Effects of milk thistle meal on performance,ileal bacterial enumeration,jejunal morphology and blood lipid peroxidation in laying hens fed diets with different levels of metabolizable energy

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of milk thistle meal on performance, blood biochemical indices, ileal bacterial counts and intestinal histology in laying hens fed diets containing different levels of metabolizable energy. A total number of 200 Leghorn laying hens (Hy‐Line W‐36) were randomly assigned to eight experimental treatments with five cage replicates of five birds each. Dietary treatments consisted of four levels of milk thistle meal (0%, 15%, 30% and 60%) and two levels of AME_n (11.09 and 12.34 MJ/kg) fed over a period of 80 days. In vitro studies revealed that the total phenolic component of milk thistle meal was 470.64 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of the sample, and its antioxidant activity for inhibiting the 2‐2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrichydrazyl free radical and reducing ferric ions was about 21% higher than that of butylated hydroxyltoluene (p < .05). Diets containing high level of AME_n led to improved egg production (p < .05), egg weight (p < .05), egg mass (p < .01) and feed conversion ratio (p < .01). In addition, offering diets containing high energy significantly enhanced (p < .01) serum triglyceride and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations as well as jejunal villus height. Dietary supplementation of 3% milk thistle meal resulted in the best feed conversion ratio (p < .05), reduction of ileal Escherichia coli enumeration (p < .01) and an enhancement in the villus height‐to‐crypt depth ratio (p < .05). Furthermore, feeding incremental levels of this meal led to remarkable decrease in serum cholesterol, triglyceride and MDA (p < .01) concentrations while significant increase in blood high‐density lipoprotein content and goblet cell numbers (p < .05). The present findings indicate that milk thistle meal with high antioxidant and antibacterial properties in laying hen diets may improve health indices and productive performance.     

Evaluating the nutritive profile of three insect meals and their effects to replace soya bean in broiler diet

This study was conducted to evaluate the comparative effect of maggot meal, silkworm meal and mealworm as dietary protein source on the production performance and some aspects of meat quality in broilers. In this regard, maggot meal was reared on chicken offal and poultry waste. Silkworm meal was obtained from silk industry, while mealworm was developed through beetles rearing. A total of 120‐day‐old broiler chicks were randomly divided into four groups where soya bean meal (M0) was replaced with maggot meal (M1), silkworm meal (M2) and mealworm (M3) respectively. Each group was further divided into three replicates. The study was carried out for a period of 5 weeks. Diets containing mealworm significantly reduced overall feed consumption and resulted into higher weight gain (p < .05). Lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded for birds fed with mealworm diet (p < .05). Tenderness and juiciness of meat were higher (p < .05) in M3 compared to the control and other treatments. Mortality did not vary between the control and the treated groups. Therefore, it is concluded that insect meal is rich in essential nutrients and could be successfully used in broiler ration without compromising acceptability. In the light of this study, mealworm is the best choice in broiler ration, in comparison with maggot and silkworm.     

红花粕和水飞蓟粕对生长獭兔的营养价值评定

本试验旨在通过饲养试验和消化试验来评定红花粕和水飞蓟粕在生长獭兔上的营养价值。选取18只60日龄左右、平均体重(1.73±0.21)kg、健康状况良好的白色獭兔,随机分为3个组,每组6个重复,每个重复1只兔。各组分别饲喂基础饲粮、红花粕饲粮(85%基础饲粮+15%红花粕)和水飞蓟粕饲粮(85%基础饲粮+15%水飞蓟粕)。预试期和正试期各5 d。采用化学分析法测定红花粕和水飞蓟粕的总能(GE)及各营养物质含量,采用全收粪法测定生长獭兔对各营养物质的表观消化率。结果表明:红花粕和水飞蓟粕中的GE、干物质(DM)、粗蛋白质(CP)、粗纤维(CF)、中性洗涤纤维(NDF)、酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)、酸性洗涤木质素(ADL)、粗脂肪(EE)、粗灰分(Ash)、钙(Ca)、磷(P)以及无氮浸出物(NFE)的含量分别为:18.81 MJ/kg、93.76%、23.94%、14.95%、19.92%、11.99%、2.19%、1.64%、4.93%、0.37%、0.57%、49.32%与17.12 MJ/kg、91.94%、23.62%、16.21%、38.57%、22.73%、4.04%、2.07%、5.31%、0.29%、0.68%、42.09%。生长獭兔对红花粕和水飞蓟粕中GE、DM、CP、CF、NDF、ADF、EE、Ash、Ca、P和NFE的表观消化率分别为62.60%、61.72%、62.39%、15.68%、26.30%、14.75%、80.69%、38.35%、59.35%、31.98%、79.61%与63.13%、61.94%、68.01%、15.74%、27.64%、14.98%、79.90%、38.20%、60.44%、32.99%、79.81%。由此可见,生长獭兔对红花粕和水飞蓟粕中的不同营养成分的表观消化率存在一定差异,结合2种原料各营养物质含量总体分析,2种原料均可作为獭兔的蛋白质饲料资源应用,并且对生长獭兔的营养价值相近。     

Glycine max and Glycine soja are capable of cold acclimation

Soybean has been considered a cold intolerant species; based largely upon seed germination and soil emergent evaluations. This study reports a distinct acquisition of cold tolerance, in seedlings, following short acclimation periods. Diversity in cold responses was assessed in eight cultivars of Glycine max and six accessions of G. soja. All varieties of soybean significantly increased in freezing tolerance following acclimation. This study indicates soybean seedlings are indeed capable of sensing cold and acquiring cold tolerance. Germination rates after cold imbibition were negatively correlated with maturity group, but positively correlated with cold acclimation potential in G. soja. Seed fatty acid composition was varied between the species, with Glycine soja accessions containing about 2‐times more linolenic acid (18:3) than G. max. Furthermore, high levels of linoleic acid (18:2) in seeds were positively correlated with germination rates following cold imbibition in G. soja only. We suggest that domestication has not impacted the overall ability of soybean to cold acclimate at the seedling stage and that there is little variation within the domesticated species for ability to cold acclimate. Thus, this brief comparative study reduces the enthusiasm for the “wild” species as an additional source of genetic diversity for cold tolerance.     

Association analysis for detecting significant single nucleotide polymorphisms for phosphorus-deficiency tolerance at the seedling stage in soybean [Glycine max (L) Merr.]

Tolerance to low-phosphorus soil is a desirable trait in soybean cultivars. Previous quantitative trait locus (QTL) studies for phosphorus-deficiency tolerance were mainly derived from bi-parental segregating populations and few reports from natural population. The objective of this study was to detect QTLs that regulate phosphorus-deficiency tolerance in soybean using association mapping approach. Phosphorus-deficiency tolerance was evaluated according to five traits (plant shoot height, shoot dry weight, phosphorus concentration, phosphorus acquisition efficiency and use efficiency) comprising a conditional phenotype at the seedling stage. Association mapping of the conditional phenotype detected 19 SNPs including 13 SNPs that were significantly associated with the five traits across two years. A novel cluster of SNPs, including three SNPs that consistently showed significant effects over two years, that associated with more than one trait was detected on chromosome 3. All favorable alleles, which were determined based on the mean of conditional phenotypic values of each trait over the two years, could be pyramided into one cultivar through parental cross combination. The best three cross combinations were predicted with the aim of simultaneously improving phosphorus acquisition efficiency and use efficiency. These results will provide a thorough understanding of the genetic basis of phosphorus deficiency tolerance in soybean.     

Use of Porcine Meal in Plant‐based Practical Diets for Pacific White Shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei

Two growth trials were conducted to evaluate and confirm the efficacy of a porcine meal (PM) with high protein content (>90%) as an alternative feed ingredient in commercial‐type feed formulation for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Six experimental diets were formulated for the two growth trials. The first five diets contained increasing levels (0, 1, 2, 4, and 6%) of PM as a replacement for soybean meal in a plant‐based diet with low inclusion level (6%) of fish meal (FM). The last experimental diet was produced utilizing 4.2% PM to completely replace FM. In Trial 1, shrimp (1.5 g initial mean weight, 20 shrimp/tank, n = 4) were offered test diets for 6 wk in a semirecirculation system. At the end of Trial 1, shrimp fed with the diet containing 6% PM exhibited significantly enhanced weight gain (WG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and survival compared to those fed with the diet devoid of FM. As survival was poor across all treatments and different densities could mask growth results the trial was repeated. In Trial 2, shrimp (0.85 g, 15 shrimp/tank, n = 4) were offered diets for 6 wk. Dietary supplementation of PM at 6% significantly improved WG, FCR, and apparent net protein retention in contrast with the treatment devoid of FM, confirming the same trends in Trial 1. No significant difference was detected in protein, lipid, moisture, and mineral profiles of whole‐body shrimp as well as survival across all the treatments. Results of this study indicate that PM is a good high protein source in shrimp feeds, which can be included up to 6% in the low FM‐based diet without compromising the growth of shrimp.     

Soil property differences among high‐ and average‐yielding soya bean areas in Arkansas,USA

Soya bean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] yields >6719 kg/ha (100 bu/ac) have only recently and infrequently been achieved. Quantifying soil property differences between high‐ and average‐yielding areas can help to further identify non‐plant‐related properties contributing to soya bean yield potential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of region and soil depth on soil property differences between high‐ and average‐yielding areas. In each of the seven regions of the ‘Grow for the Green’ yield contest in Arkansas, prior to or just after harvest in 2014 and 2015, soil samples were collected from the top 20 cm of one contest high‐yield (HY ) area that was in close proximity to an average‐yield (AY ) area. Across all regions and both years, soya bean yields differed (P  <  0.05) between yield areas, averaging 4701 and 5498 kg/ha in AY and HY areas, respectively. Averaged across soil depth and years, numerous soil properties differed (P  <  0.05) between HY and AY areas within at least one of seven regions. Total soil C content was at least 20.2% greater in the HY than in the AY area in three of seven regions. Extractable soil P content was, on average, 19.4 kg/ha greater in HY than in AY areas in three of the seven regions. Results from this study have the potential to help producers better understand soil properties that contribute to or hinder achieving ultra‐high (>6719 kg/ha) soya bean yields.     

豆粕酶解发酵物对仔猪生长性能、血清指标及肠道菌群结构的影响

本试验旨在研究豆粕酶解发酵物对仔猪生长性能、血清指标及肠道菌群结构的影响。选用144头49日龄健康的"杜×长×大"三元杂交育肥仔猪,随机分为3组,每组6个重复,每个重复8头猪(公母各占1/2)。阴性对照组饲喂无抗生素添加的基础饲粮,抗生素对照组饲喂基础饲粮+60 g/t吉他霉素,试验组饲喂试验饲粮(基础饲粮中10%豆粕被豆粕酶解发酵物替代)。试验期为42 d。结果表明:1)试验组仔猪的末重、平均日增重、平均日采食量分别比阴性对照组高5.06%、10.07%、5.03%(P0.05),腹泻率比阴性对照组低39.59%(P0.05),与抗生素对照组相比各指标差异均不显著(P0.05)。2)试验组仔猪血清碱性磷酸酶和谷丙转氨酶活性、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性均显著高于阴性对照组(P0.05),丙二醛(MDA)含量显著低于阴性对照组(P0.05);试验组和抗生素对照组仔猪血清指标差异不显著(P0.05)。3)试验组仔猪盲肠、大肠中乳酸杆菌数量显著高于阴性对照组和抗生素对照组(P0.05),十二指肠中总细菌数显著低于阴性对照组和抗生素对照组(P0.05)。综上,豆粕酶解发酵物能提高仔猪生长性能,增强机体抗氧化能力,利于乳酸杆菌在肠道内形成优势菌群,降低腹泻率,生长性能达到使用抗生素水平。