Archives of Animal Nutrition最新文献

Two isoenergetic (12.05 MJ/kg ME) and isonitrogenic (approximately 200 g/kg CP) basal diets were prepared using 670 g/kg of wheat with low fibre and/or high fibre contents. Each basal diet was divided into four portions: one remained as is and fed as control (C); the second was the C supplemented with 100 FXU/kg of a commercial xylanase (XYL); the third was the C plus 20 g/kg of inulin (IN) powder; and the fourth was the C supplemented with both XYL and IN at the same inclusion rates, resulting in a total of eight experimental diets. A study was conducted from 10 to 21 days of age involving 320 female Ross 308 broiler chickens. Each diet, in meal form, was fed ad libitum to eight pens, five birds each, following randomisation. Supplementary XYL increased dietary nitrogen corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEn) (p < 0.001), dry matter retention (DMR), daily feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG) and reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05). Dietary IN tended (p < 0.01) to increase WG and reduce FCR and dietary wheat did not have an impact on growth performance variables (p > 0.05). Birds fed XYL had reduced relative weight of the pancreas (p < 0.050) and there was XYL by IN interaction (p < 0.05) on relative weight of the caeca as it was greater for those fed XYL and IN. No other changes in relative weight of the gastrointestinal tract organs were observed (p > 0.05). Bird fed XYL or IN had greater (p < 0.05) butyric acid (BA) concentration in caecal content. Feeding XYL led to reduced acetic (AA) and propionic acid (PA) concentrations in caecal excreta (p < 0.05) and to a greater BA:AA ratio (p < 0.001). Dietary IN increased blood serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (p < 0.05) and XYL increased concentration of hepatic coenzyme Q₁₀ (p < 0.05). The type of dietary wheat did not have an impact on any of the studied variables, suggesting that birds were able to tolerate the fibre contents in this study. It seems that both IN and XYL, can serve as feed enhancers that potentially may promote antioxidant status of birds and help poultry to cope with various stress factors during production. The study further confirms that supplementing wheat-based diets with XYL may be a strategy to mitigate the reduction in available energy and to increase nutrient availability in broiler diets.

This study evaluated the effects of Aspergillus-fermented agro-industrial by-products (AIBPs) through solid-state fermentation (SSF) on weaner rabbits. A total of 108 weaned rabbits (6 weeks old; 549 g BW) were allotted to 9 treatments in a completely randomised design following a 2 × 4 + 1 factorial arrangement. The diets consisted of fermented or unfermented AIBPs: maize shaft (MS), cowpea shell (CS), soybean hull (SH) or groundnut shell (GS), plus a wheat-offal control. Fermented AIBPs improved growth performance and reduced mortality during 6-9 weeks (p < 0.05), whereas unfermented AIBPs supported compensatory growth at 10-14 weeks. Fermentation enhanced nutrient digestibility but did not alter haematological and serum indices. Carcass yield was higher with fermented AIBPs, while similar prime cut yields were comparable to unfermented AIBPs. Rabbits fed unfermented AIBPs had heavier small intestines, greater villus development and higher microbial counts. It was concluded that agro-industrial by-products are valuable feed resources for rabbits, and microbial fermentation can further enhance their nutritional and functional properties for early post-weaning rabbits.

The nutrient composition of the pea grain fraction that escapes precaecal digestion may vary in response to the pea variant, affecting its fermentation characteristics in the hindgut. Quantifying the formation of fermentation end products in vivo remains challenging. Therefore, this study investigated the digestion and fermentation characteristics of 12 pea variants using two combined in vitro assays. In vitro indigestible solids (IVIS) of pea grains, representing the fraction of pea grains escaping precaecal digestion, were incubated for 48 h using a modified Hohenheim gas test with pig faeces as inoculum. Gas production was recorded at nine time points, and NH₄⁺-N and volatile fatty acids (VFA) were measured at 8 and 24 h. Precaecal disappearance was high for starch and crude protein ( >94%), whereas fibre fractions remained largely undigested ( <16%) and were the most abundant and variable fraction in the IVIS. Incubated IVIS differed in potential gas production and maximum rate of gas production among pea variants (p < 0.001, 46.7 to 73.9 mL/200 mg dry matter and 2.9 to 5.1 mL/h, respectively). For metabolite concentrations, an effect of the IVIS was observed for NH₄⁺-N and VFA at 8 and 24 h (p < 0.001). Multivariate regression showed a positive association of acid detergent fibre with the potential gas production (p < 0.001, R² = 0.82). The concentration of crude protein was positively associated with the NH₄⁺-N concentration at 8 and 24 h (p < 0.001, R² = 0.85, R² = 0.86). The crude fibre concentration was negatively associated with the branched-chain fatty acid concentration at 24 h (p = 0.001, R² = 0.70). Starch concentration was positively associated with gas production at 2 h (p < 0.016, R² = 0.49) and propionate concentration at 8 h (p < 0.038, R² = 0.86). To conclude, early-stage propionate production is driven by the precaecal indigestible starch, whereas the fermentation potential is primarily determined by the precaecal indigestible fibre fractions. Formation of metabolites by protein fermentation depends on the concentration of precaecal indigestible protein but may be inhibited with higher fibre concentrations. The differences in fermentation characteristics among IVIS of pea variants were associated with the analysed nutrient composition of the IVIS but not with those of the original grains.

This study evaluated the effects of sorghum silages treated with chemical, microbial, and combined additives on fermentative quality, aerobic stability, nutritional composition, and productive performance of confined sheep. Forty uncastrated male sheep were used, distributed among four treatments: silage without additives (control); silage treated with a chemical additive based on organic acids; silage inoculated with Lentilactobacillus buchneri; and silage treated with the combination of both additives. The silages were evaluated after 90 days of storage, and the animals were confined for 60 days, receiving individually adjusted diets. The diets were provided as a total mixed ration composed of sorghum silage, ground corn, cottonseed cake, urea, mineral supplement, and ammonium sulphate, with the concentrate ingredients being mixed with the silage at the time of feeding. No significant differences in dry matter intake were observed among treatments. However, animals fed treated silages, especially with the combination of additives, showed greater intake of non-fibrous carbohydrates and metabolisable energy. The apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and ether extract was higher with the use of additives, particularly in the combined treatment, which also presented the highest total digestible nutrient content. Daily weight gain was greater in sheep fed silages treated with both additives. Furthermore, the additives improved aerobic stability and reduced discard losses during the feeding period. Therefore, the application of chemical and microbial additives to sorghum silage promoted better nutrient preservation, fermentative profile, and aerobic stability, resulting in greater nutrient utilisation and improved productive performance in sheep.

In vitro gas production (GP) techniques, such as the extended Hohenheim gas test (eHGT), are being used to estimate the protein values of ruminant feeds and commonly apply rumen fluid obtained from rumen-cannulated animals as inoculum. This study aimed to compare rumen fluid inoculum (RI) with faecal inoculum (FI) concerning in vitro ammonia-nitrogen (NH₃-N) release and microbially bound nitrogen (mN). Rumen fluid was obtained from lactating dairy cows and faeces from adult wether sheep. Six feeds for ruminants, including rapeseed meal, soybean meal, sunflower meal, pea grain, maize grain, and rye grain, were incubated for 8, 24, and 48 h with and without an additional carbohydrate (CHO) source. NH₃-N increased with the incubation time for all feeds and both inocula. For NH₃-N values after 8, 24 and 48 h of incubation, the two-way interaction between feed and inoculum source was significant (p < 0.001). Across the six feeds, the NH₃-N values did not differ between RI and FI after 8 h, whereas RI-NH₃-N was 17% and 23% higher than FI-NH₃-N after 24 and 48 h, respectively. For most feeds, the mN values decreased with RI as incubation time increased. In contrast, mN in FI remained constant or increased between 8 and 24 h before decreasing at 48 h. Overall, the NH₃-N and mN values were lower with FI than RI. After 24 and 48 h, the two inocula did not significantly differ in the response to the CHO supply, studied as the ratio of mg NH₃-N decrease per 1 mL of GP. Linear regression analysis showed that FI-NH₃-N can be used to predict RI-NH₃-N using the six feeds or the CHO-supplemented feeds at all incubation times. The highest estimation accuracy was found at 24 h for the feeds alone (slope = 1.39, R² = 0.98, CV = 3.9%) and the feeds plus CHO source (slope = 1.55, R² = 0.99, CV = 4.1%). In conclusion, FI has the potential to be applied as an inoculum to assess the protein values of ruminant feeds in vitro.

Using the substitution method and extruded diets, the metabolisable energy (ME) and digestible nutrient contents of soybean meal (SBM), poultry by-product meal with high ash content (PBMha), micronised soybean meal (MSM), and corn gluten meal (CGM) were determined for dogs. A complete and balanced control diet (CD) was formulated. Test diets were prepared by mixing 70% of the CD with 30% of the protein source in evaluation, according to the substitution method requirements. Due to its high fat content, the MSM diet was formulated with 85% of the CD and 15% of MSM to obtain adequate extrusion. Thirty-five Beagle dogs (7 per diet) were used to evaluate the total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) of each diet, by the total collection of faeces method. Results were applied to calculate the ingredient TTAD and digestible nutrients content. Data were analysed in a completely randomised design and submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test (p < 0.05). The TTAD of DM, OM, CP, and gross energy were higher for CGM (p < 0.05). The TTAD of CP was similar for SBM and MSM, whose values were higher than for PBMha (p < 0.05). Faeces production was higher for dogs fed the SBM diet and PBMha, and faecal DM was lower for dogs fed the SBM diet. The results indicate variable TTAD among protein sources, with vegetable protein sources generally being more digestible than PBMha.

Water consumption may vary depending on climate, dry matter intake (DMI) as well as genetic group and physiological state of the cows. Little is published for other genetic groups besides Holstein. Understanding the need for water intake (WI) as well as drinking behaviour in critical periods could help producers develop adjusted management practices. This study aimed to investigate the drinking and water consumption behaviour of Holstein, Gyr and Girolando-F1 (½ Holstein ½ Gir) cows during the transition period. Thirty-six cows were distributed into three groups (n = 12 each) according to their genetic group. WI and water drinking behaviour were monitored from 10 days before parturition until 21 days of lactation using electronic drinkers. During pre-calving, a positive correlation was observed between WI and DMI only for Holstein (r = 0.31; p < 0.05) and Girolando-F1 (r = 0.34; p < 0.05) cows. Holstein cows ingested the highest amount of water daily and per 100 kg of body weight (BW) (30.9 kg and 4.5 kg). Holstein cows had higher WI per BW^0.75 than Gyr cows (0.23 kg vs. 0.12 kg). Furthermore, Holstein cows remained longer and spent more active time at the drinker (85.4 min; 81.2 min) than Gyr (13.5 min; 12.1 min) and Girolando-F1 cows (36.8 min; 34.4 min; p < 0.05), respectively. Holstein and Girolando-F1 cows had a higher daily number of active visits to the drinker than Gyr cows (4.2, 4.2, and 2.8 times, respectively). In the post-calving period, WI was positively correlated with DMI in all genetic groups, but it was correlated with milk yield (MY) only in Holstein (r = 0.21; p < 0.05) and Girolando-F1 (r = 0.42; p < 0.05) cows. The WI per MY and per BW^0.75 was lower for Girolando-F1 cows in relation to the Holstein and Gyr cows on the first day post-calving and highest for Gyr cows on the seventh day post-calving. WI per kg of BW^0.75 was higher for Holstein cows than for Gyr cows during the first 21 days of lactation, while WI per kg BW^0.75 of Holstein cows was higher than that of Girolando-F1 cows on days 3 and 4 and from days 7 to 21. The genetic groups differed in WI and drinking behaviour and were mainly modulated by DMI and THI in the pre-calving period and by MY and DMI in the post-calving period.

Meat is highly susceptible to oxidation, which leads to the degradation of lipids and proteins, resulting in undesirable changes in meat quality, such as colour and shelf life. This process can be mitigated by both non-enzymatic antioxidants and enzymatic antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The oxidative stability of meat is influenced by several factors, including animal nutrition. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of corn silage supplementation on meat oxidative status and its correlation with the expression level of genes associated with this process in the longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle of Braford steers. For this study, 30 steers were randomly assigned to two experimental groups of 15 animals each. One group was fed with ad libitum pasture supplemented with corn silage and the other group was fed with ad libitum pasture. The degree of protein and lipid oxidation was determined by total protein carbonyl content and lipid degradation products, respectively. The antioxidant capacity was determined by measuring the radical-scavenging activities, total phenol content (TPC), and the activities of the CAT, SOD, and GPx enzymes. In addition, the relative levels of sod (1 and 2), cat, and gpx genes were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results indicated that meat from corn-silage supplementation exhibited higher levels of oxidation than those from pasture-fed steers. Also, results showed that meat from corn-silage-supplemented steers were more oxidised than those from pasture-fed steers. Moreover, hydrophilic extracts showed higher levels of antioxidant capacity than liphophilic ones in boths feeding systems and the muscles of animals that received corn exhibited a 17% reduction in TPC. In addition, expression levels of cat, sod (1 and 2), and gpx genes were lower in this group compared to the pasture-finished group. Consequently, the gene expression of the antioxidant enzymes exhibited a negative correlation with lipid oxidation, and with lipophilic antioxidants. Conversely, a positive correlation was observed with polyphenol content. This study demonstrated that the oxidative stability of meat can be enhanced by feeding steers with pasture, rather than finishing with corn silage supplementation. Moreover, attributable to reduced expression levels of antioxidant enzymes, leading to higher lipid and protein oxidation levels, which has a deleterious effect on meat quality. Consequently, the gene expression of the antioxidant enzymes evaluated, specifically sod, cat and gpx, has been identified as a promising reliable biomarker for oxidative stability in meat.

Copper (Cu) supplementation is essential in pig nutrition; however, its effects on performance, trace element accumulation in edible tissues, and environmental excretion require careful evaluation. In the present study a total of 24 male, castrated fattening pigs of two different hybrid mast lines (11 weeks of age) were divided according to their initial body weight (25.8 ± 3.5 kg) into four groups. Pigs were fed for 14 weeks a complete feed supplemented with Cu covering a range between the recommended Cu supplementation and the permissible European maximum level (i.e. 5, 15, and 25 mg/kg complete feed). Two different Cu sources were used: Cu sulphate (CuSO₄) and glycine-Cu chelate hydrate (Cu-Gly). The aim of the trial was studying the influence of the different Cu levels and sources on growth performance, Cu transfer to edible tissues (muscle, liver, kidney, blood) and faeces, as well as the concentration of other trace elements, including iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) in tissues of fattening pigs. Performance parameters, including average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR), showed a dependency with respect to the pig breed, whereas Cu content and Cu sources showed no influence. Copper concentrations in the liver, kidney, muscle, and blood serum remained constant across groups. Faecal Cu excretion increased proportionally with dietary Cu levels, with higher excretion observed for the organic Cu source at 15 mg/kg as compared with inorganic source at similar level. The results show, that Cu levels up to the maximum level of 25 mg/kg complete feed are not necessary to achieve good growth performance in healthy fattening pigs. The unaffected Cu concentrations in liver, muscle, kidney, and blood, as well as increased faecal excretion with increasing Cu level in the feed, indicate an adequate supply and homoeostatic regulation of Cu. In addition, a reduced use of Cu in pig fattening will help to reduce Cu emission into the environment.

Oil extraction from walnut (Juglans regia L.) kernels yields residue of walnut oilcake (WOC) that is often discarded as waste despite its rich bioactive contents. This study evaluates the potential use of WOC as a replacement for conventional feedstuffs in broiler diets, assessing its effects on production performance, nutrient utilisation, carcass traits, meat quality and gut health. A total of 160 day-old male broiler chicks in total were evenly distributed into four dietary groups, with five replications each consisting of eight chicks. The birds in group T0 were fed the control diet based on conventional corn-s oybean meal, while those of treatment groups were fed diets with WOC substituted for soybean meal at levels of 10% (T1), 20% (T2), and 30% (T3). The experiment lasted for 42 days. Inclusion of WOC upto 20% did not influence feed intake, early growth, FCR (until T2), or nutrient digestibility but inhibited performance at T3. Dressing yield and breast/thigh weights were improved (p < 0.05), whereas fat, cholesterol, TBARS, tyrosine, and drip loss decreased ;(p < 0.05) with increased antioxidant activity, water-holding capacity and meat lightness. WOC diets also decreased caecal coliforms and improved ileal villus morphology. In conclusion, WOC can replace soybean meal upto 20% without compromising production performance, while improving carcass traits, meat quality, oxidative stability and gut health in broiler chickens.