Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition最新文献

One hundred and forty [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] barrows and gilts (86.5 ± 1.5 kg) were used in a 28-day experiment in a randomised complete block design. A model of gastric ulcer was established by adding aspirin to the diet or by fasting. The five dietary treatments were TRT1 (basal diet), TRT2 (basal diet + fasting), TRT3 (basal diet + 0.05% vitamin U and antacids (VA)), TRT4 (basal diet + aspirin + fasting) and TRT5 (basal diet + aspirin + fasting + 0.1% VA). The active ingredients of VA are vitamin U 50 mg/g, magnesium oxide MgO 60 mg/g, sodium carbonate Na₂CO₃ 70 mg/g. The result showed a significant increase in final body weight (p = 0.047) and average daily gain (p = 0.033) in TRT5 compared with TRT1 and TRT2 (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in carcass scores among treatment groups (p > 0.05). The stomach keratinisation score was significantly higher in TRT2 and TRT4 than that in TRT3 (p = 0.032). Stomach keratinisation score decreased from 1.9 to 1.4 in TRT5 compared with TRT4 (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of VA to the diet can improve the degree of gastric ulcer to a certain extent and effectively improve growth performance.

Vitamin D is known for its role in calcium homeostasis, bone health, and immune function. Recent research has explored its effects on muscle functionality and meat quality in pigs. This study examined high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation in pigs, focusing on growth, blood and tissue vitamin D3 levels, and muscle transcriptome changes. Thirty pigs were divided into three groups, given different amounts of oral supplementation: control, 5000 IU/kg and 10,000 IU/kg vitamin D3. Biochemical and haematological blood parameters, vitamin D content in blood and muscle, and kidney calcium content were evaluated. RNA-seq and qPCR analysed muscle transcriptome changes, while gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) identified gene expression enrichments. Results showed that 5000 IU/kg vitamin D3 supplementation altered blood parameters like platelet anisocytosis and glucose levels but did not affect body weight, weight gain, or feed intake. Kidney calcium content increased with supplementation. The muscle (longissimus dorsi) vitamin D content increased, suggesting the potential for biofortified pork, although still not optimal as a dietary vitamin D source. Transcriptome analysis revealed minimal gene expression changes, with only the interferon-gamma receptor 2 (IFNGR2) gene differentially expressed at the highest dose. GSEA indicated enrichment in ATP metabolic processes and electron transport chain genes in the 5000 IU/kg group, and immune system, cholesterol, steroid, and fatty acid metabolism genes in the 10,000 IU/kg group. Despite literature suggesting a role for vitamin D in muscle gene expression and growth improvement, this study found its effects limited.

The benefits of plant essential oils (EO) on the health of animals have been frequently reported, but their alteration of lipid metabolism in obese pigs has yet to be explored. This study aimed to assess the impact of EO blends (oregano, cinnamon and lemon oils) on growth performance, meat physicochemical parameters, intestinal health and lipid metabolism in the small intestine of weaned Bamei (a kind of obese-type pig) piglets. One hundred and forty-four male 60-day-old weaned Bamei piglets were randomly assigned to three groups of six replicates each: CON (basal diet), T1 (basal diet + 250 mg/kg EO), and T2 (basal diet + 500 mg/kg EO) over 28 days. The results showed that T1 trended to improve the average daily gain and feed intake to body gain ratio (p < 0.1), reduced water loss (p < 0.05), and increased the redness of meat (p < 0.05) compared to the CON. In addition, a significant change in the proportion of C17:0 and C20:1 was observed in the meat of T1 (p < 0.05). Improved intestinal health was evidenced by the reduced crypt depth, improved villi-to-crypt length ratio, and better superoxide dismutase activity in T1 (p < 0.05). Further study on intestinal lipid metabolism showed that duodenal lipase activity and the mRNA expression levels of lipid transport-related genes in the jejunum (FABPs, APOA1, APOB and ACSL3) were significantly reduced, alongside diminished serum lipid metabolites (Total protein and triglyceride) in the groups fed with EO (p < 0.05). In short, EO supplementation especially at 250 mg/kg improved intestinal health and inhibited lipid metabolism, which had a positive effect on the overall performance of Bamei piglets. This new evidence contributes to understanding the early regulatory role of EO in obese pigs and their potential to alleviate adolescent obesity.

We evaluated the replacement of neutral detergent fibre levels from forage (NDFfor) by cottonseed cake on the performance, and carcass and meat traits of Nellore young bulls finished in a feedlot. Individual data from 24 Nellore young bulls with 330 ± 4.54 kg of body weight (BW) and 18 ± 1 months old were used. The animals were randomly distributed in four nutritional treatments containing 9.5%; 5.5%; 2.5%; and 0.0% NDF from whole corn plant silage (forage source), replaced by cottonseed cake, in the total diet. Animal performance and carcass and meat characteristics were analysed by orthogonal polynomial regression. A positive quadratic effect was observed for DM, CP, EE, NDF, and physically effective NDF intake (peNDFI_8 mm, and peNDFI_1.18 mm). There was no NDFfor-level effect for final weight, hot carcass weight, carcass yield, internal and external depth, carcass length, pH, subcutaneous fat thickness, and loin eye area. A positive quadratic effect was detected for average daily gain. Feed efficiency demonstrated a positive quadratic trend, reaching an optimum peak level when young bulls 4.01% of NDFfor. There was no NDFfor-level effect for meat and fat colour variables. The NDFfor-level with the highest DM intake (2.01% BW) was 5.15%, and the highest ADG (1.54 kg/day) was 4.91% of NDFfor. Thus, although NDFfor levels did not affect carcass characteristics, fat, and meat colour, levels between 4.50% and 5.15% NDF from forage replaced by cottonseed cake are recommended to enhance the productive performance of feedlot Nellore young bulls. Cottonseed cake as a source of fibre can partially or totally replace corn plant silage.

Copper (Cu) is an effective additive in feed for promoting growth. Growth dan axis comprising growth hormone (GH), somatostatin (SS) and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH), with ghrelin regulating their release. The growth-promoting effects of Cu are closely related to ghrelin, but the specific mechanism behind the relationship remains unknown. We investigated the adjustment of ghrelin synthesis and secretion by Cu. Sprague–Dawley rats were fed basal diets with an addition of 0, 120 or 240 mg/kg Cu sulfate for 28 day to establish a growth-promoting model. Signalling molecules relevant to ghrelin synthesis and secretion were detected and mechanistically explored using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. The 120 mg/kg supplement improved growth performance; significantly increased the serum levels of ghrelin, ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT), acylated ghrelin (AG), GH, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased those of SS; significantly increased the mRNA and protein expression of ghrelin, GOAT, ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1α), and activator protein 1 (AP-1); increased the phosphorylation ratio of JNK and p38 MAPK; and inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of SS and SS receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2) in gastric fundic gland tissues. Thus, Cu may affect gastric ghrelin synthesis at the transcriptional level by activating the JNK/p38 MAPK pathway through increased ROS levels and regulating the activation of the downstream redox-sensitive transcription factor AP-1. SS plays a crucial determinant role in ghrelin regulation via intragastric Cu. Cu promotes GOAT activity and ghrelin secretion by inhibiting SS secretion, affecting AG levels, and promoting ghrelin acylation through ghrelin/GOAT/GHS-R1α system, modulating ghrelin secretion.

In the present investigation, the impact of natural ghee, olive oil and synthetic margarine on the fertility parameters of male rabbits was evaluated by examining semen quality, fertility hormones, antioxidant markers, lipid profile, and liver and kidney functions. Eighty male rabbits were randomly allotted into four groups (20 rabbits each, four replicates/group). The basal diet supplemented the control group; the margarine group was fed a 10% margarine diet, the ghee group was fed a 10% ghee diet, and the olive oil group was fed a 10% olive oil diet. In the margarine group, the semen quality parameters, total testosterone levels, free testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and antioxidant enzyme levels as catalase showed a significant reduction compared to other groups. At the same time, they were enhanced in ghee and olive oil groups. A substantial increase of triglyceride (TAG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and cholesterol, with a decrease of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, were observed in the margarine group contrasted to ghee and olive oil groups. The ghee and the olive oil-treated group showed strong immunoreactions of androgen, FSH, LH receptors and mild caspase 3 in testicular tissue compared to the margarine-treated group. Finally, histopathological examination of rabbit testicular tissue showed proliferation of basal spermatogenic cells, increased luminal spermatid of seminiferous epithelium, and proliferation of interstitial cells in normal interstitial tissue in the ghee and olive oil treated group. Still, it showed severe vacuolation and necrosis in the basal luminal seminiferous epithelium and congestion of blood vessels in the margarine group. This present study revealed that the health influence of olive oil and ghee is better than margarine on male fertility parameters.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) is the major compoent of Gram-negative bacteria and an important factor in inducing inflammation, which usually leads to multiple organ failure in broilers, seriously affecting the growth performance of broilers and hindering the development of poultry farming. Under the policy of prohibiting antibiotics in feed, it has become more urgent to find natural drugs to prevent liver damage caused by LPS in broilers. Asiatic acid (AA) is a pentacyclic triterpene that has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, the protective effects of AA in LPS-induced liver damage in broilers still need to be clarified. This study aims to explore the complete mechanism of AA against LPS-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in broilers. A total of 60 broilers (1 day old) were randomly divided into the control group, LPS group, LPS+AA (15, 30 and 60 mg/kg) group and control+AA (60 mg/kg) group. At 16, 18 and 20 days of age, the broilers were attacked with LPS (0.5 mg/kg) to construct liver injury model. H&E staining assessed liver pathological changes. The mRNA and protein expression levels related to the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway, pyroptosis, and ERS-mediated apoptosis in the liver tissue were detected. Our results founded that intraperitoneal injection of LPS in broilers increased the activities of AST and ALT, as well as raising the related gene and protein expression of the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway, pyroptosis, and ERS-mediated apoptosis. Interestingly, AA improved LPS-induced liver damage and decreased the activities of AST and ALT in broilers. Additionally, AA mitigated LPS-induced ALI by reducing the mRNA levels and protein expressions of the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway, pyroptosis and ERS-mediated apoptosis. In conclusion, the present study investigated that AA mitigated LPS-induced ALI in broilers by reducing pyroptosis and ERS-mediated apoptosis via inhibition of the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway. Therefore, AA may serve as a potential feed additive for the prevention of LPS-induced ALI in broilers.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin (BC) on the metabolic profile, oxidative stress in Kashmiri merino ewes and its effect on the prophylaxis of Ovine pregnancy toxemia (PT). A total of 48 ewes were randomly divided into three groups, each consisting of 16 ewes. High dose BC (HBC): Ewes were given 0.2 mL BC/kg body weight, subcutaneously (SC) weekly from 6 weeks pre-lambing to lambing. Low dose BC (LBC): Ewes were given 0.1 mL BC/kg body weight, SC weekly from 6 weeks pre-lambing to lambing. No BC (CON): Ewes were given 0.2 mL normal saline/kg body weight, SC. Weekly from six pre-lambing to lambing. A significant effect of treatment was observed on non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA; p = 0.06), beta hydroxybutyric acid (β-HBA, p = 0.008), fructosamine (p = 0.034) and oxidative stress indices (OSI; p = 0.026) with less NEFA, β-HBA, OSI and more fructosamine levels in HBC followed by LBC. The BC did not affect glucose, cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, total antioxidant capacity, calcium and phosphorus however a significant difference was observed along the sampling time in all the three groups. Plasma triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase and total oxidant status levels showed a significant treatment-time interaction. Taking 0.8 mmol/L β-HBA as the cutoff limit for subclinical PT, only HBC was able to significantly control PT at 3 weeks pre-lambing (OR; 5.57; p = 0.035), at 2 weeks pre-lambing (OR: 9.53; p = 0.007), at 1-week pre-lambing (OR: 6.60; p = 0.017) and at lambing (OR: 5.57; p = 0.035). In conclusion, there was a positive effect of BC treatment on the energy metabolism in pregnant ewes and it helped in the amelioration of oxidative stress and hence can be used in the prophylaxis of PT.

The nitrogen-free diet (NFD) method for determining basal ileal endogenous losses (BEL) of amino acids (AA) has been associated with different metabolic abnormalities that can affect the accurate determination of BEL. Consequently, the use of highly digestible proteins has been suggested. This study aimed to determine the metabolic status and BEL of AA in pigs fed either an NFD or a casein (CAS) diet. Eight cannulated, castrated male pigs (39.8 kg) were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 crossover design. An NFD diet based on corn starch, dextrose, cellulose, oil, vitamins and minerals was used. The CAS diet was equivalent, but 18% of the corn starch was replaced with casein. Pigs were fed one of the diets for a 7-day period, and blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of each period to determine plasma metabolites. Ileal digesta samples were collected on Days 6 and 7 to estimate the BEL of the AA. Results indicated that plasma albumin was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in pigs fed the CAS diet, whereas creatinine and LDL levels were higher (p < 0.03) in pigs fed the NFD. No significant differences were observed in the levels of other plasma metabolites. The BEL of protein did not differ between diets. However, in pigs fed the CAS diet, the BEL of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, serine, glycine, histidine, threonine, alanine, tyrosine and valine significantly increased (p < 0.05), while isoleucine showed a tendency to increase (p = 0.06). In conclusion, NFD did not significantly affect energy and lipid metabolism in pigs. However, the decrease in albumin synthesis and increase in plasma creatinine levels indicate that pigs fed NFD have a negative protein balance, affecting the estimation of the BEL of AA. Therefore, it is essential to consider the metabolic state of animals when estimating the BEL of AA.