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The study was executed to find out the potential effects spent coffee ground (SCG) on Nile tilapia's skin mucosal and serum immunities, disease prevention, and growth rate reared in a biofloc system. Nile tilapia fingerlings (average weight 15.25 ± 0.07 g) were disseminated into 15 aquaria (150 L tank−1) at a density of 20 fish per aquarium and treated five diets: SCG1 (control), SCG2 (10 g kg−1), SCG3 (20 g kg−1), SCG4 (40 g kg−1), and SCG5 (80 g kg−1) for eight weeks. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications was applied. Growth rate, skin mucus, and serum immunities were quantified every 4 weeks; whereas the challenge study was conducted at the termination of the feeding trial. The outputs indicated that dietary incorporation of SCG give rise to the enhancement of SGR and FCR in comparison with the control, with best levels noted in fish fed SCG2 diet. Similarly, significant enhancements in skin mucosal and serum immunities were revealed in fish treated SCG2 over the control and other SCG diets. Likewise, higher survival rates against Streptococcus agalactiae were displayed in fish fed SCG, with the maximum level displayed in the fish treated SCG2. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of SCG2 (10 g kg−1) can be potential used as immunostimulants in tilapia aquaculture.

A feeding trial was carried out to examine the effects of adding chestnut (Castanea sativa) polyphenols (CSP) on the growth, skin mucus and serum immune parameters of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Five experimental diets with inclusion levels of 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 g kg−1 of CSP were fed to Nile tilapia fingerlings (12.77 ± 0.17 g fish−1) during an eight-week trial. Fish were analyzed on the fourth and eighth week to determine the influences of CSP on growth, skin mucus, and serum immune parameters. Challenging test versus Streptococcus agalactiae was evaluated at the end of the trial. Fish fed with CSP enriched diets displayed a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in growth and a decline in feed conversion ratio (P ≤ 0.05). Similarly, skin mucus and serum immune parameters were significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) in fish fed CSP with respect to the control. The effects were already evident four weeks after the CSP administration. The disease protection test displayed that the fish's survival rate was significantly higher (P

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is among the most common contaminants produced by Fusarium spp. fungus from corns and animal feeds. Although FB1 has been known to cause physical or functional defects of embryos in humans and several animal species such as Syrian hamsters, rabbits, and rodents, little is known about the precise toxicity to the embryos and the underlying mechanisms have not been fully addressed. The present study aimed to investigate its developmental toxicity and potential mechanisms of action on sphingolipid metabolism in Brown Tsaiya Ducks (BTDs) embryos. We examined the effect of various FB1 dosages (0, 10, 20 and 40 µg/embryo) on BTD embryogenesis 72 h post-incubation. The sphingomyelin content of duck embryos decreased (P &lt, 0.05) in the highest FB1-treated group (40 µg). Failure of neural tube closure was observed in treated embryos and the expression levels of a neurulation-related gene, sonic hedgehog (Shh) was abnormally decreased. The sphingolipid metabolism-related genes including N-acylsphingosine amidohydrolase 1 (ASAH1), and ceramide synthase 6 (CERS6) expressions were altered in the treated embryos compared to those in the control embryos. Apparently, FB1 have interfered sphingolipid metabolisms by inhibiting the functions of ceramide synthase and folate transporters. In conclusion, FB1-caused developmental retardation and abnormalities, such as neural tube defects in Brown Tsaiya Duck embryos, as well as are partly mediated by the disruption of sphingolipid metabolisms.

A 3-week feeding trial in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial design was conducted with three concentrations (0, 0.5, and 5 mg/kg) of T-2 toxin (T-2) and two levels (0% and 0.5%) of green tea powder (GTP) supplements used in the diets of female brown Tsaiya ducklings (BTDs) and Kaiya ducklings (KDs), respectively. Breed had a significant effect on the growth performances and the relative weights of organs and carcass. In general, the growth performances of KDs were better than BTDs. The relative weights of organs and carcass of BTDs were typically heavier than those of KDs, however, the breast of KDs was heavier than those of BTDs. Both ducklings received 5 mg/kg of T-2 blended in the diet showed lower feed intake and body weight gain (BWG) in the second and the third week. The diet containing 5 mg/kg of T-2 and 0.5% GTP improved the BWG compared to those fed the diet supplemented with 5 mg/kg of T-2 without GTP in BTDs. Ducklings fed the diet containing 5 mg/kg of T-2 induced hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia, as well as decreased concentrations of creatine phosphokinase and alkaline phosphatase. The concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) were increased in KDs and BTDs fed the diet containing 5 mg/kg of T-2 without GTP, respectively. However, duckling diets containing 5 mg/kg of T-2 with 0.5% GTP lowered concentrations of BUN and GOT in the blood plasma of KDs and BTDs, respectively. The diet containing 5 mg/kg of T-2 increased the relative kidney weight but decreased the relative breast weight of ducklings. Enlarged gizzards and reduced relative leg weights were observed in BTDs fed the diets containing 5 mg/kg of T-2. In summary, BTDs are more sensitive than KDs in responding to T-2 toxicity and GTP detoxification. Green tea powder has detoxification ability and could potentially mitigate T-2 toxicity on BWG, BUN, and GOT in ducklings.

Background: Lower concentrations of endogenous progesterone (P) after fertilization, due to corpus luteum (CL) dysfunction, leads to an increased embryonic loss and reduced pregnancy outcomes not only in female cattle but also in women. Therefore, an increase in the number of corpora lutea (CLs) may improve fertility in infertile bovine females. The aim of the current study was to investigate the influence of increased number of CLs by creating accessory CL on plasma P concentration and fertility in bovine repeat-breeder females undergoing the short-term fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocol.Methods: In experiment 1, 32 female cattle had induced ovulation with the short-term (5-day) P-based protocol. To induce additional CL, cows were treated with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) on day 5 post-induction. On day 14, only female cattle with at least one CL on their ovaries were classified into two groups: 1CL (original CL; n = 14) and 2CLs groups (original CL + accessory CL; n = 8). In experiment 2, 213 bovine repeat-breeder females were bred using the short-term FTAI protocol. On day 5 post-FTAI, cows were divided into two groups: treatment with (GnRH5-treated group; n = 113) or without (GnRH5-untreated group; n = 100) GnRH. On day 14 post-FTAI, cows were sub-divided into two groups: 1CL (n = 115) and 2CLs (n = 39) groups.Results: In experiment 1, the ovarian luteal diameter, area, and volume per total CLs were greater in 2CLs group compared with 1CL group (P < 0.001). On days 12 and 14 post-induction, female cattle bearing two CLs had greater P concentrations than female cattle bearing only one CL on their ovaries (P < 0.05). In experiment 2, CL number and pregnancy rates were greater in GnRH5-treated group compared with GnRH5-untreated group (P < 0.01). Pregnancy rates were greater in 2CLs cows compared with 1CL cows (P < 0.01). Moreover, female cattle bearing two CLs had a greater likelihood of pregnancy (odds ratio = 20.86) than female cattle bearing only one CL on their ovaries (P = 0.001). Conclusions: In bovine model, our findings confirmed a beneficial effect of an additional CL on ovarian hormone and fertility in infertile female cattle. The results highlighted that increased number of CLs by creating additional CL leads to enhanced peripheral P concentrations and improved pregnancy outcomes in bovine repeat-breeder females undergoing the short-term FTAI protocol.

We investigated, herein, the effects of dietary inclusion of sugarcane bagasse powder (SB) on Nile tilapia development, mucosal and serum immunities, and relative immune and antioxidant genes. Fish (15.12 ± 0.04 g) were provided a basal diet (SB0) or basal diet incorporated with SB at 10 (SB10), 20 (SB20), 40 (SB40), or 80 (SB80) g kg−1 for 8 weeks. Our results demonstrated that the dietary incorporation of sugarcane bagasse powder (SB) at 20 and 40 g kg−1 significantly ameliorated FW, WG, and SGR as opposed to fish fed basal, SB10, and SB80 diets. However, no significant changes in FCR and survivability were observed between the SB supplemented diets and the control (basal diet). The mucosal immunity exhibited significantly higher SMLA and SMPA activities (p &lt, 0.005) in fish treated with SB diets after eight weeks. The highest SMLA and SMPA levels were recorded in fish fed SB80 followed by SB20, SB40, and SB10, respectively. For serum immunity, fish fed SB incorporated diets significantly ameliorated SL and RB levels (p &lt, 0.05) compared with the control. However, SP was not affected by the inclusion of SB in any diet throughout the experiment. The expression of IL1, IL8, LBP, GSTa, GPX, and GSR genes in the fish liver was significantly increased in fish fed the SB20 and SB10 diets relative to the basal diet fed fish (p &lt, 0.05), whereas only the IL8, LBP, and GPX genes in the intestines were substantially augmented via the SB20 and SB80 diets (p &lt, 0.05). IL1 and GSR were not influenced by the SB incorporated diets (p &gt, 0.05). In summary, sugarcane bagasse powder (SB) may be applied as a feed additive to improve growth performance, immune response, and immune and antioxidant-related gene expression in Nile tilapia.

Eight weeks feeding experiment was managed to evaluate the impacts of dietary addition of pineapple peel powder (PAPP) and Lactobacillus plantarum CR1T5 (LP) individual or mixed on growth performance, skin mucus and serum immunities, as well as disease resistance of Nile tilapia. Fish (average weight 20.91 ± 0.11 g) were fed four diets: Diet 1 (0 g kg−1 PAPP and 0 CFU g−1 L. plantarum, Diet 2 (10 g kg−1 PAPP), Diet 3 (108 CFU g−1 L. plantarum), and Diet 4 (10 g kg−1 PAPP + 108 CFU g−1 L. plantarum). Serum and mucus immune responses, as well as growth rate, were assessed every 4 weeks. Ten fish were chosen for the challenge test with Streptococcus agalactiae after 8 weeks post-feeding. The findings showed that PAPP and/or LP diets increased (P ≤ 0.05) growth performance, skin mucus, and serum immune responses. The best data were obtained in fish fed a mixture of PAPP and LP. Nevertheless, no variation (P > 0.05) was recorded between groups fed PAPP or LP. The relative survival percentage (RSP, %) in Diet 2, Diet 3, and Diet 4 was 46.15%, 50.0%, and 73.08%. Fish fed mixture of PAPP + LP recorded the best (P

The work herein was implemented to ascertain the possible consequences of coffee silverskin (CSS) on the growth, skin mucus, serum immunities, and disease resistance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) raised under biofloc system. Nile tilapia fingerlings (average weight 15.54 ± 0.21 g fish−1) were raised in 15 aquaria (150 L tank−1) at density of 20 fish per tank and fed five different diets: CSS1 (Control), CSS2 (10 g kg−1), CSS3 (20 g kg−1), CSS4 (40 g kg−1), and CSS5 (80 g kg−1) for 8 weeks. Growth rate and innate immune responses were calculated every four weeks, while the challenge test was conducted at the end of the experiment. The results determined that CSS dietary inclusion resulted in improved specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR), compared to that of the control, except in fish fed the CSS5 diet. The optimum dose was recorded in fish fed CSS3. Similarly, fish fed CSS3 resulted in better innate immune responses than those of other incorporated diets, as well as the control. Notably, no significant differences in fish innate immune responses were detected between CSS5 and the control, or CSS2 and CSS4. Similarly, the CSS3 group presented the highest survival rates after the challenge test against Streptococcus agalactiae among all dietary inclusions. In conclusion, the dietary supplementation of 20 g kg−1 CSS (CSS3) may be used as an immunostimulant in tilapia cultured under biofloc system.

Accepted manuscript version, licensed CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. An eight-week experiment was performed to assess the effectiveness of watermelon rind powder (WMRP) on growth efficiency, immunity, and disease resistance of Nile tilapia, O. niloticus. Three hundred fish (17.14 ± 0.12 g) were fed five diets; 0 (Diet 1- control), 20 g kg−1 WMRP (Diet 2), 40 g kg−1 WMRP (Diet 3), 80 g kg−1 WMRP (Diet 4), and 160 g kg−1 WMRP (Diet 5). Growth parameters, skin mucus, and serum immunities were analyzed after four and eight weeks of feeding. After eight weeks of the feeding, ten fish were used in the challenge against Streptococcus agalactiae over 15 days. Statistically significant enhancement (P ≤ .05) of skin mucus and serum immune parameters were revealed through the WMRP feeding vs. control fed fish, in which the maximum (P ≤ .05) enhancement of immune parameters was detected in tilapia fed the 40 g kg−1 WMRP diet, followed by the 20, 80, and 160 g kg−1 WMRP diets. Relative percent survival (RSP) in the challenge study of fish fed 20, 40, 80, and 160 g kg−1 WMRP was 57.14%, 76.19%, 61.90%, and 52.38%, respectively. The growth parameters were statistically (P ≤ .05) enhanced in the WMRP feedings, in which the largest increase was revealed in the 40 g kg−1 WMRP treatment. In summary, the 40 g kg−1 WMRP additive increased both the growth efficiency and health status of Nile tilapia.

Avian embryos are among the most convenient and the primary representatives for the study of classical embryology. It is well-known that the hatching time of duck embryos is approximately one week longer than that of chicken embryos. However, the key features associated with the slower embryonic development in ducks have not been adequately described. This study aimed to characterize the pattern and the speed of early embryogenesis in Brown Tsaiya Ducks (BTD) compared with those in Taiwan Country Chicken (TCC) by using growth parameters including embryonic crown-tail length (ECTL), primitive streak formation, somitogenesis, and other development-related parameters, during the first 72 h of incubation. Three hundred and sixty eggs from BTD and TCC, respectively, were incubated at 37.2°C, and were then dissected hourly to evaluate their developmental stages. We found that morphological changes of TCC embryos shared a major similarity with that of the Hamburger and Hamilton staging system during early chick embryogenesis. The initial primitive streak in TCC emerged between 6 and 7 h post-incubation, but its emergence was delayed until 10 to 13 h post-incubation in BTD. Similarly, the limb primordia (wing and limb buds) were observed at 51 h post-incubation in TCC embryos compared to 64 h post-incubation in BTD embryos. The allantois first appeared around 65 to 68 h in TCC embryos, but it was not observed in BTD embryos. At the 72 h post-incubation, 40 somites were clearly formed in TCC embryos while only 32 somites in BTD embryos. Overall, the BTD embryos developed approximately 16 h slower than the chicken embryo during the first 72 h of development. To our best knowledge, this is the first study to describe two distinct developmental time courses between TCC and BTD, which would facilitate future embryogenesis-related studies of the two important avian species in Taiwan.