Pub Date : 2026-01-14DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116643
Willem Cornelius Augustyn, Hester Adriana O’Neill, Arno Hugo, Ockert Bernard Einkamerer
Obstructive urolithiasis is a prevalent and economically significant urogenital disorder in small ruminants, particularly in male and wether lambs. This review examines the multifactorial etiology of urolithiasis, emphasizing the roles of macro mineral metabolism and male castration practices. The condition arises from the supersaturation, crystallization, and aggregation of minerals in urine, often exacerbated by dietary imbalances, water intake, urinary pH, and anatomical predispositions. Common calculi types include struvite, calcium phosphate, calcium oxalate, and silicate stones, with high-grain diets, low calcium-to-phosphorus ratios, and inadequate water intake identified as major contributors. The influence of macro minerals such as potassium, sodium, chloride, sulfur, calcium, and magnesium on urinary mineral concentration and acid-base balance is explored through the dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) framework. Manipulation of DCAD via anionic salts like ammonium and calcium chloride can effectively reduce urine pH, minimizing stone formation risk. This review also highlights the significant impact of early castration on urogenital development, particularly the reduction in urethral diameter due to testosterone deficiency, which increases susceptibility to obstruction. Despite established preventative strategies, including dietary modifications and delayed castration, obstructive urolithiasis remains a complex challenge. The review emphasizes the need for further research, particularly within South African feedlot systems, to optimize prevention strategies involving castration timing and mineral nutrition. Improved understanding of DCAD manipulation and mineral metabolism will contribute to enhanced animal welfare and feedlot productivity.
{"title":"Review of macro mineral metabolism and male castration on obstructive urolithiasis in small ruminants","authors":"Willem Cornelius Augustyn, Hester Adriana O’Neill, Arno Hugo, Ockert Bernard Einkamerer","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116643","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116643","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Obstructive urolithiasis is a prevalent and economically significant urogenital disorder in small ruminants, particularly in male and wether lambs. This review examines the multifactorial etiology of urolithiasis, emphasizing the roles of macro mineral metabolism and male castration practices. The condition arises from the supersaturation, crystallization, and aggregation of minerals in urine, often exacerbated by dietary imbalances, water intake, urinary pH, and anatomical predispositions. Common calculi types include struvite, calcium phosphate, calcium oxalate, and silicate stones, with high-grain diets, low calcium-to-phosphorus ratios, and inadequate water intake identified as major contributors. The influence of macro minerals such as potassium, sodium, chloride, sulfur, calcium, and magnesium on urinary mineral concentration and acid-base balance is explored through the dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) framework. Manipulation of DCAD via anionic salts like ammonium and calcium chloride can effectively reduce urine pH, minimizing stone formation risk. This review also highlights the significant impact of early castration on urogenital development, particularly the reduction in urethral diameter due to testosterone deficiency, which increases susceptibility to obstruction. Despite established preventative strategies, including dietary modifications and delayed castration, obstructive urolithiasis remains a complex challenge. The review emphasizes the need for further research, particularly within South African feedlot systems, to optimize prevention strategies involving castration timing and mineral nutrition. Improved understanding of DCAD manipulation and mineral metabolism will contribute to enhanced animal welfare and feedlot productivity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"333 ","pages":"Article 116643"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-14DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116646
Yuchao Hu , Tao Guo , Yuan Wang , Yang Jia , Wenwen Wang , Chang Gao , Yi Yang , Lei Yang , Zhiwei Cui , Na Liu , Xiaoping An , David L. Harmon , Jingwei Qi
This study aimed to investigate the effects of different feeding durations of a blend of cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and capsicum oleoresin (CEC) on the growth performance, meat quality, muscle fatty acid and amino acid compositions, fiber characteristics, and antioxidant capacity in finishing lambs. Thirty-six female 3-month-old Dorper × Small Tail Han crossbred lambs (29.9 ± 2.52 kg of BW ± SD) were randomly assigned to three groups: control, basal diet without CEC (CFD0), basal diet supplemented with 80 mg CEC/kg diet from 31 to 60 d (CFD30), or basal diet supplemented with 80 mg CEC/kg diet from 1 to 60 d (CFD60). After 60 d of experimentation, six lambs from each treatment were slaughtered for further analysis. The results indicated that lambs fed CEC diet (CFD30 and CFD60) exhibited higher (P < 0.05) average daily gain compared with control (CFD0). The pH24 h of lambs fed CEC diet was higher (P < 0.05) than the control. The value of L*, b*, H*, and shear force in CFD30 and CFD60 was lower than CFD0 (P < 0.05). In comparison to the CFD0 group, the CFD30 and CFD60 groups had lower percentages of moisture, drip loss, and water loss rates (P < 0.05), along with a higher intramuscular fat content (P < 0.05). The ratio of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) to saturated fatty acids (SFA) and the proportions of essential amino acids (EAA) and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) in the CFD30 and CFD60 groups were significantly higher than those in the control (P < 0.05). Conversely, the proportion of SFA in the CFD30 and CFD60 groups was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the CFD30 group had the lowest proportions of total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (P < 0.05). Compared with the control, dietary CEC supplementation increased mRNA expression of MyHC Ⅱa and MyHC Ⅰ (P < 0.05). Dietary CEC supplementation from 31 to 60 d resulted in the highest MyHC Ⅱb, MyHC Ⅱx, and myoglobin mRNA levels (P < 0.05). The serum content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was lower in the CFD30 and CFD60 groups compared with control, and CFD60 had higher total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (P < 0.05). In addition, glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), as well as the capacity of T-AOC were higher in the longissimus thoracis muscle of the CFD30 and CFD60 groups compared with control (P < 0.05). These results suggested that CEC improved meat quality by enhancing antioxidant capacity and regulating muscle fiber composition. Furthermore, feeding CEC during the late finishing stage of lambs could maximize its potential benefits.
{"title":"A blend of cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and capsicum oleoresin (CEC) improves performance and meat quality of finishing lambs","authors":"Yuchao Hu , Tao Guo , Yuan Wang , Yang Jia , Wenwen Wang , Chang Gao , Yi Yang , Lei Yang , Zhiwei Cui , Na Liu , Xiaoping An , David L. Harmon , Jingwei Qi","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116646","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116646","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to investigate the effects of different feeding durations of a blend of cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and capsicum oleoresin (CEC) on the growth performance, meat quality, muscle fatty acid and amino acid compositions, fiber characteristics, and antioxidant capacity in finishing lambs. Thirty-six female 3-month-old Dorper × Small Tail Han crossbred lambs (29.9 ± 2.52 kg of BW ± SD) were randomly assigned to three groups: control, basal diet without CEC (CFD0), basal diet supplemented with 80 mg CEC/kg diet from 31 to 60 d (CFD30), or basal diet supplemented with 80 mg CEC/kg diet from 1 to 60 d (CFD60). After 60 d of experimentation, six lambs from each treatment were slaughtered for further analysis. The results indicated that lambs fed CEC diet (CFD30 and CFD60) exhibited higher (<em>P</em> < 0.05) average daily gain compared with control (CFD0). The pH<sub>24 h</sub> of lambs fed CEC diet was higher (<em>P</em> < 0.05) than the control. The value of L*, b*, H*, and shear force in CFD30 and CFD60 was lower than CFD0 (<em>P</em> < 0.05). In comparison to the CFD0 group, the CFD30 and CFD60 groups had lower percentages of moisture, drip loss, and water loss rates (<em>P</em> < 0.05), along with a higher intramuscular fat content (<em>P</em> < 0.05). The ratio of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) to saturated fatty acids (SFA) and the proportions of essential amino acids (EAA) and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) in the CFD30 and CFD60 groups were significantly higher than those in the control (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Conversely, the proportion of SFA in the CFD30 and CFD60 groups was significantly lower than that in the control group (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Furthermore, the CFD30 group had the lowest proportions of total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Compared with the control, dietary CEC supplementation increased mRNA expression of <em>MyHC Ⅱa</em> and <em>MyHC Ⅰ</em> (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Dietary CEC supplementation from 31 to 60 d resulted in the highest <em>MyHC Ⅱb, MyHC Ⅱx,</em> and <em>myoglobin</em> mRNA levels (<em>P</em> < 0.05). The serum content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was lower in the CFD30 and CFD60 groups compared with control, and CFD60 had higher total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (<em>P</em> < 0.05). In addition, glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), as well as the capacity of T-AOC were higher in the <em>longissimus thoracis</em> muscle of the CFD30 and CFD60 groups compared with control (<em>P</em> < 0.05). These results suggested that CEC improved meat quality by enhancing antioxidant capacity and regulating muscle fiber composition. Furthermore, feeding CEC during the late finishing stage of lambs could maximize its potential benefits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 116646"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146036374","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116638
Maicon Henrique Braz Garcia , Patricia Daniele Silva Dos Santos , Marcela De Souza Zangirolami , Jacqueline Pereira Vistuba , Ricardo Souza Vasconcellos , Oscar de Oliveira Santos Júnior
To ensure the quality and extend the shelf life of dry pet food, the industry uses synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), tertiary-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), and ethoxyquin, whose use is limited by regulatory agencies to protect animal health. This research aims to propose a new method for determining synthetic antioxidants in dry pet food. The method enables simultaneous analysis of the four most common antioxidants found in cat food and is faster and easier to apply compared to current methodologies. It involves sample preparation through grinding, vortex agitation for extraction with acetonitrile, filtration, and analysis using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with a Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD). The proposed method allowed the identification and quantification of the synthetic antioxidants TBHQ, BHA, ethoxyquin, and BHT in ten samples of dry cat food for adult cats, revealing maximum concentrations of up to 143.9 mg.kg−1 for BHT, with low detection limits and an average R² of 0.992.
{"title":"Rapid determination of residual synthetic antioxidants in dry animal feed using HPLC-DAD","authors":"Maicon Henrique Braz Garcia , Patricia Daniele Silva Dos Santos , Marcela De Souza Zangirolami , Jacqueline Pereira Vistuba , Ricardo Souza Vasconcellos , Oscar de Oliveira Santos Júnior","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116638","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116638","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To ensure the quality and extend the shelf life of dry pet food, the industry uses synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), tertiary-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), and ethoxyquin, whose use is limited by regulatory agencies to protect animal health. This research aims to propose a new method for determining synthetic antioxidants in dry pet food. The method enables simultaneous analysis of the four most common antioxidants found in cat food and is faster and easier to apply compared to current methodologies. It involves sample preparation through grinding, vortex agitation for extraction with acetonitrile, filtration, and analysis using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with a Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD). The proposed method allowed the identification and quantification of the synthetic antioxidants TBHQ, BHA, ethoxyquin, and BHT in ten samples of dry cat food for adult cats, revealing maximum concentrations of up to 143.9 mg.kg<sup>−1</sup> for BHT, with low detection limits and an average R² of 0.992.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 116638"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146036307","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116641
Zemin Li , Minhyeok Kang , Kayeon Ko , Yu Song , Yunkyoung Lee , Guiguo Zhang
Despite the recognized benefits of inulin as a dietary fiber, its specific effects on goats are still unclear, and the mechanisms involved are not well defined, hindering its effective application. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary inulin supplementation on growth performance, rumen microbiota, and metabolites in fattening goats. Eighty-four crossbred male goats were randomly allocated into 12 pens (7 goats per pen), and assigned to two dietary treatments: a control group (CON) fed a basal diet, and an inulin group (INU) fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.5 % inulin (w/w). Results showed that inulin supplementation significantly increased average daily gain (ADG) in the INU group (P < 0.05). Serum total protein (P < 0.05) and the tibial bone density, mineral content, strength, and thickness (P < 0.05) were significantly improved in the INU group compared to the CON group. The concentration of propionate (P < 0.05) was significantly higher in the INU group compared to the CON group. Moreover, inulin supplementation significantly decreased the abundance of Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Lachnoclostridium (P < 0.05), and Saccharofermentans (P < 0.01), whereas the abundance of Oscillospiraceae_UCG-005 (P < 0.05) was significantly increased. Metabolomic analysis indicated that inulin decreased the levels of adenine and α, α-trehalose, while increasing orotic acid levels through the pyrimidine metabolism pathway. Taken together, dietary inulin supplement improved the growth performance and systemic health of goats by specially modulating ruminal microbiota, metabolome, and associated metabolic pathways. This suggest inulin supplementation is a recommended nutritional strategy for enhancing the productivities and systemic health of intensively raised goats.
{"title":"Dietary inulin improves growth performance and systemic health of fattening goats by modulating rumen microbiome and metabolome","authors":"Zemin Li , Minhyeok Kang , Kayeon Ko , Yu Song , Yunkyoung Lee , Guiguo Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116641","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116641","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite the recognized benefits of inulin as a dietary fiber, its specific effects on goats are still unclear, and the mechanisms involved are not well defined, hindering its effective application. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary inulin supplementation on growth performance, rumen microbiota, and metabolites in fattening goats. Eighty-four crossbred male goats were randomly allocated into 12 pens (7 goats per pen), and assigned to two dietary treatments: a control group (CON) fed a basal diet, and an inulin group (INU) fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.5 % inulin (w/w). Results showed that inulin supplementation significantly increased average daily gain (ADG) in the INU group (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Serum total protein (<em>P</em> < 0.05) and the tibial bone density, mineral content, strength, and thickness (<em>P</em> < 0.05) were significantly improved in the INU group compared to the CON group. The concentration of propionate (<em>P</em> < 0.05) was significantly higher in the INU group compared to the CON group. Moreover, inulin supplementation significantly decreased the abundance of <em>Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Lachnoclostridium</em> (<em>P</em> < 0.05)<em>,</em> and <em>Saccharofermentans</em> (<em>P</em> < 0.01), whereas the abundance of <em>Oscillospiraceae_UCG-005</em> (<em>P</em> < 0.05) was significantly increased. Metabolomic analysis indicated that inulin decreased the levels of adenine and α, α-trehalose, while increasing orotic acid levels through the pyrimidine metabolism pathway. Taken together, dietary inulin supplement improved the growth performance and systemic health of goats by specially modulating ruminal microbiota, metabolome, and associated metabolic pathways. This suggest inulin supplementation is a recommended nutritional strategy for enhancing the productivities and systemic health of intensively raised goats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 116641"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146036281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116640
Mahsa Dehnavi , Alba Martín , Javier Mateo , F. Javier Giráldez , Fabrizio Ceciliani , Filippo Biscarini , Paola Cremonesi , Fiorenza Faré , Nuria Santos , Secundino López , Sonia Andrés
Methionine supplementation during the suckling period of ewe lambs may modify DNA methylation in the germline (F0) during this critical window period for the neonate. This circumstance may promote the intergenerational transmission of epigenetic marks to the offspring (F1), thus altering the expression of specific genes and physiological traits throughout F1 life. To test this hypothesis, 27 newborn ewe lambs (F1) born from either ewes being supplemented 0.1 % methionine (dry matter basis) during the suckling period (F0-MET) or not supplemented (F0-CTRL) were assigned to two different groups (F1-CTRL, n = 13 and F1-MET, n = 14), being the dietary treatment of their mothers (F0) the only source of variation. Thus, all the F1 animals (both groups) were raised exactly in the same way along the whole life (including lactation). In this study, we determined differences in the global blood methylation patterns, biochemical profile, and metabolome of female offspring (F1). Our data showed that functional categories such as those related to developmental process and anatomical structure development were significantly enriched in the F1-MET ewe lambs due to differentially methylated regions of genes in these categories. These F1-MET ewes also presented lower live body weight (P < 0.05) and reduced lipomobilization and milk yield (P = 0.099) during the lactation period, together with increased PUFAs content (P = 0.075) in the milk fatty acid profile when compared to F1-CTRL. Increased levels of insulin (P = 0.031) and β-hydroxybutyrate (P = 0.043), along with certain features of the metabolome profiles, revealed altered lipid metabolism when compared to F1-CTRL animals. As far as fecal microbiota is concerned, no significant differences were found in alpha and beta diversity between the two groups. However, DESeq2 analysis performed on OTU-filtered data revealed that Treponema (genus) and Spirochaetaceae (family), both from the Spirochaetes phylum, were reduced in the F1-MET group compared to the F1-CTRL group (log2FC=-3.96, padj < 0.05). The results suggest that early methionine supplementation in F0 ewe lambs has an intergenerational impact on their F1 female offspring, with negative consequences on lipomobilization and milk production during F1 lactation.
在母羊哺乳期补充蛋氨酸可能会改变这一关键窗口期母羊种系DNA甲基化（F0）。这种情况可能会促进表观遗传标记向后代（F1）的代际传递，从而改变F1一生中特定基因和生理性状的表达。为了验证这一假设，将27只母羊（F1）分为两个不同的组（F1- ctrl, n = 13和F1- met， n = 14），母羊的饲粮处理是唯一的变异来源（F0）。母羊在哺乳期添加0.1% %蛋氨酸（干物质基础）（F0- met）或未添加（F0- ctrl） （F1- ctrl, n = 13）出生的母羊（F1）。因此，所有F1动物（两组）终生（包括哺乳期）的饲养方式完全相同。在这项研究中，我们确定了女性后代的全球血液甲基化模式、生化特征和代谢组的差异（F1）。我们的数据显示，由于F1-MET母羊中基因甲基化区域的差异，与发育过程和解剖结构发育相关的功能类别在这些类别中显著丰富。与F1-CTRL组相比，F1-MET组母羊在泌乳期表现出较低的活重（P <； 0.05）、较低的脂肪化和产奶量（P = 0.099），以及较高的乳脂肪酸中PUFAs含量（P = 0.075）。胰岛素（P = 0.031）和β-羟基丁酸盐（P = 0.043）水平升高，以及代谢组谱的某些特征显示，与F1-CTRL动物相比，脂质代谢发生了改变。就粪便微生物群而言，两组之间α和β多样性无显著差异。然而，对ou过滤数据进行的DESeq2分析显示，与F1-CTRL组相比，F1-MET组螺旋体门的密螺旋体（属）和螺旋体科（科）数量减少（log2FC=-3.96, padj < 0.05）。结果表明，早期补充蛋氨酸对F1母羊后代有代际影响，对F1哺乳期间的脂肪动员和产奶量有负面影响。
{"title":"Methionine supplementation during early post-natal life of ewe lambs: Developmental programming of the female offspring and effects on the first lactation","authors":"Mahsa Dehnavi , Alba Martín , Javier Mateo , F. Javier Giráldez , Fabrizio Ceciliani , Filippo Biscarini , Paola Cremonesi , Fiorenza Faré , Nuria Santos , Secundino López , Sonia Andrés","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116640","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116640","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Methionine supplementation during the suckling period of ewe lambs may modify DNA methylation in the germline (F0) during this critical window period for the neonate. This circumstance may promote the intergenerational transmission of epigenetic marks to the offspring (F1), thus altering the expression of specific genes and physiological traits throughout F1 life. To test this hypothesis, 27 newborn ewe lambs (F1) born from either ewes being supplemented 0.1 % methionine (dry matter basis) during the suckling period (F0-MET) or not supplemented (F0-CTRL) were assigned to two different groups (F1-CTRL, n = 13 and F1-MET, n = 14), being the dietary treatment of their mothers (F0) the only source of variation. Thus, all the F1 animals (both groups) were raised exactly in the same way along the whole life (including lactation). In this study, we determined differences in the global blood methylation patterns, biochemical profile, and metabolome of female offspring (F1). Our data showed that functional categories such as those related to developmental process and anatomical structure development were significantly enriched in the F1-MET ewe lambs due to differentially methylated regions of genes in these categories. These F1-MET ewes also presented lower live body weight (P < 0.05) and reduced lipomobilization and milk yield (P = 0.099) during the lactation period, together with increased PUFAs content (P = 0.075) in the milk fatty acid profile when compared to F1-CTRL. Increased levels of insulin (P = 0.031) and β-hydroxybutyrate (P = 0.043), along with certain features of the metabolome profiles, revealed altered lipid metabolism when compared to F1-CTRL animals. As far as fecal microbiota is concerned, no significant differences were found in alpha and beta diversity between the two groups. However, DESeq2 analysis performed on OTU-filtered data revealed that <em>Treponema</em> (genus) and <em>Spirochaetaceae</em> (family), both from the <em>Spirochaetes</em> phylum, were reduced in the F1-MET group compared to the F1-CTRL group (log2FC=-3.96, p<sub>adj</sub> < 0.05). The results suggest that early methionine supplementation in F0 ewe lambs has an intergenerational impact on their F1 female offspring, with negative consequences on lipomobilization and milk production during F1 lactation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"333 ","pages":"Article 116640"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116639
Yang Long , Zhiyi Cheng , Rui Li , Zeliang Su , Chaobin Qin , Guoxing Nie , Yuanyou Li , Dizhi Xie
Saturated fatty acids (SFA) are an effective energy source for fish. This study investigated whether dietary SFA can spare essential fatty acids (EFA), specifically C18 polyunsaturated fatty acids (C18 PUFA), in juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Four isonitrogenous (36 % crude protein) and isolipidic (9 % crude lipid) diets formulated with graded C18 PUFA/SFA ratios of 0.66 (HS, high SFA), 1.11 (BPS, balanced C18 PUFA/SFA), 1.42 (HP, high PUFA), and 2.58 (VHP, very high PUFA). Fish (initial body weight approximately 5.0 g) were reared in net cages and fed for 10 weeks. A lower dietary C18 PUFA/SFA ratio significantly improved growth performance (final body weight, weight gain rate, specific growth rate) and feed efficiency (lower feed conversion ratio), with no significant impact on survival. Most serum biochemical parameters were not significantly affected by dietary; however, aspartate aminotransferase activity was significantly lower in the BPS group than in the VHP group. Hepatic and muscular tissues in the HS group exhibited elevated levels of SFA, long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA), and α-linolenic acid (ALA). In contrast, LC-PUFA and n-3 PUFA contents were significantly lower in the HP group than those in the HS group. Histological examination revealed lipid vacuolation and nuclear displacement in hepatocytes of HP and VHP groups. Gene expression analysis indicated that increasing dietary C18 PUFA/SFA ratios downregulated hepatic fatty acid anabolic genes (acc, srebp-1, fas, Δ6fads2, elovl5), while lipid catabolic genes (cpt-I, pparα, lpl, atgl) exhibite a biphasic expression pattern. Gut microbiota diversity increased with higher dietary C18 PUFA/SFA ratios, accompanied by an elevation in the relative abundance of pathogenic Legionella and a reduction in beneficial Cetobacterium. This study demonstrated that low dietary C18 PUFA/SFA ratios (≤1.11) enhance growth and lipid homeostasis in common carp, whereas higher ratios compromise hepatic health and microbiota balance. These findings provide mechanistic insights for sustainable aquafeed formulation via SFA-mediated sparing of EFA.
{"title":"Can saturated fatty acids spare essential fatty acids in freshwater fish? Evidence from growth, metabolism and gut microbiota in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)","authors":"Yang Long , Zhiyi Cheng , Rui Li , Zeliang Su , Chaobin Qin , Guoxing Nie , Yuanyou Li , Dizhi Xie","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116639","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116639","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Saturated fatty acids (SFA) are an effective energy source for fish. This study investigated whether dietary SFA can spare essential fatty acids (EFA), specifically C18 polyunsaturated fatty acids (C18 PUFA), in juvenile common carp (<em>Cyprinus carpio</em>). Four isonitrogenous (36 % crude protein) and isolipidic (9 % crude lipid) diets formulated with graded C18 PUFA/SFA ratios of 0.66 (HS, high SFA), 1.11 (BPS, balanced C18 PUFA/SFA), 1.42 (HP, high PUFA), and 2.58 (VHP, very high PUFA). Fish (initial body weight approximately 5.0 g) were reared in net cages and fed for 10 weeks. A lower dietary C18 PUFA/SFA ratio significantly improved growth performance (final body weight, weight gain rate, specific growth rate) and feed efficiency (lower feed conversion ratio), with no significant impact on survival. Most serum biochemical parameters were not significantly affected by dietary; however, aspartate aminotransferase activity was significantly lower in the BPS group than in the VHP group. Hepatic and muscular tissues in the HS group exhibited elevated levels of SFA, long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA), and α-linolenic acid (ALA). In contrast, LC-PUFA and n-3 PUFA contents were significantly lower in the HP group than those in the HS group. Histological examination revealed lipid vacuolation and nuclear displacement in hepatocytes of HP and VHP groups. Gene expression analysis indicated that increasing dietary C18 PUFA/SFA ratios downregulated hepatic fatty acid anabolic genes (<em>acc</em>, <em>srebp-</em>1, <em>fas</em>, Δ6<em>fads2, elovl5</em>), while lipid catabolic genes (<em>cpt-I, pparα, lpl, atgl</em>) exhibite a biphasic expression pattern. Gut microbiota diversity increased with higher dietary C18 PUFA/SFA ratios, accompanied by an elevation in the relative abundance of pathogenic <em>Legionella</em> and a reduction in beneficial <em>Cetobacterium</em>. This study demonstrated that low dietary C18 PUFA/SFA ratios (≤1.11) enhance growth and lipid homeostasis in common carp, whereas higher ratios compromise hepatic health and microbiota balance. These findings provide mechanistic insights for sustainable aquafeed formulation via SFA-mediated sparing of EFA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"333 ","pages":"Article 116639"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-10DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116633
Carolina Vasconcelos Tavares de Farias , Thaise Mota Sátiro , Amanda Miyuki Oshiro , Amalia Pérez-Jiménez , Leonardo Susumu Takahashi
Individual use of organic trace minerals and mannan oligosaccharides promotes fish health. However, few studies have investigated their combined use, despite the possibility that these compounds may have additive or synergistic effects, resulting in greater benefits than their isolated application. Thus, we investigated the effect of Aquate Fish FT, a product combining selenium from yeast, peptide-chelated copper, peptide-chelated zinc, and mannan oligosaccharides, on gene expression related to the antioxidant and immune systems, liver antioxidant enzymes, leukocyte respiratory burst, total globulins, and growth performance in Nile tilapia after a four-week feeding period (Trial I). In addition, we evaluated the effects of Aquate Fish FT on liver antioxidant enzyme activities, leukocyte respiratory burst, total globulin levels, and growth performance after an eight-week feeding period (Trial II). In this second trial, fish were characterized before being subjected to an intraperitoneal challenge with endotoxin lipopolysaccharides extracted from Escherichia coli, administered at a dose of 500 µg kg⁻¹ in a volume of 0.2 mL per gram of fish, followed by sampling 24 h after the challenge. A total of 160 juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (63.56 ± 4.41 g; mean ± SD) were fed isoproteic (30 % CP) and isoenergetic (4000 kcal GE kg⁻¹) diets containing four levels (0; 0.4; 0.8; and 1.2 %) of Aquate Fish FT and four repetition. The results showed that after four weeks, Aquate Fish FT promoted enhanced antioxidant and immune defenses, evidenced by upregulation of catalase (CAT) gene expression (P = 0.008), increased hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity (P = 0.021), upregulation of the immune cytokine interleukin 1β (IL-1β) (P = 0.002), and elevated leukocyte respiratory activity (P = 0.030). No significant differences were observed in the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD2) (P = 0.181), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (P = 0.192), interleukin 8 (IL-8) genes (P = 0.067), total globulins (P = 0,137), and growth performance (P > 0.05). After eight weeks, Aquate Fish FT significantly increased catalase (CAT) activity, with an even greater effect following lipopolysaccharide challenge (P = 0.012). Interestingly, leukocyte respiratory burst was reduced after lipopolysaccharide administration (P = 0.012), while total globulin levels increased (P = 0.028). In this trial, there was also no difference in growth performance (P > 0.05). Therefore, our results indicate that the combination of organic trace minerals (selenium, copper, and zinc) and mannan oligosaccharides (Aquate Fish FT) appears to modulate antioxidant and immunological parameters in Nile tilapia throughout different feeding periods.
{"title":"Effects of organic microminerals (selenium, copper, and zinc) and mannan-oligosaccharides on the antioxidant and immune responses of Nile tilapia","authors":"Carolina Vasconcelos Tavares de Farias , Thaise Mota Sátiro , Amanda Miyuki Oshiro , Amalia Pérez-Jiménez , Leonardo Susumu Takahashi","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116633","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116633","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Individual use of organic trace minerals and mannan oligosaccharides promotes fish health. However, few studies have investigated their combined use, despite the possibility that these compounds may have additive or synergistic effects, resulting in greater benefits than their isolated application. Thus, we investigated the effect of Aquate Fish FT, a product combining selenium from yeast, peptide-chelated copper, peptide-chelated zinc, and mannan oligosaccharides, on gene expression related to the antioxidant and immune systems, liver antioxidant enzymes, leukocyte respiratory burst, total globulins, and growth performance in Nile tilapia after a four-week feeding period (Trial I). In addition, we evaluated the effects of Aquate Fish FT on liver antioxidant enzyme activities, leukocyte respiratory burst, total globulin levels, and growth performance after an eight-week feeding period (Trial II). In this second trial, fish were characterized before being subjected to an intraperitoneal challenge with endotoxin lipopolysaccharides extracted from <em>Escherichia coli</em>, administered at a dose of 500 µg kg⁻¹ in a volume of 0.2 mL per gram of fish, followed by sampling 24 h after the challenge. A total of 160 juvenile Nile tilapia (<em>Oreochromis niloticus</em>) (63.56 ± 4.41 g; mean ± SD) were fed isoproteic (30 % CP) and isoenergetic (4000 kcal GE kg⁻¹) diets containing four levels (0; 0.4; 0.8; and 1.2 %) of Aquate Fish FT and four repetition. The results showed that after four weeks, Aquate Fish FT promoted enhanced antioxidant and immune defenses, evidenced by upregulation of catalase (CAT) gene expression (P = 0.008), increased hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity (P = 0.021), upregulation of the immune cytokine interleukin 1β (IL-1β) (P = 0.002), and elevated leukocyte respiratory activity (P = 0.030). No significant differences were observed in the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD2) (P = 0.181), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (P = 0.192), interleukin 8 (IL-8) genes (P = 0.067), total globulins (P = 0,137), and growth performance (P > 0.05). After eight weeks, Aquate Fish FT significantly increased catalase (CAT) activity, with an even greater effect following lipopolysaccharide challenge (P = 0.012). Interestingly, leukocyte respiratory burst was reduced after lipopolysaccharide administration (P = 0.012), while total globulin levels increased (P = 0.028). In this trial, there was also no difference in growth performance (P > 0.05). Therefore, our results indicate that the combination of organic trace minerals (selenium, copper, and zinc) and mannan oligosaccharides (Aquate Fish FT) appears to modulate antioxidant and immunological parameters in Nile tilapia throughout different feeding periods.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 116633"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976107","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-10DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116636
Amir Hossein Sarzaeim , Mahdi Ganjkhanlou , Abolfazl Zali , Mehdi Dehghan Banadaky , Ashkan Fekri , Lucrezia Forte , Valiollah Palangi , Pasquale De Palo , Aristide Maggiolino
This study evaluated the effects of incorporating corn gluten meal (CGM) and fermented corn gluten meal (FCGM) into calf starter diets on growth performance, nutrient utilization, ruminal fermentation, feeding behavior, and blood metabolites in pre-weaned Holstein calves. Thirty calves were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: control (CON, 100 % calf starter), CGM (5 % inclusion, replacing an equal proportion of starter on a DM basis), and FCGM (5 % inclusion, DM basis). Outcomes were monitored from day 3 to day 60 of life. Data were analyzed using mixed-model ANOVA to assess diet and time effects. Calves fed CON exhibited the highest dry matter and crude protein intake; however, calves receiving CGM and FCGM showed improved feed conversion ratios with comparable average daily gains, indicating enhanced efficiency, particularly in the FCGM group. Relative to CON, FCGM increased apparent total-tract dry matter (DM) digestibility. Ruminal fermentation profiles were modulated, with an increased acetate:propionate ratio in FCGM-fed calves. Plasma metabolite patterns were consistent with improved nitrogen utilization in the FCGM group. Feeding behavior was largely unaffected by diet. Collectively, a 5 % inclusion of FCGM in the starter improved growth efficiency and aspects of rumen function over days 3–60 of life, without compromising intake, supporting FCGM as a viable early-life nutritional strategy.
{"title":"Evaluation of corn gluten meal and fermented corn gluten meal supplementation on growth and physiological responses in Holstein dairy calves","authors":"Amir Hossein Sarzaeim , Mahdi Ganjkhanlou , Abolfazl Zali , Mehdi Dehghan Banadaky , Ashkan Fekri , Lucrezia Forte , Valiollah Palangi , Pasquale De Palo , Aristide Maggiolino","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116636","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116636","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the effects of incorporating corn gluten meal (CGM) and fermented corn gluten meal (FCGM) into calf starter diets on growth performance, nutrient utilization, ruminal fermentation, feeding behavior, and blood metabolites in pre-weaned Holstein calves. Thirty calves were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: control (CON, 100 % calf starter), CGM (5 % inclusion, replacing an equal proportion of starter on a DM basis), and FCGM (5 % inclusion, DM basis). Outcomes were monitored from day 3 to day 60 of life. Data were analyzed using mixed-model ANOVA to assess diet and time effects. Calves fed CON exhibited the highest dry matter and crude protein intake; however, calves receiving CGM and FCGM showed improved feed conversion ratios with comparable average daily gains, indicating enhanced efficiency, particularly in the FCGM group. Relative to CON, FCGM increased apparent total-tract dry matter (DM) digestibility. Ruminal fermentation profiles were modulated, with an increased acetate:propionate ratio in FCGM-fed calves. Plasma metabolite patterns were consistent with improved nitrogen utilization in the FCGM group. Feeding behavior was largely unaffected by diet. Collectively, a 5 % inclusion of FCGM in the starter improved growth efficiency and aspects of rumen function over days 3–60 of life, without compromising intake, supporting FCGM as a viable early-life nutritional strategy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"333 ","pages":"Article 116636"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-10DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116634
Gonzalo Fernández-Turren , Claudio Antonio Pozo , José Luis Repetto , Cecilia Cajarville , Gilberto Vilmar Kozloski
This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of a simplified method to estimate the ruminal degradability of crude protein (CP), based on ammonia N release in vitro, compared to the in situ conventional method. Two preliminary trials were conducted to evaluate the dynamics of ammonia N production and uptake by rumen microorganisms and its relationship with gas and purine bases (PB) accumulation in vitro as an indicator of microbial biomass. In Trial 1, starch, cellulose and casein samples were incubated and gas production and both ammonia N and PB accumulation were measured. No significant correlation was found between gas, ammonia N and PB accumulation. In Trial 2, casein and soybean meal samples were incubated with rumen inoculum added with 10 mg/L of (15NH4)2SO4 and gas production, ammonia N accumulation and 15N concentration in the incubation medium were measured. Ammonia N uptake represented only 6 % of the total ammonia N released throughout the 48 h of fermentation of casein or soybean meal. The 15N concentration drastically decreased up to 24 h of incubation. Trial 3 evaluated whether the in vitro CP degradation parameters of ten moderate to high-protein feedstuffs were related to those obtained by the in situ conventional method. There was a positive linear relationship (P < 0.05) between methods for estimating the potentially degradable CP (R2 ≥ 0.80) and the fractional rate of CP degradation (kd; R2 = 0.56), with the in vitro kd being, on average, 66 % lower than the in situ. Effective CP degradability (ECPD) of feedstuffs estimated in both methods was positively related (R2 = 0.93; P < 0.05). The simplified method based on ammonia N release in vitro, without correction for ammonia N uptake by microorganisms, may be used to estimate the extent or ruminal protein degradation of feedstuffs with moderate to high CP content.
{"title":"Evaluation of a simplified in vitro method to estimate the rumen protein degradation","authors":"Gonzalo Fernández-Turren , Claudio Antonio Pozo , José Luis Repetto , Cecilia Cajarville , Gilberto Vilmar Kozloski","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116634","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116634","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of a simplified method to estimate the ruminal degradability of crude protein (CP), based on ammonia N release <em>in vitro</em>, compared to the <em>in situ</em> conventional method. Two preliminary trials were conducted to evaluate the dynamics of ammonia N production and uptake by rumen microorganisms and its relationship with gas and purine bases (PB) accumulation <em>in vitro</em> as an indicator of microbial biomass. In Trial 1, starch, cellulose and casein samples were incubated and gas production and both ammonia N and PB accumulation were measured. No significant correlation was found between gas, ammonia N and PB accumulation. In Trial 2, casein and soybean meal samples were incubated with rumen inoculum added with 10 mg/L of (<sup>15</sup>NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> and gas production, ammonia N accumulation and <sup>15</sup>N concentration in the incubation medium were measured. Ammonia N uptake represented only 6 % of the total ammonia N released throughout the 48 h of fermentation of casein or soybean meal. The <sup>15</sup>N concentration drastically decreased up to 24 h of incubation. Trial 3 evaluated whether the <em>in vitro</em> CP degradation parameters of ten moderate to high-protein feedstuffs were related to those obtained by the <em>in situ</em> conventional method. There was a positive linear relationship (<em>P</em> < 0.05) between methods for estimating the potentially degradable CP (R<sup>2</sup> ≥ 0.80) and the fractional rate of CP degradation (<em>kd</em>; R<sup>2</sup> = 0.56), with the <em>in vitro kd</em> being, on average, 66 % lower than the <em>in situ.</em> Effective CP degradability (ECPD) of feedstuffs estimated in both methods was positively related (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.93; <em>P</em> < 0.05). The simplified method based on ammonia N release <em>in vitro</em>, without correction for ammonia N uptake by microorganisms, may be used to estimate the extent or ruminal protein degradation of feedstuffs with moderate to high CP content.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"333 ","pages":"Article 116634"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116632
Aaron Casey , Tommy M. Boland , Alan K. Kelly , Zoe C. McKay , Fionnuala Godwin , Maria Markiewicz-Keszycka , Marco Garcia-Vaquero , Calum Bridson , Padraig Hennessy , Sivaprakash Balakrishnan , Kieran J. Guinan , John T. O’Sullivan , Stafford Vigors
This study evaluated the effects of an Ascophyllum nodosum (ASC) extract delivered via a water-based system on animal performance, rumen microbiota, fermentation, and methane (CH4) emissions in beef steers. Thirty dairy-beef steers were randomly allocated to one of two dietary treatments (n = 15) for a 70-d period. Treatments consisted of either ad libitum zero-grazed grass (CTR; no extract) or ad libitum zero-grazed grass plus an ASC extract (ASCE) supplemented at 1.5 % of dry matter intake (DMI), administered via a water-based system. Additionally, all steers were offered a maximum of 1.4 kg/d of concentrate. Methane was measured throughout the study using the GreenFeed emissions monitoring system (GEM). A feed intake estimation period was conducted during week 5 and 10, while rumen fluid samples were collected on d-33 and d-68 for rumen microbiota and fermentation analysis. There was no difference between treatments for total DMI, average daily gain (ADG), or diet digestibility. Methane production was similar between treatments, averaging 206.6 g/d for CTR and 204.6 g/d for ASCE. Methane yield (g/kg DMI) and intensity (g/kg ADG) were also unaffected, averaging 24.8 g/kg DMI and 130.8 g/kg ADG, respectively. The proportion of butyrate was lower, and ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration was higher in ASCE-treated steers. Microbial abundances were unaffected, with Bacteroidota (51 %) and Firmicutes (38.3 %) being the most abundant phyla across both treatments. In conclusion, ASCE supplementation did not impact animal performance, CH4 emissions or rumen microbiota.
{"title":"The effect of a water-based delivery of an Ascophyllum nodosum extract on animal performance, rumen microbiota, fermentation, and methane emissions of zero-grazed beef steers","authors":"Aaron Casey , Tommy M. Boland , Alan K. Kelly , Zoe C. McKay , Fionnuala Godwin , Maria Markiewicz-Keszycka , Marco Garcia-Vaquero , Calum Bridson , Padraig Hennessy , Sivaprakash Balakrishnan , Kieran J. Guinan , John T. O’Sullivan , Stafford Vigors","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116632","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116632","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the effects of an <em>Ascophyllum nodosum</em> (ASC) extract delivered via a water-based system on animal performance, rumen microbiota, fermentation, and methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) emissions in beef steers. Thirty dairy-beef steers were randomly allocated to one of two dietary treatments (<em>n</em> = 15) for a 70-d period. Treatments consisted of either <em>ad libitum</em> zero-grazed grass (<strong>CTR</strong>; no extract) or <em>ad libitum</em> zero-grazed grass plus an ASC extract (<strong>ASCE</strong>) supplemented at 1.5 % of dry matter intake (DMI), administered via a water-based system. Additionally, all steers were offered a maximum of 1.4 kg/d of concentrate. Methane was measured throughout the study using the GreenFeed emissions monitoring system (GEM). A feed intake estimation period was conducted during week 5 and 10, while rumen fluid samples were collected on d-33 and d-68 for rumen microbiota and fermentation analysis. There was no difference between treatments for total DMI, average daily gain (ADG), or diet digestibility. Methane production was similar between treatments, averaging 206.6 g/d for CTR and 204.6 g/d for ASCE. Methane yield (g/kg DMI) and intensity (g/kg ADG) were also unaffected, averaging 24.8 g/kg DMI and 130.8 g/kg ADG, respectively. The proportion of butyrate was lower, and ammonia-nitrogen (NH<sub>3</sub>-N) concentration was higher in ASCE-treated steers. Microbial abundances were unaffected, with <em>Bacteroidota</em> (51 %) and <em>Firmicutes</em> (38.3 %) being the most abundant phyla across both treatments. In conclusion, ASCE supplementation did not impact animal performance, CH<sub>4</sub> emissions or rumen microbiota.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"333 ","pages":"Article 116632"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145940318","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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