Showing papers in "Asian-australasian Journal of Animal Sciences in 2008"
TL;DR: The factors that hamper village chicken productivity are reviewed together with opportunities and research needs, and human gender aspects in village chicken production are highlighted.
Abstract: Development of village chicken production can be a sustainable way of helping to meet the welfare needs of rural populations and raise their living standards. There is a dearth of information on research conducted to characterize, understand and develop the village chicken production systems in Zimbabwe. This review focuses on constraints, opportunities and research needs for the improvement of village chicken productivity in Zimbabwe. Village chicken production in Zimbabwe is extensive and dominated by indigenous chickens that exhibit remarkable adaptation to local environments. The multitude functions of village chickens, which include the provision of high quality protein meat and eggs, cash through sales and socio-cultural roles, are discussed in detail. Human gender aspects in village chicken production are highlighted. The factors that hamper village chicken productivity are reviewed together with opportunities and research needs. The major constraints include shortage of feed, poor health and housing management. Any improvements in these constraints may lead to sustainable increase in village chicken productivity.
109 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested thatGMOS or COS may enhance the cell-mediated immune response in early-weaned piglets by modulating the production of cytokines and antibodies, which shows that GMOS orCOS have different effects than the antibiotic on animal growth and health.
Abstract: Immunomodulatory feed additives might offer alternatives to antimicrobial growth promoters in pig production. This experiment was designed to determine the effects of dietary galacto-mannan-oligosaccharide (GMOS) and chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) supplementation on the immune response in early-weaned piglets. Forty 15-day-old piglets (DurocxLandracexYorkshire) with an average live body weight of 5.6±0.51 kg were weaned and randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups that were fed maize-soybean meal diets containing either basal, 110 mg/kg of lincomycin, 250 mg/kg of COS or 0.2% GMOS, respectively, over a 2-week period. Another six piglets of the same age were sacrificed on the same day at the beginning of the study for sampling, in order to obtain baseline values. Interleukin (IL)-1β gene expression in peripheral blood monocytes, jejunal mucosa and lymph nodes, as well as serum levels of IL-1β, IL-2 and IL-6, IgA, IgG, and IgM, were evaluated for 5 pigs from each group at 15 and 28 days of age. The results indicate that weaning stress resulted in decreases in serum antibody and cytokine levels. Dietary supplementation with GMOS or COS enhanced (p<0.05) IL-1β gene expression in jejunal mucosa and lymph nodes, as well as serum levels of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IgA, IgG and IgM compared to supplementation with lincomycin. These findings suggest that GMOS or COS may enhance the cell-mediated immune response in early-weaned piglets by modulating the production of cytokines and antibodies, which shows that GMOS or COS have different effects than the antibiotic on animal growth and health.
106 citations
TL;DR: Fermentation of dietary fiber may improve the availability of minerals such as P and Ca which can be subsequently absorbed and/or utilized by the microbiota of the pig's large intestine.
Abstract: Dietary fiber is an inevitable component in pig diets. In non-ruminants, it may influence many physiological processes in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) such as transit time as well as nutrient digestion and absorption. Moreover, dietary fiber is also the main substrate of intestinal bacteria. The bacterial community structure is largely susceptible to changes in the fiber content of a pig's diet. Indeed, bacterial composition in the lower GIT will adapt to the supply of high levels of dietary fiber by increased growth of bacteria with cellulolytic, pectinolytic and hemicellulolytic activities such as Ruminococcus spp., Bacteroides spp. and Clostridium spp. Furthermore, there is growing evidence for growth promotion of beneficial bacteria, such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, by certain types of dietary fiber in the small intestine of pigs. Studies in rats have shown that both phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) play an important role in the fermentative activity and growth of the intestinal microbiota. This can be attributed to the significance of P for the bacterial cell metabolism and to the buffering functions of Ca-phosphate in intestinal digesta. Moreover, under P deficient conditions, ruminal NDF degradation as well as VFA and bacterial ATP production are reduced. Similar studies in pigs are scarce but there is some evidence that dietary fiber may influence the ileal and fecal P digestibility as well as P disappearance in the large intestine, probably due to microbial P requirement for fermentation. On the other hand, fermentation of dietary fiber may improve the availability of minerals such as P and Ca which can be subsequently absorbed and/or utilized by the microbiota of the pig's large intestine.
97 citations
TL;DR: Dietary supplementation of laying hens with anti-oxidants (vitamin C and propolis) can attenuate heat stress-induced oxidative damage, evidenced by increased growth performance and digestibility, improvement of egg shell thickness and egg weight in comparison to non-supplemented birds.
Abstract: In this study, the effects of propolis and vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) supplementation in diets were investigated on feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion rate (FCR) and digestibility and on egg production and qualities (weight, mortality, shell thickness) in laying hens exposed to heat stress. A total of 150 Hyline White Leghorn, aged 42 weeks, hens was divided into five groups of 30 hens. Chicks were randomly divided into 1 positive control, 1 control and 3 treatment groups. The chicks were kept in cages in temperature-controlled rooms at 22°C for 24 h/d (positive control, Thermoneutral, TN group) or 34°C for 9 h/d from 08.00-17.00 h followed by 22°C for 15 h (control, heat stress, HS group) and fed a basal diet or basal diet supplemented with vitamin C (250 mg/kg of L- ascorbic acid/kg of diet) or two levels of propolis (2 and 5 g of ethanol extracted propolis/kg of diet). Increased FI (p 0.05). However, the egg shell thickness and egg shell weight appeared to be increased in Vitamin C and propolis groups in comparison to HS group birds (p<0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of laying hens with anti-oxidants (vitamin C and propolis) can attenuate heat stress-induced oxidative damage. These positive effects were evidenced by increased growth performance and digestibility, improvement of egg shell thickness and egg weight in comparison to non-supplemented birds. Moreover, supplementation with propolis (5 g/kg diet) was the most efficient treatment.
97 citations
TL;DR: Results indicated that performance was elevated quadratically with dietary β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation, and Maximal growth performance and an enhanced immunological response were obtained at a supplemented level of 50 mg/kg.
Abstract: The object of this trial was to investigate the effect of dietary β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation on the performance and immunological response of broiler chickens. Two hundred and forty 1-day old male broilers (39±1 g) were separated into six treatments which were given six different feeds containing 0 (control), 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 mg/kg dietary β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation. On days 21 and 42, body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversation rate were recorded as measures of growth performance. The levels of key cytokines in the immuno-regulating pathway: interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon y (IFN-y), tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a), and the concentrations of signal molecules: peripheral blood plasma globulin, serum Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and intestinal secretary Immunoglobulin A (sIgA), were measured as indices of the immune response to determine suitable levels of dietary β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation. The results indicated that performance was elevated quadratically with dietary β-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation. Maximal growth performance and an enhanced immunological response were obtained at a supplemented level of 50 mg/kg.
95 citations
TL;DR: The rumen microbial ecosystem produces methane as a result of anaerobic fermentation, and in order to reduce the flow of hydrogen into methane production, hydrogen should be diverted into propionate production via lactate or fumarate.
Abstract: The rumen microbial ecosystem produces methane as a result of anaerobic fermentation. Methanogenesis in the rumen is thought to represent a 2-12% loss of energy intake and is estimated to be about 15% of total atmospheric methane emissions. While methanogenesis in the rumen is conducted by methanogens, PCR-based techniques have recently detected many uncultured methanogens which have a broader phylogenetic range than cultured strains isolated from the rumen. Strategies for reduction of methane emissions from the rumen have been proposed. These include 1) control of components in feed, 2) application of feed additives and 3) biological control of rumen fermentation. In any case, although it could be possible that repression of hydrogen-producing reactions leads to abatement of methane production, repression of hydrogen-producing reactions means repression of the activity of rumen fermentation and leads to restrained digestibility of carbohydrates and suppression of microbial growth. Thus, in order to reduce the flow of hydrogen into methane production, hydrogen should be diverted into propionate production via lactate or fumarate.
91 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that oral administration of exogenous amylase affected activities of intestinal enzymes and the production of pancreatic digestive enzymes in a dose-dependent manner.
Abstract: Four hundred and forty 1-day-old Arbor Acre broilers were fed commercial starter diets with 0, 250, 750 and 2,250 mg/kg of an alpha-amylase preparation from 1 to 21 days of age to investigate the effects of an exogenous enzyme on growth performance, activities of digestive enzymes in the pancreas and anterior intestinal contents and pancreatic amylase mRNA expression. Body weight gain (BWG) and average daily gain (ADG) increased linearly (p 0.05). The pancreatic protease, trypsin, and lipase were not affected by exogenous amylase levels. Consistent with the tendency for a linear depression of amylase activity, pancreatic α-amylase mRNA was down-regulated by dietary amylase supplementation. The present study suggested that oral administration of exogenous amylase affected activities of intestinal enzymes and the production of pancreatic digestive enzymes in a dose-dependent manner.
78 citations
TL;DR: It is indicated that feeding ASD can improve the growth performance of weaning pigs, mainly via modulating intestinal microflora populations without affecting gastrointestinal pH or immune indices.
Abstract: Two experiments were conducted to compare the effects of feeding organic acids and antibiotic growth promoters in weaned pigs In Exp 1, 96 nursery pigs (Large WhitexLandrace; initial weight 780±007 kg) were randomly allotted into one of four dietary treatments Pigs in treatment 1 were fed a complex starter diet Treatments 2 to 4 were the same as treatment 1 but supplemented with antibiotics (200 ppm chlortetracycline plus 60 ppm Lincospectin), 05% potassium diformate or 05% dry organic acid blend ACTIVATE Starter DA (ASD) During the 4-week post-weaning period, pigs fed ASD or antibiotics had better gain (p = 003) and feed efficiency (p = 004) than pigs fed the control diet On d 14 post-weaning, pigs fed the control diet had the lowest fecal lactobacilli count among all dietary treatments (p = 002), whereas pigs fed ASD or antibiotics had a trend for lower fecal E coli count compared to the control pigs (p = 008) Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) of pigs fed ASD did not differ from pigs fed the control diet (p>005) at d 14 after weaning In Exp 2, 24 weaned pigs (Large WhitexLong White; initial weight 594±033 kg) were allotted into four groups and housed individually Pigs were fed a control diet or diets supplemented with antibiotics (100 ppm colistin sulfate, 50 ppm Kitasamycin plus 60 ppm Olaquindox), 05% or 1% ASD All pigs were orally challenged with E coli K88 + on d 5 During d 5 to 14 after challenge, pigs fed antibiotics, 05% or 1% ASD had better gain (p = 001) and feed efficiency (p = 003) than pigs fed the control diet On d 14, compared to the control pigs, pigs fed 05% ASD had higher lactobacilli in the duodenum and pigs fed 1% ASD and antibiotics had a trend for higher lactobacilli in the ileum (p = 008) Pigs fed antibiotics, 05% or 1% ASD diets tended to have decreased ileal E coli count compared to those fed the control diet (p = 008) Serum interleukin-6 and cortisol and digesta pH values were not affected by treatment or time These results indicate that feeding ASD can improve the growth performance of weaning pigs, mainly via modulating intestinal microflora populations without affecting gastrointestinal pH or immune indices
70 citations
TL;DR: Results indicated that dietary yeast derived β-glucan and BA-pro exerted growth-promoting and immune-enhancing effects in broiler chickens and modulated the profiles of cecal microflora, reflecting a potential to be beneficial microorganisms in chickens.
Abstract: A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary yeast derived β-glucan and single-strain probiotics on the growth performance and antibody response in broiler chicks. Six hundred and thirty 1-d-old male broiler chicks were divided into seven groups, placed into three pens per group (30 birds per pen) and fed one of seven non-medicated corn-SBM based experimental diets containing 0.025, 0.05 or 0.1% Saccharomyces cerevisiae β-glucan and 0.05, 0.1 or 0.2% Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BA-pro, 1.3x10 9 /g) or devoid of them for 5 wk. The body weight gains in groups fed diets containing 0.025 or 0.1% β-glucan, 0.1% or 0.2% BA-pro were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the control over 1-35 d. Feed conversion rates of groups fed β-glucan and BA-pro tended to be improved compared to the control group. There were no significant differences in the relative weights of liver, abdominal fat and breast muscle. No significant differences were observed in the activities of serum enzymes and concentrations of various cholesterol fractions. The antibody titers against Newcastle disease or infectious bronchitis virus in the chicks fed diets containing β-glucan and BA-pro were significantly higher (p<0.05) than in the control. The concentrations of cecal lactic acid bacteria in all groups fed BA-pro were significantly increased (p<0.05) compared to the control. These results indicated that dietary yeast derived β-glucan and BA-pro exerted growth-promoting and immune-enhancing effects in broiler chickens. In addition, BA-pro added to the diets modulated the profiles of cecal microflora, reflecting a potential to be beneficial microorganisms in chickens.
70 citations
TL;DR: Chickens exposed to heat stress before slaughter showed the lowest ultimate pH and birds shackled for a longer time the highest, and lactate concentration in breast muscle of chicken increased with increasing struggling activity.
Abstract: Pre-slaughter conditions affect poultry meat quality. Therefore, stresses before slaughter like heat stress, struggle and shackling on the shackle line, crating and transport and feed withdrawal are very important for the poultry industry in respect of quality as well as welfare of the birds. However, exposure to heat in oxidative stress can in turn lead to cytotoxicity in meat type birds. Chickens exposed to heat stress before slaughter showed the lowest ultimate pH and birds shackled for a longer time the highest. The abdominal fat content was higher in heat stressed birds. Struggling on the shackle line hastened the initial rate of the pH drop and increased the redness of breast meat. Again, with increasing struggling activity, lactate concentration in breast muscle of chicken increased. Paler meat was found in birds that were transported for a longer time than in those after a small journey or not transported. The pre-slaughter and eviscerated weights were decreased as the length of feed withdrawal period increased.
60 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that fish oil supplementation with vitamin E may have a beneficial effect on the semen quality and fertility of Markhoz bucks.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of dietary fish oil supplementation on the semen characteristics of the Markhoz buck. Sixteen bucks were randomly allocated into 4 groups and received four different diets: unsupplemented control diet, supplemented with fish oil at 2.50% dry matter (DM), supplemented with fish oil (2.50% DM) and vitamin E (0.30 g/kg DM), and supplemented with vitamin E (0.30 g/kg DM). All experimental diets were formulated according to AFRC (1998). Semen was collected at 14 d intervals from June 17, 2006 to September 2, 2006. Semen characteristics were evaluated. Significant effects (p<0.05) of the week (sampling time) were observed for all parameters except semen volume. Also a significant effect (p<0.05) of dietary treatment was observed for all parameters except for percent sperm with normal morphologies and semen volume. Fish oil supplementation with excess vitamin E had a significant effect (p<0.05) on total number and sperm density, motility and progressive motility, percentage viability and dead sperm. The interaction between fish oil feeding and sampling time was significant (p<0.05) for all of the parameters. The bucks that received fish oil in association with vitamin E, effect fish oil showed the greatest improvement in semen characteristics compared with the other groups (p<0.05). This study showed that fish oil supplementation with vitamin E may have a beneficial effect on the semen quality and fertility of Markhoz bucks.
TL;DR: While both MO and LY supplementations had a positive impact on feed efficiency and Ly supplementation stabilized ruminal pH and improved fiber utilization, none of the supplements had the capacity to significantly enhance the carcass characteristics.
Abstract: In performance, digestibility and slaughter trials, a total of forty five male weaned lambs were used to examine the effects of monensin and live yeast supplementations on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass characteristics and ruminal fermentation parameters when the lambs were fed steam-flaked corn-based diets. Animals were allotted to one of three treatment diets in a completely randomized design. The three treatment diets were: (1) basal diet (CON) with steam-flaked corn as a sole grain source, (2) basal diet supplemented with monensin (MO), and (3) basal diet supplemented with live yeast (LY). Total average daily intake (ADI) was unaffected by MO and LY supplementations. LY supplementation increased (p<0.05) average daily gain (ADG) by 13.1% compared with the CON diet. Both MO and LY supplementations resulted in a significant improvement (p<0.05) of feed efficiency over the CON diet (4.47, 4.68 vs. 5.05). Hemicellulose digestibility was higher (p<0.05) for lambs in the LY supplementation group (62.4%) as compared with the CON group (55.7%), but no differences were observed in digestibilities of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). All carcass traits were not influenced by dietary supplementations. Ruminal pH in lambs fed the LY supplemental diet was more stable than that with the CON diet (6.57 vs. 6.17). Neither MO nor LY supplementation influenced the concentration of ruminal ammonia-N and total volatile fatty acid (VFA), and molar percentages of individual VFA. Plasma urea-N concentration was decreased (p<0.05) by MO and LY supplementations, while plasma β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), glucose and other blood parameters were unaffected. In conclusion, while both MO and LY supplementations had a positive impact on feed efficiency and LY supplementation stabilized ruminal pH and improved fiber utilization, none of the supplements had the capacity to significantly enhance the carcass characteristics.
TL;DR: The expression of hsp70 mRNA in the heart, liver and kidney of heat-stressed broilers increased significantly and attained the highest level after a 2-h exposure to elevated temperatures, indicating that the stress-induced responses vary among different tissues.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the expression and localization of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and its mRNA in the heart, liver, and kidney of acutely heat-stressed broilers at various stressing times. Male AA broilers (n = 100) were randomly divided into 5 groups of 20 birds per group. After 30 d of adaptive feeding at ambient temperature, 80 experimental broilers were suddenly heat stressed by increasing the environmental temperature from 22±1°C to 37±1°C. The 4 groups were heat stressed for 2, 3, 5, and 10 h, respectively. The localizations of Hsp70 protein and mRNA, determined by immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization, respectively, were demonstrated to be tissue dependent, implying that different tissues have differential sensibilities to heat stress. Intense Hsp70 staining was identified in the vascular endothelial cell of heart, liver and kidney, suggesting an association between expression of Hsp70 in vascular endothelial cell and functional recovery of blood vessels after heat shock treatment. Antemortem heat stress had a significant effect on the expression of Hsp70 protein and mRNA. The quantitation of Hsp70 protein and mRNA were both time and tissue dependent. During the exposure to heat stress, the heart, liver and kidney of broiler chickens exhibited increased amounts of Hsp70 protein and mRNA. The expression of hsp70 mRNA in the heart, liver and kidney of heat-stressed broilers increased significantly and attained the highest level after a 2-h exposure to elevated temperatures. However, significant elevations in Hsp70 protein occurred after 2, 5, and 3 h of heat stressing, respectively, indicating that the stress-induced responses vary among different tissues.
TL;DR: In this paper, two inorganic (zinc sulfate and zinc oxide) and three organic (Zinc acetate, zinc-methionine, and zinc-lysine) zinc sources were evaluated for their effects on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks.
Abstract: Two inorganic (zinc sulfate and zinc oxide) and three organic (zinc acetate, zinc-methionine, and zinc-lysine) zinc sources were evaluated for their effects on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks. The birds were randomly assigned to one control (non-supplemented) and 15 treatment (supplemented) groups consisting of four replicates of 10 chicks each in a 5×3 factorial arrangement of treatments (five zinc sources and three supplemental zinc levels). Birds were kept in floor pens in a temperature-controlled room from 1 to 42 d of age and fed a non-supplemented basal diet (control) or the basal diet supplemented with 40, 80 or 120 mg/kg of Zn as mentioned sources. Dietary zinc source had considerable effect on feed intake in all experimental periods. Increasing Zn level from 80 to 120 mg/kg decreased the average feed intake in the growth stage (p<0.01) and also in the entire experimental period (p<0.001). Similarly, the average daily gain during the entire trial period was affected by the type of Zn source (p<0.001) and supplemental level (p<0.01). One degree of freedom contrast comparisons showed that the inclusion of organic zinc sources into the diets caused significant increases in feed intake and body gain when compared with inorganic counterparts. Except in wk 1, dietary supplementation with organic sources improved (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio; FCR values were not affected by dietary Zn source or supplementation level. Breast meat yield increased with supplemental levels of organic Zn sources; however, other carcass parameters were not affected by dietary Zn source. On the other hand, organic versus inorganic zinc supplementation caused a significant increase in liver, breast and carcass weight percentages. The present findings suggest that supplemental levels of organic Zn compounds had beneficial effects on broiler performance, and Zn requirements can be reduced using these feed supplements in poultry rations. (Key Words : Broiler Chicks, Organically Zn Compounds, Zinc-methionine, Zinc-lysine, Performance, Carcass Characteristics)
TL;DR: The results of this study showed that the incorporation of the clinoptilolite both in feed and into the litter had a positive effect on broiler growth and also on the quality of their litter.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of clinoptilolite (a natural zeolite) on growth and performance of broilers as well as on the quality of their litter. A total of 5,200 one-day old broiler chickens (Cobb 500) were used in two consecutive rounds lasting 42 days each. The broilers were given free and continuous access to a nutritionally non-limiting diet (in meal form) that was either a basal diet (B) or a 'zeolite diet' (Z; the basal diet supplemented with clinoptilolite at a level of 2%). A 2x2 factorial design consisted of two feeding treatments (B and Z) and two bedding types, sawdust (S) and sawdust with zeolite (Sz, which was the result of adding 2 kg zeolite/m 2 ), was used. In each round the broilers were randomly assigned to one of four (n = 650), treatment groups: two fed on the basal diet (B) and had bedding of either sawdust (group BS) or sawdust and zeolite (group BSz) and two fed on the Z diet and had as bedding either sawdust (ZS) or sawdust and zeolite (ZSz). Average growth rates were significantly (p<0.05) different between broilers of different groups; broilers that were fed on the 'zeolite diet' (Z) and were placed either in a compartment with sawdust bedding or sawdust bedding and zeolite (ZS and ZSz) as well those that were fed on the basal diet in a compartment with sawdust bedding and zeolite (BSz) grew at a faster rate (p<0.05) compared with those of the control group (BS). The incorporation of NZ in broilers diets and in their bedding material decreased the organic content in litter samples throughout the experimental period. The lowest organic content was recorded in group ZSz where NZ was added in both feed and litter. Mean ammonia concentration (ppm) was significantly higher in group ZS in comparison to groups BSz and ZSz (27.00 vs. 20.55 and 21.71 respectively). The results of this study showed that the incorporation of the clinoptilolite both in feed and into the litter had a positive effect on broiler growth and also on the quality of their litter.
TL;DR: The carcass characteristics, chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the Longissimus muscle (LM) of bulls and steers finished in a pasture system were studied and the levels of monounsaturated fatty acids were higher in bulls and Steers.
Abstract: This experiment was carried out to study the carcass characteristics, chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the Longissimus muscle (LM) of bulls (10) and steers (17) finished in a pasture system. Animals (1/2 Zebu vs. 1/2 Aberdeen Angus) were fed in a pasture system (Hermatria altissima) and with a supplement of soybean meal, cracked corn, urea, limestone and mineral salts, twice a day. Both animal groups were slaughtered at 27 months of age, with an average 508.88 kg of live weight. Final weight, hot carcass weight and texture were similar (p>0.05) between bulls and steers. Carcass dressing, fat thickness, color and marbling were higher (p 0.05) in bulls and steers. The levels of monounsaturated fatty acids were higher (p 0.10) in bulls and steers.
TL;DR: A large amount of variation in nutritional characteristics between pork muscles is identified, and the data can be used for the development of muscle-specific strategies to improve eating quality of meats and meat products.
Abstract: A study was conducted to evaluate nutritional value for twenty-one pork muscles. Ten market-weight crossbred pigs (five gilts and five barrows) were used for evaluating proximate chemical composition, cholesterol, total iron, calorie and fatty acid contents. As preliminary analysis revealed no noticeable sex effect, pooled data from both sexes were used for the final analysis. M rectus femoris had the highest moisture content, while m. latissimus dorsi was lowest in moisture content (p<0.05). Protein content was highest for m. longissimus dorsi and lowest for m. supraspinatus (p<0.05). The tensor fasciae and latissimus dorsi muscles contained the highest intramuscular fat (p<0.05), while rectus femoris, adductor and vastus lateralis were lowest in intramuscular fat content. When simple correlations between chemical values were computed for the pooled dataset from all muscles, intramuscular fat had significant (p<0.05) negative linear relationships with moisture (r = -0.85) and protein (r = -0.51) contents. Calorie levels were not significantly affected by fat content, while rectus femoris and latissimus dorsi muscles showed lowest and highest calorie contents, respectively (p<0.05). Polyunsaturated fatty acid content was highest (p<0.05) for both m. adductor and m. rectus femoris, while it was lowest for m. longissimus dorsi. Collectively, the current study identified a large amount of variation in nutritional characteristics between pork muscles, and the data can be used for the development of muscle-specific strategies to improve eating quality of meats and meat products.
TL;DR: Results indicated that the SNP marker of the IGF-I gene may be a potential marker for growth traits in the Nanjiang Huang goat, although no significant association between SNP genotypes and other growth traits was observed.
Abstract: The objectives of this study were to identify polymorphisms of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) gene and to investigate their association with growth traits in Nanjiang Huang goats. Five hundred and ninety-two animals were used to detect the polymorphisms in the complete coding sequence, part of introns and the 5'- regulatory region of the IGF-I gene by means of PCR-SSCP. A new single nucleotide polymorphism (G to C transversion) was identified at intron 4 of the IGF-I gene in the goats. Two alleles and three genotypes were observed in this group. The frequency of G and C alleles was 54.6 and 45.4%, respectively. The statistical analysis showed that polymorphism of the IGF-I gene had a significant association (p<0.05) with birth weight (BW), body weight at 6 months (W6) and at 12 months (W12), heart girth at 2 months (G2), body length at 6 months (L6), wither height at 6 months (H6) and at 12 months (H12) and heart girth at 12 months (G12). The goats with genotype CC had significantly higher BW, W6, W12, G2, L6, H6, H12 and G12 than those with genotype GC and had significantly higher W12, H6, H12 and G12 than those with genotype GG. Therefore, genotype CC may be the most advantageous for growth traits in the Nanjiang Huang goat. However, no significant association between SNP genotypes and other growth traits was observed. These results indicated that the SNP marker of the IGF-I gene may be a potential
TL;DR: Estimates of genetic parameters for various traits in this study confirm that selection should be applied on WW for genetic improvement in Markhoz goats.
Abstract: The objective of the present study was to estimate genetic parameters for economic traits in Markhoz goats. Data collected from 1993 to 2006 by the Markhoz goat Performance Testing Station in Sanandaj, Iran, were analyzed. The traits recorded as body weight performance at birth (BW), weaning (WW), six month (6MW), nine month (9MW), yearling (YW) and yearling fleece weight (YFW) were investigated. Least square analyses were used for estimation of environmental effects. Genetic parameters were estimated with single and multi trait analysis using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedures, under animal models. By ignoring or including maternal additive genetic effects and maternal permanent environmental effects, five different models were fitted for each trait. The effects of sex, type of birth, age of dam and year of birth on the all body weights were significant (p<0.01), but had no effects on YFW except year of birth. Age of kids had significant influences on WW and 6MW (p<0.01). A log likelihood ratio test was carried out for choosing the most suitable model for each trait. Total heritability estimates for YFW and growth traits varied from 0.16 for YFW and WW to 0.41 for YW. For all traits, maternal heritability was lower than direct heritability, ranging from 0.06 for BW to 0.01 for 6MW and 9MW. The magnitude of c 2 was more substantial for BW than the others, and relative importance was reduced from 0.12 for BW to 0.04 for 9MW. The direct additive genetic correlations estimates were positive and varied from 0.21 between BW-YW to 0.96 between WW-6MW. Direct additive genetic correlations between YFW and body weight traits were positive and ranged from 0.14 between BW-YFW to 0.67 between 6MW-YFW. For all traits, the corresponding estimates for phenotypic correlation were positive and lower than genetic correlations. The maternal additive genetic correlations between various traits were varied and ranged from -0.19 between 9MW-YFW to 0.96 between 6MW-9MW. The estimates of the maternal permanent environmental correlations between various traits were positive and ranged from 0.33 between WW-YFW to 0.93 between WW-6MW. Also, the environmental correlations between various traits ranged from 0.01 between BW-YFW and WW-YFW to 0.70 between 9MW-YW. Estimates of genetic parameters for various traits in this study confirm that selection should be applied on WW for genetic improvement in Markhoz goats.
TL;DR: The interaction of fibre degrading microbes and methanogens was studied using two forages, lucerne and maize, as substrate and 2-bromoethanesulphonic acid as an additive in an in vitro gas production test, resulting in narrowing of acetate to propionate ratio.
Abstract: The interaction of fibre degrading microbes and methanogens was studied using two forages, lucerne (Medicago sativa) hay and maize (Zea mays) hay, as substrate and 2-bromoethanesulphonic acid (BES) as an additive in an in vitro gas production test. Gas and methane production (ml/g dry matter) were significantly higher (p 98% of control) inhibition of methanogenesis. The proportion of acetate decreased, whereas that of propionate increased significantly by inclusion of BES, resulting in narrowing of acetate to propionate ratio. In vitro true digestibility (IVTD) of lucerne was significantly higher as compared to maize but BES inclusion did not affect IVTD.
TL;DR: It is suggested that resveratrol maintains an antioxidant efficacy as well as its anti-hyperlipidemic effect in cholesterol-fed rats.
Abstract: The antioxidant activity of resveratrol in cholesterol-fed rats, along with its hypolipidemic effects was determined. Thirty two male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups (Control, Res30 and Res70) and fed a hyperlipidemic diet for 4 weeks. Resveratrol was suspended in 0.3% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solution and given to rats of the Res30 and Res70 groups once a day for 4 weeks by oral intubation at a dose of 30 and 70 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The control group received 0.3% CMC solution alone. Resveratrol significantly lowered serum lipid, hepatic cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels compared to the control. Excretion of bile acids was significantly enhanced by resveratrol. The overall potential of the antioxidant system was significantly enhanced by the resveratrol as plasma and hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels were lowered while serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activities were increased in the cholesterol-fed rats. These findings suggest that resveratrol maintains an antioxidant efficacy as well as its anti-hyperlipidemic effect.
TL;DR: It is indicated that dietary yeast culture supplementation benefits sow productivity by improving litter weight gain, but at present it is not confirmed if improved litter weight loss was due to milk production, which remains to be investigated.
Abstract: A total of 335 sows at a commercial operation (Hitch Pork Producers Inc, Guymon, OK) was used to determine dietary effects of yeast culture supplementation (XPC™, Diamond V Mills) on litter performance. Sows were grouped by parity (parity 1 to 12). Pigs within a group were then allotted to treatments. Treatments consisted of: CON (no added yeast culture) and YC (12 and 15 g/d XPC during gestation and lactation, respectively). Sows were housed individually and fed their assigned gestation and lactation diets from d 35 of gestation to d 21 of lactation. Sows were fed 2.0 kg/d during gestation and ad libitum during lactation. Voluntary feed intake was measured daily during lactation. At farrowing, numbers of pigs born total and alive were measured. Weights of litters were measured at birth and weaning on d 21 of lactation. Litter weight gain of the YC treatment was 6.9% greater (p<0.01) than that of the CON. However, voluntary feed intake of sows and litter size did not differ between treatments. This study indicates that dietary yeast culture supplementation benefits sow productivity by improving litter weight gain. At present, it is not confirmed if improved litter weight gain was due to milk production, which remains to be investigated.
TL;DR: Solid-state fermentation resulted in high counts of lactic acid bacteria and low counts of enterobacteria in the substrate and feeding a diet containing solid-state fermented feed, free of antibiotics, can result in similar performance and nutrient digestibility in growing-finishing pigs.
Abstract: This study investigated the effects of solid-state fermentation of a compound pig feed on its microbial and nutritional characteristics as well as on pig performance and nutrient digestibility. A mixed culture containing Lactobacillus fermentum, Saccharomyces cerevisae and Bacillus subtilis was used for solid-state fermentation and solid-state fermented feed samples were collected on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 and 30 for microbial counts and chemical analysis. Lactic acid bacteria increased rapidly during the first three days of fermentation and then slowly declined until day 10 and, thereafter, the counts were maintained at about 6.7 log cfu/g for the duration of the fermentation period. Enterobacteria also increased during the first two days, and then fell below the detectable level of the analysis (3.0 log cfu/g). The pH of the fermentation substrate declined from 6.1 at the start of fermentation to 5.7 by day 30. The water-soluble protein content increased from 8.2 to 9.2% while the concentration of acetic acid increased from 16.6 to 51.3 mmol/kg over the 30-day fermentation. At the end of the 30-day fermentation, the solid-state fermented feed was used in a pig feeding trial to determine its effects on performance and nutrient digestibility in growing-finishing pigs. Twenty crossbred barrows (14.11+0.77 kg BW) were allotted into two dietary treatments, which comprised a regular dry diet containing antibiotics and a solid-state fermented feed based diet, free of antibiotics. There was no difference due to diet on pig performance or nutrient digestibility. In conclusion, solid-state fermentation resulted in high counts of lactic acid bacteria and low counts of enterobacteria in the substrate. Moreover, feeding a diet containing solid-state fermented feed, free of antibiotics, can result in similar performance and nutrient digestibility in growing-finishing pigs to a regular diet with antibiotics.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of feeding calcium soaps of palm oil fatty acids (bypass fat) on milk yield, milk composition and nutrient utilization in lactating crossbred cows was evaluated.
Abstract: Twenty lactating crossbred cows yielding 10 to 15 litres of milk daily during mid lactation were selected and divided into four groups of five animals to assess the effect of feeding calcium soaps of palm oil fatty acids (bypass fat) on milk yield, milk composition and nutrient utilization in lactating crossbred cows. The animals in groups 1 (control), 2, 3 and 4 were fed concentrate mixture containing 0 (no bypass fat), 2, 4 and 6% bypass fat, respectively. The average daily dry matter consumption in the various groups ranged from 13.1 to 13.6 kg and showed no significant difference among treatment groups. There was no significant difference among different groups in digestibility of DM, OM, CP and CF, however, ether extract digestibility in cows of groups 2 and 4 was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the control group. The average milk yields of the cows in group 3 (4% bypass fat) showed a significantly (p<0.05) higher value than cows of groups 1 and 2. Similarly, a significant (p<0.05) increase in fat yield, 4% FCM yield and SNF yield was observed for the cows in group 3 (4% bypass fat). The milk composition in terms of total solids, fat, lactose, protein, solids-not-fat and ash percentage showed a varying response and bypass fat feeding did not have any effect on milk composition of cows in different groups. The gross and net energetic efficiency of milk production ranged from 23.6 to 27.5% and 37.1 to 44.4%, respectively, and showed no significant difference among different treatment groups. The gross and net efficiency of nitrogen utilization for milk production ranged from 24.0 to 28.7% and 37.2 to 43.5%, respectively, and no significant difference was noted among different treatment groups. The supplementation with calcium salts of palm oil fatty acid reduced the proportion of caproic, caprylic and capric acids and significantly (p<0.01) increased the concentration of palmitic, oleic, stearic, linoleic and linolenic acids in milk fat with increase in level of bypass fat supplementation. It was concluded that incorporation of calcium salts of palm oil fatty acids at a 4% level in the concentrate mixture of lactating crossbred cows improved the milk production and milk quality in terms of polyunsaturated fatty acids without affecting the digestibility of nutrients.
TL;DR: It is concluded that the livers of ketotic cows possess high concentrations of acetyl-CoA, which through negative feedback inhibited fatty acid oxidation; show decreased fatty acids oxidation, ketogenesis and protein synthesis; and increased gluconeogenesis and energy production.
Abstract: The objective of the present study was to identify differences in the expression levels of liver proteins between healthy and ketotic cows, establish a liver metabolic interrelationship of ketosis and elucidate the metabolic characteristics of the liver during ketosis. Liver samples from 8 healthy multiparous Hostein cows and 8 ketotic cows were pooled by health status and the proteins were separated by two-dimensional-electrophoresis (2D-E). Statistical analysis of gels was performed using PDQuest software 8.0. The differences in the expression levels of liver proteins (p<0.05) between ketotic and healthy cows were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF-TOF) tandem mass spectrometry. Five enzymes/proteins were identified as being differentially expressed in the livers of ketotic cows: expression of 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase type-2 (HCDH), acetylcoenzyme A acetyltransferase 2 (ACAT) and elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) were down-regulated, whereas that of alpha-enolase and creatine kinase were up-regulated. On the basis of this evidence, it could be presumed that the decreased expression of HCDH, which is caused by high concentrations of acetyl-CoA in hepatic cells, in the livers of ketotic cows, implies reduced fatty acid β-oxidation. The resultant high concentrations of acetyl-CoA and acetoacetyl CoA would depress the level of ACAT and generate more β-hydroxybutyric acid; high concentrations of acetyl-CoA would also accelerate the Krebs Cycle and produce more ATP, which is stored as phosphocreatine, as a consequence of increased expression of creatine kinase. The low expression level of elongation factor Tu in the livers of ketotic cows indicates decreased levels of protein synthesis due to the limited availability of amino acids, because the most glucogenic amino acids sustain the glyconeogenesis pathway; thus increasing the level of alpha-enolase. Decreased protein synthesis also promotes the conversion of amino acids to oxaloacetate, which drives the Krebs Cycle under conditions of high levels of acetyl-CoA. It is concluded that the livers of ketotic cows possess high concentrations of acetyl-CoA, which through negative feedback inhibited fatty acid oxidation; show decreased fatty acid oxidation, ketogenesis and protein synthesis; and increased gluconeogenesis and energy production.
TL;DR: In an attempt to develop a probiotic formulation for poultry feed, a number of lactic acid bacteria were isolated from chicken intestinal specimens and a series of in vitro experiments were performed to evaluate their efficacy as a potential probiotic candidate.
Abstract: In an attempt to develop a probiotic formulation for poultry feed, a number of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from chicken intestinal specimens and a series of in vitro experiments were performed to evaluate their efficacy as a potential probiotic candidate. A total of 650 LAB strains were isolated and screened for their antagonistic potential against each other. Among all the isolates only three isolates (TMU121, 094 and 457) demonstrated a wide spectrum of inhibition and were thus selected for detailed investigations. All three selected isolates were able to inhibit the growth of E. coli and Salmonella species, although to variable extent. The nature of the inhibitory substance produced by the isolates TMU121 and 094 appeared to be associated with bacteriocin, as their activity was completely lost after treatment with proteolytic enzymes, while pH neutralization and catalase enzyme had no effect on the residual activity. In contrast, isolate TMU457 was able to resist the effect of proteolytic enzymes while pH neutralization completely destroyed its activity. Attempts were made to study the acid, bile tolerance and cell surface hydrophobicity of these isolates. TMU121 showed high bile salt tolerance (0.3%) and high cell surface hydrophobicity compared to the other two strains studied, while TMU094 appeared the most pH resistant strain. Based on these results, the three selected LAB isolates were considered as potential ingredients for a chicken probiotic feed formulation and were identified to species level based on their carbohydrate fermentation pattern by using API 50CH test kits. The three strains were identified as Lactobacillus fermentum TMU121, Lactobacillus rhamnosus TMU094, and Pediococcus pentosaceous TMU457.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of fucoxanthin (FX), a major carotenoid in algae, on lipid peroxidation and meat colour in ground chicken breast meat were investigated.
Abstract: Effects of fucoxanthin (FX), a major carotenoid in algae, on lipid peroxidation and meat colour in ground chicken breast meat were investigated. FX and/or α-tocopherol (Toc) were added to ground samples at a content level of 200 mg/kg. The samples were subjected to a chilling storage test before and after cooking. In the storage test before cooking, neither FX nor Toc affected the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) on days 1 and 6, and FX decreased the L* value and increased the a* and b* values. In the storage test after cooking, both FX and Toc decreased TBARS values on days 1 and 6. FX decreased the L* value and increased the a* and b* values, similar to what occurred in the storage test before cooking. Based on these results, we concluded that FX is a potent ingredient for improvement of the appearance and shelf life of chicken meat and its products. (Key Words : Fucoxanthin, Chicken Breast Meat, Lipid Peroxidation, Meat Colour, α-Tocopherol)
TL;DR: To study the working mechanisms for non-starch polysaccharidases to improve the growth performance of broiler chickens, a 21-day feeding trial was conducted.
Abstract: To study the working mechanisms for non-starch polysaccharidases to improve the growth performance of broiler chickens, a 21-day feeding trial was conducted. Two dietary treatments were included: 1) wheat diet (the control); 2) wheat+xylanase diet (xylanase, Allzyme PT, Alltech, Kentucky, USA). There were 8 replicates with 8 birds each for each treatment and the experimental diets were given to birds from hatch. Feed intake and body weight were measured on days 7 and 21. At the same ages, samples were taken for the determination of selected groups of luminal and mucosa-associated bacteria, mucosal morphology, brush-border membrane (BBM) bound enzyme activity and ileal nutrient digestibility. The xylanase supplement increased (p 0.05) by xylanase. Up to day 7, xylanase increased the counts of C. perfringens in the ileum and total anaerobic bacteria (TAB) in the caeca (p 0.05) by the supplement but crypt depth at the same site was reduced at day 7. Also, xylanase tended to increase the concentration of BBM protein (p = 0.09) and the specific activity of sucrase (p = 0.07) at day 21. (Key Words : Xylanase, Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Gut Microflora, Intestinal Mucosal Morphology, Specific Activity of BBM Bound Enzymes)
TL;DR: Dietary inclusion of PKC or enzyme did not affect eggshell quality, but egg yolk colour was significantly paler when layers were fed the 25% PKC diet.
Abstract: A total of 392 twenty eight week-old laying hens was used to study the effects of dietary inclusion of solvent extracted palm kernel cake (PKC) (0%, 12.5% and 25%) and enzyme (mixture of mannanase, α-galactosidase and protease) supplementation (0 kg/t, 1 kg/t and 2 kg/t) on the performance of laying hens. The levels of PKC did not significantly influence nitrogen corrected true metabolizable energy (TMEn) of the diets. Enzyme supplemented PKC had significantly higher AME and TMEn values than PKC diets with no enzyme supplementation. Dietary inclusion of 12.5% and 25% PKC in the diets of laying hens did not adversely affect mean egg production or daily egg mass. However, layers consumed significantly more PKC-based diets and had significantly poorer feed conversion ratios (FCR) than controls. However, the feed intake and FCR of hens provided the 12.5% PKC-based diets with enzyme supplementation at 1 kg/t did not differ from the controls. Dietary inclusion of PKC or enzyme did not affect eggshell quality, but egg yolk colour was significantly paler when layers were fed the 25% PKC diet.
TL;DR: In conclusion, CORT administration impaired the normal morphology and absorptive capacity of the small intestine of broiler chickens.
Abstract: Two experiments were carried out to study the effects of corticosterone (CORT) administration on intestinal morphology and function of broilers. In both experiments, birds were randomly divided into two equal groups. One group was the control group (CTRL), and the birds were fed with a basal diet. The other was the experimental group (CORT), and the birds were fed with the basal diet plus 30 mg of CORT/kg diet. At 21 days of age, performance, morphological characteristics of intestine, D-xylose level in plasma, activities of digestive enzymes in digesta, digestibility of nutrients and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdUrd)-labeling index of intestinal epithelial cells were determined. CORT administration decreased feed intake, daily gain and feed conversion ratio (p 0.05). CORT administration increased activities of trypsin and amylase (p<0.05), and decreased BrdUrd-labeling index of duodenal and jejunal epithelial cells (p<0.05). In conclusion, CORT administration impaired the normal morphology and absorptive capacity of the small intestine of broiler chickens.