Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition最新文献

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of red pine and larch pine needles powder at different doses on productive performance, egg quality, hatching parameters, total fatty acid and cholesterol levels of laying quails. A total of 126 (84 ♀ and 42 ♂) 20-week-old laying quail were randomly distributed into seven experimental diets with three replicates of six (four female and two male) birds per cage. The groups were fed a basal diet (CON group), a basal diet with red pine needle powder (RPNP group) (1.5%, 3% and 4.5%), or a basal diet with larch pine needle powder (LPNP group) (1.5%, 3% and 4.5%) for 9 weeks. The results showed that the additives which were added into the ration did not affect feed intake and feed conversion ratio among the performance parameters compared to the control group (p > 0.05). Egg production increased by 13%–14% in RPNP 1.5% and LPNP 4.5% groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Egg weight increased by 4.04% only at the RPNP 4.5% dose (p < 0.05). However, egg weight decreased by 3.68%, 2.88% and 5.75% in RPNP 3% and LPNP 3% and 4.5% doses, respectively (p < 0.05). The highest increase in egg mass compared to the control was 13.61% in the RPNP 1.5% dose (p < 0.05). Egg shape index increased by 8.18% in the RPNP 1.5% group and 11.11% in the LPNP 3% group (p < 0.05). Haugh units increased by 1.87% and 1.77% in RPNP 1.5% and LPNP 4.5% doses, respectively (p < 0.05). The amount of broken eggs increased in the LPNP 1.5% (2.86%) and LPNP 3% (3.65%) doses relative to the control group (0.40%) (p < 0.05). Egg yolk decreased by 7.2%–17.6% in RPNP 1.5% and 3% groups and LPNP 3% and 4.5% doses (p < 0.05). Egg yolk diameter decreased by 3.21%–6.56% in RPNP 1.5% and 3% groups and LPNP 4.5% doses (p < 0.05). Yolk index decreased by an average of 5.5%–7% in RPNP 1.5% and 4.5% doses and LPNP 4.5% doses (p < 0.05). Pine needle supplementation increased total monounsaturated fatty acids in egg yolks by 6% compared to the control group, while cholesterol levels decreased by 7.73% compared to the control (p < 0.05). On the other hand, pine needle addition had no effect on incubation parameters (p > 0.05). Our results clearly indicated that the 1.5% red pine needles powder could be used as an additive to increase the egg production, egg mass and Haugh units in laying quails.

Antioxidants, both glutathione (GSH) and astaxanthin (AX), possess beneficial applications in animal growth and antioxidant properties. In this study, three experimental diets with isoproteic and isolipidic were formulated, the control diet (CON), the control diet added with 0.03% Carophyll Pink (contains 10% AX), the control diet added with 0.67% glutathione-rich yeast hydrolysate (GYH, contains 5% GSH). The effects of AX and GYH on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism of Litopenaeus vannamei (0.36 ± 0.01 g) were compared. After an 8-week feeding experiment, shrimp growth and intestinal morphology showed significantly better performance in the GYH group. Both dietary AX and GYH regulated the expression levels of genes related to lipid metabolism, increased antioxidant enzyme activities and total antioxidant capacity of shrimp and reduced haemolymph malondialdehyde and hepatopancreas reactive oxygen species production. Compared with the CON and GYH groups, dietary AX significantly increased the redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) values of cooked shrimp. Based on the evaluation of the above results, AX and GYH were comparable in terms of antioxidant performance, and AX was superior in improving the red body colour of shrimp, but GYH has more significant advantages in promoting shrimp growth and intestinal development. Therefore, supplementation with GYH or AX in diet presents specific benefits to the growth, body colour and antioxidant of L. vannamei.

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is an important fish species raised in aquaculture, but it is susceptible to stress, infections diseases. The present study aimed to determine the effects of fulvic acid feed addition on the systemic and mucosal protective mechanisms of juvenile rainbow trout and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of changes in the gut. Rainbow trout (4.30 ± 0.6 g) diet was supplemented with different levels of fulvic acid: 0% (Control), 0.5%, 1% and 2%. At the end of 8-week feeding trial, growth parameters such as final weight gained weight (%), SGR (F1%) increased, and FCR (all levels) decreased significantly compared to the control group. We found that the activity of lysozyme, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase in the serum were significantly improved, especially after the addition of 0.5% and 1% of fulvic acid. At the same time, the immunoglobulin concentration in the skin mucus was increased with 0.5% supplementation. However, the expression of tnf-α, il-6 and gpx in the intestine was strongly upregulated after supplementation with 2%, indicating oxidative stress and inflammation with this level of fulvic acid inclusion. Furthermore, the mucus lysozyme activity was reduced at this concentration, which can increase the susceptibility to pathogen invasion. The results suggest that adding 0.5%−1% of fulvic acid to the feed of juvenile rainbow trout can help to improve their immune and antioxidative defenses and thereby support the wellbeing of fish.

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of black soldier fly larval oil (BSFO) on feed consumption, nutritional digestibility, ruminal characteristics and methane (CH₄) estimation in Thai-indigenous steers. Four male Thai native steers (Bos indicus) weighing 383 ± 9.0 kg were used in this investigation. The experimental design employed was a 4 × 4 Latin square, involving four cattle assigned to four dietary treatments. These treatments included a basal diet (control group) and a concentrate diet containing varying levels of BSFO at 1%, 2% and 4% DM, respectively. Rice straw intakes, and total and nutritional intakes of organic matter (OM), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (and) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) decreased significantly and linearly with the amount of BSFO incorporated (p < 0.05). The digestibility of DM and OM changed quadratically (p < 0.05) across different BSFO inclusion doses, with the highest values of 65.6% and 69.0%, respectively. Furthermore, the addition of BSFO improved the EE digestibility (p < 0.05) when compared with the control group. The addition of various BSFO doses did not result in significant changes in ruminal pH, temperature, ammonia-nitrogen (NH₃-N) levels or blood urea-nitrogen (BUN) (p > 0.05). However, the introduction of increasing amounts of BSFO into the diet led to a reduction in protozoal populations (p < 0.01). When rumen fluid was sampled at 0 and 4 h after feeding, the 2% BSFO-treated group had a greater propionic acid level (p < 0.05) than the no-BSFO-fed group. The CH₄ estimate in the rumen of the steers exhibited notable variations among those administered different doses of BSFO (p < 0.05), with a linear decline observed as the oil dose increased. In conclusion, the inclusion of 2% BSFO in diets led to enhanced digestibility and higher propionic acid concentrations, along with reductions in protozoal population and CH₄ emissions.

This study aimed to determine the effects of the dietary Spirulina platensis supplementation and egg storage period on egg quality traits, blastoderm characteristics and hatching results of Mast geese. For this purpose, the control group was fed the standard enterprise diet, while the experimental group received the same diet supplemented with 0.5% S. platensis. Quality traits of the eggs (shape index, shell thickness, breaking strength, albumen/yolk ratio, albumen index and yolk colour) were evaluated according to diet groups. Except for the yolk ratio of these traits, the mean values obtained from the experimental group were higher than the mean values obtained from the control group (p < 0.05; p < 0.001). Dietary supplementation of S. platensis did not affect blastoderm diameter (BD) but significantly increased the blastoderm viable cells (BVCs) (p < 0.001). Although early embryonic mortality (EEM) was statistically significantly affected by diet groups and storage time, late embryonic mortality (LEM) was affected only by diet groups (p < 0.001). Dietary S. platensis supplementation significantly increased pipped (PIP) classified under the LEM (p < 0.001). Storage period affected internal and external egg traits at different statistical significance levels. As the storage time increased, the breaking strength (p < 0.05), albumen ratio, albumen index, yolk index, Haugh unit decreased (p < 0.01; p < 0.001), while the yolk ratio, and albumen pH increased (p < 0.001). An increase in BD, and a decrease in BVCs were determined with prolonged storage period (p < 0.001). In the classification of LEM, the storage period significantly affected unabsorbed yolk sac (UYS) and the PIP. With prolonged storage time, UYS and PIP significantly increased (p < 0.05; p < 0.01), which is classified under LEM. According to these results, we suggest that S. platensis supplementation to goose diets would be beneficial, but the detailed further studies are needed for more effective results.

In tropical and subtropical countries like Egypt, sheep breeding faces environmental thermal stress, especially during the summer when air temperature and humidity are very high. Using Microalgae as an alternative feedstuff can significantly improve sheep growth, health and oxidative status. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of consuming two different species of microalgae: Spirulina platensis (SP) and Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) on the following: growth performance, oxidative status, kidney and liver function, serum Glu, proteins and lipids profile and haematological parameters under hot dry environmental conditions. A total of 32 Ossimi male lambs were divided randomly into four equal groups (n = 8), (G1) was fed the control diet, (G2) was supplemented with S. platensis, (G3) was supplemented with a combination between (S. platensis and C. vulgaris) and (G4) was supplemented C. vulgaris. The results of our study revealed that microalgae supplementation significantly (p ≤ 0.05) enhanced lamb's growth, liver and kidney function, levels of serum immunoglobulin IgG, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and haematological parameters. Moreover, the levels of thyroid hormones and serum proteins profile were significantly increased in all treated lambs compared to the control group. Our research revealed that including microalgae in sheep's feed can enhance their immune system, promote growth and enhance their general health by mitigating the harmful effects of heat and oxidative stress.

This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of vitamin C (Vit C) supplementation on broiler performance, blood parameters, carcass characteristics and meat quality under heat stress. Based on searches conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and Web of Science, 35 studies published in authoritative journals from 1985 to 2023 were meta-analysed. Heterogeneity was explored by meta-regression analysis. The results of this meta-analysis showed that the body weight (BW, SMD = +0.339, p = 0.003) and average daily gain (ADG, SMD = +0.381, p = 0.001) were significantly higher in the group receiving Vit C supplementation under heat stress compared to the control group. However, Vit C supplementation did not have a significant effect on feed intake (FI, SMD = +0.084, p = 0.245), but the results were significant for the feed conversion ratio (FCR, SMD = −0.529, p = 0.001). Breast, thigh, abdominal fat, carcass drop loss, liver, gizzard, heart and spleen were not affected by Vit C supplementation, but it has a significant effect on wing weight (SMD = −3.77, p = 0.001). The use of Vit C supplementation decreased triglyceride (SMD = −0.527, p = 0.001), cholesterol (SMD = −0.976, p = 0.001) and blood glucose (SMD = −0.734, p = 0.02) concentrations in the broiler under heat stress. Breast meat quality (L*, a* and b*) was not affected by Vit C supplementation. In the current study, most of the responses had high heterogeneity (I² > 50%). The findings of this meta-analysis demonstrated that, in broiler chickens under heat stress, adding Vit C supplementation to the feed can enhance performance. However, Vit C did not have a significant effect on carcass characteristics and the quality of the breast meat of broiler chickens. According to our meta-analysis results, utilisation of 250 mg/kg of Vit C is recommended as an effective growth promoter in broiler under heat stress, and as an antioxidant compound, it had a positive effect on reducing blood TG and TC.