Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition最新文献

Roughage can be a significant source of vitamin D in herbivore diets. The vitamin D content of forages can vary considerably and depends, among others, on plant species, plant maturity and climate fluctuations. Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure causes conversion of provitamin D to vitamin D and thus represents the most important influence. To characterise this effect, two batches of a young-cut roughage of high hygienic and nutritional quality were exposed to constant artificial UVB-irradiation up to 192 h and were sampled at regular intervals. In previous studies, both ergocalciferol (vitamin D₂), cholecalciferol (vitamin D₃) and/or their metabolites have been detected in plants. Therefore, the present roughage was analysed for both D₂ and D₃. Whereas cholecalciferol never exceeded the detection limit of 0.25 µg/100 g, ergocalciferol increased from 2.22 µg to 19.15 µg/100 g dry matter in a time-dependent manner. Additionally, the values indicate an interplay with other factors not investigated in this study, for example, leaf-stem-ratio in the different samples. The high amounts of ergocalciferol in the experimental roughage after UVB-exposure confirm the value of hay as a vitamin D source for managed herbivores. The quick rise with time cautions against neglecting UVB-irradiation's effect on feed, both in practical as well as in experimental settings.

Food leftovers can be used as alternative feed ingredients for monogastric to replace human-competing feedstuffs, such as cereals, recycle a waste product, reduce the feed-food competition and keep nutrients and energy in the feed-food chain. Among food leftovers, former food products (FFPs) are no more intended for human but still suitable for animal consumption. However, the metabolic impact of FFP has never been investigated. In this study, we evaluated the impact of replacing 30% of conventional cereals with FFP on abdominal fat quality and plasma metabolome modulation in postweaning piglets. Thirty-six Large White × Landrace postweaning piglets (28 days old) were randomly assigned to three dietary groups for 42 days: control (CTR), 30% replacement of CTR with salty FFP (SA), 30% replacement of CTR with sugary FFP (SU). Body weight and feed intake were measured to calculate average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio. The fatty acid profile of the diets and the abdominal adipose tissue was determined and a mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics investigation was performed on plasma samples. The growth performance was not significantly affected by SA and SU diets. Despite the different fatty acid profile of the diets, the fatty acid profile of the adipose tissue was rebalanced in piglets. The plasma metabolome was more affected by the time factor rather than the treatment factor. Six metabolites were significantly altered in SA and SU groups compared to CTR: caffeine, theobromine, proline-betaine, dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (PC 32:0), spermidine and l-tryptophan. Caffeine and glycerophospholipid pathways were significantly different between CTR and SA and SU groups, although no impact on other metabolic pathways was observed. Overall, the limited impact of FFP on the abdominal fat, plasma metabolome and related pathways in postweaning piglets demonstrated the value of FFP as innovative and sustainable feed ingredients to replace human-competing feedstuffs.

Hydrolysed proteins are of interest owing to their potential effects on metabolic and physiological responses, low allergenicity and high digestibility. This study aimed to evaluate the use of hydrolysed poultry byproduct meal (HPM) as a replacement for conventional poultry byproduct meal (PBM) as a protein source and to study its effects on serum cytokines, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, serum antioxidant parameters, blood pressure, and urinary parameters in cats. The replacement of PBM with HPM was evaluated using five formulations with similar chemical compositions: control (PBM as the sole protein source) and the inclusion of 5%, 10%, 20%, and 30% HPM (on an as-fed basis). Thirty cats were distributed into two randomised blocks of 15 cats, with 3 cats per diet in each block, totalling 6 cats per food. After 10 days of diet adaptation, the urine of the cats was quantitatively collected from Days 11 to 15, and on the day 21 blood samples were collected and blood pressure was evaluated. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and the means were compared by polynomial contrasts. Non-parametrically distributed variables were compared using the Kruskal–Wallis test (p < 0.05). All the cats remained healthy throughout the study period. Diet did not affect urine volume; intake and excretion of sodium, potassium, and chloride; blood pressure; ACE plasma activity; or serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels (p > 0.05). Among the oxidative parameters, there was a quadratic increase in lipid peroxidation and glutathione S-transferase (higher values at 10% HPM) (p < 0.05). A quadratic increase was observed for steam cell factor, interferon-γ, IL-4, and IL-8 (p < 0.05), with higher values for cats fed 5% and 10% HPM diets. A nonparametric distribution with higher values for cats fed the 5% HPM diet was observed for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; tumour necrosis factor-α; IL-2; and regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we observed that the intake of diets containing 5% and 10% HPM stimulated the antioxidant system and the secretion of several cytokines involved in the preparation and function of the immune system, suggesting potential biological functions with implications for cat health deserving further investigation.

We investigated the effect of propolis as a sanitiser on hatched eggs previously infected with avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) (APEC) serogroup O78. A green propolis watery extract at 24% and a native breed hatching eggs have been used in this study. A total number of five virulence genes had been detected in E. coli serotype O78 used in this study indicating the pathogenicity of this isolate. The use propolis as a sanitiser for hatching eggs negatively decreased the hatchability percent and increased the embryonic death percent. However, it had a high strength against E. coli serogroup O78 as it significantly reduced the mean colony-forming unit (CFU) count in livers and yolks 4 days post-challenge and in 1-day-old chicks. Our results indicated the antibacterial effect of a green propolis watery extract at 24% against APEC serogroup O78. However, the effect of low concentrations of the propolis against hatchability and embryonic death rates should be tested.

Feed cost represents about 70% of the total production costs of rabbit farms. There is little research on the usage of Berseem and Fenugreek seeds as substitutes for soybeans in rabbit diets. The current investigation was conducted to assess the influence of dietary inclusion of Fenugreek and/or Berseem seeds at varying levels as a substitute for soybean meal on reproductive performance, milk production, maternal behaviour, economic efficiency, mammary gland and ovarian histology, and relative expression of reproductive genes of New Zealand White rabbit does. Eighty fully grown New Zealand White does weighing between 2.75 and 3.00 kg live weight and aged 5–6 months old were utilized. Rabbits were allocated into four groups (20 rabbits/group): control group (basal diet), T1 (5% fenugreek), T2 (15% Berseem seeds), and T3 (2.5% Fenugreek with 7.5% Berseem seeds). We noticed that the dietary inclusion of Fenugreek and/or Berseem seeds significantly improved weight and total weight gain of litters. The increased body weight and decreased feed costs were accompanied by improved return parameters, including total return, net return economic efficiency, and relative economic efficiency, particularly in the T2 and T3 groups. Moreover, milk yield was increased in treated groups compared with those fed basal diet. The improved milk yield was associated with the enhancement of mRNA expression of the prolactin gene and improved mammary morphological characteristics, especially in the T1 group. Indeed, a rabbit does in T2 group revealed an earlier nest building, a higher nest quality, and an increased willingness to nurse. While those in T1 group presented the highest percentages of kits with full bellies. Interestingly, T2 and T3 had large mature follicles (preovulatory follicles) and few numbers of small follicles which was associated with a marked upregulation of mRNA levels of follicular stimulating hormone gene. It would be concluded that the dietary inclusion of Berseem seeds as a complete or partial replacement for soybean in New Zealand white rabbits' diet could be used to enhance the growth performance of litter and improve doe's milk production, maternal behaviour, and economic efficiency.

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) is a plant that has nutritional benefits and increases the effectiveness of male reproduction. In this study, oxidative stress-exposed New Zealand rabbits were used to assess the ameliorative effects of daily Maca ingestion on testicular and epididymal tissues as well as the quality of fresh and frozen/thawed sperm. Twenty-four 40-week-old, healthy New Zealand white male rabbits were divided into four groups. The first group consumed tap water and served as a control. The second group was given 300 mg of Maca daily in capsules. The third group drank water containing hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) at a concentration of 1%. Finally, the fourth group consumed H₂O₂ and Maca daily. The ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, vitality, motility and velocity of the H₂O₂ group were considerably lower than those of the other groups. Frozen/thawed spermatozoa showed more dramatic decreases in motility and velocity as a result of H₂O₂ consumption. The plasma concentrations of testosterone and total antioxidant capacity were also lowest in the H₂O₂-treated rabbits, while malondialdehyde levels were highest. Exposure to H₂O₂ increased collagen deposition between ST and epididymal ducts which induced testicular and epididymis fibrosis. In addition, the spermatogenic and epididymal epithelial cells exhibited signs of apoptosis, degeneration, vacuolation and a reduction in height. Maca intake attenuated most of the damaging effects of H₂O₂ ingestion-induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, H₂O₂-treated rabbits had modest nuclear androgen receptor positivity, unlike those in the Maca group. The number of Leydig cells significantly increased with daily Maca intake. In conclusion, daily intake of Maca improved reproductive performance and mitigated the damaging effects of oxidative stress on testicular and epididymal functions in New Zealand rabbits.

This study sought to investigate the consequences of the induced feed restriction during the transition period on the mRNA abundance of genes entangled in lipogenesis and lipolysis in the tail adipose of fat-tailed sheep. Twenty fat-tailed ewes were randomised into the control (Control; n = 10) and restriction (Restriction; n = 10) groups. Control animals were fed 100% of the balanced diet pre-(Week −5 to parturition) and post-partum (parturition to Week 5). Restriction ewes received equivalent 100%, 50%, 65%, 80%, and 100% of the balanced ration at Weeks −5, −4, −3, −2, and −1 relative to parturition, respectively. After parturition, the latter group received the equivalent of 100%, 50%, 65%, 80%, and 100% of the diet recommendation at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. At the end of weeks −3 and 3, tail adipose were sampled under local anesthesia. Fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase I and II, and acyl-CoA synthase long-chain family member-1 mRNA abundances were measured using the TaqMan quantity real-time PCR. A mixed model procedure of SAS software was used to evaluate the results. Feed restriction downregulated target genes' mRNA abundance during both pre- and post-partum. Parturition suppressed the mRNA abundance of measured genes in both groups. Established on the outcomes, lipogenesis, and lipolysis of the adipose tissue would be influenced by metabolite and hormone instability during the transition period and feed restriction. The lessening of adipose tissue lipogenesis and lipolysis might be a hemostatic response to cope with the energy insufficiency for fetal growth and the onset of lactation and also prevent the induction of inflammation, metabolic disorders, and infectious diseases during feed restriction or transition period.