Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition最新文献

Sorption isotherms evaluate water exchange between food and environments with different water activities (aw), providing valuable information on physical changes and susceptibility of deterioration due to lipid oxidation and microbial growth. In this context, the present study aimed to characterise the adsorption and desorption curves of extruded dry foods for dogs and cats using the Guggenheim-Anderson-De Boer (GAB) model, as well as to compare these results with those obtained from a simpler and faster method, the drying curve. Three foods for dogs and three for cats were evaluated. The equilibrium moisture content by isotherm method was determined at 30°C using the gravimetric method with six saturated saline solutions, covering aw from 0.11 to 0.83. The isotherm curves between aw and moisture content were plotted by GAB model. The drying curve for each food was plotted between aw and moisture using direct data obtained during the drying of samples after extrusion in an air oven at 60°C, to compare this result with the desorption curve. The parameters for each curve using the GAB model were determined using RStudio software. To compare the drying curves with the sorption isotherm, the Wilcoxon paired t-test was used. All pet foods exhibited a type II isotherm. The average R² was 0.99 for the adsorption curves, 0.87 for desorption and 0.99 for drying curves, showing a good fit of the models. The adsorption and desorption isotherms, as well as the drying curves, showed different predicted equilibrium moisture contents, with higher values predicted by the desorption method. In conclusion, the adsorption curves were the most suitable for the dry pet foods evaluated, and the drying curve could not be recommended due to the lower accuracy compared to the sorption isotherms.

Cats diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have shown a better prognosis when consuming an appropriate renal diet, which makes its palatability a key factor in ensuring proper compliance. A proof-of-concept trial with a commercial dry renal diet was conducted in 33 healthy cats to assess its palatability over three consecutive 6-day phases: acceptance (renal diet only), control (usual food only), and preference (both foods simultaneously). The first two phases used the one-bowl test, whereas the third used the two-bowl test methodology, with latency time, food intake, and behavioural patterns being recorded by the caregivers at home. During the acceptance phase, caregivers classified it as good/very good, bad/very bad, or normal in 60.6%, 24.2%, and 15.2% of cats, respectively. Cats over 6 years, those weighing ≤ 4.9 kg, females, and those accustomed to have food available all day showed a lower median renal diet intake. Among the 29 cats that finished the one-bowl test, only four cats showed significant differences in food consumption: two ate less and two ate more renal diet compared with their usual food. Latency time and food-related behaviours did not differ with the food. Thirty cats completed the two-bowl test, with 43.3%, 43.3%, and 13.3% reportedly preferring the renal diet, their usual food, or neither in particular, respectively. Overall food intake ratios did not differ significantly, although 12 and 8 cats consumed significantly more and less renal diet, respectively. The variables 'first approached' and 'first eaten' showed a significant association in the third phase. In most cases (83.3%), the renal diet would likely/very likely be offered again if recommended. These findings suggest that this commercial renal diet was not less palatable than most of the maintenance foods used as control, reinforcing that its acceptance in CKD cats may depend more on clinical status than food palatability.

Microalgae are a highly diverse group of unicellular organisms that grow in a wide range of aquatic environments and are widely used as dietary supplements for both human and animal applications. Microalgae are rich in lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and other valuable bioactive components such as pigments, antioxidants and vitamins. Those components have shown bioactivity not only by affecting cell, organ and tissue functionality but also have notable antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties, positioning microalgae as a potential natural antibiotic substitute. Although production costs of microalgae are high, it has been shown that relatively low (< 1%) inclusion levels of microalgae in the diet of animals affect physiological functions and performance. Microalgae can be fed as whole biomass but also as a fraction (the lipid, protein, carbohydrate or rest fraction). Feedings a fraction of microalgae may be beneficial when only a specific bioactivity of a fraction is required in animals, thereby reducing the cost of feed. For instance, when microalgae are fractionated for human applications, the resulting byproducts or 'side-stream fractions', present a cost-effective feed alternative for livestock. In addition, feeding microalgae or their fractions during periods when young animals are more susceptible to health issues can not only enhance cost-effectiveness but also potentially support their recovery. The aims of this review are (i) to present an overview of the mode of action of the lipid, protein and carbohydrate (rest) fractions of microalgae on whole body physiology, (ii) to summarize previous research on the bioactivity of dietary fractions of microalgae in livestock production and (iii) to propose novel strategies to use whole microalgae biomass or their fractions as functional feed to support resilience in young growing animals during vulnerable health episodes.

Excess phosphate (P) intake through inorganic P (Pi) addition is known to cause various adverse health effects while declaration of use and amount in pet food in the EU is not regulated. Distinction between organic phosphate (oP) from feed ingredients and Pi with standard laboratory methods is impossible. Most Pi sources are highly soluble after 1 min in water (P_sol1). Measuring fractions of P according to solubility by the method of Lineva et al. (2019) can be used to estimate Pi addition. Heat processing reduces the fraction of P_sol1 in meat. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of heat- and pressure processing on complete wet diets with Pi addition. An experimental cat diet with loaf-type consistency was prepared. One sample without additives, one with a complete mineral-vitamin premix without Pi to balance and 16 samples with such premixes plus Pi addition from four different commonly used sources (H₃PO₄, NaH₂PO₄*H₂O, KH₂PO₄, CaHPO₄) were tested in various combinations and concentrations. Ca/P ratios were adjusted in ranges between 1/1 and 2/1 and for three samples above 2/1. Part of the samples was kept raw and stored frozen, the rest was canned individually according to specifications common for the canning process. The samples were analysed by the method of Lineva et al. (2019), measuring fractions of soluble P in water and 0.4% HCl after 1 and 90 min in raw and canned samples. The results showed a strong correlation between Pi addition and measured amount of P_sol1 in the raw samples. However, P_sol1 strongly decreased in the identical canned samples. High amounts of P_sol1 are found in commercial pet food. The findings of this study indicate that the amount of added Pi in commercial pet food is probably even higher than can be expected by measuring P_sol1.

Aquaculture plays a pivotal role in meeting the escalating demand for seafood. However, the susceptibility of fish to diseases poses a substantial threat to the productivity and profitability of aquaculture operations. Disease outbreaks necessitate the development of strategies to improve fish health without relying on antibiotics. This review focuses on harnessing the potential of natural sources of carotenoids, specifically those derived from microbial sources, as supplements in aquaculture feed. Microbial carotenoids effectively bolster fish health, rendering them resistant to pathogens and also improving the quality of fish being farmed. Additionally, carotenoids contribute to increased pigmentation in fish, enhancing visual appeal, especially in ornamental fishes. The authors have also touched upon elucidating the mechanisms through which carotenoids enhance fish health. This work consolidates existing knowledge and underscores the potential for further research to broaden our understanding of microbial carotenoids in aquaculture.

This review synthesises current knowledge on the application of bioactive feed additives to enhance poultry reproductive efficiency, addressing both physiological mechanisms and practical challenges. In male poultry, additives such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and amino acids improve semen quality by mitigating oxidative stress, enhancing mitochondrial function, and regulating steroidogenesis through pathways involving Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR) and cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc). For female reproduction, phytochemicals and probiotics optimise egg production and quality via gut microbiota modulation, nutrient absorption efficiency, and anti-oxidant defence systems, thereby improving eggshell integrity and yolk composition. Emerging sustainable alternatives, including microbial-derived enzymes and insect-based proteins, offer cost-effective solutions to replace traditional additives while maintaining productivity. However, challenges persist in balancing economic viability, regional feed resource variability, and the need for precision in oxidative stress manage-ment. Future research must prioritise interdisciplinary strategies to develop regionally tailored formulations that integrate molecular insights with farm-scale feasibility. By aligning with global sustainability goals and animal welfare standards, these innovations hold potential to sustainably meet the growing demands of poultry production systems.

The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is an insectivorous species whose maintenance under human care is impaired due to the difficulty of reproducing their natural diet, associated with the challenge in developing an adequate and replicable diet. A wide variety of nutrition-related diseases are reported, but with few confirmed causal relationships. Moreover, little is known about the clinical parameters of the species and its relationship with diet. The aim of this study is to describe the haematology and blood chemistry of wild and captive giant anteaters in Brazil, correlating them with their physical condition and composition of the diet presented to the animals. We assessed 21 free-range and 22 captive giant anteaters, and compared results of bodyweight, biometry, haematology and serum biochemistry. Diets offered in captivity, and the stomach contents of nine wild road-killed anteaters were analyzed for chemical composition of macronutrients and minerals. When comparing data between free-range and captive animals, we found important differences in size and in haematological and biochemical analyses. Free-living anteaters were ~25% smaller compared with captives, both in BW (32.4 ± 4.7 kg and 42.6 ± 8.0 kg; p < 0.001) and measurements (thorax, abdomen and forearm circumferences). In addition, the composition of the stomach contents of wild animals differed significantly from the diet offered to captive animals, containing significantly less fat, energy and nutritional minerals in free-living animals. Diet seems to reflect directly on the physical parameters and laboratory results of giant anteaters.

Okara is an insoluble soybean byproduct, and much of it is discarded due to its high perishability. This study investigated the efficacy of fully replacing fermented soybean meal in a control diet (PC) with fermented okara at an equal crude protein level (EC) or at an equal amount level (EQ) on growth performance and meat quality in 315 pigs, starting from weaners to finishers. Results indicated that EC and EQ groups led to significantly (p < 0.05) improved growth performance primarily during the grower and finisher stages. Both EC and EQ groups had significantly (p < 0.05) increased duodenal villus height. Moreover, EC group had significantly (p < 0.05) elevated concentration of acetic acid and reduced branched-chain fatty acids (iso-butyric acid and 2-methylbutyric acid) when compared to PC. There was an increase in volatile fatty acid-producing bacteria at the genus level, such as Prevotella, Lactobacillus, Megasphaera and Streptococcus in EC group. More importantly, no adverse effects on meat quality were observed in pigs fed with fermented okara. Taken together, utilization of fermented okara as an alternative protein source for animals not only improves performance and gut health, but also facilities a recycling economy to promote sustainable agriculture practices.

This study examined the effect of adding herbal supplements in the diets of post-partum crossbred cows (Vrindabani cattle; 59.6 ± 0.73 days post-partum) of second to fourth parity (3.1 ± 0.15) on milk yield, milk quality, immune function and antioxidant status. Twenty-four cows were randomly assigned to four groups in a completely randomized design. While the cows in HP, HPL and HEX groups received diets blended with herbal powder (200 gd^{- 1}), herbal pellets (200 gd^-1) and methanolic herbal extract (equal to 200 g herbal powder d^-1), respectively, the cows in the CON group fed a diet consisting of green fodder, concentrate and wheat straw to meet the requirements for maintenance and milk production (ICAR 2013). The total duration of the experiment was of 120 days. Milk samples were collected fortnightly from each cow to study the udder health, milk composition and quality parameters. Serum antioxidant indices, immunity and mRNA expression of genes (LEP and GHRL) were ascertained. Daily milk yield, 4% Fat corrected milk (FCM), Energy corrected milk (ECM), total milk yield, fat, protein yields and pH were analogous irrespective of treatments, while Diphenyl Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) value of milk was higher (p < 0.01) in treatment groups. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and flavonoids of milk were higher (p < 0.01) in HEX and HP group relative to CON, however, HPL has transitional position. Somatic cell counts in milk were noticeably (p < 0.05) lower in HPL and HEX than CON. The clinical scoring of milk was noticeably (p < 0.05) lower in HP and HPL groups. The cell mediated (CM) immunity was higher (p < 0.05) in HPL. Serum Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px), Glutathione-S-Reductase (GSR) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) were noticeably (p < 0.01) higher in HPL, HEX and HP groups relative to CON. LPO was decreased (p < 0.05) in HPL and HP groups relative to CON. The serum TAC (%) was higher (p < 0.01) in treatment groups than CON. The expression of LEP and GHRL gene remained unaffected. It can be deduced that herbal feed supplements in HPL and HP forms in the diet of post-partum cows were found to be promising as a strategy to bolster their overall health status, strengthen immune function and potentially elevate milk quality.

Spirulina platensis, a filamentous blue or green microalgae, naturally found in alkaline lakes of tropical and subtropical regions, has attracted considerable attention as a sustainable feed resource for poultry production. Beyond its long history of use as a human food supplement, Spirulina is now gaining recognition in animal nutrition owing to its exceptional nutrient profile, including high-quality proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds with antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. With the global demand for high-quality animal protein rising, nutrient-enriched Spirulina provides a sustainable alternative to conventional feed additives. This review highlights current knowledge of Spirulina's applications in poultry nutrition, emphasizing its role in enhancing growth performance, immune competence, gut microbiota modulation, and overall product quality. Particular attention is given to its potential in biofortification, reduction of antibiotic dependence, and contribution to functional poultry products with added health benefits. Moreover, the article identifies critical research gaps and outlines future perspectives, emphasizing the need to explore the underlying mechanism of action, optimize dosage, evaluate synergistic effects with other feed additives, and assess large-scale feasibility in commercial production. By integrating recent advancements, the present review highlights the importance of continued research on Spirulina as an innovative feed additive, enhancing poultry health and productivity while promoting sustainable and eco-friendly production practices.