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Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton is an outstanding herb with the homology of medicine and food. Its ripe fruits are traditionally used as an important tonic for kidneys and liver in China. Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton is rich in nutritional components and a variety of bioactive ingredients. A total of 206 compounds have been isolated and identified, they mainly include flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, iridoid glycosides, and triterpenoids. These compounds exert anti-osteoporosis, anti-tumor, liver protective, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton has been traditionally used to treat many complex diseases, including osteoporotic bone pain, rheumatic bone, cancer, related aging symptoms, and so on. In the 2020 Edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, there are more than 100 prescriptions containing L. lucidum W.T. Aiton. Among them, some classical preparations including Er Zhi Wan and Zhenqi fuzheng formula, are used in the treatment of various cancers with good therapeutic effects. Additionally, L. lucidum W.T. Aiton has also many excellent applications for functional food, ornamental plants, bioindicator of air pollution, algicidal agents, and feed additives. Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton has rich plant resources. However, the application potential of it has not been fully exploited. We hope that this paper provides a theoretical basis for the high-value and high-connotation development of L. lucidum W.T. Aiton in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global pig production has increased by 140% since the 1960s. The increase in global population, coupled with improving socioeconomic conditions of many countries has led to an increased consumption of meat globally, including pork. To keep up with demand and capitalize on economic opportunities, the countries of China, the United States (US), and the European Union (EU) have become the top 3 pork producers globally. China is of particular interest, as it is the both the largest country in pork production and pig numbers, as well as being the largest importer of pork from other countries. Globally, the efficiency of pork production has improved, in relation to the integration of pig production and the dramatic increase in research efforts in pig nutrition and production. Through integration, large producers can consolidate resources and maximize profits and efficiency. The increased research interest and efforts in pig production have given scientists and producers the opportunity to collaborate to adapt to challenges and identify possible solutions to issues brought on by a volatile global market. Intestinal health (23%), general nutrition and growth (23%), and amino acid nutrition (15%) were the top 3 areas (61%) leading research trends in pig nutrition and production. Major dietary interventions with feed additives evaluated include functional amino acids, feed enzymes, pre-/pro-/post-biotics, and phytobiotics with a common goal to improve the growth efficiency by enhancing nutrient utilization and intestinal health. With increasing global issues with environment, pig producers and the supporting scientists should continue their efforts to improve the production efficiency and to reduce the environmental footprint from pig production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Taraxacum mongolicum (TM) is a kind of medicinal and edible homologous plant which is included in the catalogue of feed raw materials in China. It is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, polysaccharides and other active substances, and shows many benefits to livestock, poultry and aquatic products. The study aimed to assess the potential of TM aqueous extract (TMAE) as a substitute for poultry AGPs. Methods: A total of 240 one-day-old Arbor Acker broilers were randomly assigned to four groups and fed a basal diet (Con) supplemented with 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg TMAE (Low, Medium, and High groups). The growth performance of the broilers was measured on day 21 and day 42. At the end of the trial, the researchers measured slaughter performance and collected serum, liver, spleen, ileum, and intestinal contents to investigate the effects of TMAE on serum biochemistry, antioxidant capacity, immune function, organ coefficient, intestinal morphology, flora composition, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Results: The results showed that broilers treated with TMAE had a significantly higher average daily gain from 22 to 42 days old compared to the Con group. Various doses of TMAE resulted in different levels of improvement in serum chemistry. High doses increased serum alkaline phosphatase and decreased creatinine. TMAE also increased the antioxidant capacity of serum, liver, and ileum in broilers. Additionally, middle and high doses of TMAE enhanced the innate immune function of the liver (IL-10) and ileum (Occludin) in broilers. Compared to the control group, the TMAE treatment group exhibited an increase in the ratio of villi length to villi crypt in the duodenum. TMAE increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Alistipes and Lactobacillus, while reducing the accumulation of harmful bacteria, such as Colidextracter and Sellimonas. The cecum's SCFAs content increased with a medium dose of TMAE. Supplementing broiler diets with TMAE at varying doses enhanced growth performance and overall health. The most significant benefits were observed at a dose of 1000 mg/kg, including improved serum biochemical parameters, intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity of the liver and ileum, immune function of the liver and ileum, and increased SCFAs content. Lactobacillus aviarius, norank_f_norank_o__Clostridia_UCG-014, and Flavonifractor are potentially dominant members of the intestinal microflora. Conclusion: In conclusion, TMAE is a promising poultry feed additive and 1000 mg/kg is an effective reference dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Licorice, a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the genus Glycyrrhiza in the legume family, is a medicinal and edible plant. Licorice is rich in various bioactive components such as triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, coumarins, polysaccharides, etc., endowing it with biological functions including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Moreover, the above-ground parts of licorice, with lush stems and leaves, have higher nutritional value compared to grasses in the Poaceae family, making it an excellent feed for livestock. The natural herbal additives can promote animal growth, enhance animal's immunity, and contribute to the further development of animal husbandry in China. The article reviews the active components of licorice, its biological functions, and its applications in animal production, aiming to provide a reference for the comprehensive development and utilization of licorice as animal feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a collection of abstracts from the journal "Reviews in Aquaculture." The abstracts cover a range of topics related to aquaculture, including the use of microalgae in aquaculture diets, regulation of lipid metabolism in aquatic animals, drying methods for aquatic products, effects of organic waste from fish farming in marine systems, application of electrochemistry in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), and the relationship between hydroids and bivalves. Each abstract provides a summary of the research conducted and highlights key findings and implications for future studies. The document also includes summaries of various research articles related to aquaculture, covering topics such as gill disorders in fish, effects of viruses on fish gills, offshore aquaculture in China, breeding of tilapia tolerant to high salinity, impact of parasites on Mediterranean aquaculture, and use of plant-based additives in carp feed. Another article discusses hormonal treatments to promote reproduction in native fish species in Latin America. The document concludes with summaries on genetically modified fish and disease resistance, variations in aquaculture efficiency, use of diatoms in sustainable aquaculture, strategies to improve fish meat quality, and the use of chicken immunoglobulin Y as an alternative to antibiotics in aquaculture. [Extracted from the article]

Since 2011, pseudorabies based on the pseudorabies virus (PRV) variant has emerged as a serious health issue in pig farms in China. The PRV gE/TK or gE/gI/TK deletion strains protect against emerging PRV variants. However, these variants may cause lethal infections in newborn piglets without PRV antibodies. Previous studies have shown that codon deoptimization of a virulence gene causes virus attenuation. Accordingly, we deoptimized US3-S (US3 gene encoding a short isoform that represents approximately 95% of the total US3 transcription) and UL56 genes (first 10 or all codons) of PRV gE/TK deletion strain (PRVΔTK&gE-AH02) to generate six recombinant PRVs through bacterial artificial chromosome technology. In swine testicular cells, recombinant PRVs with all codon deoptimization of US3-S or UL56 genes were grown to lower titers than the parental virus. Notably, US3-S or UL56 with all codon deoptimization reduced mRNA and protein expressions. Subsequently, the safety and immunogenicity of recombinant PRVs with codon deoptimization of US3-S or UL56 are evaluated as vaccine candidates in mice and piglets. The mice inoculated with recombinant PRVs with codon deoptimization of US3-S or UL56 showed exceptional survival ability without severe clinical signs. All codons deoptimized (US3-S and UL56) significantly decreased virus load and attenuated pathological changes in the brains of the mice. Moreover, the protection efficiency offered by recombinant PRVs with codon deoptimization of US3-S or UL56 showed similar effects to PRVΔTK&gE-AH02. Remarkably, the 1-day-old PRV antibody-negative piglets inoculated with PRVΔTK&gE-US3-ST-CD (a recombinant PRV with all codon deoptimization of US3-S) presented no abnormal clinical symptoms, including fever. The piglets inoculated with PRVΔTK&gE-US3-ST-CD showed a high serum neutralization index against the PRV variant. In conclusion, these results suggest using codon deoptimization to generate innovative live attenuated PRV vaccine candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethoxyquin (EQ) is one of the antioxidants widely used in the global feed industry. Due to its advantages of wide application, good function and low cost, EQ have been intensively used in agricultural production for a long time. In 2017, the European Union issued a moratorium on the use of EQ in the feed industry, making its safety become the focus of attention. The issue of EQ safety was once again brought into focus by the publication of regulations in 2022 concerning the non-approval of EQ as feed additive belonging to the functional group of antioxidants. In order to fully understand the application and safety of EQ in feed industry, the production process optimization, the application history of EQ used in feed industry, product quality and performance research, application and safety evaluation of EQ, and possible risks and problems of EQ in the application of feed industry were reviewed in this paper. This review provides reference for the scientific application and safety evaluation system construction of antioxidants in China feed industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Simple Summary: Kadsura coccinea was planted in large quantities in south China in recent years, and its functions and effects need to be further studied and discovered. We had previously found that Kadsura coccinea fruit extract has anti-diarrhea effects on mice, so we want to explore its influence on broiler breeding. The result showed that added 200 mg/kg Kadsura coccinea fruit extract to basic feed can replace traditional antibiotics as a growth promoter. It can improve the growth, slaughter performance, and antioxidant and regulate intestinal microorganisms of broilers, which indicated that the Kadsura coccinea fruit extract is feasible as a feed additive. This study aimed to determine whether adding Kadsura coccinea fruit extract to the diet of broilers could replace antibiotics. For this study, 300 one-day-old AA white feathered broilers were divided into five groups (no sex separated), with six repetitions per group (n = 10), as follows: blank control group (basal feed, CK group), positive drug (basal feed + 300 mg/kg aureomycin, PD group), and Kadsura coccinea low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups (basal feed + 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg of Kadsura coccinea fruit extract, LD group, MD group and HD group). The experiment period was divided into early (1–21 days) and late (22–42 days) stage. We found that supplementation with Kadsura coccinea fruit extract in the diet significantly improved the growth performance of broilers (p < 0.05), reduced the feed to meat ratio (p < 0.05), reduced the fat percentage (p < 0.05), while had no significant effect on meat quality (p > 0.05) and Kadsura coccinea fruit extract could promote the development of immune organs to different extents, enhance antioxidant capacity, the contents of SOD and GSH-Px in serum were significantly increased (p < 0.05), improve the ratio of villus height to crypt depth. Finally, Kadsura coccinea fruit extract increased the relative abundance of probiotics and beneficial bacteria (Bacteroidales, NK4A214, Subdoligranulum and Eubacterium hallii) (p < 0.05) and reduced the relative abundance of harmful bacteria (Erysipelatoclostridium) (p < 0.05) in the gut of broilers. Compared with positive drug group, most of the indexes in the medium-dose group were better or had similar effects. We believe that Kadsura coccinea fruit extract can be used as a potential natural antibiotic substitute in livestock and poultry breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Propolis resources are abundant and widely distributed in China. The propolis extract contains a variety of chemical compounds including flavonoids, terpenes and aromatic acids, which exhibits multiple biological functions, including antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, regulating adipogenesis and metabolism. Therefore, propolis has the potential to be used as feed additive in livestock and poultry industry. In the paper, the bioactive components, biological functions and application of propolis in livestock and poultry production are reviewed, to provide reference for propolis as feeding resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Tannic acid (TA) is a hydrophilic polyphenolic compound present in most plants. Galla chinensis, a traditional Chinese medicine, is widely available and used in China, and TA is one of the main bioactive components of Galla chinensis. Until now, there is little information available in the scientific literature on the evaluation of the application of Galla chinensis TA in broiler production. A healthy and well-developed intestine is critical in absorbing nutrients and serves as a vital barrier against pathogen invasion. However, the intestine of the broiler is vulnerable to inflammatory damage under intensive poultry farming conditions. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of adding Galla chinensis TA to the diet of broiler chickens on intestinal development and health, and highlight the application of TA sourced from Galla chinensis as a potential feed additive in poultry production. Our results showed that 300 mg/kg microencapsulated TA from Galla chinensis supplementation benefited to improve intestinal development, which might be attributed to the suppression of inflammatory responses via blockage of NF-κB in broiler chickens, and provide guidance for the application of Galla chinensis TA in poultry production. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of adding tannic acid (TA) extracted from Galla chinensis to the diet of broiler chickens on intestinal development. A total of 324 healthy 1-day-old broilers were used in a 42 d study, and divided into two treatment groups at random (six replicates per group). Broilers were either received a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg microencapsulated TA extracted from Galla chinensis. The results showed that dietary supplemented with 300 mg/kg TA from Galla chinensis improved intestinal morphology, promoted intestinal mucosal barrier integrity, and elevated mucosal expressions of nutrients transporters and tight junction protein CLDN3 in broilers. Besides, 300 mg/kg TA from Galla chinensis supplementation decreased the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines in serum and intestinal mucosa and reduced the mRNA expression of NF-κB in intestinal mucosa. Above all, supplementation of 300 mg/kg microencapsulated TA extracted from Galla chinensis showed beneficial effects in improving intestinal development, which might be attributed to the suppression of inflammatory responses via blockage of NF-κB in broiler chickens. These findings will support the use of TA sourced from Galla chinensis in poultry industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The colistin resistance gene mcr-1 is emerging as a global public health concern, altering the regulation of colistin usage globally since 2017, especially in China. However, few studies have revealed the impact of policy change on the epidemiology of mcr -positive Enterobacteriaceae (MCRPE) in patients. Here, we describe a molecular epidemiological study to investigate the MCRPE in patients in China from 2009–2019. During the surveillance period, 26,080 non-duplicated Enterobacteriaceae isolates were collected in Beijing. Colistin-resistant isolates were screened by enrichment culture supplemented with colistin, and the presence of the mcr gene was determined by PCR amplification. MCRPE isolates were then analyzed by susceptibility testing, genotyping, and risk factor analysis. Of the 26,080 isolates, mcr-1 was detected in 171 (1.1%) of 15,742 Escherichia coli isolates and 7 (0.1%) of 10,338 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. The prevalence of mcr-1 -positive E. coli (MCRPEC) showed an increasing trend from 2009 to 2016, while a decreasing trend was observed since 2017. Multi-locus sequence typing analysis showed that MCRPEC isolates had extremely diverse genetic backgrounds, and most of these isolates were non-clonal. The prevalence of MCRPE in China remained at a low level, and even showed a declining trend over the last 3 years after the banning of colistin usage as feed additive in food animal in 2017. However, colistin permission in clinical therapy could still increase the risk of MCRPE transmission and intractable infections, active surveillance and monitoring strategies of MCRPE are recommended to prolong the clinical longevity of colistin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare earth elements (REEs) are key constituents of modern technology and play important roles in various chemical and industrial applications. They also are increasingly used in agricultural and zootechnical applications, such as fertilizers and feed additives. Early applications of REEs in agriculture have originated in China over the past several decades with the objective of increasing crop productivity and improving livestock yield (e.g., egg production or piglet growth). Outside China, REE agricultural or zootechnical uses are not currently practiced. A number of peer-reviewed manuscripts have evaluated the adverse and the positive effects of some light REEs (lanthanum and cerium salts) or REE mixtures both in plant growth and in livestock yield. This information was never systematically evaluated from the growing body of scientific literature. The present review was designed to evaluate the available evidence for adverse and/or positive effects of REE exposures in plant and animal biota and the cellular/molecular evidence for the REE-associated effects. The overall information points to shifts from toxic to favorable effects in plant systems at lower REE concentrations (possibly suggesting hormesis). The available evidence for REE use as feed additives may suggest positive outcomes at certain doses but requires further investigations before extending this use for zootechnical purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large amounts of feces are produced on pig farms in China, most of which is fermented to produce organic manure that is subsequently applied to farmland. In order to address environmental concerns regarding the contamination of soil by heavy metal residues and to apply livestock manure in a reasonable manner, it is of considerable practical importance to monitor and analyze the contents and change characteristics of heavy metals in pig manure. In this study, we monitored the contents and seasonal and annual changes of seven major heavy metals in swine manure over a period of 4 years at a swine farm in Tianjin. The results showed that zinc, copper, and chromium were the main heavy metals in swine manure, with average contents of（1 192.37±153.33）（, 188.67±40.53）mg·kg-1 and（83.76±58.79） mg·kg-1, respectively. The contents of lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury were found to be comparatively lower, with average contents of （4.51±2.57）（, 0.98±0.75）（, 0.22±0.04）mg·kg-1 and（0.021±0.004）mg·kg-1, respectively. Our results revealed that contents of the main heavy metals in swine manure differed according to year and season, which was found to be related to differences in the growth stage of pigs and the corresponding feed proportions. For zinc, chromium, lead, and cadmium, the differences between years were less pronounced than those between seasons. For copper, the annual and seasonal differences were obvious, whereas for arsenic and mercury there were notable annual differences. Collectively, the results revealed that the contents of heavy metals in swine manure are affected by season, the feed ratio at different stages of pig growth, and disease prevention and resistance measures. These findings thus indicate that in order to meet the resource utilization of swine manure and the safe utilization of manure-based organic fertilizers on farmland, it is necessary to strictly control the amounts of additives used in feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olaquindox (OLA) has been widely used as an animal feed additive in China for decades; however, its toxicity and toxic mechanisms have not been well investigated. In this study, the developmental neurotoxicity and toxic mechanisms of OLA were evaluated in zebrafish. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to different concentrations of OLA (25–1,000 mg/L) from 6 to 120 hours post fertilization (hpf). OLA exposure resulted in many abnormal phenotypes in zebrafish, including shortened body length, notochord degeneration, spinal curvature, brain apoptosis, damage of axon and peripheral motor neuron, and hepatotoxicity. Interestingly, OLA increased zebrafish spontaneous tail coiling, while reduced locomotor capacity. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q‐PCR) showed that the expression levels of nine marker genes for nervous system functions or development, namely, α1‐tubulin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (gfap), myelin basic protein (mbp), synapsinII a (syn2a), sonic hedgehog a (shha), encoding HuC (elavl3), mesencephalic astrocyte‐derived neurotrophic factor (manf) growth associated protein 43 (gap43), and acetylcholinesterase (ache) were all down‐regulated significantly in zebrafish after treated with OLA. Besides, the anti‐apoptotic and pro‐apoptotic genes bcl‐2/bax ratio was reduced. These results show that OLA exposure could cause severe developmental neurotoxicity in the early stages of zebrafish life and OLA might induce neurotoxicity by inhibiting the expression of neuro‐developmental genes and promoting apoptosis. OLA exposure resulted in many abnormal phenotypes in zebrafish, including shortened body length, notochord degeneration, spinal curvature, brain apoptosis, damage of axon and peripheral motor neuron and hepatotoxicity. OLA increased zebrafish spontaneous tail coiling, while reduced locomotor capacity. Q‐PCR showed that the expression of nine marker genes for nervous system functions or development were all down‐regulated significantly, and the apoptotic bcl‐2/bax gene expression ratio was reduced. These results show that OLA exposure could cause developmental neurotoxicity in the early stages of zebrafish life for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium butyrate is one of the most popular feed additives in animal husbandry. In recent years, sodium butyrate has been increasingly used as supplement in aquaculture. The present study is to investigate the intestinal mRNA and microRNA response to diet with sodium butyrate in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), an important aquaculture species in China. mRNA and microRNA profiles of intestine of grass carp fed with diet contained 0, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 g/kg sodium butyrate were obtained by RNA‐seq using Illumina Hiseq 2,500 platform. The feeding trial was performed using 18 individuals of 1‐year‐old grass carp (n = 3 for each group) and lasted for 40 days in tanks in laboratory. A total of 349,860,852 sequence reads were generated from six intestinal libraries. Functional analysis of differentially expressed genes showed that genes participated in immune pathways tend to be activated by sodium butyrate supplementation. A total of 700 microRNAs were obtained, including 275 conserved microRNAs and 425 novel microRNAs which are potentially involved in regulating 14,300 genes. Spearman's correlation analysis identified 18 pairs of microRNA‐mRNA associated with immune pathways (p <.01 and R<−0.5). The potential genes targeted by microRNAs include CXCL12, AKT1S1, Cab39 and MHCII which are important genes associated with intestinal immune pathways. To our knowledge, this is the first integrated profiling of both mRNA and microRNA in intestine with supplementation of sodium butyrate in grass carp. The present results suggest that sodium butyrate affects intestinal immune system by regulating microRNA‐mRNA interaction in fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fermented Caragana korshinskii feed on meat quality in three muscle tissues (longissimus dorsi m., triceps brachii and biceps femoris) in Tan sheep. Sheep were randomly divided into two groups: the control group was fed a basic diet, and the experimental group was fed the basic diet supplemented with 10% fermented Caragana korshinskii. The results for the meat quality characteristics showed that the fermented Caragana korshinskii group had significantly greater more crude protein in all three muscles and more ash in the longissimus dorsi m. and triceps brachii than the control group. The fermented Caragana korshinskii group had a significantly higher ultimate pH in the biceps femoris and triceps brachii than the control group. The fermented Caragana korshinskii group had greater inosinic acid content in the longissimus dorsi m. and triceps brachii than the control group. The fermented Caragana korshinskii group had significantly higher levels of Asp, Thr, Glu and Ser in the triceps brachii than the control group. The fermented Caragana korshinskii group had significantly higher levels of C12:0 in the triceps brachii, of C15:0 and C16:0 in the biceps femoris, of C16:1 in the longissimus dorsi m. and triceps brachii, of C18:0 in the triceps brachii than the control group. Therefore, adding 10% fermented Caragana korshinskii to the diet of the sheep significantly improved the crude protein, ash, inosinic acid, partial amino acid and fatty acid contents as well as the ultimate pH and L* values in Tan sheep muscles. Fermentative caragana korshinskii was partially substituted for corn stalk to feed Tan sheep could significantly improve crude protein, ash, ultimate pH, L* value, inosinic acid, partial amino acid and fat acid species and content of Tan sheep. It was provided scientific basis for the rational utilization of caragana korshinskii resources by studying its effect on meat quality of Tan sheep. Fermented Caragana korshinskii solves the problem of lack of forage resources in China and the imbalance of forage supply in winter and spring in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the winter of south China, low water temperatures resulted in a large‐scale mortality of tilapia, which is a tropical fish and sensitive to cold. How can we solute the problem? The growth performance, antioxidation and gene expression of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus) juveniles in cold freshwater were investigated by feeding various dietary vitamin E (VE) or/and alanyl‐glutamine dipeptide (AGD) supplementation. Seven groups of the juveniles in triplicate were reared in tanks, with 120 L volume and 38 fish each tank, using exposed, filtered and aerated tap‐water. One group of the juveniles was reared in 28°C (normal water temperature control and marked as D0′) and another six groups of the juveniles in 18°C (cold water, one marked as cold water control, D0, and five marked as D1–D5). The GIFT tilapia juveniles were fed twice daily using one of six specific diets: control diet (D0′, D0) without additive; diets 1 to 5 were added different doses of VE or/and AGD based on per kg of dried feed. Diet 1 (D1) was added VE 100 IU alone; diet 2 (D2) AGD 10 g only; diet 3 (D3) VE 100 IU and AGD 10 g; diet 4 (D4) VE 50 IU and AGD 5 g; diet 5 (D5) VE 25 IU and AGD 2.5 g. The GIFT tilapia juveniles were reared for 12 weeks and sampled randomly for analysis in week 0 and 12. The following parameters in the serum, muscle and liver of the juveniles were determined: the expression of heat shock proteins 70 (HSP70), peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α (PPARα) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) genes, survival rate (SR), relative weight gain (RWG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), GPX, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), glutathione/glutathione oxidized (GSH/GSSG) and total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC). The above‐mentioned parameters in the serum, muscle and liver of the D0 juveniles (18°C control) were lower significantly (p <.05) than those of the D0′ juveniles (28°C control). However, the above‐mentioned parameters were considerably promoted by feeding various additional dietary VE or/and AGD, in which the highest HSP70, PPARα and GPX gene expression, SR, RWG, SGR, PER, antioxidases, GSH/GSSG and T‐AOC were found in the liver, muscle and serum of the juveniles fed D3 and differed significantly from those of the juveniles fed other diets, respectively. In concluded, D3, with additional VE 100 IU and AGD 10 g per kg of dried feed, was the optimum diet for juvenile GIFT tilapia in 18°C freshwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three strains of haloalkaliphilic bacteria were isolated from microbial mats of soda-saline lakes of the Badain Jaran Desert, Inner Mongolia (China). Based on the data on ribosomal phylogeny, they were identified as members of the genus Halomonas. These bacteria were moderate alkaliphiles and extreme halophiles. The peptidases secreted by these bacteria were shown to have narrow substrate specificity. They hydrolyzed proteins and para-nitroanilide substrates and showed maximal activity in the hydrolysis of L-leucyl-p-nitroanilides (LpNA). The maximum activity of the peptidases occurred at alkaline pH values (8-10) and elevated salinity (50-100 g/L); the enzymes were thermostable (up to 50°С). The results of inhibitor analysis and substrate specificity examination of extracellular enzymes indicated them to belong to the class of aminopeptidase-like metallopeptidases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic industrial dregs, generated from the production of antibiotics by fermentation, are banned in China as animal feed additives. Official monitoring programs require the analysis of feeds for possible illegal use of the dregs. A rapid and sensitive method was developed for the simultaneous determination of streptomycin and streptidine as markers for streptomycin industrial dregs in pig and poultry compound feeds. After extraction with 20% aqueous trichloroacetic acid and pH adjustment, sample cleanup was performed by weak cation-exchange solid-phase extraction. UPLC–ESI–MS/MS was carried out using a hydrophilic interaction chromatography(HILIC)column to achieve separation. Quantification required matrix-matched calibrations in a linear range of 50–1000 μg kg −1 ; the calibration curves were linear in this range with coefficients of determination of 0.991 and 0.994 for streptomycin and streptidine, respectively. The method validity parameters—LODs (20 μg kg −1 ) and LOQs (50 μg kg −1 ), recoveries (71–78% and 75–84%, respectively), and relative reproducibility (5.4–9.6%)—satisfy the requirements of routine analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N -carbamylglutamate (NCG) is a metabolically stable analog of N -acetylglutamate that activates carbamyl phosphate synthase-1, a key arginine synthesis enzyme in enterocytes. It is a promising feed additive in swine in China. In this study, we assessed the acute and sub-acute toxicity of NCG in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. All rats survived until they were killed at a scheduled time point. No adverse effects or mortality was observed following acute oral administration of 5000 mg/kg NCG to SD rats. No biologically significant or test substance-related differences were observed in body weights, feed consumption, clinical signs, a functional observational battery, organ weights, histopathology, ophthalmology, hematology, coagulation, and clinical chemistry parameters in any of the treatment groups in sub-acute doses of NCG at target concentrations corresponding to 500, 2000, and 3000 mg/kg/day for 28 days neither. In addition, no evidence of mutagenicity or genotoxicity was found, either in vitro in bacterial reverse mutation assay or in vivo in mice bone marrow micronucleus assay and sperm shape abnormality assay. On the basis of our findings, we conclude that NCG is a non-toxic substance with no genotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contents and changes of some hazardous elements in 388 animal feed and manure samples collected in 2009–2010 from 194 animal farms in 10 provinces of China were determined. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cr, and Pb in animal manures were in the ranges of 10–1800, 50–6300, 0.1–340, and 1.0–310 mg kg−1, with median concentrations of 200, 500, 15, and 11 mg kg−1, respectively. As, Cd, and Hg were in ranges from undetectable to 280, undetectable to 10, and 0.01–2.5 mg kg−1, respectively. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, and As were highest in the manure from pig, followed by the manure from poultry and dairy cows. From 1990 to 2010, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Cr contents in manure increased strongly, especially in pig and poultry manure. Most of the increases occurred before 2003 and then stabilized or decreased which reflects the extensive use of feed additives before 2003 and the gradual stabilization since then. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large amounts of veterinary medicines are widely used as therapeutic drugs and feed additives (growth promoters) in China, the environmental presence of which possibly poses challenges to the environment and human health. Therefore, it is important to list the veterinary medicines that are considered to be of relatively high priority in China for environmental management. In this study, a three-stage prioritization scheme was applied to veterinary medicines in China. In Stage I, exposure assessment was conducted based on usage amounts and the possibility of entering the environment. In Stage II, the ecotoxicity and human health effects of compounds having a high potential to enter the environment were assessed. In Stage III, considering both the results of Stages I and II, veterinary medicines were assigned into four priority classifications. Using the approach, 38 compounds were assigned to “H,” 7 compounds to “M,” 2 compounds to “L,” and 22 compounds to “VL.” Among the top-ranked compounds, antibiotics, endoparasiticides, and aquacultural medicines accounted for 57.9%, 28.9%, and 10.5%, respectively. Insecticides used widely in China's aquaculture need to be taken into account due to their high priority rank. This is the first study on the prioritization of veterinary pharmaceuticals in China. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Pig manure (PM) is often highly enriched in heavy metals, such as Cu and Zn, due to the wide use of feed additives. To study the potential risks of heavy metal accumulation in the soil and rice grains by the application of PM and other organic manure, a four-year field experiment was conducted in the suburb of Shanghai, southeast China. The contents of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in the soils and rice plants by the treatments of PM and fungal culturing residues (FCR) show a trend of annual increase. Those in the soils and rice by the PM treatment are raised even more significantly. Cu and Zn contents in the soil and rice roots by the PM are significantly higher than those by the non-fertilizer control (CK) during the four years, and Pb and Cd also significantly higher than CK in the latter two years. Heavy metals taken up by the rice plants are mostly retained in the roots. Cu and Zn contents in the rice plants are in the decreasing order of roots > grains > stems > leaves, and Pb and Cd in the order of roots > stems > leaves > grains. Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd contents in the soils by the PM treatment increase by 73%, 32%, 106%, and 127% on annual average, and those in the brown rice by 104%, 98%, 275%, and 199%, respectively. The contents of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in the brown rice of the treatments are significantly correlated with those in the soils and rice roots (p < 0.05), suggesting the heavy metals accumulated in the rice grains come from the application of PM and FCR. Though the contents of heavy metals in the brown rice during the four experimental years are still within the safe levels, the risks of their accumulative increments, especially by long-term application of PM, can never be neglected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Long-term field experiments were established in 1990 at two sites, one in northeast (17years) and the other in south China (16years) to better understand the effects of pig manure and inorganic fertilizers on heavy metal accumulation in soil. Experimental treatments were NPK and SNPK (Straw+NPK) fertilizers and two application rates of pig manure plus NPK at the site in northeast China and NK, NP, NK and PK fertilizers and pig manure with and without PK in the south. Unamended control plots were included at both sites. Both application rates of pig manure with NPK in the northeast for 17years increased concentrations of aqua regia extractable Cd in the topsoil by about 17.0- and 18.9-fold but repeated applications of straw for 17years did not result in a marked accumulation of Cd in the surface soil. Similar results were found in the southern plots treated with pig manure (with or without NPK). The distribution patterns of DTPA-extractable Cd in the northeast (BSES) were similar to that of aqua regia-Cd. HCl-extractable Cd in the topsoil treated with pig manure (with or without NPK) in the south exceeded that in the control soil by about 4.5- and 5.4-fold (RSES). Sequential extraction results show that in the northeast pig manure from intensively managed pig farms led to accumulation of Cd in both exchangeable and reducible soil fractions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

As a fast-growing tree, poplar is widely planted and typically used for wood processing in China. During poplar wood processing, a large amount of poplar sawdust (PS) and poplar leaves (PL) are produced and abandoned. To make full use of poplar resources and clarify the use of poplar as a feed additive, the active ingredients in PS and PL were extracted and isolated, and the anti-inflammatory effects of the extracts on mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis were investigated. In vitro anti-inflammatory experiments showed that the ethyl acetate extract of PS and PL (PSE and PLE, respectively) could significantly inhibit the proliferation of concanavalin A (Con A)-activated lymphocytes. Salicortin, tremulacin and salireposide were identified in both PSE and PLE. Oral administration of PSE and PLE rescued DSS-induced colonic shortening, repaired tissue damage, and decreased the disease activity index (DAI). The antioxidant capacity, including the increased activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD and catalase (CAT) and decreased activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), in the colons of mice with colitis was enhanced through the activation of ERK after treatment with PSE and PLE. The ratio of Th1 to Th17 cells, which can lead to inflammation in the spleen, was significantly decreased by the administration of PSE and PLE, while the phosphorylation of related transcription factors (p65, STAT1, and STAT3) was inhibited. Furthermore, PSE and PLE could induce apoptosis in Con A-activated lymphocytes, which may be associated with the increase in p-TBK1, as the molecular docking results also indicated that salireposide in PSE and PLE could interact with the TBK1 protein. Overall, our study provides a promising feed additive for improving intestinal inflammation in animals and a method for the full utilization of poplar resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic is frequently found in poultry waste, most of which is transformed from feed additive organoarsenicals, resulting in arsenic pollution of soils and water around poultry farms. The North China Plain, an important area for livestock breeding of China, was chosen to investigate the pollution characteristics and assess the health risk of arsenic around chicken farms. Among the 138 chicken farms sampled, almost no roxarsone, a common organoarsenical, was detected in chicken feeds, manure, and surface soils, while the detectable rate of other arsenic species was high. Because of long-term enrichment, the concentrations of arsenic species in manure were generally higher than that in feed. As(III) was the main inorganic arsenic species in the manure, where is reducing environment. In surface soils beneath the accumulated manure, As(V) was the predominant arsenic species with 100% detectable rate. The detectable rate and average concentrations at 0 cm were generally higher than those at 25 cm depth, indicating that arsenic accumulated in the surface soils. In addition, a typical conceptual diagram of arsenic was developed to clarify the pollution process from feed to soil. Through health risk assessment of inorganic arsenic, the carcinogenic risk (CR) and non-carcinogenic risk (non-CR) were both negligible. The city of Jiaozuo had the highest CR and non-CR, which was 11 times higher than that of the city with the lowest risks. This study presents a clear picture and evaluation of arsenic pollution on chicken farms, inspiring future studies assessing arsenic pollution after the ban of organoarsenicals. • Arsenic is widely present in chicken feed, manure, and surface soil with different species. • Arsenic accumulated in chicken manure and surface soils. • A typical pollution pattern of arsenic was developed to clarify the pollution process from feed to soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In recent years, China imposed a total ban on the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry. This caused huge economic losses, one of the main reasons being an increase in the incidence of diseases. In this study, rabbits were used as a model to study the pathogenesis of intestinal diseases in rabbits on an antibiotic-free diet, through non-targeted metabolomics methods. The results showed that 1969 different metabolites were identified. These differential metabolites were involved in five metabolic pathways associated with intestinal inflammation (tryptophan metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, lysine degradation, and bile secretion). In summary, the use of non-antibiotic feed might cause intestinal inflammation in rabbits and activate intestinal repair. The prohibition of the use of growth-promoting drug additives in feeds was implemented in China in 2020. However, rabbits can experience symptoms of intestinal disease, such as diarrhea and flatulence, when switching from standard normal diets with antibiotics to antibiotic-free diets. The molecular mechanisms related to the occurrence of these diseases as well as associated physiological and metabolic changes in the intestine are unclear. Thus, the objectives of this study were to study the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation using untargeted metabolomics. This was done to identify differential metabolites between a group of antibiotic-free feed Hyplus rabbits (Dia) whose diet was abruptly changed from a standard normal diet with antibiotics to an antibiotic-free diet, and an antibiotic diet group Hyplus rabbits (Con) that was fed a standard normal diet with antibiotics. Morphological damage to the three intestinal tissues was determined through visual microscopic examination of intestinal Dia and Con tissue samples stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). A total of 1969 different metabolites were identified in the three intestinal tissues from Dia and Con rabbits. The level of 1280 metabolites was significantly higher and the level of 761 metabolites was significantly lower in the Dia than in the Con group. These differential metabolites were involved in five metabolic pathways associated with intestinal inflammation (tryptophan metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, lysine degradation, and bile secretion). Rabbits in the Dia group developed metabolic disorders that affected the intestinal microbiota and changed the permeability of the intestinal tract, thereby triggering intestinal inflammation, affecting feed utilization, reducing production performance, and activating the intestinal tract self-repair mechanism. Thus, the abrupt transition from a diet with antibiotics to an antibiotic-free diet affected the structure and metabolism of the intestinal tract in Hyplus rabbits. Consequently, to avoid these problems, the antibiotic content in a rabbit diet should be changed gradually or alternative antibiotics should be found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simply Summary: Some natural phytogenic feed additives, which contain several active compounds, have been shown to be effective alternatives to traditional antibiotics. Gelsemium elegans (G. elegans) has been used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for many years, and it has an obvious growth-promoting effect on animals such as pigs. To our knowledge, the internal mechanism of the influence of G. elegans on the animal body is still unclear. Here, the plasma metabolomics and liver transcriptional profile of crude extract of G. elegans in pigs were reported for the first time and the metabolic consequences of feeding piglets G. elegans for 45 days were evaluated. The results showed that the addition of 2% G. elegans powder to feed is nontoxic to pigs. In addition, G. elegans could be used as a phytogenic feed additive, which could improve the immune function of piglets, and the latent mechanism of G. elegans may be related to various signaling pathways, including the MAPK signaling pathway and PPAR signaling pathway. Collectively, results of the current provide a clearer understanding of the molecular mechanism of the pharmacological effects of G. elegans, which is of great significance for a safer and more rational application of this phytogenic feed additives. Some naturalphytogenic feed additives, which contain several active compounds, have been shown to be effective alternatives to traditional antibiotics. Gelsemium elegans (G. elegans) is a whole grass in the family Loganiaceae. It is a known toxic plant widely distributed in China and has been used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for many years to treat neuropathic pain, rheumatoid pain, inflammation, skin ulcers, and cancer. However, G. elegans not only is nontoxic to animals such as pigs and sheep but also has an obvious growth-promoting effect. To our knowledge, the internal mechanism of the influence of G. elegans on the animal body is still unclear. The goal of this work is to evaluate the metabolic consequences of feeding piglets G. elegans for 45 days based on the combination of transcriptomics and metabolomics. According to growth measurement and evaluation, compared with piglets fed a complete diet, adding 20 g/kg G. elegans powder to the basal diet of piglets significantly reduced the feed conversion ratio. Results of the liver transcriptome suggest that glycine and cysteine-related regulatory pathways, including the MAPK signaling pathway and the mTOR signaling pathway, were extensively altered in G. elegans-induced piglets. Plasma metabolomics identified 21 and 18 differential metabolites (p < 0.05) in the plasma of piglets in the positive and negative ion modes, respectively, between G. elegans exposure and complete diet groups. The concentrations of glycine and its derivatives and N-acetylcysteine were higher in the G. elegans exposure group than in the complete diet group.This study demonstrated that G. elegans could be an alternative to antibiotics that improves the immune function of piglets, and the latent mechanism of G. elegans may be related to various signaling pathways, including the MAPK signaling pathway and the PPAR signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• There is excessive addition of mineral elements to pig feed in China. • Replacement supplement can improve pig growth performance (ADFI, ADG, F/G), reduce heavy metal pollution and increase economic benefit. • Optimal mineral supplement can significantly reduce Zn and Cu emission in pig manure. • Organic and new inorganic Zn supplements are similar to high-dose Zn diets in reducing diarrhea of piglets. • Regulations promulgated in China to limit high-dose feed minerals could alleviate heavy metal pollution. The high concentration of heavy metal in livestock manures is an increasing concern because it has the potential to pollute farmlands. Excessive mineral additives in feeds are the source of heavy metals in the manures. Recently, China has issued new regulations to restrict the use of high-dose mineral feeds. To reduce pollution and to increase the benefits to the industry, it is critical to understand the characteristics of heavy metals in feeds and to develop alternatives that are more efficient. This study analyzed 175 articles (1751 valid data) published in 2000–2020 in peer-reviewed journals. The analysis covered the characteristics of minerals in pig feeds in China, summarized the effects of different additives and discussed the relationships with feed standards. It was noted that Cu and Zn exceeded existing standards for pig feeds. Organic and new inorganic mineral supplements can effectively replace high-dose inorganic minerals to reduce incidents of diarrhea in piglets, improve growth performance and reduce pollution. With the recommended replacement, Zn and Cu in pig manure can be reduced respectively by 8.21×107and 3.23×107 kg per year. It can also improve product quality and efficiency and increase income of breeding enterprises by USD 1.28×1010per year. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently sturgeon farming is one of the common cold fresh water farming in China, but its production is very low comparing with the country's cold water fish farming potential. One of the main reasons for the low production of sturgeon is unavailability of proper feed for early live stage of sturgeon. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of diet shift from live food (bloodworm) to formulated feed on growth performance, structure and function of gut microbiota in early juvenile stages of hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii × Acipenser schrenckii). Significantly increased in weight gain rate (WGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in the sturgeon group fed on the formulated versus the bloodworm group (p < 0.05). Significantly higher Proteobacteria was recorded in the formulated feed group (p < 0.05), while Fusobacteria was significantly increased in the bloodworm group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, effects of colonization of the gut microbiota isolated from each group of sturgeon on host immunity was evaluated using germ free (GF) zebrafish model. The expression of genes related to anti-inflammatory (IL-10, TGF-β), non-specific immune (Lysozyme, C3a), and anti-virus (IFNΦ3, Mxb, Mxc) were significantly decreased in GF zebrafish colonized with gut microbiota of sturgeon fed on formulated feed, while expression of pro-inflammatory gene (TNFα) was significantly increased in formulated feed group. Moreover, GF zebrafish colonized with gut microbiota of sturgeon fed on the formulated feed revealed significantly lower survival rate for A. veronii Hm091 challenge (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study revealed that, compared with bloodworm, the formulated feed enhanced the WGR and FCR of sturgeon, but induced intestinal microbiota dysbiosis, which negatively affected the immune response of GF zebrafish and decreased their resistance to pathogenic bacteria. • The formulated feed improves WGR and FCR of early juvenile sturgeon as compared with the bloodworm. • The formulated feed alters the structure of gut microbiota of early juvenile sturgeon. • Gut microbiota induced by the formulated feed negatively affects the immune response of GF zebrafish. • Gut microbiota induced by formulated feed decreases bacterial disease resistance of GF zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) are increasingly used as an animal feed additive in China. In previous studies, it was determined that Cu NPs can penetrate the placental barrier, however, its toxic effects on the fetus have not yet been elucidated. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the potential fetal toxic effects of Cu NPs. Cu NPs were orally administered to pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats from gestation days (GDs) 3–18 at a dose of 60, 120, and 180 mg/kg/day. Cesarean sections were conducted on GD 19. During fetal examination, no toxicities were observed regarding general clinical signs, however, Cu NPs significantly decreased fetal body weight, body length, and liver weights. Cu ions and Cu MPs exhibited similar effects on the fetal development. Cu NPs increased the liver concentration of Cu, and decreased protein levels and Fe in fetuses. Cu NPs also increased oxidative stress and inflammation in the fetus after pregnant rats were exposed to high doses of Cu NPs. Oral exposure to Cu NPs during pregnancy increased Cu concentrations in the fetus, which not only affected fetal development, but also significantly induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in fetal liver. Taken together, these findings are valuable to evaluate fetal risk assessment after oral exposure of Cu NPs during pregnancy. Additional comprehensive toxicity studies are deemed necessary to clarify the underlying mechanisms involved. Image 1 • Exposure of mother rats to Cu NPs during pregnancy significantly affects fetal growth and development. • Changes in total fetal protein and some trace elements may be one of the reasons for fetal growth failure. • The oxidative stress and inflammatory response of the liver caused by nano-copper are its possible toxic mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to the diversity of rice varieties and cropping systems in China, the limitation of seeding density and seedling quality makes it hard to improve machine-transplanted efficiency. Previous studies have shown that indica and japonica varieties varied in machine transplanting efficiency and optimal seeding density. In this study, a RIL population derived from '9311' and 'Nipponbare' were performed to explore the seedling traits variations and the genetic mechanism under three seeding densities. Results: The parents and RIL population exhibited similar trends as the seeding density increased, including seedling height and first leaf sheath length increases, shoot dry weight and root dry weight decreases. Among the 37 QTLs for six traits detected under the three seeding densities, 12 QTLs were detected in both three seeding densities. Five QTL hotspots identified clustered within genomic regions on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 6 and 11. Specific QTLs such as qRDW1.1 and qFLSL5.1 were detected under low and high seeding densities, respectively. Detailed analysis the QTL regions identified under specific seeding densities revealed several candidate genes involved in phytohormones signals and abiotic stress responses. Whole-genome additive effects showed that '9311' contributed more loci enhancing trait performances than 'Nipponbare', indicating '9311' was more sensitive to the seeding density than 'Nipponbare'. The prevalence of negative epistasis effects indicated that the complementary two-locus homozygotes may not have marginal advantages over the means of the two parental genotypes. Conclusions: Our results revealed the differences between indica rice and japonica rice seedling traits in response to seeding density. Several QTL hotspots involved in different traits and specific QTLs (such as qRDW1.1 and qFLSL5.1) in diverse seeding densities had been detected. Genome-wide additive and two-locus epistasis suggested a dynamic of the genetic control underlying different seeding densities. It was concluded that novel QTLs, additive and epistasis effects under specific seeding density would provide adequate information for rice seedling improvement during machine transplanting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]