) is a naturally existing substance which widely distributed in the cellular membranes and cytosol of animal cells. Its intracellular functions include quenching of free radicals and repairing oxidized proteins. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of LA on post‐weaning diarrhoea using a rat model. Sixty weaned rats were fed either a basal diet or a LA‐supplemented diet, or a zinc oxide (ZnO)‐supplemented diet as a positive control. Rats in the LA and ZnO groups had better performance and reduced incidence of diarrhoea (p < 0.05). Both LA and ZnO treatments enhanced intestinal homeostatic and architecture, significantly decreased urinary lactulose to mannitol ratios (p < 0.05) and increased the expression of the intestinal mucosal tight junction proteins occludin (OCLN) and zonula occludens protein‐1 (ZO‐1) (p < 0.05). LA significantly increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and reduced glutathione while decreasing the levels of oxidative glutathione and malondialdehyde in the intestinal mucosa (p < 0.05). Furthermore, an in vitro study indicated that supplementation with LA in IEC‐6 intestinal epithelial cells significantly enhanced the expression of OCLN and ZO‐1 under hydrogen peroxide‐induced oxidative stress. Collectively, these results suggest that LA relieves post‐weaning diarrhoea by reducing intestinal permeability and improving antioxidant indices.     

Flavor supplementation during late gestation and lactation periods increases the reproductive performance and alters fecal microbiota of the sows

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of flavor on reproductive performance and fecal microbiota of sows during late gestation and lactation. A total of 20 healthy Yorkshire sows were fed a corn-soybean basal diet unsupplemented or supplemented with 0.1% flavor compound from d 90 of gestation to 25 d post-farrowing, and then the piglets were weaned. The reproductive performance and the fecal microbiota of sows were analyzed. Compared with the controls, flavor supplementation in maternal diets increased (P < 0.05) weaning litter weight, litter weight gain, weaning body weight, and average daily gain of piglets. There was a trend of increase in the average daily feed intake of sows (P = 0.09) by maternal dietary flavor addition. The backfat thickness and litter size were not affected by flavor supplementation (P > 0.05). The 16S rRNA analysis showed that flavor supplementation significantly increased the abundance of Phascolarctobacterium (P < 0.05), but significantly decreased genera Terrisporobacter, Alloprevotella, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and Escherichia-shigella (P < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that Phascolarctobacterum was positively correlated with the average daily feed intake of sows (P < 0.05), the litter weight gain and average daily gain of piglets (P < 0.05). In contrast, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and unclassified_f__Lachnospiraceae were negatively correlated with the litter weight gain and average daily gain of piglets (P < 0.05). Taken together, dietary flavor supplementation improved the reproductive performance of the sows, which was associated with enhanced beneficial microbiota and decreased potentially pathogenic bacteria in the sows.     

Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status in Standardbreds: Effect of Age and Training in Resting Plasma and Muscle

The hypothesis of this study was that yearlings would have more oxidative stress as measured by malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutathione (GSH-T), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and nitric oxide (NO) than mature mares before training, but after they would have similar levels. Ten Standardbred yearling fillies and 10 mature Standardbred mares were split into trained and nontrained groups. Horses were trained 5 days/wk for 7 weeks. Blood and muscle samples were collected at rest on weeks 0, 2, 5, 7, and 9. At week 0, the yearlings had higher muscle GSH-T and NO concentrations (P = .03) than the trained mares. At week 9, plasma NO concentrations were lower in trained mares than in the trained yearlings (P = .007). Trained mares increased muscle MDA and decreased plasma MDA concentrations from weeks 0 to 9 (P < .01), while all mares increased muscle NO and GSH-T concentrations by week 9 (P < .05). Trained mares and yearlings had increased erythrocyte GPx activity at weeks 7 and 9 and GSH-T concentration at week 7 (P < .05). Mares had higher lipid peroxidation and lower antioxidant status in the muscle than the yearlings prior to training. Trained mares improved antioxidant status and oxidative stress levels through training, resulting in levels similar to the yearlings.     

Dietary synbiotic supplementation improves the growth performance,body antioxidant pool,serum biochemistry,meat quality,and lipid oxidative stability in broiler chickens

The present study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus (LBA) and mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) supplementation on the production performance, serum biochemistry, antioxidant profile, health indices, meat quality, and lipid oxidative stability of broiler chicken. A total of 252 commercial broiler chickens at 1 d old of uniform body weight were randomly allocated to 6 maize-soybean-based dietary treatments: T₁ (control diet), T₂ ( antibiotic bacitracin methylene di-salicylate [BMD] at 20 mg/kg diet), T₃ (MOS at 0.1% + LBA at 10⁶ CFU/g feed), T₄ (MOS at 0.1% + LBA at 10⁷ CFU/g feed), T₅ (MOS at 0.2% + LBA at 10⁶ CFU/g feed), and T₆ (MOS at 0.2% + LBA at 10⁷ CFU/g feed). Each treatment was assigned to 6 replicates of 7 birds. The samples for meat quality and serum biochemistry analysis were taken from 12 birds per treatment (2 birds/replicate). The results revealed better (P < 0.01) growth performance and production efficiency of birds fed either T₅ or T₆ diet compared to control or BMD supplemented diet and BMD-supplemented birds superseded the control birds. Higher (P < 0.01) serum and liver antioxidant enzyme activities, meat antioxidant capacity (2, 2-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid [ABTS] and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] assays], serum total protein, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol (P < 0.05), and globulin levels (P < 0.01) were observed in birds fed either T₅ or T₆ diet compared to control or BMD supplemented birds, whereas, lower lipid oxidation (P < 0.01), cardiac risk ratio, atherogenic coefficient, atherogenic index of plasma, serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol levels (P < 0.01), and serum albumin-to-globulin ratio (P < 0.05) were observed in the chickens. The pH of meat from birds fed T₄, T₅ or T₆ diet was lower (P < 0.01) compared to control and other treatments. The extract release volume (ERV), water holding capacity (WHC), and protein content of meat were higher (P < 0.05) in birds fed either T₅ or T₆ diet compared to control or BMD supplemented birds. Thus, it was concluded that the supplementation of 0.2% MOS along with LBA at 10⁶ CFU/g is optimum for better growth performance, serum biochemistry, antioxidant profile, health indices, meat quality, and lipid oxidative stability of broiler chickens.     

Growth,digestive and absorptive capacity and antioxidant status in intestine and hepatopancreas of sub-adult grass carp Ctenopharyngodonidella fed graded levels of dietary threonine

Background

This study was carried out to investigate effects of threonine levels on growth, digestive and absorptive capacity and antioxidant status in intestine and hepatopancreas of sub-adult grass carp (Ctenopharyngodonidella).

Results

Weight gain, specific growth rate, feed intake and feed efficiency were significantly improved by dietary threonine (P < 0.05). Intestinal activities of trypsin, chymotrypsin, alpha-amylase, lipase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and creatine kinase took the similar trends. Contents of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl in intestine and hepatopancreas were significantly decreased by dietary optimal threonine supplementation (P < 0.05). Anti-superoxide anion capacity, anti-hydroxyl radical capacity, glutathione content and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase in intestine and hepatopancreas were enhanced by dietary threonine (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Dietary threonine could improve growth, enhance digestive and absorptive capacity and antioxidant status in intestine and hepatopancreas of sub-adult grass carp. The dietary threonine requirement of sub-adult grass carp (441.9-1,013.4 g) based on weight gain was 11.6 g/kg diet or 41.5 g/kg of dietary protein by quadratic regression analysis.     

抗生素替代品对泰和乌骨鸡小肠α-淀粉酶和胰蛋白酶活性的影响

为提高泰和乌骨鸡和鸡药用价值、滋补作用及生产性能 ,研究了益生素、寡果糖、糖萜素和中草药制剂等抗生素替代品对泰和乌骨鸡十二指肠内容物中a -淀粉酶和胰蛋白酶的活性影响。结果表明 ,① 5周龄时 ,与对照组相比 ,a -淀粉酶活性 :寡果糖组和糖萜素组均呈显著提高 (P <0 0 5 ) ,益生素组和中草药组有一定程度的提高 ,但无显著差异 ;胰蛋白酶活性 :有显著提高 (P <0 0 5 )的是益生素组、寡果糖组和糖萜素组 ,中草药组有提高的趋势 ,但差异不显著 (P >0 0 5 )。② 10周龄时 ,a -淀粉酶和胰蛋白酶活性呈显著提高 (P <0 0 5 )的有寡果糖组、糖萜素组和中草药组 ,益生素组比对照组有提高的趋势但差异不显著 (P >0 0 5 )。