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The conservation of sericultural vegetative genetic resources is a permanent concern in the sericulture field, being known that the mulberry leaf is the only source of food for the silkworm Bombyx mori L. These sericultural vegetal genetic resources are mainly used to obtain planting material used for establishment the mulberry plantations, but also for the mulberry improvement program and the establishing of the phytoremediation potential of mulberry plants. The research carried out for the preliminary testing in laboratory of in vitro multiplication potential of some mulberry varieties have highlighted the possibility of using the biotechnologies of tissue cultures, meristems and organs for testing the phytoremediation potential of mulberry plants with sericultural destination. Thus, a planting material was produced, consisting of mulberry vitroplants colonized with vesicular-arbuscular endomycorrhizae, which keep the genetic characteristics of parental forms, but present superior bioproductive parameters and physiological tolerance on soils contaminated with lead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hempseed has an excellent antioxidant content and is a rich source of essential amino acids and n-3 fatty acids. The objective of this paper consists on evaluating the hempseed Jubileu variety effects on performance, nitrogen (N) balance. The prediction of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions was done as well. For 3 weeks of trial, a total of 15 pigs (39 kg ± 0.32) were randomly allocated individually in digestibility cages. Following a 7-day adaption period, there were two balancing periods where urine and feces were quantitatively collected. Two types of diet were used: Control group received a classical diet and Experimental group which received the same diet, supplemented with 5% hempseed. The growth parameter and carcass quality were not significantly altered by hempseed addition; however, a slight increased of ADG and feed conversion was noticed. Due to the significantly decreased of N concentration in the urine, TNO value was lower as well (P<0.05). A decline of N digestibility was noticed for HS group diet (P<0.001). Average value of N2O estimated was lower in HS fed group (P = 0.03). In conclusion, hempseed is a proteo-oleaginous source, which can be added in pigs' diet with beneficial effect on performance, N metabolism indicators and N2O emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify whether the silkworm pupae (SWP) added to pigs' diets can be considered a valuable protein-rich alternative source. The silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) and its by-products are highly valuable in terms of nutrition, medicine, and commerce. The SWP is the main by-product of the sericulture, considered a well-balanced source of nutrients in terms of proteins, lipids, minerals, vitamins and various bioactive substances such as fatty acids, peptides, and polyphenols with antioxidant, anticancer, cardiovascular, hepato-protective properties. The mulberry silkworm's potential for use in human food has been previously extensively documented, whereas the preponderance of literature data on SWP used in the livestock industry specific focus on poultry. There is limited pig-related data. In this study, we reviewed the most recently published papers on PubMed, Elsevier, MDPI, and Research Gate, using the keywords "silkworm pupae", "composition", "protein", and "pigs". We did not find any negative consequence on pigs' growth and health parameters in the reviewed published data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) is an important monophagous insect in the sericulture industry. The mulberry leaves (Morus alba L.) are known as valuable plants rich in nutrients and nutraceuticals due to the presence of chemo-factors (morin, β-sitosterol) and antioxidants (flavonoids, anthocyanin and alkaloids), the traditional feed in the rearing of silkworm larvae. The mulberry is also used in pharmaceutical, food, beverage and healthcare industries, being considered a suitable plant for sustainable development. Over time, research on using the artificial diet in silkworms has been focused on different topics: i) rearing silkworms in the season when mulberry leaves are insufficient or not available and ii) as an organism model for human diseases (i.e., tumour, degenerative and metabolic diseases) due to the low breeding cost, short generation time, genetic background, large progeny size and numerous genes homologous to humans. This review aimed to summarize the literature information about the impact of nutrition as a key factor in silkworm rearing and the effectiveness of using an artificial diet based on different ingredients in silkworm productivity and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the objectives of the sericultural research is the reducing of research field was the reducing of chemical fertilizers quantity by applying some ecological agricultural practices, among which it can be mentioned, next to using extraradicular fertilizing, also the biofertilizers of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhize (VAM) type, in the form of commercial products obtained by biotechnologies of high biological performance. The biofertilization of VAM type aims to reduce or eliminate the chemical fertilization, the mulberry being a plant with a high consumption of mineral elements. Also, this type of mycorrhize stimulates the plants growing and development, having a role in soil remediation and nutrition improvement from soil-plant system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of age on breeders' performance, plasma proteins and total nitrogen content of excreta. The trial was conducted on 150 Ross 308 female breeders' (21-week-old). During 6-weeks, the birds were reared in similar management conditions and fed with standard feeds according to age (21 to 24-weeks, and >25 weeks). At the end of weeks 22, 24 and 26, blood and fresh excreta were sampled for analysis. Plasma proteins were determined by dry chemistry using reagent strips. Total nitrogen from excreta was assessed according to the Kjeldahl method. As expected, age significantly affected body weight, feed intake, protein intake, and nitrogen intake of breeders (P<0.0001). A dynamic age-related change was noticed in breeders' plasma proteins by increasing the total protein, albumin, albumin/globulin ratio, uric acid and urea nitrogen concentrations (P<0.05). The total nitrogen content of excreta registered a tendency to increase at 26-weeks compared to 22-weeks of age (P<0.06). Significant positive correlations were found between certain performance variables (feed intake, protein and nitrogen intake), plasma proteins and excreta total nitrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed to compare the plasma metabolic status and intestinal microflora of different breeders' genotypes. A total of 110 healthy female breeders (25-week-old) were divided into three groups: Transylvanians Barred Naked Neck (30 birds) and Black Naked Neck (30 birds) vs commercial Ross 308 breeders (50 birds). During a 5-weeks trial, the birds were reared on the floor system in climate-controlled conditions. They were fed a standard commercial laying breeder diet (15.26% crude protein and 11.30 MJ/kg metabolizable energy). Blood and intestinal content samples were collected at 30 weeks for analysis. Results revealed significant differences in plasma protein profile: total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin increased, and uric acid decreased in the Naked Neck varieties vs Ross 308 breeds. Energy profile showed higher glucose and lower HDL-Cholesterol levels in Naked Neck varieties. Plasma mineral profile archive highest calcium and phosphorus values for Naked Neck varieties vs commercial breed, with no significant change in Ca/P ratio. There was no genotype effect on plasma enzyme activities. Cecum microflora was significantly affected by genotype, the Enterobacteriaceae (ENT) and Coliforms population count decreased, while the beneficial population Lactobacillus (LAB) spp. and LAB: ENT ratio increases in the Naked Neck breeds vs commercial breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper has described breeding and production performances of three Muscovy duck lines (spotted, white and black) during December 2019-June 2020 which has been raise on the teaching waterfowl farm Moara Domnească of the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest and results are compared with those recorded in year 2001. Each line group has been of 55 birds in size. There were monitored weekly, monthly and for whole laying cycle the following parameters: body weight, egg production, egg weight, fertility, hatchability, egg weight and day-old body weight. Spotted line had an average body weight of 2427 g for females and 4566 g for males an egg production of 59.42 eggs/bird and an egg weight of 78.21 g and a fertility of 88.48% and a hatchability of 39.79% and a day-old body weight of 47.10 g. White line had an average body weight of 2580 g for females and 4450 g for males and an egg production of 72.06 eggs/bird and an egg weight of 76.56 g and a fertility of 86.00% with a significantly lower hatchability (35.80%) and a day-old body weight of 48.32 g. Black line had an average body weight of 2262 g for females and 4750 g for males and an egg production of 52.45 eggs/bird and an egg weight of 84.72 g and a fertility of 90.24% with a significantly higher hatchability (40.90%) and a day-old body weight of 49.92 g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations has been performed on biological material inside teaching waterfowl farm of the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Bucharest during December 2019 - June 2020 and results are compared with those recorded in year 2001 for groups of 60 birds of races Peking, Campbell khaki and Indian Runner. During this period there were monitored and analyzed the following breeding and production parameters: body weight, egg production, egg weight, fertility, hatchability, egg weight and day-old body weight. Peking Duck had an average body weight of 2358 g for females and 2696 g for males and an egg production of 120.42 eggs/bird and an egg weight of 77,62 g and a fertility of 87.34 % and a hatchability of 54.52% and a day-old body weight of 44.04 g. Campbell khaki Duck had an average body weight of 1683 g for females and 1954 g for males and an egg production of 189.77 eggs/bird and an egg weight of 68.37 g (significantly lower compared to 2001) and a fertility of 89.61% and a hatchability of 58.42 (significantly higher) and a day-old body weight of 35.05 g (significantly lower). Indian Runner Duck had an average body weight of 1791 g for females and 2040 g for males and an egg production of 173.74 eggs/bird and an egg weight of 69.86 g (significantly higher) and a fertility of 83.31% and a hatchability of 51.11% and a day-old body weight of 37.25 g (significantly higher). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, the widespread raising of swine in farms becomes a serious problem in terms of the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2), having an environmental impact. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different diets on growth parameters changes in physical size, carbon dioxide (CO2) emission and microclimate monitoring. For 28 days, 7 TOPIGS sows (average initial body weight, BW ~ 205.09 kg) were allotted in two dietary treatments: control (C diet, 1.6% soybean oil) and experimental (E diet), (with 1.6% hemp oil). The type of oil differed by their fatty acids (FA) composition. Sows were individually weighed, P2 backfat thickness was determined by ultrasound and morphometric measurements of body size were taken three times during lactation. The CO2 emitted by sows and their litter was calculated. Microclimate parameters were recorded daily. The addition of 1.6% hemp oil in the diet improved sows final body weight and reduced weight loss (P<0.05). A high significant negative Pearson correlation was observed between PUFA intake, and their fraction (Σ n-3, Σ n-6, Linolenic and Linoleic as predominant n-3 and n-6 FA). The proportion of CO2 exhalated by sows fed E diet was significantly lower compared to C diet. The CO2 emission, temperature and relative humidity were affected (P<0.001) by the sows’ physiological status. The results from this study are indicating that the hemp oil inclusion in the sow's diet has a beneficial effect on performance. Further studies are necessary to determine the nutrition impact on environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 21 days trial was conducted to evaluate the performance and plasma biochemical markers on 40 pigs (8.14 ± 1.08 kg of average body weight and 30 ± 3 days of age) when 25% of triticale was replaced with millet in weaned diets. The group C (n = 20) received a conventional diet based on corn-triticale-soybean meal and in the M group (n = 20), 25% millet cv. ʻMariusʼ replaced triticale (2 replicates per group). At 7 days post-weaning, the performances and plasma profiles (lipid, protein, mineral, enzyme) were evaluated. The blood samples collected from the piglets jugular vein (n = 10) were determined by a chemistry analyser Spotchem EZ SP-4430, Arkray, Japan. The performances of piglets fed either M or C diet were comparable (P>0.05). No effect (P>0.05) of dietary treatment on plasma metabolites was observed. However, the inorganic phosphorus (IP) decreased (-15%; P0.04) in the M vs. C diet. The present study revealed that the replacement of 25% millet to the piglet's diet, even in the most critical period of their lives, maintains the performances and blood plasma parameters within the normal reference ranges, beneficial to the health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trial was conducted to evaluate effects of the addition of extruded linseed and walnut meal (ELW) on meat quality parameters. For a 30-days period, 40 TOPIGS pigs (body weight 13.58±0.37 kg) were allotted in two dietary treatments: control, M and experimental E (with 8% mix of ELW). At slaughter (32 ± 4.5 kg final body weight), meat samples from Longissimus dorsi (LD) and Semitendinosus (ST) were collected (n = 3 pigs/group), and analysed for pH, colour and texture profile. The pH of LD muscle was lower (-2.33%, P<0.001) in E diet. LD muscle from pigs fed E diet, registered a lower (-4.20%, P<0.001) value of Lightens (L) and a higher value of redness (a*) by 3.07 (P<0.001) compared to M. The ST muscle have registered lower (P<0.001) values of L (-7.30%) and a* (-22.84%) in E diet compared to M diet. Addition of extruded linseed and walnut meal in pigs diet have no negative influence on meat quality parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]