Showing papers in "Italian Journal of Animal Science in 2016"
TL;DR: It emerged that antioxidants supplementation diet can play a central role to limit the detrimental effects of stress (pre-slaughter or at killing) and storage, and lycopene shows the best antioxidant activity during stressful conditions while α-tocopherol acts preferentially in long-term frozen storage.
Abstract: Lipid oxidation is a very complex and important event threatening the quality of foods especially of those containing highly unsaturated fats. Fish are the main source of polyunsaturated fatty acid...
109 citations
TL;DR: This review focused on the specific applications of the genomic selection in pigs, considering its limits, its advantages and its perspectives throughout an analysis of the simulation studies and field applications already available targeting many different traits (with high and low heritability).
Abstract: Genomic selection, that is based on the prediction of the breeding value (the genomic breeding value or GEBV) of the animals considering genomic information, is changing breeding strategies and approaches in dairy cattle and in several other livestock species. The starting points for the application of genomic selection in pigs were the development of a first commercial single-nucleotide polymorphism panel for high throughput genotyping, the sequencing of the pig genome and the application of statistical and methodological approaches first developed in dairy cattle and then adapted to the peculiarities of the pig breeding industry. In this review, we focused on the specific applications of the genomic selection in pigs, considering its limits, its advantages and its perspectives throughout an analysis of the simulation studies and field applications already available targeting many different traits (with high and low heritability). In addition, we presented an overview of the problems related to t...
63 citations
TL;DR: The adaptability index showed the best result of slow-growing strains with intermediate results in medium-growing and the worst in fast-growing ones, while within the same sub-group (slow, medium and fast), there is no correlation between daily weight gain and adaptation to an organic system.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to define poultry adaptability to organic system, through the assessment of several endpoints. Eight hundred male birds of slow-growing birds (Ancona: A, Leghorn: L, crossbreed Cornish × Leghorn: CL), medium-growing (Gaina: G, Robusta Maculata: RM, Kabir: K, Naked Neck: NN) and fast-growing strains (Ross: R) were organically reared. A and L genotypes displayed a quicker reaction time when submitted to tonic immobility test, and a great variety of behaviour and exploiting all the pasture area. Concerning feather conditions L, A, CL G and RM showed the best values for all considered body regions, as well as the absolute absence of foot pad and breast blister lesions. Static behaviour of R and G chickens did not produce a significant oxidative burst whereas, the active behaviour of A, slow-growing birds, increased the oxygen demand. Plasma α-tocopherol followed the trend of kinetic and foraging activity being higher in slow-, intermediate in medium- and lower in fast-growing ...
49 citations
TL;DR: The results obtained in this study suggest that the use of an emulsifier based on lysophospholipids improves feed efficiency while showed limited effect on carcass quality traits.
Abstract: An experiment was carried out to evaluate productive performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass quality traits of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with an exogenous emulsifier based on lysophospholipids prepared by enzymatic conversion of soy lecithin. One thousand seven-hundred and fifty-five one-day-old male Ross 308 chicks were randomly divided into three experimental groups of nine replications each: control group (CON) fed a corn–soybean basal diet, and two groups fed CON diet supplemented with constant (1 kg/ton) or variable (1–1.5 kg/ton) level of emulsifier (CONST and VARI, respectively). At the end of the trial (42 d), birds receiving the emulsifier had a statistically significant (p < 0.05) lower feed conversion rate compared to the control. Body weight and daily weight gain were only slightly influenced by lysophospholipids supplementation, while mortality and feed intake resulted similar among the groups. No statistically significant effect of the emulsifier was observed on...
48 citations
TL;DR: Dietary supplementation with 5% MOL could improve yolk colour value and protein absorption without adverse effects on laying performance and egg quality.
Abstract: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementary Moringa oleifera leaf (MOL) on performance, egg quality, plasma parameters and organ histopathological indices of layers. A to...
46 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that A. sativa extract can be used as a feed supplement to enhance fish immune response and disease resistance against A. hydrophila.
Abstract: In this research the effects of oat Avena sativa extract on the non-specific immune system of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) was examined. For this purpose, the fishes (average weight 9.91 ± 1.52 g) were fed with 5 g kg −1, 10 g kg −1 and 20 g kg −1 oat extract supplemented diets for 60 days. Following 60 days of feeding, the fishes were injected with Aeromonas hydrophila and mortalities were recorded. Lysozyme and myeloperoxidase activity, improved in all groups that received feed supplemented with oat extract. Serum glucose and cholesterol decreased while total protein and albumin in fish increased with the use of the diet supplement with oat extract. Haemoglobin (Hb), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) increased with diet supplemented with oat extract. Oat extract at the concentration of 10 g kg−1 showed significantly higher relative percentage survival (67%) when compared with the control against A. hydrophila injection. Also the dietary supplementation wi...
38 citations
TL;DR: The AWIN project as mentioned in this paper developed an on-farm welfare assessment protocol for adult dairy goats, which included 25 animal-based indicators (14 group-and 11 individual-level indicators).
Abstract: The AWIN project aimed at developing an on-farm welfare assessment protocol for adult dairy goats. A prototype protocol was tested in 30 intensive dairy goat farms to evaluate its feasibility in farms of different size. Time for applying the prototype was recorded and any other constraint was taken into account. Moreover, data collected during the prototype testing provided information on the prevalence of welfare issues in intensive dairy goat farms in Northern Italy. The prototype included 25 animal-based indicators (14 group- and 11 individual-level indicators). The prototype showed a good on-farm feasibility and it was highly accepted among stakeholders, as its application did not interfere with the daily routine. Approximately 2 h were required for the application of the prototype. When feeding racks were available, using them for locking the animals during the individual assessment resulted advantageous to speed the data collection and to reduce handling stress to the goats and disturbance t...
35 citations
TL;DR: The evolution pattern of milk fat FA suggests that the long historical feeding regimen is a factor that impacts on the time cows take to respond to different diets by changing FA composition, probably as a result of the adaptation time of rumen microbes.
Abstract: This study evaluated the changes of cows’ milk fat fatty acids (FA) after transition from pasture to a total mixed ration (TMR) diet and back to pasture. Eight Holstein cows were used in a 52-d experiment divided into three periods. In period I (PI), cows grazed for 10 d and were supplemented with 5 kg head−1 day−1 of concentrate. On the 11th day, cows were moved to a barn and fed a TMR diet for the next 21 d (PII). On the 32nd day, cows were sent back to pasture for another 21 d (PIII) and received the same supplement of PI. Milk samples were taken on days 10 of PI and 2, 4, 7, 14 and 21 of PII and PIII. Total mixed ratio significantly increased dry matter intake and milk production and decreased milk fat content. Diet significantly affected the concentration of most FA in milk fat. Grazing pasture significantly increased the concentrations of 18:0, 18:1 c9, 18:1 t11, 18:2 c9,t11, 18:2 t11,c15, 18:3 c9,c12,c15, iso and anteiso branched-chain FA and sums of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and p...
35 citations
TL;DR: It is indicated that higher stocking density at pre-slaughter transportation increased shrinkage loss and deteriorated meat quality of goats, and using an appropriate density during transportation should be considered.
Abstract: There are limited studies on the effects of transportation stress and stocking density under tropical conditions and their interactions with aging and muscle types on carcass and meat quality characteristics of goat. The present study investigated the effects of transportation and stocking density on carcass characteristics and meat quality traits of Longissimus dorsi, and Semimembranosus muscles in Boer goats. Thirty 1-year-old Boer goats, divided into two groups, were transported by road for 3.5 h, with density of 0.4 m2 and 0.2 m2 per animal, respectively; a third group which was not transported served as control. Meat pH, drip loss, cooking loss, tenderness and colour were measured from samples of the muscles. The transported goats had significantly lower carcass shrinkage, glycogen content, drip loss, tenderness, lightness, yellowness, hue-angle and chroma values compared to the non-transported group. In contrast, they showed significantly higher cooking loss and redness than the non-transpor...
31 citations
TL;DR: Results indicate that OC can be safely fed to broiler chickens during 1–28 d of age up to 10%, while reducing the environmental pollution caused by the accumulation of OC after the expansion in the cultivation of olives for oil extraction for human consumption.
Abstract: The effects of inclusion of olive cake (OC) at 0, 5 and 10% in broiler diets were investigated during 1–28 d of age. Each level of OC was fed with or without yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) at 0.2 and 0.4 g/kg. Thus, the experimental design had a factorial arrangement that included three concentrations of OC by three concentrations of yeast (unsupplemented control, 0.2 and 0.4 g/kg yeast supplementations). Each diet was fed to eight replicates of five male chickens each. Growth performance, European production efficiency index (EPEI), blood lipid constituents, inner body and lymphoid organs were studied. The results indicate that OC can be fed at 5% with yeast supplementation at 0.4 g/kg to broiler chickens during 1–28 d of age, resulting in the best body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and EPEI. Yeast supplementation at 0.2 g/kg to diets containing 0% and 5% OC and at 0.4 g/kg to diets containing 10% OC resulted in the highest survivability rate (100%). In addition, OC in broiler...
27 citations
TL;DR: It is found that local and dual purpose breeds adapt better than specialised breeds to the summer pastures, and this results into an important reduction of their productive gaps and in maintaining body fat reserves.
Abstract: This paper aimed at testing the differences of adaptability of bovine dairy, dual purpose and local breeds during the summer transhumance to highland pastures (summer farms), evaluating temporal variations of body condition and of milk yield and quality. Data were from 799 dairy cows of specialised (Holstein Friesian and Brown Swiss), dual purpose (Simmental) and local (mostly Rendena and Alpine Grey) breeds, and were collected before and after the transhumance in 109 permanent dairy farms, and during transhumance in 15 summer farms of the Autonomous Province of Trento, north-eastern Italy. Body Condition Score (BCS), milk production and quality (fat, protein, casein, lactose, urea, SCS) were analysed for the fixed effects of breed, parity, days in milk, month, supplementary concentrate level, and for the random effects of summer farm and individual cow. Body condition score was influenced by transhumance to summer farms, with low values in July and a recovery at the end of the period. This patter...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focused on the Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola), a medium-sized bird intensively hunted across its range, and X-rayed 59 carcasses of woodcock shot by Italian hunters in Ukraine.
Abstract: Wild meat often retains metallic particles originating from the ammunition fired by hunters. Since ammunition are traditionally lead (Pb)-based, the consumption of game meat may entail the ingestion of Pb embedded in tissues. To assess the related risks to human health, information is needed on the number, dimension and spatial distribution of Pb particles embedded in popular quarry species. In this study, we focused on the Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola), a medium-sized bird intensively hunted across its range. We X-rayed 59 carcasses of woodcock shot by Italian hunters in Ukraine. To check the ammunition types and evaluate the mean weight of the embedded gunshot, we excised a sample of 62 whole pellets from 20 birds. Ammunition residues were found in 57 of the 59 woodcock (96.6%). Radiographs revealed 215 whole pellets and 125 fragmentation centres in 51 (mean = 3.64) and in 48 birds (mean = 2.14), respectively. Most fragmentation centres (75.7%) contained tiny particles (<1 mm). The over...
TL;DR: The data suggest that broilers may have a nominal requirement for insoluble fibre, however, the source and dietary inclusion rate of fibre might be important factors to satisfy dietary fibre requirements in birds.
Abstract: This experiment was carried out to assess the following hypothesis: feeding broiler to fine insoluble fibre in the diet will result in improved gut morphology and enhanced performance. In this experiment, 200 broiler chickens in 20 pen cages with wood shaving-lined floors were exposed to five treatment groups with four pens/treatment: control diet, diets contained 0.75 or 1.5% barley hulls or diets contained 0.75 or 1.5% rice hulls in a completely randomised design with five treatment, four replicate and 20 chicks each. Type of fibre influenced the performance and digestive traits of broilers with effects varying in accordance with the level of fibre. Rice hulls inclusion consistently improved growth performance and crude protein (CP) digestibility in broilers regardless of dietary inclusion level (p < 0.05). However, barley hulls at 1.5% level improved crypt depth: villous height (VH) ratio and feed conversion ratio had an opposite effect on VH (p < 0.05). The beneficial effects of hulls were mor...
TL;DR: In this article, a study was conducted to characterise milk of Burlina local cattle breed for traits of technological and nutritional relevance, such as milk coagulation properties (MCP), and protein, major mineral and fatty acid (FA) composition.
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to characterise milk of Burlina local cattle breed for traits of technological and nutritional relevance, such as milk coagulation properties (MCP), and protein, major mineral and fatty acid (FA) composition. Burlina is mainly reared in mountain areas of Veneto Region (Italy) and it has been inserted in conservation plans aiming to avoid biodiversity loss and marginal pasture areas abandonment. Eighty-one individual milk samples were collected in four farms. Milk coagulation properties were determined using Formagraph, and protein, mineral and FA composition were analysed in high performance liquid chromatography, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and gas chromatography, respectively. Results evidenced good protein percentage (3.38%) and considerable casein content (28.89 mg/mL), as well as a desirable FA profile, with ω-6 to ω-3 ratio of 4.04. Somatic cell score, averaging 3.13, is a trait that should be enhanced through the improvement of f...
TL;DR: Different levels, sources, and synergistic combinations of trace minerals can be used in further studies to elucidate the most advantageous regarding productive variables, availability and cost for camel industry.
Abstract: The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a long-acting trance mineral rumen bolus supplementation on enzymatic and haematological profiles, antioxidant status and immune responses of growing camels under natural grazing conditions. Fifteen 6-month-old growing male camels were used in a 150-day trial. Animals were individually housed in a shaded pen and randomly assigned to receive 0 (CON), one (TMB1) or two (TMB2) long-acting trance mineral rumen bolus. Blood samples were collected from all camels on days 1, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 to measure enzymatic concentrations in serum, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in plasma and haematological variables in whole blood. Camels were injected intradermally with 0.25 mg phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) on days 90 and 140, and then the cell-mediated immune response to this antigen was measured at 0 and 24 h after injection. Animals were immunised intravenously on days 90 and 105 with 2 ml suspension of sheep red blood cells to measure total antibody titre...
TL;DR: In this article, metabolic profiling was performed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics to explore panoramic changes in ketosis metabolism in dairy cows, and to further understand changes in metabolites when ketosis occurred.
Abstract: Metabolic profiling was performed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics to explore panoramic changes in ketosis metabolism in dairy cows, and to further understand changes in metabolites when ketosis occurred. According to clinical signs and plasma levels, 81 multiparous Holstein cows from a dairy farm were divided into clinical ketosis, subclinical ketosis and healthy control groups during 7–21 d after calving. Different metabolites were identified by NMR and combined with multivariate statistical analysis to determine the pathway. There were 29 metabolites obtained, including three carbohydrates, six lipids, 14 amino acids and six other metabolites. Consulting a database and the metabolite analysis showed that these metabolites were mainly related to amino acid, fat and carbohydrate metabolisms. The results indicated that metabolomics revealed changes in the occurrence and development of dairy cow ketosis, and also that the different metabolites could be potential markers and...
TL;DR: Environmental parameters were found to be linked to the milk FAs, while heart rate and skin temperature were negatively linked to milk yield and lactose, respectively.
Abstract: The Garfagnina goat is an endangered native goat population from Italy. This study aims to give a contribution to the milk quality assessment of the native goat during the two productive seasons, spring and summer, and to verify the relationships between some meteorological data and physiological and milk quality parameters. Individual milk samples were taken in the two seasons. Physiological parameters and meteorological data were also registered. All the milk samples were measured for volume and analysed for: dry matter, total nitrogen, casein, ash, lactose, fat, milk fatty acid (FA) composition, number and diameter of the fat globules, and rheological parameters. There were not differences in the average diameter of the milk fat globules (2.27 ± 0.28 μm) and in milk gross composition between the two seasons, except for lactose which was significantly lower in summer. During summer a significant increase in some long-chain FAs such as CLA c9,t11, C18:1 t11, C18:0, C18:3 n3, C20:0, C22:0, C22:2 w...
TL;DR: The results indicate that vaccination against coccidiosis, with or without EOB, demonstrated the same efficacy in promoting recovery from coc cidial infection and in reducing oocyst shedding as MON.
Abstract: The aim of the present experiment was to investigate the effects of oral administration of a live attenuated vaccine (VAC) and an essential oil blend (EOB), either alone or in combination, as a novel anticoccidial strategy for broiler chickens with a mixed Eimeria spp. infection. A total of 624 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one of six treatments. Two of the groups, only one of which was challenged with coccidiosis, were given a basal diet and served as controls. The other two groups, also infected, were given a basal diet supplemented with monensin sodium (MON, 100 mg/kg) or the EOB (75 mg/kg). Of the remaining two groups, which were infected with coccidiosis, one was vaccinated against coccidiosis (VAC) and the other was both vaccinated and fed a diet with an EOB (VAC+EOB). Birds treated with VAC and VAC+EOB had comparable live performance to MON-fed birds challenged with coccidiosis. Conversely, EOB diet supplementation had negative effects on growth, feed intake and feed conversion ratio throughout the growth period. None of the coccidial control strategies affected the overall performance of uninfected birds. There was no significant difference in mortality among treatments. All of the anticoccidial procedures kept serum infectious bursal disease titers at high levels after coccidial infection and reduced fecal oocyst excretion, with the exception of the MON-based procedure. The results indicate that vaccination against coccidiosis, with or without EOB, demonstrated the same efficacy in promoting recovery from coccidial infection and in reducing oocyst shedding as MON.
TL;DR: It is suggested that NS supplementation is effective at improving broiler performance and meat quality by enhancing antioxidant activities and suppressing lipidperoxidation in meat.
Abstract: The objective of our study was to evaluate the effects of Nigella sativa seeds (NS) supplementation on meat quality and antioxidants content of chicken meat. Two hundred 1-d-old male broiler chicks were divided into four diet treatment groups: normal control (baseline feed only), NS supplemented (1 and 2%) groups and a standard (200 IU/kg vitamin-E) VE group. At the end of this period, 10 birds were randomly selected from each group for examination. Feed conversion ratio was significantly lower in the treatment groups than the control one. There were no significant differences in moisture or crude ash percentage in thigh muscle among groups, but dietary NS powder supplementation resulted in a significant increase in crude protein content and decrease in crude fat content relative to the control group (p < 0.05). After 24 h, thigh muscle pH was higher while drip loss, cooking loss and shear force were lower in the NS groups than the control group. Lightness values of thigh muscle colour were decrea...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed a new in vitro method for evaluating the digestibility of commercial diets for dogs, which they used to evaluate the digestiveness of a commercial diet for dogs.
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to develop a new in vitro method for evaluating the digestibility of commercial diets for dogs. First, in order to develop the in vitro method, the digestibility of...
TL;DR: The results of the present study indicate that dietary DTPE with low supplemental dosage (≤160 mg/kg) might positively modulate the systemic antioxidative defence property of chicks.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dried tangerine peel extract (DTPE) supplementation on the growth performance and immune and antioxidant status of broiler chicks. A total of 525 day-old, male, Arbour Acres (AA) broiler chicks were fed a basal diet (CTR) either with or without 80, 160, 240 and 480 mg DTPE/kg diet. The chicks were randomly assigned into five dietary groups for a 42-day experiment. There were seven replicates per group and 15 chicks per replicate. At 42 days of age, two birds from each cage were selected for blood sampling. The dietary DTPE supplementation linearly increased the body weight and the average daily gain (p = .03; p = .03) and quadratically increased the average daily feed intake (p = .02) during the starter period. In addition, the plasma lysozyme level in the 80 or 160 mg/kg DTPE group increased compared to the CTR group (p = .02 and .07, respectively). Chicks fed 80-mg/kg DTPE reduced the malondialdehyde concentration (p = .02) compared with birds...
TL;DR: Both ZN and BAC are useful for improving the performance and gut health in weaning pigs without any interactive effects.
Abstract: The present study investigates the effect of zinc oxide (ZN), bacteriophage (BAC) or their combination on the growth performance and gut development in weaning pigs. A total of 200 weaned pigs were allotted to four treatments including two levels (0 and 0.34%) of ZN and two levels (0 and 0.10%) of BAC cocktail. Supplementation of both BAC and ZN in the diet improved average daily gain and gain to feed ratio in all three phases. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter was consistently increased in BAC. A higher digestibility of dry matter was observed in ZN group at phase-I and II. The ATTD of crude protein was increased in BAC group at phase-I and III. ZN increased ATTD of crude protein during phase III. In all phases, the population of total anaerobic bacteria, Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp., Clostridium spp. and coliforms were higher in BAC and ZN groups with the exception for coliforms in ZN at the end of experiment. The duodenum (p < 0.05) and jejunum (p < 0.01) v...
TL;DR: The results suggest that soybean antigen proteins induce allergic reactions, damage the intestinal mucosa, increase intestinal permeability and promote sIgA synthesis in weaned piglets.
Abstract: In this experiment, the effects of soybean antigen proteins on intestinal permeability, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels and secretory IgA (sIgA) distribution in the intestine of weaned piglets were evaluated. Thirty piglets (21 d of age) were randomly divided into three groups: control group, glycinin-sensitised group and β-conglycinin-sensitised group. Piglets in the control group were fed a basal diet, and in two sensitised groups were fed the diet with 4% glycinin or β-conglycinin. Piglets in glycinin and β-conglycinin groups were sensitised twice on 21–27 d and 32–34 d period, respectively. Blood samples were collected and analysed for D-lactic acid, diamine oxidase (DAO) and 5-HT levels on d 21, 28 and 35. At the end of the trial, five piglets per group were sacrificed and the small intestine was collected to evaluate intestinal sIgA distribution and the optical density (OD) of the relative staining positivity. The results revealed that the piglets in glycinin and β-conglycinin groups had h...
TL;DR: Modenese milk showed a nutritionally interesting mineral profile and processing properties suitable for the production of typical cheese that could be interesting for improving the interest in the conservation of animal genetic resources.
Abstract: This study examined the milk quality of the autochthonous cattle breed Modenese (MO) in comparison with Italian Friesian (IF), at peak and mid lactation, with the aim to support the interest in sustainability of the local cattle breeds in Europe. Forty-eight individual milk samples were collected from 11 MO and 14 IF pluriparous cows, housed in a free stall barn under similar conditions of feeding and management, at 8 and 21 weeks post-calving; daily milk yield (MY) and body condition score (BCS) were individually recorded. Breed differences were observed, being MY lower in MO cows, but BCS, titratable acidity, freezing point, casein (MC), total calcium (Ca), total phosphorus (P) and colloidal P contents were higher compared to IF cows. Time affected BCS, MY, milk protein (MP), MC, urea, casein P and the micellar content of colloidal Ca and colloidal inorganic P. A factorial analysis was performed and four common factors were obtained with a cumulative explained variance of 77.7% of the total orig...
TL;DR: Meat from animals finished on pasture had a higher amount of the FA considered desirable for human health, and animals finished in extensive or intensive conditions showed lower amounts of B. indicus animals, suggesting that they may have a lower ability in biochemical pathways involved in the metabolism of n-6 and n-3 long chain fatty acids.
Abstract: Bos indicus (n = 67) and crossbred Bos taurus × Bos indicus (n = 67) bulls were finished in extensive or intensive conditions to evaluate the effect of genetic differences and finishing system on the fatty acid (FA) composition of intramuscular fat. Finishing system had a more pronounced effect on FA profiles than the genetic group, but the two factors often interacted for both individual and groups of FA. When compared with animals finished intensively, those finished on pasture produced meat with higher concentration of CLA and polyunsaturated n-3 FA, in particular of 18:3, 20:5 and 22:5. Meat from animals finished intensively had higher amounts of 14:0, 16:0, 18:1 trans-10, 18:1 trans-11, monounsaturated trans FA and 18:2. When the two genetic groups were compared under intensive finishing, B. indicus animals showed lower amounts of 20:4 (synthesised from 18:2) and 20:5 (synthesised from 18:3), suggesting that they may have a lower ability in biochemical pathways involved in the metabolism of n...
TL;DR: Administration of HEM could improve growth performance and nutrient digestibility, decrease serum cortisol levels, as well as benefit the meat quality in finishing pigs.
Abstract: A total of 135 [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] finishing pigs with initial body weight (BW) of 44.2 ± 2.23 kg were used in this 12-wk trial to evaluate the effects of an herbal extract mixture (Scutellaria baicalensis and Lonicera japonica, HEM) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles and meat quality. The dietary treatments were supplemented with 0, 0.025% and 0.05% HEM, respectively. There were 9 replications per treatment with 5 pigs per pen. During 1–6 wk, the inclusion of HEM linearly increased (p < 0.05) the final BW and average daily gain (ADG). During 7–12 wk, dietary HEM supplementation led to a greater (linear, p < 0.05) final BW at the end of 12 wk. Throughout the experiment, the overall ADG and gain:feed ratio were increased (linear, p < 0.05) in pigs fed HEM supplemental diet. The administration of HEM improved (linear, p < 0.05) the nutrient digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and energy. Providing HEM diet also reduced (linear, p < 0.05) the ...
TL;DR: The result indicates that Medicago sativa succeed to maintain a good nutritive value under stress conditions, as this population seems to be the most resistant to drought by maintaining reduced leaf area and elevated ratios.
Abstract: Medicago sativa is the main perennial legume in many places in the world such as South-East Tunisian Oases. The widespread use of this species is due to its high adaptability, forage yield potential and to its good quality. Furthermore, the succession of drought years in South-East Tunisian Oases especially in Gabes influenced fodder distribution and digestibility. To a better understanding of the variation of the nutritive value of (Medicago sativa L.) plants, the effect of four drought levels (25%; 50%; 75% and 100% of field capacity) on nutritive quality was investigated for three populations [P1 (Gannouch); P2 (Chenini) and P3 (Tebelbou)] cultivated in these oases. Results showed that drought reduced leaves, shoots and roots dry matter, while this effect was more pronounced for above organs (values reached 1.2 mg) than below organs (values reached 1.8 mg). However, drought decreased phosphor, calcium, magnesium and nitrogen contents, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and in acid de...
TL;DR: The addition of MOE can be considered as safe and effective enhancement in both farrowing and lactating sows as it favours the growth, nutrient digestibility and helps in avoidance of diarrhoea among suckling piglets.
Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of microencapsulated organic acids and essential oils (MOE) on reproductive performance, nutrient digestibility, piglet diarrhoea score, and blood profiles in sows and suckling piglets. A total of 60 multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) with an average initial body weight (BW) of 249.47 ± 11. 62 kg were used and randomly subjected to three treatments such that 20 replicates per treatment were maintained in this trial. Dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet supplemented with 0, 500, 1000 mg MOE/kg respectively. The BW of sows increased (linear, p = .014) before farrowing; after farrowing and weaning showed both linear and quadratic (p = .05) both in the sows and...
TL;DR: The results indicate that transport for 4 h prior to slaughter, negatively affect the meat quality of poultry, and slow-growing chickens seem more sensible to stress transport due to the higher kinetic behaviour of these strains.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of transport length on in vivo oxidative status and breast meat characteristics in two chicken genotypes reared under free range conditions. A total of 200 male chicks, 100 from fast-growing (Ross 308) and 100 from medium-growing (Naked Neck) strain were used. Fifty-six of these, 28 for genotype, before slaughtering, were randomly allocated to 2 pre-slaughter conditions: absence (0 h) or 4 h of transport. The transport length significantly affected the in vivo oxidative status of broiler greatly reducing the α and δ-tocopherol, retinol and lutein + zeaxanthin content of plasma, and increased the oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS) in both strains. Concerning meat quality, the pH (0, 2 and 24 h post-mortem) of breast muscles of chickens transported for 4 h, showed higher values, and respect to strains, Naked Neck had lower values. The pH values were negatively correlated with the lightness (2–24 h) and the shear force of ...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluated the effect of a "formulation of selected dairy starter cultures and commercial probiotics associated with specific ripening conditions" in the production of nitrite and nitrate-free, low-acid, fermented pork sausage, produced in a small-scale plant in Umbria (Italy), and their effect on microbiological, physico-chemical and sensorial properties of the products.
Abstract: This study evaluated the effect of a ‘formulation of selected dairy starter cultures and commercial probiotics’, associated with ‘specific ripening conditions’ in the production of nitrite and nitrate-free, low-acid, fermented pork sausage, produced in a small-scale plant in Umbria (Italy), and their effect on microbiological, physico-chemical and sensorial properties of the products. The following conditions were investigated throughout the experiment: (i) the use of the ‘formulation of selected dairy starter cultures and commercial probiotics’ vs no starter; (ii) the use of ‘specific ripening conditions’ vs ‘classic ripening conditions’; (iii) the use of nitrate vs nitrite and nitrate-free sausages. Sensory properties were improved and pathogen control was greater in salami to which a ‘formulation of selected dairy starter cultures and commercial probiotics’ had been added, especially under ‘specific ripening conditions’. The proposed formulation, together with the specific ripening conditions, ...