Search

1. An investigation was conducted on the effects of aflatoxin (AFL)-contaminated diets and feed withdrawal periods from 0 to 12 h in broiler chickens at 28 d of age. Both factors can potentially affect liver colour and can cause failure at veterinary inspection in the slaughterhouse. 2. A total of 240, one-d-old female Cobb 500 broiler chickens were fed a common corn-soy pre-starters (d 1–7) and then either a non-contaminated control (CON) or feed with 1 ppm AFL (AFL) from d 8 to 28. The inoculum of AFL had 792 ppb of aflatoxin B1, 35 ppb of aflatoxin B2 and 219 ppb of aflatoxin G1. On d 28, all broilers were weighed and euthanised for necropsy following three different feed withdrawal time periods (0, 6 or 12 h), in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. 3. Body weight gain, liver weight and liver fat content decreased as feed withdrawal lengthened, whereas FCR and gallbladder weight increased (P ≤ 0.05). AFL-fed birds had reduced body weight and proportion of liver fat and increased FCR, liver and gallbladder weights (P ≤ 0.05). 4. Livers from fed broilers (0 h withdrawal) showed more lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) than livers of broilers from 6 or 12 h withdrawal (P ≤ 0.05). The L* and redness (a*) values of livers from broilers fed diets COB were lower than those from AFL fed broilers (P ≤ 0.05). 5. Prolonging pre-slaughter feed withdrawal decreased liver L*, whereas feeding AFL increased liver b*. These findings can be used to support veterinary assessment in slaughterhouses as shackled birds move on line through the inspection site. Since chicken liver is a valuable organ and an indicator of animal health, attention must be paid to these differences to ensure consumer safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Gradual feed restriction was applied to broilers in order to reduce growth rate and, as a consequence, gradually impacts wooden breast myopathy occurrence. Ultrasound (US) images of breast muscle in live birds were correlated with breast fillets presenting wooden breast characteristics (WB). 2. A total of 1800 Cobb × Cobb 500 slow-feathering male chicks were fed one of the six feed restriction treatments with 12 replicates of 25 birds each, in a completely randomised design. Birds were fed ad libitum or were pair-fed to 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of normal ad libitum intakes from 8 to 49 d to provide a gradual reduction in growth rate. Ultrasound images were obtained weekly from all birds and, in parallel, one bird per pen was weekly slaughtered and the major breast muscle was weighed and WB graded as 0 (normal), 1 (mild hardening in the upper), 2 (moderate hardening in the upper and/or lower), 3 (severe hardening) and 4 (severe hardening with haemorrhagic lesions and yellow fluid). Blood was taken for analysis of enzymes related to muscle cell breakdown. 3. Feed restriction applied at 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% and 90% of the ad libitum feed intake (FI) resulted in decreased body weight gain (BWG; P ≤ 0.05). 4. From 21 to 49 d, the increasing feed restriction led to linear increases (P ≤ 0.05) in WB scores, fibre density as well as breast depth and breast echogenicity. Creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase concentration decreased linearly when broilers were feed restricted (P ≤ 0.05). 5. Wooden breast was positively correlated with echogenicity at 21 d (r = 0.510), 28 (r = 0.531), 35 (r = 0.470), 42 (r = 0.430) and 49 d (r = 0.548) (P ≤ 0.001). The use of breast echogenicity can be an additional tool to early detect alterations related to wooden breast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary α-amylase and β-xylanase, in single or combined supplementation, on growth performance of broiler chickens fed maize-soy diets. A total of 1800 slow feathering, Cobb × Cobb 500 male broilers were randomly distributed to 8 treatments with 9 replicates of 25 birds each. Broilers were fed starter and finisher diets respectively from 1 to 21 and 22 to 40 d Broilers were fed starter and finisher diets respectively from 1 to 21 and 22 to 40 d. A negative control (NC) diet was formulated to contain 12.35 MJ/kg and 12.85 MJ/kg in the starter and finisher phases, respectively. A further four control diets were formulated with orthogonal energy density increases in increments of 0.21 MJ/kg to a maximum of 13.17 MJ/kg (starter) and 13.67 MJ/kg (finisher). All control diets were formulated to be equivalent in amino acids and minerals. The NC diet was supplemented with α-amylase (80 kilo-Novo α-amylase units/kg), β-xylanase (100 fungal β-xylanase units/kg), or both enzymes combined at the same supplementation levels. Increasing AME n resulted in a linear increase (P < 0.01) in BWG and a linear decrease (P < 0.01) in FCR from 1 to 40 d. Corresponding AME n estimates for BWG and FCR from 1 to 40 d were, respectively 0.41, 0.35, and 0.57 and 0.18, 0.11, and 0.21 MJ/kg for amylase, β-xylanase and amylase + β-xylanase. In conclusion, supplementing maize-soy diets with α-amylase and β-xylanase led to increased estimated energy yields. A marked difference occurred in favor of α-amylase when compared to β-xylanase supplementation whereas adding both enzymes in the same feed generated similar AME n to the single addition of α-amylase. Growth performance responses corresponded to findings in the AME n assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A data set of individual observations was compiled from digestibility trials to examine the relationship between the duodenal purine bases (PB) flow and urinary purine derivatives (PD) excretion and the validity of different equations for estimating rumen microbial N (Nm) supply based on urinary PD in comparison with estimates based on duodenal PB. Trials (8 trials, n = 185) were conducted with male sheep fitted with a duodenal T-type cannula, housed in metabolic cages, and fed forage alone or with supplements. The amount of PD excreted in urine was linearly related to the amount of PB flowing to the duodenum (P < 0.05). The intercept of the linear regression was 0.180 mmol/(d·kg0.75), representing the endogenous excretion of PD, and the slope was lower than 1 (P < 0.05), indicating that only 0.43% of the PB in the duodenum was excreted as PD in urine. The Nm supply estimated by either approach was linearly related (P < 0.05) to the digestible OM intake. However, the Nm supply estimated through either of 3 published PD-based equations probably underestimated the Nm supply in sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Responses of broilers to dietary amino acids (AA) have been extensively studied especially after their synthetic and crystalline forms became available. Synthetic (DL-Met and Met analogue) as well as crystalline ( l -Lys and l -Thr) AA are now widely used in commercial production diets to reduce crude protein (CP) levels to allow competitive bird performance. In parallel, birds diets formulated without excess CP have reduced nitrogen excretion as well as lower costs. Diet composition affects the order of limiting AA after Thr and this has led to some debate on the feasibility of including the next limiting AA, which would be the fourth, in most of the scenarios. Using maize-soy type diets, the literature suggests that Val is the fourth AA limiting. As the commercial cost of l -Val is progressively reduced, concerns have been raised on the effectiveness of its supplementation to produce broiler responses that are similar compared with feed that does not contain this AA. Antagonisms between branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) have been reported in the past; however, their use in the current maize-soy diet commercial setting is unlikely. Formulation of diets with crystalline l -Val can potentially modify the ratio between BCAA as it is supplemented in diets that are further reduced in CP. Increased availability of AA can also be achieved when diets are supplemented with exogenous proteases; however, the resulting impact in the total profile of AA is different because a wider group of AA becomes simultaneously available when compared to diets receiving addition of synthetic/crystalline AA one by one. A scenario of CP reduction in diets seems clear with the increasing use of supplemental AA along with protease in broiler diets. The knowledge of CP reduction strategies, such as protease and synthetic AA supplementation, can be a valuable asset due to the competitive nature of broiler meat production business. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of an exogenous protease added to diets having soybean meal (SBM) from two geographic areas in Brazil (South or North). Evaluation was conducted on energy utilisation and nutrient digestibility using 224 slow feathering Cobb × Cobb 500 male broilers. Birds were fed a common starter diet to d 15. Semi-purified experimental diets containing 555 g/kg SBM and 408 g/kg maize starch plus minerals and vitamins were provided afterwards until 24 d. Diets had 0.1 g/kg phytase and 10 g/kg Celite (indigestible marker). Birds were randomly distributed in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of the two SBM with or without protease supplementations (0 or 15,000 protease units/kg) from 17 to 24 d. Excreta were collected from 21 to 23 d and ileal content was collected from all birds. Samples of feed, excreta, and ileal content were analysed for determination of total tract retention and ileal apparent digestibility. No interactions between SBM and protease were observed. Broilers fed semi-purified diets formulated with South SBM had lower (P < 0.05) ileal digestibility of crude protein and also from most amino acids (AA) when compared with birds fed North SBM. Ileal digestible energy was increased (P < 0.01) by 0.51 MJ/kg when birds were fed the diet supplemented with protease. Indispensable and dispensable AA digestibility also increased (P < 0.05) with protease supplementation. Ileal digestibility coefficients of Met, Lys, Thr and Val were increased (P < 0.05) by 3.1%, 3.1%, 4.8%, and 3.3%, respectively when birds were fed the diet supplemented with protease. Results from this experiment show that utilisation of energy and AA from SBM depends on its origin, but protease supplementation improved their utilisation regardless of the SBM source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amount of digesta flowing to the duodenum is a relevant measurement for the evaluation of nutrient supply to ruminants, which is usually estimated in animals fitted with a duodenal T-type cannula using internal or external markers. This study evaluated acid detergent fiber (ADF) compared with external (C32 n-alkane) and internal [sulfuric acid lignin (ADL) and n-alkanes C31 and C33] markers for estimating duodenal flow and(or) ruminal digestibility of dry matter (DM) in cattle and sheep. In the first assay, 4 duodenally cannulated Holstein steers housed in metabolism cages, dosed with C32 n-alkane, and fed Avena strigosa plus concentrate and increasing levels of tannin extract to reduce ruminal digestibility, were used in a Latin square design. The mobile-bag technique was used to measure the intestinal disappearance of ADL and ADF from forage (Avena strigosa, Pennisetum purpureum, Cynodon dactylon, and Medicago sativa) and concentrate (corn grain, soybean meal, and sunflower meal) samples that were previously incubated in the rumen of additional fistulated steer for 12, 24, 36, or 48 h. The ADF concentration in residues recovered in the feces was strongly related to the ADF concentration in residues at the duodenum (R² = 0.93, standard deviation = 30.0, n = 901). This relationship showed a lower precision for ADL fraction (R² = 0.88, standard deviation = 12.6, n = 590). In a second assay, duodenal flow and ruminal DM digestibility were calculated from the duodenal and fecal concentration of either marker. We observed a significant effect of marker type on ruminal DM digestibility values, and the effect of tannin treatments was observed only when ADF or ADL was used as the marker. The lowest residual error was obtained for ADF. Ruminal DM digestibility was, on average, higher for C31 and C33 n-alkanes, and the use of dosed C32 n-alkane resulted in a negative value. In the third assay, a data set of 235 individual observations was compiled from digestibility trials to compare ADF and ADL as markers for estimating duodenal digesta flow in weathers (n = 204) and cattle (n = 31). We observed a strong relationship between markers (R² = 0.84 in sheep and R² = 0.88 in cattle), but variance analysis within trials indicated that ADF was more precise than ADL. In conclusion, in digestibility trials in which fecal output was measured and spot samples of the duodenal digesta were obtained, duodenal flow and ruminal digestibility of the DM may be estimated from the relationship between the ADF concentration in feces and that in the duodenal digesta of ruminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementing maize-soy diets with a commercial xylanase-β-glucanase complex [β-xylanase, 1,3(4)-β-glucanase, and 1,4-β-glucanase] on growth performance, energy and amino acid utilisation of broiler chickens. A total of 2016 Cobb × Cobb 500 1-d-old male chicks were distributed into 9 treatments with 8 replicates of 28 birds each in a completely randomised design. Treatments consisted of a Control diet formulated with AME and nutrients as commercially used by the Brazilian integrators without enzyme supplementation as well as 8 other diets having reductions in formulated AME (−0.33 and −0.50 MJ/kg) and digestible amino acids (dig. AA; −3 and −6%). These diets were supplemented or not with 50 mg/kg of the enzyme complex. Ileal contents were collected at 21 and 42 d to determine ileal digestible energy (IDE), dry matter and AA digestibilities. Broilers fed diets with AME and dig. AA reductions without enzyme had higher FCR and these diets had lower IDE (P < 0.05). The supplemental enzyme increased total AA digestibility at 21 d; however, no effects were observed at 42 d. The highest total AA digestibility (P < 0.05) was observed when broilers were fed the Control diet whereas the supplemental enzyme compensated the nutrient and energy reductions. The addition of 50 mg/kg of the xylanase-β-glucanase complex in maize-soy diets led to improvements on FCR, IDE and ileal digestibility of dry matter in broilers at 21 and 42 d. The highest energy improvement provided by the supplemental enzyme was observed at 21 d on broilers fed diets with −0.50 MJ/kg AME and −6% dig. AA, being 5.8% higher when compared to those fed the analogous diet without enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 4,800 one day (d) old Cobb 500 male broilers was used in a study with the objective of evaluating dietary programs formulated with different degrees of restriction in crude protein (CP) and the supplementation of L-valine and L-isoleucine. Four feeding programs (PRG) reflecting different strategies to deliver amino acids (AA) to broilers were used, respectively from d 1 to 7, 8 to 21, 22 to 35 and 36 to 42, as follow: PRG 1, CP restricted to 224, 211, 198 and 184 g/kg with minimum digestible AA to lysine (Lys) ratios only set for total sulfur AA (TSAA) (0.72) and threonine (Thr) (0.65); PRG 2, as PRG 1 without CP restriction with AA ratios to Lys extended to valine (Val) (0.77) and isoleucine (Ile) (0.67); PRG 3, as PRG 2 supplemented with L-Val and PRG 4, as PRG 3 supplemented with L-Ile. Replications of the 4 PRG provided from 1 to 21 d were further divided into the 4 respective PRG given from 22 to 42 d for total of 16 treatments. The study was conducted as a completely randomized block design with 2 time blocks and 24 replications per treatment per block from 1 to 21 d and 12 replications from 22 to 42 d. Overall, there were no effects for time block or interaction between PRG fed from 1 to 21 and 22 to 42 d of age. Performance and processing data demonstrated benefits of formulating diets using minimum ratios of Val and Ile. Body weight gain was higher when both AA were supplemented together (PRG 4). On the other hand, feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved when the ratios Val and Ile to Lys were obtained without the use of synthetic sources. Carcass yield data was not affected by PRG with the exception of the proportion of abdominal fat that was reduced (P<0.05) when broilers were fed diets with minimum ratios of Val and Ile without using synthetic sources. In conclusion, formulation of diets for broilers without minimum CP level but using AA to Lys ratios as in PRG 2, 3 and 4, allowed competitive growth performance and carcass yield results. Using L-Val and L-Ile led to improved FCR and, therefore, this possibility should be explored to maintain the efficiency of broiler meat production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The regression method allowed to determine metabolizable energy of insect meal and tilapia byproduct meal for broilers. • The metabolizable energy of Tenebrio molitor larvae meal for broilers was 21.93 MJ/kg. • The metabolizable energy of tilapia byproduct meal for broilers was 14.29 MJ/kg. A study was conducted to determine ileal digestible energy (IDE), metabolizable energy (ME), and nitrogen-corrected ME (ME n) of Tenebrio molitor larvae meal and Nile tilapia byproduct meal for broiler chickens using the regression method. A total of 315 slow feathering Cobb 500 male broilers were fed 5 experimental diets with 9 replicate cages of 7 birds each, in a completely randomized design. Broilers were fed a maize-soybean meal reference diet (RD) and 4 test diets (TD) from d 14 to 21 posthatch. The TD consisted of Tenebrio molitor larvae meal and tilapia byproduct meal that partly replaced the energy sources in the reference diet at 100 or 200 g/kg and 75 or 150 g/kg, respectively, such that equal ratios were maintained for all energy containing ingredients across all experimental diets. Excreta samples were collected twice daily from d 19 to 21, and ileal digesta were collected on d 21. Apparent ileal digestibility of DM, N, amino acids as well as metabolizability coefficients of DM, N, and energy were calculated. Addition of Tenebrio molitor larvae meal to the RD linearly increased (P < 0.05) ileal and total tract of DM and N digestibilities as well as IDE, ME, and ME n. For diets with Tenebrio molitor larvae meal substitution, regression equations were IDE = 21.52x – 0.0234, ME = 21.93x – 0.0189, and ME n = 20.62x – 0.0241. Addition of tilapia byproduct meal to the RD linearly decreased (P < 0.05) ileal and total tract coefficients of DM and IDE, ME, and ME n , as well as ileal digestibility of amino acids (P < 0.001). The equations for the tilapia byproduct meal diets were IDE = 12.49x – 0.0264, ME = 14.29x – 0.0152, and ME n = 11.94x – 0.0129. In conclusion, the current study showed that broiler chickens can utilize a considerable amount of energy and amino acids from insect meal or fish meal. The IDE, ME, ME n values (MJ/kg of DM) were 21.52, 21.93 and 20.62 for Tenebrio molitor larvae meal, and 12.49, 14.29 and 11.94 for tilapia byproduct meal, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elephantgrass stands out for its high potential for forage production in different tropical and subtropical regions. In most properties, it is cultivated intensively with high doses of mineral fertilizers, mainly nitrogen, which makes production expensive and less sustainable. In this context, the mixtures of elephantgrass with forage legumes can make the system more efficient and with less environmental impact. Thus, the objective is to evaluate elephantgrass-based grazing systems,with or without a legume in terms of sward characteristics, herbage accumulation and nutritional value of pastures during one, agricultural year. Two grazing systems (treatments) were analyzed: (i) elephantgrass-based (EG) with mixed spontaneous-growing species (SGE) in the warm-season and ryegrass (R) in the cool-season; and (ii) EG + SGE + R + pinto peanut. The standardization criterion between the systems was the level of nitrogen fertilization (120 kg N/ha/year). The presence of pinto peanut positively affected the botanical composition of the pasture, with a reduction in SGE and dead material, and in the morphology of elephantgrass, with a greater proportion of leaf blades, and less stem + sheath and senescent material. In themixture with pinto peanut, there was an increase in herbage accumulation and greater nutritional value of forage.

Two experiments (Exp.) were conducted to evaluate the effects of a novel exogenous sfericase protease on growth performance and ileal digestibility of broiler chickens until day 35 of age. In Exp. 1, 1350 one-day-old male chicks (Cobb 500) were allocated in 54 floor pens and fed one of the three dietary treatments, with 18 replicates of 25 birds each in a completely randomized design. Diets consisted of positive control [PC; commercially relevant ME and balanced amino acids (AA)]; negative control (NC; with reduction of 6% dig. Lys and proportional reductions for adjacent AA compared to the PC), and NC supplemented with sfericase protease [30,000 New Feed Protease units (NFP)/kg]. On day 35, ileal digesta was collected to determine apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen (N). In Exp. 2, 1620 one-day-old male chicks (Cobb 500) were allocated in 54 floor pens having three treatments and 18 replicates of 30 birds each in a completely randomized design from day 1-35. Broilers were fed a control basal diet (Control); Control supplemented with sfericase at 30,000 NFP/kg and at 60,000 NFP/kg. In Exp. 1, from day 1-35, body weight gain (BW gain) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broilers improved 3.4 and 2.5% when diets were supplemented with sfericase, respectively, whereas the digestibility of N increased by 2.7% compared to the NC. In Exp. 2, diets with usual protein and AA levels and supplemented with 30,000 NFP/kg had 2.3 and 1.75% improved BW gain and FCR from day 1-35, respectively. When diets were supplemented with 60,000 NFP/kg, BW gain and FCR were enhanced by 3.9 and 3.2%, respectively compared to the Control. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the novel sfericase protease could be successfully used in corn-soy diets with protein and AA reductions or in feed formulations with usual digestible AA levels to enhance growth performance of broilers., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Insect meal as a protein source has been considered a sustainable way to feed animals. H. illucens and T. molitor larvae meal are considered high-protein sources for poultry, also presenting considerable amounts of fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. However, other potential components in insect meal and insect oil have been more extensively studied in recent years. Chitin, lauric acid, and antimicrobial peptides can present antimicrobial and prebiotic functions, indicating that low levels of their inclusion in insect meal can beneficially affect broilers' health and immune responses. This systematic review was developed to study the impact of insect products on the health parameters of broilers, and a metanalysis was conducted to evaluate the effects on performance. A database was obtained based on a selection of manuscripts from January 2016 to January 2023, following the mentioned parameters. Both H. illucens and T. molitor meal or oil products had positive effects on poultry health status, especially on the ileal and cecal microbiota population, immune responses, and antimicrobial properties. The average daily gain was greater in broilers fed T. molitor meal compared to H. illucens meal ( p = 0.002). The results suggest that low levels of insect meal are suitable for broilers, without resulting in negative effects on body weight gain and the feed conversion ratio, while the insect oil can totally replace soybean oil without negative impacts.

Oral fibroepithelial polyps (FEPs) are common, benign, nonneoplastic lesions in humans that often develop slowly in sites of local irritation or trauma. This study analyzed 23 oral fibroepithelial polypoid lesions retrieved from 21 dogs (2014-2021). All lesions were pedunculated with usually an irregular/cauliflower-like or rarely smooth surface. FEPs most commonly arose under or lateral to the tongue; other sites included the labial and gingival mucosa, soft palate, and hard palate. All the lesions were characterized by a thick fibrovascular stalk consisting of bundles of fibrocytes and fibroblasts embedded in a collagenous matrix rich in blood vessels. The surface squamous epithelium, when evaluable, was hyperplastic (22/22; 100%) with frequent parakeratotic hyperkeratosis (12/22; 54.5%). Ulceration of variable extent was observed in 13/23 cases (56.5%). Inflammation was associated with 18/23 cases (78.3%), and was mostly lymphoplasmacytic. The connective tissue was consistently immunoreactive for vimentin and generally negative for smooth muscle actin and desmin. All FEPs in cases with available clinical outcome data did not recur after surgical excision. The presence of chronic inflammation and ulceration suggests a causative role of chronic irritation in the pathogenesis of canine oral FEPs. FEPs should be included among the differential diagnoses of proliferative lesions of the oral cavity in dogs.

Two experiments (Exp.) were conducted to evaluate the effects of exogenous carbohydrases on nutrient and energy utilization of corn with different compositions by broilers. In Exp. 1, a total of 448 Cobb 500 male chicks were distributed in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement (corn from regions geographically located in the North or South of Brazil × 4 carbohydrases supplementation), with 8 replicate cages of 7 birds each. In Exp. 2, 672 Cobb 500 male chicks were fed 12 experimental feeds, in a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement [3 corn endosperm compositions (waxy, semi-dent, or semi-flint) × 4 carbohydrases], with 8 replicate cages of 7 birds. Birds were fed semi-purified test diets with 95.9% corn from d 14 to 24 in both studies. In Exp. 1, α-amylase, β-xylanase, or carbohydrase complex (cellulase, glucanase, and xylanase) were added to the diet. In Exp. 2, α-amylase, β-xylanase, or α-amylase + β-xylanase were supplemented. Digestibility of DM, N, ether extract (EE), Ca, and P as well as AME, AME n , and IDE were determined. In Exp. 2, jejunal starch digestibility was determined on d 24. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means were compared by Tukey test (P ≤ 0.05). Corn from the North origin had higher AME, AME n , and digestibility of DM and N compared to the South (P ≤ 0.05). Amylase supplementation led to increases of 3% in AME and 2% in N digestibility when compared to the non-supplemented feeds (P ≤ 0.01). In Exp. 2, the highest ME values and EE digestibility were observed in the semi-flint corn compared to the waxy, whereas the semi-dent presented the highest digestibility of N and starch. Corn diets supplemented with amylase + xylanase had improvements of 2.5% AME n and 3% starch digestibility. In conclusion, energy and nutrient utilization of corn by broilers depend on the region where it was grown. Corn genetics, expressed by the endosperm composition, and carbohydrase supplementation influenced energy and nutrient utilization by broilers., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A study was conducted to evaluate performance, eggshell quality, nutrient metabolizability, and incubation traits of laying breeder hens fed diets supplemented with an additive containing polyphenols and saponins of a proprietary blend from Quillaja saponaria and Yucca schidigera (QY) biomass. Hens were fed 4 feeds in 5 periods of 28 days each from 30 to 49 weeks of age. Experimental feeds were a Control diet; Control + virginiamycin (33 g/ton); Control + QY (250 g/ton) and Control + virginiamycin + QY. A total of 40 White Plymouth Rock and 44 Rhode Island Red breeder hens were allocated in individual cages using a completely randomized block design with 21 replicates. Performance parameters, evaluated per period, were egg production, egg weight, FCR, egg mass, and culled eggs. All eggs were collected in the last 4 days of each period to evaluate specific egg weight, percentage of albumen, yolk and shell, and Haugh unit as well as cuticle quality, shell strength, and shell thickness. At the end of the experiment, nutrient metabolizability assessment and four incubations were conducted. There were no interactions between diet and period in all evaluated responses ( P > 0.05). Experimental diets did not affect daily egg production, egg weight, and egg mass as well as Haugh unit, yolk and albumen percentage, and yolk color ( P > 0.05). However, hens fed Control + QY produced eggs with better shell strength, shell thickness, and cuticle quality than hens fed the Control ( P < 0.05). Hens fed Control + QY or Control + virginiamycin + QY had lower culled eggs, better FCR and higher egg specific weight, shell percentage, and yolk strength compared to breeder hens fed the Control ( P < 0.05). In general, hens fed QY achieved enhanced performance and egg quality compared to virginiamycin. In conclusion, laying breeder hens fed diets supplemented with Quillaja and Yucca additive, from 30 to 49 weeks of age, maintained their productive performance, had improved eggshell and cuticle quality and reduced culled, dirty and contaminated eggs., Competing Interests: Authors LG and SB were employed by Phibro Animal Health Corporation. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Souza, Adams, Agilar, Biselo, Mello, Gomez, Bonaspetti and Stefanello.)

Direct-fed microbials (DFM) are added to broiler chicken diets in order to promote the proliferation of beneficial intestinal bacterial populations, which may lead to gains in performance efficiency and, potentially, reduce the level of enteric pathogens in the broiler chickens. The selection and laboratory evaluation of Bacillus subtilis strains as well as the experimental trial results of a novel Bacillus -based commercial DFM product are described. Fifteen wild-type Bacillus subtilis strains were characterized and assayed for their enzyme production capability, spore resistance to pH, salinity, and temperature, and ability to inhibit the growth of E. coli and Salmonella spp. The final DFM formulation was evaluated and compared to an antibiotic growth promoter (AGPs) in two experimental trials. In Experiment 1, broilers were given a defined challenge of Eimeria spp. and Clostridium perfringens to induce intestinal dysbiosis. The optimal dose of the DFM was determined to be 0.3 kg/ton of feed. At this dose, the broilers fed the DFM performed as well as the Flavomycin ® -fed broilers. Further, intestinal microbiome analysis indicates that the use of the DFM enhances bacterial diversity of the gut flora by day 5 of age, increasing levels of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Clostridiales by 25 days of age, which may enhance the digestion of feed and promote growth of the birds. In Experiment 2, the broilers were raised on recycled litter and given an undefined challenge orally to mimic commercial growth conditions. In this trial, the DFM performed as well as the bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD)-11%-fed birds. The results of the present studies suggest that this novel DFM, Zymospore ® , improves the performance of broiler chickens under experimental challenge conditions as effective as an AGP, providing a safe and effective substitute to the poultry industry.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Bacillus subtillis PB6, chromium propionate or a combination of the two on the performance, egg and eggshell quality, nutrient metabolizability and serum biochemistry of layer breeders. White Plymouth Rock and Red Rhodes Island breeder hens at 55 weeks of age were allocated in individual cages using a completely randomized block design with 16 replicates. Hens were fed control, control + probiotic (500 g/ton of Bacillus subtilis PB6), control + CrProp (50 g/ton of chromium propionate) and control + probiotic + CrProp diets from 55 to 70 weeks of age. Productive parameters and eggshell quality as well as cortisol and blood biochemistry were grouped each 28 d as well as for the overall period. The metabolizability of nutrients and energy was determined at 70 weeks of age. In the overall period, hens fed the control + probiotic or control + probiotic + CrProp diets had significantly higher egg production, egg mass, shell percentage, thickness and shell strength. The metabolizability of dry matter, nitrogen and energy increased in hens that were fed the control + probiotic + CrProp diet. In conclusion, diets supplemented with Bacillus subtillis PB6 and chromium propionate resulted in improved productive performance, eggshell quality and nutrient metabolizability of layer breeders, without modifying serum cortisol, albumin and triglycerides.

The growing restriction of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) use in farming animals has raised a concern regarding the viability of the animal production system. In this new context, feed additives with proven positive impact on intestinal health may be used as strategy to avoid losses on performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a protected blend of organic acids and essential oils [P(OA+EO)] on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal health of broiler chickens. A total of 1,080 Cobb × Cobb 500 male broilers were randomly distributed in four treatments with 10 replicates (27 birds/each). Treatments were as follow: non-challenged control; challenged control; AGP (enramycin at 10 g/t); and P(OA+EO) at 300 g/t. All birds on challenged groups were challenged with Eimeria spp. at 1 day and with Clostridium perfringens at 11, 12, and 13 days. Body weight gain (BWG), feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were evaluated until 42 days. At 17 days, one bird per pen was orally gavaged with fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-d) and blood samples were collected for FITC-d detection to assess intestinal permeability. At 21 days, apparent ileal nutrient and energy (IDE) digestibility, intestinal macroscopic and histologic alterations (ISI) and, expression of mucin2 (MUC2), claudin1 (CLDN1), and occludin (OCLN) genes in the jejunum were evaluated. From 1 to 42 days, birds from the non-challenged and P(OA+EO) groups had greater ( P < 0.001) BWG compared to challenged control and AGP groups. The challenged control group presented the worst FCR ( P < 0.001). IDE was 106 kcal/kg greater when broilers were fed P(OA+EO) compared to the challenged control group. Broilers supplemented with P(OA+EO) had improved intestinal integrity with lower blood FITC-d concentration and ISI scores, and greater expression of MUC2, CLDN1, and OCLN genes compared to the challenged control group ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, the P(OA+EO) and the AGP led to increased growth performance, nutrient digestibility and intestinal health of challenged broilers. A marked difference occurred in favor of the P(OA+EO), suggesting that this blend may be used to improve intestinal health and broiler growth performance in AGP free programs., (Copyright © 2020 Stefanello, Rosa, Dalmoro, Segatto, Vieira, Moraes and Santin.)

A study was conducted to investigate Fe requirements of broiler breeders. One-hundred-fifty-six Cobb 500 broiler breeder hens were individually placed in electrostatically painted cages at 22 weeks. The study was composed of an adaptation phase, in which hens were fed corn-soy-wheat bran diets until 35 wks. An Fe deficient mash diet (24.6 ppm Fe) was provided from 35 to 46 wk in order to induce a partial body Fe depletion. A production phase followed from 47 to 70 wk when hens were fed 6 diets with increasing Fe sulfate supplementation, which, upon analyses had 24.6, 48.6, 74.3, 99.6, 125.6, and 148.2 ppm Fe. Thirty hatching eggs from each treatment were randomly collected in the last wk of each production period and incubated. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were analyzed from 6 hens as well as all hatched chicks per treatment. Analyses of production and hatching data were conducted using quadratic polynomial (QP), broken-line (BL), and exponential asymptotic (EA) models. Effects of dietary Fe were observed for total eggs and total hatching eggs, egg yolk Fe content, and hen and chick hematocrit and hemoglobin (P < 0.05). These responses to added Fe were optimized when dietary Fe were 96.8, 97.1, 130.6, 122.6, 120.0, and 125.0 ppm (QP) and 76.4, 89.3, 135.0, 128.4, 133.8, and 95.0 ppm (BL) for total hatching eggs, egg yolk Fe content, and hen and chick hematocrit and hemoglobin, respectively. Optimization with the EA model was obtained for total hatching eggs, egg yolk Fe, and hen and chick hemoglobin at 97.9, 111.0, 77.9, and 96.3 ppm Fe for total hatching eggs, egg yolk Fe, and hen and chick hemoglobin, respectively. Adequate Fe levels are needed to maintain egg production as well as hatching chicks' indexes. Fe concentration in the yolk and diet are positively influenced. The average of all Fe requirement estimates obtained in the present study was 106 ppm total Fe, whereas averaged values for BL, QP, and EA models were 107, 113, and 97 ppm Fe, respectively., (© 2017 Poultry Science Association Inc.)

Introduction:: This study reports, for the first time, the presence of Panstrongylus lignarius in the State of Rondonia, Brazil., Methods:: Specimen of P. lignarius was collected from a flat in an urban area of the municipality of Porto Velho, Western Amazon., Results:: With this finding of P. lignarius, the number of Triatominae species in the State of Rondonia has increased from six to seven., Conclusions:: The occurrence of P. lignarius is worrisome, because this species has been found to be naturally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi and there has been evidence of its domiciliation capabilities in other countries of South America.

Three experiments were conducted separately to estimate the digestible Lys (dig. Lys) requirements of Cobb × Cobb 500 male broilers using different statistical models. For each experiment, 1,200 chicks were housed in 48 floor pens in a completely randomized design with 6 treatments and 8 replicates. Broilers were fed diets with increasing dig. Lys levels from 1 to 12 d (Exp. 1), from 12 to 28 d (Exp. 2), and 28 to 42 d (Exp. 3). Increasing dig. Lys levels were equally spaced from 0.97 to 1.37% in Exp. 1, 0.77 to 1.17% in Exp. 2, and 0.68 to 1.07% in Exp. 3. The lowest dig. Lys diets were not supplemented with L-Lysine and all other essential AA met or exceeded recommendations. In Exp. 3, six birds per pen were randomly selected from each replication to evaluate carcass and breast yields. Digestible Lys requirements were estimated by quadratic polynomial (QP), linear broken-line (LBL), quadratic broken-line (QBL), and exponential asymptotic (EA) models. Overall, dig. Lys requirements varied among response variables and statistical models. Increasing dietary dig. Lys had a positive effect on BW, carcass and breast yields. Levels of dig. Lys that optimized performance using QP, LBL, QBL, and EA models were 1.207, 1.036, 1.113, and 1.204% for BWG and 1.190, 1.027, 1.100, and 1.172% for FCR in Exp. 1; 1.019, 0.853, 0.944; 1.025% for BWG and 1.050, 0.879, 1.032, and 1.167% for FCR in Exp. 2; and 0.960, 0.835, 0.933, and 1.077% for BWG, 0.981, 0.857, 0.963, and 1.146% for FCR in Exp. 3. The QP, LBL, QBL, and EA also estimated dig. Lys requirements as 0.941, 0.846, 0.925, and 1.070% for breast meat yield in Exp. 3. In conclusion, Lys requirements vary greatly according to the statistical analysis utilized; therefore, the origin of requirement estimation must be taken into account in order to allow adequate comparisons between references.

In humans, pulmonary interstitial emphysema is most frequently seen in ventilated preterm newborns with severe lung disease; it is less frequently reported in adults. We report on a mature dog with pneumopathy that underwent computed tomography (CT) imaging to further characterize the lung disease. A bronchiolar pattern and lobar opacification were seen on the CT images. Moreover, gas was detected along the course of the pulmonary vessels, presumably in the interstitium, as seen in pulmonary interstitial emphysema in humans. Sever lung disease and/or hyperventilation during anesthesia could be a possible explanation of pulmonary interstitial emphysema in this dog.