Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition最新文献

Variation in nutritional profile and availability of high-quality forages remain primary challenges for efficient heifer rearing on a forage-based diet. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of limit feeding forage-free diet on growth performance, feed efficiency, blood metabolites, behavior, health, and mammary parenchyma of prepubertal dairy heifers. Sixteen prepubertal heifers (Body weight = 168 ± 32Kg) divided into 8 pens (2 heifers/pen) were used in a completely randomized design (n = 4 pen/treatment) to compare the effect of a diet containing 20% forage with a forage-free diet. Limit feeding forage-free diet improved the feed efficiency by 10% and ADG by 11.36% (p ≤ 0.05) without negatively affecting the body measurements, health parameters, and blood metabolites (p ≥ 0.23). In udder, three-quarters of heifers fed a forage-free diet had greater (p ≤ 0.05) mammary parenchyma growth than the heifers fed a 20% forage diet. Teat lengths and behavioral measurements except rumination time were not affected (p > 0.05) by the forage-free diet. Heifers fed a 20% forage diet had greater rumination time (p = 0.01) than the heifers fed a forage-free diet. Limit feeding forage-free diet can be adopted in prepubertal dairy heifers for the improvement in feed efficiency and mammary parenchyma growth.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of diets with different metabolizable energy (ME) levels on broiler growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal score, organ weight and lesion score. A total of 1134 1-day-old Ross broiler chicks with an initial body weight (BW) of 44.33 ± 1.70 g were randomly assigned to three dietary treatment groups. There were 21 replicate pens per treatment, including 18 male birds per pen. The experimental period was divided into 3 phases and the diets were provided to broilers from days 1 to 34 of age: the starter (days 1–7), growing (days 8–20), and finishing (days 21–34). The dietary treatments included CON, basal diet (3200 Kcal/kg), TRT1, basal diet − 50 kcal/kg ME (3150 Kcal/kg), and TRT2, basal diet + 50 kcal/kg ME (3250 kcal/kg). The TRT2 group showed a reduced (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the TRT1 group during the growing phase. During the overall experimental period, TRT2 group broilers showed an increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and a reduced (p < 0.05) FCR than in the TRT1 group. However, there were no differences observed in feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG), nutrient digestibility, fecal score, organ weight and lesion score. In conclusion, feeding a diet at 3250 kcal/kg ME from days 1–34 could be suitable for improving both average daily gain and feed conversion ratio in broiler chickens.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of probiotic Bacillus licheniformis DSMZ 28710 supplementation on sow performance, Preweaning piglet performance, and the biochemical profiles of colostrum and milk. Sixty-eight crossbred sows (Landrace $��\; ��\times ��$ Yorkshire) were allocated to either a standard lactation diet (Control; n = 35) or the Control diet supplemented with 10 g/sow/day of B. licheniformis DSMZ 28710 (Treatment; n = 33), from day 109 of gestation until day 21 of lactation. Sow and piglet performance, as well as the incidence of piglet diarrhea, were recorded. Moreover, the study investigated the changes in major chemical compositions, immunoglobulins, fatty acids, and non-volatile polar metabolites in colostrum, transient milk, and mature milk of sows. Supplementation of B. licheniformis increased piglet body weight on day 21 of lactation in old parity sows (p = 0.037). Moreover, the incidence of diarrhea was reduced in piglets suckled by sows supplemented with B. licheniformis DSMZ 28710, regardless of sow's parity or lactation stage (p < 0.05). Probiotic supplementation decreased fat content in transient milk (p = 0.026) and increased lactose content in mature milk (p = 0.011). Chemometric analysis revealed clear distinctions between the Control and Treatment group in the fatty acid profiles of colostrum, transient milk, and mature milk, while notable differences in non-volatile polar metabolite profiles were observed specifically in mature milk. In conclusion, supplementation with B. licheniformis DSMZ 28710 reduced the incidence of diarrhea in piglets, increased body weight of the piglets in old parity sows and altered the biomolecular profiles in colostrum, transit milk, and mature milk of the sows.

Ruminal methanogenesis reduces animal feed utilizing efficiency and is a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. The present study aimed to study the effect of plant secondary metabolites on methane emission, nutrient digestibility and immune status of adult male goats. To fulfil the goal, 20 adult male goats (2.5−3 years of age, body weight [BW] 25.90 ± 1.46 kg) were divided into four groups of five animals. The control was fed a basal diet containing wheat straw and concentrate in a 50:50 ratio without additives. In groups T1, T2 and T3, the basal diet was supplemented with ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) oil @ 0.06% dry matter intake (DMI), bahera (Terminalia belirica) @ 0.8% DMI and combination of ajwain oil and bahera @ 0.06% and 0.8% DMI, respectively. The DMI, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen intake, outgo and nitrogen balance were similar (p > 0.05) in all four groups. Methane emissions (g/kg DDMI) reduced (p < 0.05) by 22.16%, 23.88% and 33.49% in T1, T2 and T3 compared to control. Both cell-mediated immunity and humoral immune response significantly improved in T3 than other supplemented groups and control. In conclusion, the combination of behera and ajwain oil effectively reduced methane emissions and improved the immune status of adult male goats without affecting nutrient digestibility.

Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) essential oil is known for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This study examined the effects of L. nobilis oil (LN) on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under cold stress conditions (16°C). Tilapia (initial weight, 5.02 ± 0.02 g) were acclimatized to 16°C for 14 days before being fed diets containing 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 g/kg LN oil for 84 days. The 1.5 g/kg LN oil group exhibited the highest final body weight and weight gain (p ≤ 0.05), while survival rates peaked at 1 g/kg. Biometric indices and feed efficiency were significantly enhanced, particularly at 1.5 g/kg (p ≤ 0.05). Histological analysis revealed improved intestinal and hepatic structures in LN-supplemented groups, although mild alterations were observed at 2.0 and 2.5 g/kg. Blood biochemical analysis showed increased total protein and reduced cholesterol in supplemented groups. Immune responses, including serum lysozyme activity and bacterial inhibition, were significantly enhanced at 1.5 g/kg or higher (p ≤ 0.05). Antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), increased (p ≤ 0.05) with LN oil supplementation, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased, indicating reduced oxidative stress. Gene expression analysis demonstrated increased insulin-like growth factor 1 and glucose transporter 4 levels with 1.5 g/kg LN oil, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression decreased at higher dosages. Dietary LN oil, particularly at 1.5 g/kg, enhances growth, immunity, and antioxidant defense in Nile tilapia under cold stress. Future studies should optimize dosages and explore broader applications across species and conditions.

Thermoregulatory response and growth performance of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens administered sweet citrus peel powder (SCPP) were investigated in a twelve weeks experiment. A total of 360 1-day-old FUNAAB Alpha chicks were used for the study, comprising 120 birds per genotype: Normal feather (NF), Naked neck (NN) and Frizzle feather (FF). Birds were randomly allotted into 12 treatment groups: NF: 0 g, 3 g, 6 g and 9 g of SCPP, NN: 0 g, 3 g, 6 g and 9 g of SCPP, FF: 0 g, 3 g, 6 g and 9 g of SCPP. Each treatment was replicated thrice with 10 birds per replicate. No (p > 0.05) interactive and main effect of genotype and dosage of SCPP was observed on the Rectal temperature, Skin temperatures under wing and of the breast among the treatments. Similar (p > 0.05) interactive effect was observed on the respiratory rate (RR), however, higher (p < 0.001) RR was recorded in NN and FF compared with NF. Birds in the control group had the highest (p < 0.005) RR compared with birds administered 3 g and 9 g of SCPP/L of water. Interaction and main effect of SCPP dosage on heterophil (H), lymphocyte (L) and heterophil lymphocyte ratio (H/L) were not significant (p > 0.05) across the treatment groups. However, genotype significantly (p < 0.000) influenced H, L and H/L. The FF and NN had significantly (p < 0.000) lower H/L compared with the NF. Higher (p < 0.000) weight gain (WG) was observed in FF and NN compared to NF chickens. Significantly (p < 0.020) lower FCR was observed in 6 g/L (2.26), 3 g/L (2.65) and 9 g/L (2.66) of FF compared with NF on 9 g/L (4.03). Dosage of SCPP significantly (p < 0.001) influenced the relative weights of the intestine. In conclusion, lower H/L, higher WG and better FCR were observed in the NN and FF genotypes with the best FCR recorded at 6 g SCPP/L of water.

This study aimed to compare the effects of dietary supplementation of bacteriophage (BP) and acidifiers on performance, meat quality, morphology, and intestinal microbiota in chickens challenged and unchallenged with Salmonella enteritidis (SE) and also to investigate the possibility of replacing them in the diet with antibiotics. A total of 1760 male Ross (308) chicks were randomly assigned to 11 dietary treatments (8 pens/with 20 male chickens in each). Dietary treatments were as follows: SE-uninfected (negative control (NC), a basal diet without supplemention; NC+ 500 g/t BP (NBP1); NC+ 1000 g/t BP (NBP2); NC+ 300 mg/kg acidifier A (NAA); NC+ 300 mg/kg acidifier B (NAB)) and SE-infected (positive control (PC), a basal diet without supplemention; PC+ 40 mg/kg Antibiotic enrofloxacin (PA); PC+ 500 g/t BP (PBP1); PC+ 1000 g/t BP (PBP2); PC+ 3000 mg/kg acidifier A (PAA); PC+ 3000 mg/kg acidifier B (PAB)). At 13 D birds in challenged groups were orally gavaged with 1 mL bacterial suspension containing approximately 108 CFU Salmonella enterica. The results indicated that chicks challenged with SE impaired performance so that BWG and FI significantly decreased and FCR increased (p < 0.05). Diets containing a high dose of BP increased BW and improved FCR in challenged and unchallenged chickens. The quality of breast meat showed a decline in oxidation in chickens challenged with SE (p < 0.05). The inclusion of bacteriophage in the diet of chickens (1000 g/t) improved the L*, b*, and oxidation of meat. The use of bacteriophage and acidifier A in the diet significantly increased the Lactobacillus, and LAB count, especially in the challenged groups. The challenge of chickens with SE decreased the villus height and crypt depth in different parts of the small intestine (p < 0.05). The results of the present study suggested that 1000 g/t of BP probably improves chicken performance by increasing beneficial bacteria and decreasing pathogenic bacteria. Also, bacteriophage showed an improvement in the performance reduction of chickens with Salmonella infection. In addition, improved meat quality and beneficial changes in the microbiome and intestinal morphology indicate the effectiveness of BP as an alternative antibiotic growth promoter in broiler diets.

Tapirs are hindgut fermenters with a natural diet dominated by browse, with a certain proportion of wild fruit. By contrast, diets fed to tapirs in zoos are often dominated by domestic fruit and other sources of easily digestible carbohydrates, which have been linked to obesity and various health problems. We aimed at better understanding the digestive physiology of tapirs, measuring the digestive efficiency of 13 lowland (Tapirus terrestris) and five Malayan (Tapirus indicus) tapirs from five zoos on various zoo diets by recording intake and total faecal excretion. Additionally, we aimed at evaluating zoo diets, by assessing relationships between dietary characteristics and data on intake and faeces consistency, and compared the data gained in the zoo study to those of faecal samples of free-ranging tapirs. Tapirs showed digestive principles reported in other herbivores, such as higher levels of metabolic faecal nitrogen and a lower intake on diets of higher digestibility, or a decrease in digestibility with increasing dietary fibre concentrations. Compared to horses or grazing rhinoceroses, organic matter digestibility in tapirs was more negatively affected by dietary fibre; additionally, tapirs had comparatively low fibre digestibility. This is possibly linked to their comparatively poor chewing efficacy. The readiness to ingest a hay-only diet was directly proportional to the amount of hay in the usual zoo diet, supporting reports that it may be difficult to achieve high hay intakes in tapirs instantaneously. Faeces consistency was closer to the natural condition with higher proportions of roughage in the diet. Compared to a set of faecal samples from the wild, zoo faeces were generally lower in fibre. This study supports previous suggestions that zoo tapirs could benefit, in terms of mimicking their digestive physiology and feeding behaviour in natural habitats, from diets based on a readily ingested roughage source, especially from browse.