Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition最新文献

The study aimed to investigate the effects of varying levels of synbiotics (combinations of probiotics and prebiotics) on the performance and health parameters of 28 Afshari lambs over a period of 90 days. The average weight of lambs was of 10 ± 0.2 kg and an age of approximately 1 month. The prebiotic supplement included mannan oligosaccharide and beta-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast, along with a probiotic comprising seven bacterial strains, and used at concentration of 2 × 109/g cfu. A 2 × 2 factorial design was employed in a completely randomized design, with the factors being the levels of probiotic supplementation (1.0 g and 2.0 g) and prebiotic supplementation (1.5 g and 3.0 g). The interaction effect of probiotic and prebiotic was significant on dry matter intake (p < 0.01), digestibility (p < 0.01), total white blood cell (p < 0.05) and Improved feed conversion ratio (p < 0.01). These effects were higher at treatment of high levels of probiotic (2 grams) and prebiotic (3 grams). The higher levels of probiotic significantly influenced on biometric parameters such as heart girth and withers height (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). Higher levels of probiotic and prebiotic supplementation had a positive impact on total white blood cell, and monocytes counts. The high level of synbiotic supplementation resulted in a significant increase in total blood protein concentration and glucose levels, with the differences being statistically significant at p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively. Additionally, the decrease in ruminal NH₃-N concentration with higher level probiotic compare to low level (8.69 vs 7.08 mg/dl) indicates improved rumen nitrogen utilization and potentially better rumen health. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of high levels of synbiotics to improve growth performance, nutrient digestion, and health outcomes in suckling lambs.

This study evaluated the combined effects of sex inversion and microencapsulated supplementation with organic acids and essential oils on growth performance, tissue morphology, gene expression, and oxidative status in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) larvae. A 2×2 factorial design included non-inverted (NI), sex-reversed (I), microencapsulated-supplemented (NI + M), and combined (I + M) groups. The trial lasted 28 days and used 2400 Nile tilapia larvae (GIFT strain), 6 days post-hatching, stocked at 100 larvae per tank. The experimental diets included 60 mg of 17α-methyltestosterone per kg⁻¹ of feed for sex reversal and/or 100 mg of a microencapsulated blend of organic acids and essential oils per kg⁻¹ of feed. The treatments significantly influenced zootechnical performance: weight gain was higher in sex-reversed groups at both 14 and 28 days (p < 0.001). Total length differed at D14 (I > I + M ≈ NI + M > NI; p = 0.039) and at D28 (p < 0.001). Growth modeling showed distinct patterns: NI + M had the highest asymptote (A = 198.32) with slow growth, I + M an intermediate-high asymptote (A = 123.79) with moderate growth, and NI a very low asymptote (A = 2.00) with rapid initial growth. Gene expression revealed elevated Mstn expression in NI (p = 0.0012) and higher GH in I and I + M (p = 0.0002); GHR1 and MyoD1 did not differ. Histomorphometry showed a significant interaction for villus height (interaction p = 0.004), with I + M having the highest post-hoc values (I + M vs NI, p < 0.0001). Villus width increased due to independent effects of inversion (p < 0.0001) and supplementation (p = 0.0003). Muscle height exhibited an interaction (p = 0.0098) with I + M highest, while muscle width was greater in inverted and supplemented animals (p < 0.00001). Carbonylated protein levels showed a significant interaction (p = 0.0063); NI had the highest levels and microencapsulation reduced protein carbonylation in non-inverted fish. Principal component analysis explained 71.8% of total variance and separate treatments along PC1, mainly associated with villus morphology, GH expression, and total length. Together, the results indicate that hormonal and nutritional modulation interact to enhance growth, tissue development, and redox homeostasis during early ontogeny of Nile tilapia.

This study aimed to compare and analyse the effects of rearing systems on the carcass traits, meat quality and ileal microbiota of Langshan chickens. A total of 132 healthy male Langshan chickens at 70 days of age were selected and randomly divided into two groups: the conventional cage group (CC) and the free-range group (FR). Each group had six replicates, with 11 chickens in each replicate. All the experimental chickens were fed the same basal diet, had free access to food and water and were raised until 119 days of age for sample collection. The CC group had a higher yield of semi-eviscerated, eviscerated and abdominal fat than those in the FR group. Compared with the CC group, the FR group exhibited increased shear force and muscle fibre diameter in the leg muscles, in contrast to significant decreases in drip loss, b* value and MDA content. Microbial analysis indicated that the FR system significantly reduced the alpha diversity of the ileal microbiota and led to a markedly higher relative abundance of the Escherichia-Shigella. Conversely, the CC chicken was enriched with probiotics such as Lactobacillus spp. In conclusion, while the FR system improved the meat quality of leg muscles, it compromised slaughter yield and increased ileal Escherichia-Shigella colonization. These findings suggest that rearing systems distinctly shape slaughter performance, meat quality and gut microbiota, highlighting the need for targeted management strategies to optimize the shortcomings of these rearing methods and achieve sustainable production of Langshan chickens.

Proteins are an essential nutrient for the viability of all animals, enabling organisms to grow, regenerate and defend themselves against pathogenic organisms. Soybean and soybean-based materials are commonly used to supplement protein in animal nutrition. However, soybeans are among the most expensive ingredients in feed mixtures, and the expansion of their planting areas has led to rainforest deforestation. Soybean cultivation is also associated with soil degradation, extensive use of chemicals and fossil fuels and global warming. This is partly because soybeans are grown primarily in specific regions of the world and therefore must be transported over long distances. This is a costly process that has a significant negative impact on the environment and does not meet sustainability requirements. At the same time, global population growth is increasing protein consumption, putting even more pressure on the environment. It is therefore necessary to look for different alternative feeds that could replace soybeans or at least reduce their dominance in the feed supply. Several studies mention new non-traditional feeds that could help solve this problem. This review provides an overview of available information on alternative protein sources and their use in poultry and pig nutrition, thereby assisting in their selection. The characteristics of selected alternative protein feeds (such as insects, algae, lupine, peas, faba beans, single-cell protein and nettle) and their effects on the performance or health parameters of the animals mentioned are described below.

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.

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.