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The effects of excess dietary sulphur were studied in sheep supplemented and unsupplemented with thiamine. The diets contained either 0.19 per cent sulphur (LS) or 0.63 per cent sulphur (HS) in combinations with 14 mg kg-1 thiamine (LB1) or 243 mg kg-1 thiamine (HB1). A total of 56 two-month-old lambs were used. Groups consisting of nine, nine, 22 and 16 lambs were fed LS-LB1, LS-HB1, HS-LB1 and HS-HB1 diets, respectively for 14 weeks. Out of 22 lambs fed the HS-LB1 diet, seven lambs developed neurological signs between the third and eighth week of the trial. Two of these lambs died, three that were in extremis were euthanased, and two recovered completely. All clinically affected animals had extensive malacic lesions in the cerebral cortex, midbrain and brainstem. None of the lambs from the LS groups or HS-HB1 group developed clinical signs. Several clinically normal lambs from the HS-LB1 group had necrotic lesions in their brains at gross and microscopic examination. Supplementation with dietary thiamine prevented development of clinical signs, but did not totally prevent development of microscopic brain lesions. Brain thiamine concentration, transketolase activity and thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) effect were not different (P greater than 0.05) among groups. There was a strong effect (P less than 0.0001) of dietary thiamine supplementation on blood thiamine concentration and TPP effect. Blood thiamine concentration was higher whereas TPP effect was lower in the thiamine supplemented sheep. Blood and tissue thiamine concentrations in sheep exposed to high dietary sulphur did not indicate either systemic or local thiamine deficiency per se. Increased TPP effect in sheep fed the HS-LB1 diet indicated mild to moderate metabolic thiamine deficiency. Thiamine inadequacy may be an effect of an increased requirement for thiamine in animals exposed to excess dietary sulphur.

Semiautomated, microbiological methods for the determination of thiamine in a variety of biological material are presented. Thiamine content was measured in bovine, ovine and rat blood, plasma, bile, urine, duodenal fluid, liver, kidney and brain. Thiamine was extracted from samples by mild acid digestion (trans aconitate pH 4.0) at 115 degrees C for 20 min. Microbiologic assays utilizing Lactobacillus fermenti and Ochromonas danica were performed on 96-well microplates and growth, as monitored by optical density, was directly read on a microplate reader at 650 nm. Particular attention was given to the validation of the two methods in terms of accuracy, reproducibility and recovery. The microbiological methods described here are specific, sensitive, and ensure good reproducibility. The methods can be used to analyse a large number of samples rapidly and at low cost.

Relative efficacy of thiamine (B1) and/or calcium disodium ethylinediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) administration on lead (Pb) excretion via bile and urine was studied in Pb-loaded sheep. The sheep were administered B1 s.c., 75 mg/kg body wt., EDTA i.v., 110 mg/kg body wt., and a combination of B1-EDTA at rates as above. Each treatment was followed by 69 h sampling of blood, bile, and urine. Urinary Pb excretion increased following B1-EDTA greater than EDTA greater than B1 administration. Thiamine and B1-EDTA treatments increased biliary Pb excretion. Overall, B1, EDTA and B1-EDTA administration increased Pb excretion via bile and urine by 72%, 595%, and 842% respectively over basal level (mean +/- SE: 20.1 +/- 2.9 micrograms Pb/h). It has been concluded that thiamine enhances elimination of Pb from the body and this feature may be beneficial in chelation therapy.

Fifty-six female crossbred two-month-old lambs were housed in individual cages, and fed a basic ration of barley (59%), soybean meal (5%), and alfalfa (32%) prepared to meet NRC nutrient requirements. Four percent of the diet contained a standard salt mix to which the factors inorganic sulphur (S) and thiamine (B1) were added. Four treatment groups were used: low sulphur and normal thiamine (0.19% S, 13.7 mg/kg B1) low sulphur and high thiamine (0.19% S, 243 mg/kg B1), high sulphur and normal thiamine (0.63% S, 13.7 mg/kg B1), high sulphur and high thiamine (0.63% S, 243 mg/kg B1). All animals had free access to water and were offered 1 kg/animal/day of diet for 14 weeks, when necropsy was undertaken. Seven lambs fed unsupplemented (normal B1) diets containing added sulphur developed clinical symptoms of polioencephalomalacia (PEM) between the 3rd and 7th week of the trial. Morbidity (P less than 0.013) and mortality (P = 0.08) differences were attributed to S administration. None of the B1 supplemented lambs developed clinical signs of PEM. Body weight and relative organ weights did not differ among treatment groups. Serial sections of all brains were examined grossly and microscopically. Nonparametric statistical analysis revealed sulphur related effects in the cerebrum, midbrain and hindbrain (P less than 0.0001), no thiamine-related effects or interaction between the factors were seen, except in the amygdaloid body. It was concluded that inorganic sulphur was associated with polioencephalomalacia, and that dietary thiamine may decrease the severity of lesions in some affected areas of the central nervous system.

Candidacidal and phagocytic tests were performed on 34 female sheep fed high sulphur diets containing varied concentrations of thiamine, copper, and molybdenum for 14 weeks. Tests were conducted at weekly intervals for five weeks during the latter half of the experiment. The ability of polymorphonuclear leucocytes from sheep on diets unsupplemented with thiamine to kill phagocytosed Candida albicans was lower than those on diets supplemented with thiamine. The ability of polymorphonuclear leucocytes to phagocytose C albicans was lower in animals on low copper diets than in animals on high copper diets. Factorial analysis showed that thiamine supplementation significantly increased (P less than 0.0001) candidacidal but not phagocytic activity. By contrast, copper supplementation significantly increased (P less than 0.0005) the phagocytic activity with no effect on candidacidal activity. The observed detrimental effect of high sulphur intake on in vitro polymorphonuclear leucocyte function can mean that ruminants in areas where large quantities of sulphur are taken in with water and feed have compromised immune function due to lower copper and thiamine status and hence are at risk of increased susceptibility to infections.

Brain stem auditory-evoked response (BAER) is a noninvasive technique used for detecting neurophysiological abnormalities of the brain stem along the auditory pathway. Brain stem auditory-evoked response recordings were obtained from subcutaneous skin electrodes from two control sheep and 22 other sheep fed high sulfur (S) diets with low or high concentration of thiamine (B1), copper (Cu), and molybdenum (Mo). At least four peaks (I,II,III,IV) of varied amplitude were observed in all animals. Neurophysiological abnormalities due to decreased conductivity and/or excitability of nerve fibers along the auditory pathway were found on the BAER recordings of sheep fed high S diet. Abnormalities of peaks and interpeak latencies within BAER recordings were related to histopathological observations of brain stem lesions. Lesions in the areas of the cochlear nuclei and lateral lemniscus were seen in conjunction with altered BAER components. However, abnormalities in BAER recordings and lesions in the brain stem also occurred in the absence of overt clinical signs. Analysis of interpeak latencies between peaks I and IV revealed significant differences among dietary groups. Sheep given diets low in Cu, Mo, and B1 were affected most. Factorial analysis indicated B1 and interactions among Cu, Mo, and B1 as significant factors influencing interpeak latencies.

Lactation initiation involves coordinated changes in several tissues, including muscle protein mobilization to meet the cow's amino acid requirements. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of the protected amino acids lysine and methionine in pre- and post-partum diets on protein performance and dynamics in the post-partum period. Twenty-one Holstein cows (7 replicates per treatment) were randomly assigned to three diets from 28 days before calving to 28 days after calving. The experimental treatments were: control diet, amino acid diet; Balanced for the amino acids methionine and lysine protected at the level of the latest recommendations and high protein diet balanced for the above methionine and lysine using soybean meal, canola meal and corn gluten meal. Consistent with the results, dry matter consumption, body weight and thickness of muscle and fat tissue were higher in the amino acid and high protein treatments compared to the control group (P<0.05). The muscle tissue breakdown index, 3-methylhistidine of milk, was higher in the control treatment compared to amino acid and proprotein treatment (P<0.01), but 3-methylhistidine was lower in aminoacid treatment cows compared to proprotein treatment (P<0.01). In general, it seems that the addition of limiting amino acids lysine and methionine to the diet of cows during the transition period not only leads to the improvement of feed consumption and production performance, but also is effective in preventing the excessive breakdown of protein and fat tissue during the postpartum period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Etlik Veteriner Mikrobiyoloji Dergisi is the property of Veteriner Kontrol Merkez Arastirma Enstitusu and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the defensive effects of Vitamin E (Vit. E) and Urtica dioica (UD) in the mitigation of developmental anomalies induced by thiamethoxam (TMX) in chicken embryos. Methods: For this purpose, a total of 140 fertile eggs were equally divided into seven experimental groups (AG); Groups A and B were kept as negative and sham control, respectively. Group C was exposed to TMX while groups D and E were supplemented with Vit. E and U. dioica, respectively along with TMX. Group F received Vit. E and group G U. dioica, only. The eggs were examined on days 10th and 20th of incubation for the assessment of developmental flaws and musculoskeletal anomalies. Results: The mortality rate was highest (40%) in group C (TMX) followed by groups D and E (20 and 15%), respectively. Developing embryos were exposed to TMX for retarded growth weight and crown-rump length (CRL) were significantly decreased as compared to the control group. The highest survival rate was recorded in negative control group A. The teratogenic defects recorded in this study include growth retardation, decreased crown-rump length, shortened beak, exencephaly, feather scantiness, and limb deformities. Morphometric analysis revealed improved growth by all parameters in Vit. E and U. dioica supplemented groups. Conclusion: It was concluded that developmental defects are due to induced TMX, can be counteracted with Vit. E and U. dioica and have no phytochemicals negative effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the effects of UV-B irradiated vitamin D-enriched yeast supplementation on milk yield, milk composition, vitamin D in milk, milk fatty acids, blood chemistry, and 25(OH)D status in dairy cows. Methods: Six Thai Friesian cows (milk production, 11.2±2.0 kg/d; body weight, 415.0±20.0 kg; and days in milk, 90.0±6.0) were allocated to each treatment in a 3×3 Latin square design, with three treatments and three periods. Each period of the Latin square lasted 49 days consisting of 14 days for diet adaptation and 35 days for sample collection. Dairy cows were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: i) feeding a basal diet without yeast (CON); ii) basal diet + 5 g of live yeast (75 IU/head/d of vitamin D2; LY); and iii) basal diet + 5 g of UV-B irradiated vitamin D enriched yeast (150,000 IU/head/d of vitamin D2; VDY). Feed intake and milk production were recorded daily, milk sample collection occurred on days 14 and 35 of each collection period, and blood plasma was collected on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 of each collection period. Results: The results show that after a trial period of 14 and 35 days, the VDY group had significantly higher vitamin D content in milk than the LY and CON groups (376.41 vs 305.15, 302.14 ng/L and 413.46 vs 306.76, 301.12 ng/L, respectively). At days 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 of the experiment, cows fed the VDY group had significantly higher 25(OH)D2 status in blood than the CON and LY groups (51.07 vs 47.16, 48.05 ng/mL; 54.96 vs 45.43, 46.91 ng/mL; 56.16 vs 46.87, 47.16 ng/mL; 60.67 vs 44.39, 46.17 ng/mL and 63.91 vs 45.88, 46.88 ng/mL), respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, UV-B irradiated vitamin D-enriched yeast supplementation could improve vitamin D content in the milk and 25(OH)D status in dairy cows during the lactation period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplementation of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) in poultry feeding is essential. For economic and environmental reasons, riboflavin is now produced biotechnologically, which, in most industrial production, is based on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Due to legislation, organic animals must be fed with GMO-free feeds, which also applies to the production processes of vitamin additives in the feed. Therefore, the main objective of experiments in this paper is the screening of GMO-free wild-type yeast strains overproducing riboflavin as a starting point to develop GMO-free riboflavin production lines that ensure the continuous supply of riboflavin for organic livestock. A screening of wild-type, non-GMO microorganisms overproducing riboflavin was conducted. The wild-type yeast Meyerozyma guilliermondii DSM 11947 produced the highest riboflavin concentration in the screening procedure. In order to provide a feasible and affordable certified organic animal vitamin B2 supplement, the possibility of minimizing the expensive media component, yeast extract, was shown. This work shows the possibility of using a wild-type strain to achieve higher levels of riboflavin by means of bioprocess engineering and without metabolic engineering. A fermentation strategy at the laboratory scale is provided, where a yield of 30 mg riboflavin per g dry matter of yeast cells was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent mitochondrial dysfunction are pivotal in initiating cardiac hypertrophy. To explore nano-selenium's (SeNP's) preventive potential against this condition, the authors evaluated chemically synthesized chitosan-SeNPs and biosynthesized Bacillus cereus YC-3-SeNPs in an angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiac hypertrophy model. Methods: This investigation encompassed ROS measurement, mitochondrial membrane potential analysis, transmission electron microscopy, gene and protein expression analyses, protein carbonylation assays, serum antioxidant quantification and histological staining. Results: SeNPs effectively countered Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy by reducing ROS, restoring mitochondrial and protein kinase 2α (CK2-α) function, activating antioxidant pathways and enhancing serum antioxidant levels. Conclusion: This finding underscores SeNPs' role in attenuating Ang II-induced myocardial hypertrophy both in vitro and in vivo. Enlargement of the heart is called cardiac hypertrophy; this is caused by too many reactive oxygen species, which are compounds that damage the mitochondria of cells. The mitochondria provide energy to cells and their disruption can cause a significantly negative effect on cells and the tissues and organs cells make up. Selenium is a type of metal that must be consumed in small amounts to stay healthy; it has antioxidant effects, meaning it can stop reactive oxygen species and potentially prevent cardiac hypertrophy. Nano-selenium (SeNP), consisting of tiny, spherical particles containing selenium, may be a more effective way of delivering selenium as an antioxidant to prevent cardiac hypertrophy. SeNPs were made synthetically and from a type of bacterium called Bacillus cereus; both SeNPs demonstrated antioxidant effects in heart cells taken from chicken embryos and live chickens. These results suggest that SeNPs could be developed into medication to combat cardiac hypertrophy. Nano-selenium (SeNP) consists of tiny, red selenium elements with an excellent antioxidant capacity that defeated angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy by rescuing mitochondria and CK2-α. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chicken domestication began at least 3,500 years ago for purposes of divination, cockfighting, and food. Prior to industrial scale chicken production, domestication selected larger birds with increased egg production. In the mid-20th century companies began intensive selection with the broiler (meat) industry focusing on improved feed conversion, rapid growth, and breast muscle yield. Here we present proteomic analysis comparing the modern broiler line, Ross 708, with the UIUC legacy line which is not selected for growth traits. Breast muscle proteome analysis identifies cellular processes that have responded to human directed artificial selection. Mass spectrometry was used to identify protein level differences in the breast muscle of 6-day old chicks from Modern and Legacy lines. Our results indicate elevated levels of stress proteins, ribosomal proteins and proteins that participate in the innate immune pathway in the Modern chickens. Furthermore, the comparative analyses indicated expression differences for proteins involved in multiple biochemical pathways. In particular, the Modern line had elevated levels of proteins affecting the pentose phosphate pathway, TCA cycle and fatty acid oxidation while proteins involved in the first phase of glycolysis were reduced compared to the Legacy line. These analyses provide hypotheses linking the morphometric changes driven by human directed selection to biochemical pathways. These results also have implications for the poultry industry, specifically Wooden Breast disease which is linked to rapid breast muscle growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nouveau Praticien Vétérinaire Élevages et Santé is the property of EDP Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Following development of polioencephalomalacia in one of 105 cattle in a farm in southeastern Saskatchewan, a study was initiated to monitor thiamine (B(1)) and copper (Cu) status, and to evaluate interactive nutritional factors which may have been responsible for this occurrence. It was evident that a combination of high sulfur (S) and low Cu intake was responsible for the depletion of blood B(1) and plasma Cu. Supplementation with trace minerals alone resulted in a significant (p<0.05) improvement in both B(1) and Cu status of the herd. We recommend that herds exposed to high intakes of S be supplemented with Cu up to 50 mg/kg feed dry matter to alleviate potential deficiencies of B(1) and Cu.

The effect of high dietary sulfur (S) supplementation on blood thiamine (B1) concentration, biochemical indices of liver, muscle and kidney damage and selected plasma electrolytes was studied in six sheep. Three of these sheep received an additional 230 mg thiamine/kg diet (Group 2). After approximately 2.5-3 weeks on this diet, all three sheep in the non-B1-supplemented group (Group 1) showed loss of appetite and developed mild neurological signs: depression, intermittent signs of excitation and head pressing. Increases in blood B1 concentration and plasma creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were observed during this time in all affected animals. Clinical signs lasted only for two to five days. Sheep in group 2 were clinically normal throughout the experiment, but all of these animals also had elevated blood B1 concentrations and plasma CK activity at the 3 wk sampling. Plasma magnesium concentrations of group 1 sheep were elevated at the 2.5-3 wk and 6 wk samplings but they declined significantly (p less than 0.05) to low normal levels thereafter. Magnesium concentrations of group 2 sheep were low at the beginning but progressively increased during the course of the experiment. At necropsy, brain lesions suggestive of polioencephalomalacia (PEM) were observed in all sheep but were most marked in group 1. It is speculated that PEM may be caused by a direct toxic effect of S, S metabolites or B1 antimetabolites in the brain rather than by an in vivo B1 deficiency per se.

Chicken vision is sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light containing the UVA spectrum, while UVB plays a key role in the endogenous production of vitamin D3. However, commercially available light sources are typically deficient in the UV spectrum and thus may not adequately fulfill the lighting requirements of indoor-housed laying hens. We hypothesized that supplementary UVB light may improve egg production and egg quality, and bone health during early lay relative to UVA supplementation or standard control lighting. To investigate the effects of UV light supplementation, an experiment was conducted on 252 ISA Brown hens during 16 to 27 weeks of age. Birds were housed in eighteen pens (14 hens/pen) under three different light treatment groups each with six replications: (i) UVO: standard control lighting with LED white light, (ii) UVA: control lighting plus supplemental daylight with an avian bulb, and (iii) UVA/B: control lighting plus a supplemental full spectrum reptile bulb containing both UVA and UVB wavelengths. Hen-day egg production and egg quality, blood parameters including plasma Ca and P, and serum 25(OH)D3, and hen body weight and external health scoring were measured at different age points; while bone quality was assessed at the end of the experiment at 27 weeks. Data were analyzed in JMP® 16.0 using general linear mixed models with α level set at 0.05. Results showed that UVA and UVA/B supplemented birds reached sexual maturity (50% production) 3 and 1 day earlier, respectively, than control birds. There was a trend for UV lights to increase hen-day egg production (P = 0.06). Among egg quality traits, only eggshell reflectivity and yolk index were affected by UV lights (P = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively); however, most of the egg quality traits changed over age (all P < 0.01). Post-hoc tests showed higher serum 25(OH)D3 in the UVA/B group relative to control hens (P < 0.05); but there was no treatment effect on plasma Ca and P or on bone quality parameters (all P > 0.05). A significant interaction was observed between light treatment and age for the number of comb wounds (P = 0.0004), with the UV supplemented hens showing more comb wounds after 24 weeks. These results demonstrated that supplemental UVA/B light had minimal effects on egg production and egg quality, whereas, UVA/B exposure may increase vitamin D3 synthesis during the early laying period. The optimum duration of exposure and level of intensity needs to be determined to ensure these benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occurrence of mortality, wooden breast, and pulmonary disease in broiler chickens during the last 16 days of production in a teaching flock of 4000 commercial broilers was determined. A new syndrome was identified, in which broilers fell over for an unknown reason and were unable to right themselves (dorsal recumbency). Birds affected by dorsal recumbency were alert and responsive and showed no clinical signs except for occasional mild to moderate dyspnea. When turned over, they resumed normal behavior. Mortality (14 culls; 49 dead) during the last 16 days of production accounted for 1.6% of the flock and 36% of total mortality. Among these, 71% were heavy males, 70% had wooden breast, and 71% had pulmonary congestion and edema. Gross lesions of concurrent wooden breast and pulmonary disease occurred in 68% of the mortality, including 21 of 22 dead birds found on their backs. These findings indicate that wooden breast is associated with mortality prior to processing as a result of pulmonary disease in heavy male broilers. When birds with wooden breast fall onto their backs for unknown reason(s), they are unable to right themselves. If not found and turned over, they may not survive. Based on these findings, wooden breast is likely greater than just a problem with meat quality and should be considered an animal well-being issue.

Background: Even with the technological advances in management, health and genetics applied to poultry farming worldwide, there is still a high rate of carcasses condemnation at slaughterhouses, which result in losses for the poultry production chain. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the condemnation occurrence index (COI) and adjusted seasonal index (ASI) of poultry (turkey, griller, and heavy chicken) between 2009 and 2019, in a slaughterhouse enable to export in southeastern Brazil. Data were obtained from official spreadsheets from the Brazilian Federal Inspection Service (FIS) and used to calculate the COI, correlation analysis between the main causes of condemnation, and ASI assessments throughout the year. Results: Seven percent (55,594,318) of the poultry carcasses were condemned (partial or total), and the most frequent causes, contamination, and contusion/traumatic injury, amounted to 63.5% of the total condemnation. There was a trend of increasing condemnation throughout the time series evaluated, with COI varying between 45,282–149,809 condemnations per 1,000,000 poultry slaughtered. Considering the ASI, it was identified that for ascitic syndrome, July has a higher index value (1.63) than the months between January–June (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The main causes of condemnation were contamination and contusion/traumatic injury, both technological causes. ASI showed that in July there is a greater carcasses condemnation due to ascitic syndrome than in the months between January and June. The variations observed in the ASIs can provide subsidies for preventive measures and optimization of human and financial resources, generating positive impacts on food safety, productivity, and profitability of the sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary zinc (Zn) supplementation on performance, immune responses and gastrointestinal tract features of broilers fed wheat-soybean meal diet. In addition, optimised dietary Zn level was estimated based on dose-response data. A total of 500 one-day-old male Ross-308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 10 dietary treatments with five replicates and ten birds per replicate in a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement of five graded (+40 mg/kg) dietary Zn levels with or without phytase (500 FTU/kg of diet) supplementation. By increasing dietary Zn concentration, final live body weight (LBW), daily weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), and European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF), antibody titres against the sheep red blood cell inoculation, cutaneous basophils hypersensitivity to PHA-P injection, jejunum villus height, and apparent dry matter digestibility (ADMD) increased with a significant linear trend. Phytase supplementation improved WG and ADMD and decreased pancreas and intestine relative weights. The interaction effects of dietary Zn concentration and phytase supplementation on the whole of evaluated traits were not significant. Optimum dietary Zn levels were estimated by the regression models at 70, 82, 98, and 110 mg/kg of diet for optimised EPEF and immunity, LBW and WG, appetites, and ADMD, respectively. It is concluded, in the broiler chickens fed wheat-soybean meal diet, Zn and phytase supplementation can improve growth performance, immune response, digestibility, and intestinal features. The Zn requirement is higher than the NRC (1994) recommendation. The efficacy of dietary Zn was not affected by dietary phytase supplementation. In the broilers fed wheat-soy diet: •Dietary Zn and phytase supplementation improve growth performance. •The Zn requirement is higher than the NRC recommendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arginine (Arg), lysine (Lys), and methionine (Met) can be used to support the health status of turkeys. The present study investigated selected performance, gut integrity, and immunological parameters in turkeys reared in optimal or challenge conditions. The experiment lasted for 28 days, and it had a completely randomized 2 × 3 factorial design with two levels of dietary Arg, Lys and Met (high or low) and challenge with Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens), Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or no challenge (placebo). Increased dietary levels of Arg, Lys and Met had a beneficial effect on turkey performance and immunological parameters, and it improved selected indicators responsible for maintaining gut integrity in different challenge conditions. Under optimal conditions (with no challenge), high ArgLysMet diets did not compromise bird performance and they improved selected performance parameters in challenged birds. The immune system of turkeys was not excessively stimulated by high ArgLysMet diets, which did not disrupt the redox balance and had no negative effect on gut integrity. High ArgLysMet diets increased the expression levels of selected genes encoding nutrient transporters and tight junction proteins. However, the influence exerted by different dietary inclusion levels of Arg, Lys and Met on gut integrity was largely determined by the stressor (C. perfringens vs. LPS). Further studies are required to investigate the role of Arg, Lys and Met levels in the diet on the immune response, gut function and performance of turkeys in different challenge conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No study has demonstrated the use of dietary Cannabis-derived cannabidiol (CBD) to alter the stress response in chickens or examined its effects on meat volatile compounds (VOCs). Here, we subjected chickens to dysbiosis via C. perfringens infection or Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment and investigated the potential link between meat VOCs and cecal bacterial activity and the ameliorative effect of CBD. The cecal bacterial production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) was closely correlated with meat VOCs. CBD supplementation reduced the formation of breast meat spoilage VOCs, including alcohols, trimethylamine and pentanoic acid, in the challenged birds, partly by decreasing cecal putrefactive SCFA production. Meat VOC/cecal SCFA relationships differed according to the challenge, and CBD attenuated the effects of C. perfringens infection better than the effects of LPS challenge on meat VOCs. These findings provide new insights into the interactions among bioactive agent supplementation, gut microbiota activity and meat properties in birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transgenerational effects of certain nutrients such as essential fatty acids are gaining increased attention in the field of human medicine and animal sciences as a new tool to improve health and animal performance during perinatal life. Omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids are denoted by the position of the first double bond from methyl end of the hydrocarbon chain. Alpha-linolenic acid (18:3 n-3) and linoleic acid (18:2 n-6) are essential n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and cannot be synthesized by the vertebrates including chickens. Alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid are the parent fatty acids of long chain (> 20–22C) n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 n-3, EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (22:5 n-3/or 22:5 n-6, DPA), docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3, DHA) and arachidonic acid (20:4 n-6). As components of cell membrane phospholipids, PUFA serves as precursors of eicosanoids, act as ligands for membrane receptors and transcription factors that regulate gene expression and are pivotal for normal chick growth and development. Considering the role of egg lipids as the sole source of essential fatty acids to the hatchling, dietary deficiencies or inadequate in ovo supply may have repercussions in tissue PUFA incorporation, lipid metabolism, chick growth and development during pre and early post-hatch period. This review focus on studies showing how maternal dietary n-3 or n-6 fatty acids can lead to remodeling of long chain n-3 and n-6 PUFA in the hatching egg and progeny chick tissue phospholipid molecular species and its impact on chick growth and PUFA metabolism during early life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Two experiments were conducted to establish an optimal NE challenge model and evaluate the efficacy of stimbiotic (STB) supplementation in necrotic enteritis (NE) challenged broilers. In Exp. 1, a total of 120 Arbor Acres (AA) broilers (45.0 ± 0.21 g) were randomly assigned to 6 treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. Vaccine treatments included non-challenge (0), × 10 the recommended dose (× 10) or × 20 the recommended dose (× 20) by the manufacturer. Clostridium perfringens (CP) treatments were non-challenge (No) or 3 mL of 2.2 × 107 CFU CP challenge (Yes). In Exp. 2, a total of 72 AA broilers (40.17 ± 0.27 g) were randomly assigned to 6 treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. Dietary treatments included non-additive (CON), 100 mg/kg STB (STB) and 100 mg/kg STB on top of a typical commercial blend including an essential oil, probiotics, and enzyme (CB). Challenge treatments included non-NE challenge (No) and NE challenge (Yes) as established in Exp. 1. Results: In Exp. 1, CP and vaccine challenge decreased (P < 0.05) body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI), and increased (P < 0.05) the number of broilers with diarrhea and intestinal lesions. The oral administration of × 20 recommended dose of vaccines coupled with 3 mL of 2.2 × 107 CFU CP resulted in (P < 0.01) a significantly increased incidence of wet litter and intestinal lesions. Thus, this treatment was chosen as the challenge model for the successful inducement of NE in Exp. 2. In Exp. 2, the NE challenge negatively affected (P < 0.01) growth performance, ileal morphology, immunoglobulin contents in blood, caecal microbiota in the caecum, footpad dermatitis, intestinal lesion scores, tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α) and endotoxin in the serum compared with the non-NE challenged birds. The supplementation of STB and CB in diets enhanced (P < 0.05) growth performance, intestinal microbiota, and blood profiles by stimulating ileal morphology (VH and VH:CD) and propionate production in the cecum, and there were no differences in measured variables between STB and CB supplemented birds. Conclusion: Overall, these results indicate that STB supplementation was able to reduce the inflammatory response and improve the performance of NE challenged birds, and the supplementation of STB alone was as effective as a typical commercial blend containing a number of other additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Air pollution has been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in epidemiological studies. In our studies in mice, developmental exposures to ambient ultrafine particulate (UFP) matter either postnatally or gestationally results in neurotoxic consequences that include brain metal dyshomeostasis, including significant increases in brain Fe. Since Fe is redox active and neurotoxic to brain in excess, this study examined the extent to which postnatal Fe inhalation exposure, might contribute to the observed neurotoxicity of UFPs. Mice were exposed to 1 µg/m3 Fe oxide nanoparticles alone, or in conjunction with sulfur dioxide (Fe (1 µg/m3) + SO2 (SO2 at 1.31 mg/m3, 500 ppb) from postnatal days 4–7 and 10–13 for 4 h/day. Results: Overarching results included the observations that Fe + SO2 produced greater neurotoxicity than did Fe alone, that females appeared to show greater vulnerability to these exposures than did males, and that profiles of effects differed by sex. Consistent with metal dyshomeostasis, both Fe only and Fe + SO2 exposures altered correlations of Fe and of sulfur (S) with other metals in a sex and tissue-specific manner. Specifically, altered metal levels in lung, but particularly in frontal cortex were found, with reductions produced by Fe in females, but increases produced by Fe + SO2 in males. At PND14, marked changes in brain frontal cortex and striatal neurotransmitter systems were observed, particularly in response to combined Fe + SO2 as compared to Fe only, in glutamatergic and dopaminergic functions that were of opposite directions by sex. Changes in markers of trans-sulfuration in frontal cortex likewise differed in females as compared to males. Residual neurotransmitter changes were limited at PND60. Increases in serum glutathione and Il-1a were female-specific effects of combined Fe + SO2. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings suggest a role for the Fe contamination in air pollution in the observed neurotoxicity of ambient UFPs and that such involvement may be different by chemical mixture. Translation of such results to humans requires verification, and, if found, would suggest a need for regulation of Fe in air for public health protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tissue resident immune system cells in the chicken intestine play a significant role in the protection against pathogens. However, very little is known about these cells. The current study was conducted to further characterize chicken intestinal immune system cells. Furthermore, this study aimed to assess the immune modulatory action of a highly virulent Clostridium perfringens , a commonly found chicken intestinal microbe, in comparison with a non-commensal, Lactococcus lactis , on intestine-derived immune system cells. The results demonstrated varying distribution of innate and adaptive immune cells along the avian gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and cecal tonsils. In addition, steady-state and tissue-specific presence of CD25+ cells among αβ and γδ T-cell subsets was assessed along the intestine. Ex vivo stimulation with C. perfringens or L. lactis resulted in a significant increase in the frequency of CD25+ T cells (γδ and αβ T cells). In addition, significantly more cell death was observed in ex vivo stimulation with C. perfringens , which was indirectly correlated with a decrease in macrophage activation based on nitric oxide (NO) production with no effect on lymphoid cell responsiveness as per intracellular interferon (IFN)-gamma (γ) staining. Ex vivo stimulation with L. lactis activated γδ T cells and αβ T cells, based on intracellular IFN-γ staining, while it had limited effect on macrophages. However, the ability of γδ and αβ T cells to produce IFN-γ and the ability of macrophages production of NO was rescued in the presence of L. lactis. These results demonstrate the potential application of L. lactis , as a probiotic, against virulent C. perfringens infection in chicken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subclinical necrotic enteritis (SNE) is a severe intestinal disease in broilers which brings huge economic losses to poultry industry. Herein, the effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BLCC1-0238 (B. amyloliquefaciens BLCC1-0238) alone or in combination with mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) on the SNE challenge model in broilers were comprehensively explored. A total of 360 broilers were randomly divided into 4 groups, including an SNE infection control (IC), an antibiotic pretreatment control (AC), a B. amyloliquefaciens BLCC1-0238 pretreatment (BP), and a B. amyloliquefaciens BLCC1-0238 + MOS pretreatment (BMP). The results showed that compared with the IC, three pretreatment groups significantly improved the growth performance, lowered the overall mortality, and reduced intestinal mucosal lesions in broilers. Additionally, the expression levels of claudin-3 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α in the BP and BMP groups and the levels of mucin-2 and mechanistic target of rapamycin in the BMP group were significantly upregulated compared with the IC. By contrast, the expression levels of interferon-γ, interleukin-10, and secretory immunoglobulin A in the BP and BMP groups were significantly downregulated. In conclusion, these findings show that B. amyloliquefaciens BLCC1-0238 in combination with MOS can exert synergetic effects by the interplay between them on improving growth performance and combating the SNE infection in broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The goal of this study was to evaluate marker-assisted selection (MAS) in broiler chickens using previously mapped gene regions associated with ascites syndrome incidence. The second-generation MAS products were assessed for impact on ascites phenotype and whether there were associated changes in important production traits. Previously, we used whole genome resequencing (WGR) to fine-map 28 chromosomal regions as associated with ascites phenotype in our experimental ascites broiler line (Relaxed, REL) based on a hypobaric chamber challenge. Genotypes for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in mapped regions on chromosomes 2 and 22, were used for MAS in our REL line. After two generations, birds homozygous for the genotypes associated with resistance for both chromosomal regions were established. The MAS F2 generation was then compared to the REL line for ascites susceptibility and 25 production traits. Results: Selection based on SNPs in the carboxypeptidase Q (CPQ, Gga2) and leucine rich repeat transmembrane neuronal 4 (LRRTM4, Gga22) gene regions resulted in a sex- and simulated altitude- dependent reduction of ascites incidence in two F2 cohorts of the MAS line. Comparisons of the F2 MAS and REL lines for production traits when reared at ambient pressure found no significant negative impacts for feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), or deboned part yields for either sex for two F2 cohorts. There were, however, improvements in the MAS for full-trial body weight gain (BWG), FCR, absolute and relative tender weights, and relative drumstick weight. Conclusions: These results validate the mapping of the 28 chromosomal regions and demonstrate that fine mapping by WGR is an effective strategy for addressing a complex trait; it also stands as the first successful SNP-based selection program against a complex disease trait, such as ascites. The MAS line is comparable and, in some instances, superior, in growth performance to the REL control while being more resistant to ascites. This study indicates that MAS based on WGR can provide significant breeding potential in agricultural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NaCl is the main component of freshwater salinization. High NaCl concentration in drinking water can cause pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) and kidney damage in broilers. To explore the effect of NaCl in drinking water on broilers' kidneys, this study divided 80 chickens into four groups. With the control group fed with pure water, broiler chickens were fed with fresh water (FW, NaCl 1 g/L), low salt–contaminated water (L-SCW, NaCl 2.5 g/L), and high salt–contaminated water (H-SCW, NaCl 5 g/L). The results show that ascites heart index (AHI) and hematocrit (HCT) of broilers increase in L-SCW and H-SCW, the serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine of broilers increase significantly, the kidney index increases, the kidney sections show vacuolar degeneration and fibrotic degeneration, and the TUNEL results show that the kidneys possess obvious apoptosis. In addition, the detection of RAAS-related genes (AGT gene in the liver, REN in the kidney, ACE in the lung) demonstrates that after using salt-contaminated water, the transcription levels of AGT, REN, and ACE rise significantly, and the concentration of angiotensin II (Ang II) also increases significantly. In order to verify the effect of Ang II on broiler kidneys, this research used exogenous Ang II to treat chicken embryonic kidney (CEK) cells. The results show that the cell activity of CEK decreased with the increase of the concentration of exogenous Ang II. Meanwhile, the flow cytometry assay shows that Ang II could promote the apoptosis of CEK cells. These results indicate that the salt-contaminated water can aggravate PHS and cause kidney damage. The mechanism may be related to the increase of Ang II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emphasis upon livestock health requires regular assessment of livestock drinking water quality. The results of this study are based on 12 months of water quality survey over 18 sites in Upper Ganga Canal (UGC) in Roorkee City, India, covering a command area of nearly 450 km2. Conventionally, the water of the UGC provides irrigation to agricultural land, and also it is used as a source of livestock drinking water. In this study, special attention was paid to quantify the major metallic contaminants such as aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, and zinc. Subsequently, a suitability analysis was performed by comparing the observed concentrations of heavy metals with the existing water quality guidelines proposed by regulatory agencies, such as the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC, 2000), Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME, 2008), Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, South Africa (DWAF, 1996), and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO, 1985). The arithmetic weightage-based heavy metal pollution index (HPI) was also computed considering all the metals together to evaluate the pollution status of the UGC canal. Results of water quality analysis indicate that the levels of mercury and manganese were considerably higher than their permissible limit in water. Concentrations of heavy metals viz., lead, arsenic, chromium, cobalt, cadmium, and copper, along with aluminum, were found to be mostly within their recommended limits. HPI of water in UGC, Roorkee, was found to be suitable for livestock drinking, excluding three sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was isolating and characterising Clostridium perfringens from chickens in Vietnam and identifying virulence factors involved with enteritis. Five hundred thirty-one faecal and sixty-eight intestinal samples were collected from healthy and diseased chickens for the C. perfringens isolation. The presence of virulence factors was determined by multiplex PCR. The netB gene of the selected isolates was sequenced and checked for its expression by SDS-PAGE. Two hundred seventy-two C. perfringens isolates were collected. All of them were shown to be positive for the cpa gene. The netB gene was detected in 26.56% of the C. perfringens isolates from the healthy chickens, while 43.45% of the isolates from the faeces and 45% of the isolates from the intestinal samples were positive for this gene in the diseased birds. All eight isolates positive to netB from the diseased chickens showed 100% identity in the netB sequence and produced the NetB toxin in vitro, whereas only two out of eight healthy chicken-derived isolates produced this toxin. Nine out of ten chickens experimentally infected with the C. perfringens netB-positive isolate showed typical signs of enteritis. The cpa gene was the most prevalent virulence factor identified in the bacteria C. perfringens, but the netB gene could be a major player responsible for necrotic enteritis progression in chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The importance of lupin in animal nutrition has increased over the years due to its moderate protein content and relative availability. Low inclusion rate in broiler diet has been associated with the presence of antinutritional factors. The established beneficial effect of fermentation as a processing strategy and dietary enzyme use in improving the nutritional value of legumes such as lupins, thus, necessitated this study. Aims: This study determined the effect of solid-state fermented lupin (SSFLP) and enzyme-supplemented lupin (LP) on the performance and ileal amino acid digestibility in broiler chickens. Methods: In Experiment 1 (performance trial), a total of 300 day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks were distributed into six dietary treatments, with five replicates of 10 birds each. Diet 1 was based on a corn–soybean meal (SBM), Diets 2 and 3 contained 250 g/kg LP and 250 g/kg SSFLP respectively. Diet 4 contained 250 g/kg LP + phytase (PHY). Diet 5 contained 250 g/kg LP + xylanase (XYL). Diet 6 contained 250 g/kg LP + PHY + XYL. PHY at 500 phytase units (FTU)/kg and XYL at 1000 units/kg were added to the respective diets. In Experiment 2 (digestibility trial), a total of 240 21-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks was assigned to six dietary treatments with five replicate cages of eight birds each. Diet 1 was based on SBM, Diets 2 and 3 contained 650 g/kg LP and 650 g/kg SSFLP respectively. Diet 4 contained 650 g/kg LP + PHY. Diet 5 contained 650 g/kg LP + XYL. Diet 6 contained 650 g/kg LP + PHY + XYL. Key results: Dietary inclusion of SBM and LP + PHY enhanced broiler performance from 1 to 21 days. PHY- supplemented LP diet improved birds' bodyweight gain and feed intake compared with the rest of the LP diets. Dietary inclusion of LP + PHY + XYL improved the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of some amino acids (AA). SSF of LP had no effect on the AA contents, lowered AA digestibility and depressed weight gain in the birds. Although SSFLP diet did not improve performance, it effectively increased phosphorus (P) retention in broiler chickens. Feeding SSFLP and enzyme-supplemented LP diets enhanced the AID of calcium and P, as well as calcium retention. Conclusions: Adding supplemental PHY to LP diet enhanced broiler performance, as indicated by the BWG and FI of these birds, which were significantly higher than those of birds fed on other LP-based diets and comparable with those of birds fed on the SBM diet from 1 to 21 days. Although the SSFLP diet did not improve broiler performance, it was effective in increasing P retention when compared with LP diets. The inclusion of LP + PHY + XYL diet improved the AID of amino acids. Implications: SSFLP is a promising feed ingredient and can have a potential application in feed formulation. However, further studies are still needed to be able to clearly understand its effect at a high inclusion level on the performance and ileal amino acid digestibility in broiler chickens. The development of cocktail inoculants to target all ANFs in lupins will definitely open a new window for the poultry feed industry. In this study, two experiments were conducted to understand the response of broiler chickens to solid-state fermented lupins and unfermented lupins containing commercial feed enzymes. The parameters studied included the performance and nutrient digestibility as a result of the birds consuming the above-mentioned feed materials. The performance study was conducted for 21 days, while the measurement of nutrient digestibility was performed for the following consecutive 4 days. This study will open a new window for the poultry feed industry. However, more studies are still needed to be able to clearly understand the practical application of the above-mentioned feed materials in broiler diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Locomotor problems are among one of the main concerns in the current poultry industry, causing major economic losses and affecting animal welfare. The most common bone anomalies in the femur are dyschondroplasia, femoral head separation (FHS), and bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO), also known as femoral head necrosis (FHN). The present study aimed to identify differentially expressed (DE) genes in the articular cartilage (AC) of normal and FHS-affected broilers by RNA-Seq analysis. In the transcriptome analysis, 12,169 genes were expressed in the femur AC. Of those, 107 genes were DE (FDR < 0.05) between normal and affected chickens, of which 9 were downregulated and 98 were upregulated in the affected broilers. In the gene-set enrichment analysis using the DE genes, 79 biological processes (BP) were identified and were grouped into 12 superclusters. The main BP found were involved in the response to biotic stimulus, gas transport, cellular activation, carbohydrate-derived catabolism, multi-organism regulation, immune system, muscle contraction, multi-organism process, cytolysis, leukocytes and cell adhesion. In this study, the first transcriptome analysis of the broilers femur articular cartilage was performed, and a set of candidate genes (AvBD1, AvBD2, ANK1, EPX, ADA, RHAG) that could trigger changes in the broiler´s femoral growth plate was identified. Moreover, these results could be helpful to better understand FHN in chickens and possibly in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the effects of probiotics and synbiotics on the performance, immune responses, and intestinal morphology, and the expression of immunity-related genes of broiler chicks challenged with Salmonellatyphimurium. Three hundred and sixty broiler chicks were divided into six groups, including broiler chicks challenged and non-challenged with S.typhimurium and fed with probiotic, synbiotic, and basal diet without additive. Growth performance (food intake, daily gain, feed conversion ratio, and mortality), immune responses (antibody titer against sheep red blood cells, immunoglobulins G and M), intestinal morphology, lactic acid bacteria population, and the expression of immunity-related genes (interferon-γ, interleukins 6 and 12, and tumor necrosis factor-α) were investigated. The administration of S.typhimurium decreased growth performance (P = 0.0001), immune responses (P = 0.0001), intestinal morphology (P = 0.0001), lactic acid bacteria population (P = 0.0001), and the expression of immunity-related genes (P = 0.0001) of broiler chickens. However, broiler chicks fed with probiotic (P = 0.001) and synbiotic (P = 0.0001) showed better growth performance, immune responses, intestinal morphology, lactic acid bacteria population, and the expression of immunity-related genes in comparison with infected broiler chicks fed with basal diet lack of probiotic and synbiotic. Feeding probiotics (P = 0.001) and synbiotics (P = 0.0001) showed positive effects for challenged and non-challenged broiler chicks. In sum, feeding synbiotic and probiotic alleviated the negative effects of S.typhimurium on growth and immunity of broiler chicks. It can be suggested to apply synbiotic and probiotics as benefit additive against infectious challenges, such as S.typhimurium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of probiotics in poultry production has increased rapidly, and this movement has been promoted by global events, such as the prohibition or decline in the use of antibiotic growth promotants in poultry feeds. There has been a persistent search for alternative feed additives, and probiotics have shown that they can restore the composition of the gut microbiota, and produce health benefits to the host, including improvements in performance. Probiotics have shown potential to increase productivity in poultry, especially in flocks challenged by stressors. However, the outcomes of probiotic use have not always been consistent. There is an increasing demand for well defined products that can be applied strategically, and currently, probiotic research is focusing on delineating their mechanisms of action in the gut that contribute to an improved efficacy. In particular, mechanisms involved in the maintenance and protection of intestinal barrier integrity and the role of the gut microbiota are being extensively investigated. It has been shown that probiotics modulate intestinal immune pathways both directly and through interactions with the gut microbiota. These interactions are key to maintaining gut homeostasis and function, and improving feed efficiency. Research has demonstrated that probiotics execute their effects through multiple mechanisms. The present review describes recent advances in probiotic use in poultry. It focuses on the current understanding of gut homeostasis and gut health in chickens, and how it can be assessed and improved through supplementation of poultry diets with probiotics in poultry diets. In particular, cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the maintenance and protection of gut barrier structure and function are described. It also highlights important factors that influence probiotic efficacy and bird performance. Following the banning or decline in the use of antibiotic growth promotors (AGPs), the use of probiotics in poultry production has increased rapidly. The present review describes recent advances in probiotic use in poultry, and focuses on the current understanding of gut health, how to assess it in chickens, and how to improve it via probiotic supplementation in poultry feeds. In particular, it explains the mechanisms how probiotics produce health benefits to the host, including improvements in bird performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of inoculating Lactobacillus (L.) plantarum PS-8 in fermentation of alfalfa silages. We monitored the fermentation characteristics and bacterial population dynamics during the ensiling process. PacBio single molecule real time sequencing was combined with propidium monoazide (PMA) treatment to monitor the viable microbiota dynamics. We found that inoculating L. plantarum PS-8 may improve the silage quality by accelerating acidification, reducing the amounts of clostridia, coliform bacteria, molds and yeasts, elevating the protein and organic acid contents (except butyrate), and enhancing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) while suppressing harmful microorganisms. Some significant differential abundant taxa were found between the PMA-treated and non-treated microbiota. For example, the relative abundances of L. brevis, L. plantarum, and Pediococcus pentosaceus were significantly higher in the PMA-treated group than the non-PMA-treated group, suggesting obvious differences between the viable and non-viable microbiota. It would thus be necessary to distinguish between the viable and non-viable microbial communities to further understand their physiological contribution in silage fermentation. By tracking the dynamics of viable microbiota in relation with changes in the physico-chemical parameters, our study provided novel insights into the beneficial effects of inoculating L. plantarum PS-8 in silage fermentation and the physiological function of the viable bacterial communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Dual-purpose wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and canola (Brassica napus L.) crops have been extensively researched for grazing in Australian farming systems, with a focus on grazing by sheep. In some regions, dual-purpose crops have been grazed by cattle, but there have been reports of animal health problems. Aims: This paper sought to collate all known experiments conducted throughout Australia of cattle grazing dual-purpose crops, in order to evaluate grazing management options for cattle on dual-purpose crops that result in high growth rates and good animal health outcomes. Methods: There were six experiments. In Expts 1–3, cattle were grazed on wheat crops with and without available mineral supplementation of NaCl and MgO in a 1:1 ratio. In Expt 3, lime was also added to the mineral mix. In Expts 4 and 5, dual-purpose crops were grazed in combination with annual pastures to determine whether strategic use of dual-purpose crops could increase whole farm livestock productivity. In Expt 6, cattle were introduced to dual-purpose canola with different periods of adaptation (0, 4 and 7 days). Liveweight gain was monitored regularly to assess differences between adaptation treatments. Key results: Liveweight gain was increased by 0–27% when cattle grazing high quality, dual-purpose wheat were provided with mineral supplement. Cattle had an initial lag in growth rate when introduced to dual-purpose canola for grazing and this was not affected by the adaptation strategy used. Cattle that experienced a shorter adaptation period achieved higher weight gains more quickly. After the lag phase, average daily gain (ADG) was ≥2 kg/head.day, with an ADG over the entire grazing period for all treatments of 1.75 kg/head.day. The effect on the farm system was determined by extending the length of the grazing period on the dual-purpose crops. Grazing periods of shorter duration did not increase overall liveweight gains compared with grazing only pasture, whereas extending the period of dual-purpose crop grazing resulted in increased cattle weights. Conclusions: Cattle benefit from the addition of mineral supplements when grazing a dual-purpose wheat crop, with a response similar to that previously demonstrated in sheep. Cattle can safely graze dual-purpose canola and achieve high ADG. Inclusion of dual-purpose crops can improve overall cattle performance in the farming system. Implications: The potential area for production of dual-purpose crops within the Australian mixed farming zone is large and there may be insufficient livestock numbers within the zone to utilise the potential forage production. Cattle from other regions could be introduced during autumn and winter to realise this large forage potential during a period that is commonly a feed deficit on grazing-only properties. Estimates suggest that up to two million young cattle could be supported for 60 days, increasing liveweight by 90 kg/head. Beef cattle grazing dual-purpose crops on mixed farms can achieve high liveweight gains during periods of pasture deficit. Use of dual-purpose crops for beef production offers significant opportunity for the southern Australian beef industry. Growth rates of young cattle can be improved by appropriate mineral supplementation and livestock management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dairy cows suffer insulin resistance following parturition and lactogenesis. Several researchers attempted to reduce insulin resistance via dietary and parenteral supplementations of different substances to promote metabolic performance of dairy cows. Due to mechanisms of actions of butaphosphan in combination with cyanocobalamin, we hypothesized that this compound may reduce insulin resistance of dairy cows following parturition; hence, the effects of the intravenous administration of butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin to prepartum dairy cows on their insulin resistance after calving were evaluated. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein dairy cows were enrolled 3 weeks prior to parturition and divided into four equal groups, including control (Ctrl) and butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin (B+C) 1, 2, and 3. Ctrl cows received 15 mL of 0.9% NaCl solution and B+C 1, 2, and 3 groups intravenously received 2, 4, and 6 mL/100 kg BW of 10% butaphosphan and 0.005% cyanocobalamin combination over three periods of 3 consecutive days, including 21-19, 12-10, and 3-1 days before calving, respectively. Intravenous glucose tolerance test was performed weekly 1, 2, and 3 weeks after parturition to evaluate the insulin resistance phenomenon. Circulating levels of glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) were assessed 1, 2, and 3 weeks after calving. Ctrl cows were the most insulin-resistant group, and B+C1 group was the most insulin-sensitive, followed by B+C2 and B+C3 groups. The NEFA and BHBA levels in the B+C3 group were significantly lower than those in the other groups. In conclusion, intravenous administration of butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin to the late-pregnant dairy cows may reduce their insulin resistance after calving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the trial was to evaluate three vaccination schemes against Clostridium perfringens (CP) alpha-toxoid through drinking water to determine if they can protect against clinical signs of necrotic enteritis and coccidiosis in broiler chickens. Three hundred 1-day-old Cobb 500 male chicks were used in 4 treatments with 10 repetitions. Each group received 1 of the following treatments over the course of 29 days: T1, no vaccination; T2, vaccination on Day 1; T3, vaccination on Day 7; and T4, vaccination on Days 7 and 17. The birds were vaccinated with inactivated CP toxoid type A, administered via drinking water. During the first 14 days, a high-protein diet (27%) consisting of corn, soy, and fish meal was fed. On Day 14 Eimeria acervulina (EA), Eimeria maxima (EMx), Eimeria tenella (ET), Eimeria necatrix , and Eimeria brunetti were used in a coccidial challenge. The field isolate CP type A was then inoculated on Days 18, 19, and 20. Ten birds were slaughtered by treatment to obtain serology samples for antibody titers and intestine samples for CP and Eimeria lesion score and gut integrity indicators. Productive performance was assessed using complete randomized design and compared statistically using the Tukey test, whereas intestinal integrity variables and antibodies against CP alpha toxin were assessed using a Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric method. The results revealed that the treatments had an effect on productive performance ( P < 0.05); T3 had better body weight and weight gain than T1. In terms of lesion score at Day 21, T4 had a lower lesion score by EA, EMx, and ET than T1. Cell desquamation in T2 was lower than in T4, and excess mucus (EM) in T1 was the worst in gut integrity indicators at Day 21. On the other hand, T2 had more EM than T3 and T4 at Day 25. In the measurement of antibodies, no statistical differences ( P > 0.05) were found. These findings indicate that vaccination on Day 7 (T3) outperformed double vaccination on Days 7 and 17 (T4) and single on Day 1 (T2), in terms of productive performance, gut integrity, and lesion scores; and on the last day of the experiment T3 had the best performance in immunology response.

Epithelial damage and loss of barrier integrity occur following intestinal infections in humans and animals. Gut health was evaluated by electron microscopy in an avian model that exposed birds to subclinical necrotic enteritis (NE) and fed them a diet supplemented with the probiotic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain H57 (H57). Scanning electron microscopy of ileal mucosa revealed significant villus damage, including focal erosions of epithelial cells and villous atrophy, while transmission electron microscopy demonstrated severe enterocyte damage and loss of cellular integrity in NE-exposed birds. In particular, mitochondria were morphologically altered, appearing irregular in shape or swollen, and containing electron-lucent regions of matrix and damaged cristae. Apical junctional complexes between adjacent enterocytes were significantly shorter, and the adherens junction was saccular, suggesting loss of epithelial integrity in NE birds. Segmented filamentous bacteria attached to villi, which play an important role in intestinal immunity, were more numerous in birds exposed to NE. The results suggest that mitochondrial damage may be an important initiator of NE pathogenesis, while H57 maintains epithelium and improves the integrity of intestinal mucosa. Potential actions of H57 are discussed that further define the mechanisms responsible for probiotic bacteria's role in maintaining gut health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased blood lactic acid is likely to be involved in the incidence of sudden death syndrome (SDS) in broiler chicken. Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) with direct or indirect influence on the cardiovascular system may provide, to some degree, protection against lactic acidemia in birds. A total number of 144 male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in a complete randomised block design to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of GAA at 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 and 3 g/kg on the physiological response of broiler chicks to an acute lactic acidosis in an 8-days experiment. Birds receiving 1.8 and 3 g/kg GAA exhibited lesser mortality percentage compared with the control birds and those received dietary GAA at 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg (p <.03). Dietary inclusion of 1.2 g/kg GAA to broiler chicks increased serum concentration of uric acid compared to the control birds and those received 2.4 g/kg (p <.02). The mean serum concentration of creatinine was greater in the birds receiving different GAA levels compared with the control birds (p <.0001). The serum concentration of nitric oxide decreased in the birds receiving 1.2 g/kg GAA by 21.05 and 15.57% compared with the control birds and those received 1.8 g/kg of GAA, respectively (p <.04). A lesser frequency for liver colour score 5 was observed in the birds fed on the diet with 0.6 g/k GAA (p <.0001). It was concluded that dietary administration of GAA deteriorates the adaptive physiological responses to an acute lactic acidosis in broiler chicken possibly through liver and kidney dysfunction. Dietary guanidinoacetic acid decreased mortality but showed an adverse effect on growth performance in chickens exposed to acute lactic acidosis. The adverse effects of guanidinoacetic acid may happen through liver and kidney dysfunction. No firm evidence was found to suggest a significant effect of extra nutritional guanidinoacetic acid on the incidence of sudden death syndrome in chicken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valeriana carnosa and V. clarionifolia stand out as principal elements in the indigenous pharmacopeias of Patagonia; however, their phytochemical characterization is unknown. This study constitutes the starting point of a general project that aims to characterize secondary metabolites in these species. The variability of phenolic compounds in root ethanolic extracts was analyzed and compared for thirteen populations of V. carnosa and two of V. clarionifolia from the south of Argentinean Patagonia. Phenolic content was quantified by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and the putative phenolic compound profiles were investigated using HPLC-UV-MS. Antioxidant activity was evaluated through 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays. Total phenolic content values ranged from 5.6 to 16.6 mg GAE/g in V. carnosa and 7.3 to 9.7 mg GAE/g in V. clarionifolia. Antioxidant evaluation results evidenced that the percentage of neutralized DPPH varied between 26% and 85% in V. carnosa and 39% and 58% in V. clarionifolia. A positive correlation between total phenolic content and antioxidant activity (r = 0.90) was observed. In V. carnosa total phenolic content was not correlated with altitude or latitude (p > 0.05), and chemical variability seems to be associated with genetic variability and/or different growing habitats (microclimatic conditions). However, the presence of some specific phenolic compounds was associated with latitude. In V. carnosa and V. clarionifolia 15 and 10 phenolic compounds were tentatively identified, respectively, and several of these are reported to have beneficial attributes from a phytomedical viewpoint. This study contributes to the phytochemical characterization project of these two medicinal valerians from Patagonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary total sulphur amino acids (TSAA) levels and guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) supplementation on performance, carcase yield and energetic molecular metabolites in heart and breast muscle of broiler chickens fed wheat-soy diet. A total of 450, male one-day-old Ross-308 broiler chicks were assigned in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of nine treatments, five replicates and 10 birds each. Dietary treatments included three graded levels of supplementary TSAA (+0.4 g/kg per level) resulting in a deficient, adequate and plus level of recommended by strain, with three levels of GAA (0, 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg) and were fed for 35 days. Dietary TSAA levels only enhanced performance during the starter period (p <.05). At adequate TSAA level, weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the grower phase were positively affected by supplementing GAA at 1.2 g/kg (p <.05). The FCR during the overall experimental period was significantly lower when feeding GAA at 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg compared to non-supplemented (p <.05). Heart and breast muscle ATP/AMP ratio and breast muscle ADP and PCr concentration and PCr/CrN ratio in the birds fed 1.2 g/kg GAA diet were significantly higher than non-supplemented (p <.05). It is concluded, effects of dietary GAA supplementation were influenced by dietary TSAA level, this indicates to need for proper dietary sulphur amino acid formulation by GAA supplementation. Dietary GAA supplementation could improve broiler chicken's growth performance via regulating some aspects of energy metabolism. Guanidinoacetic acid plays a critical role in energy homeostasis. The effect of dietary Guanidinoacetic acid supplementation may influenced by the dietary sulphur amino acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solubility and solution thermodynamic properties of a "bioactive nutraceutical" sinapic acid (SA) in different "2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethanol (Carbitol®) + water" mixtures were investigated. The "mole fraction solubilities (xe)" of SA in various "Carbitol + water" systems were determined at "T = 298.15–318.15 K" and "p = 0.1 MPa." The measured xe values of SA were found well regressed by "Apelblat, van't Hoff, Yalkowsky, Jouyban–Acree and Jouyban–Acree–van't Hoff" models with mean percent deviations of < 4.0%. The maximum xe value of SA was recorded in pure Carbitol (4.15 × 10−2 at T = 318.15 K), and the minimum one was estimated in neat water (6.28 × 10−5 at T = 298.15 K). The regressed results were found to be in accordance with experimental results of SA. Using activity coefficients, mixing thermodynamic parameters of SA were determined. The results showed spontaneous dissolution of SA in most of the cosolvent mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in intestinal extracellular matrix homeostasis. An overexpression of MMPs results in tissue destruction and local inflammation and has been associated with multiple inflammatory diseases. These host proteases might also be important in tissue damage caused by infectious agents, such as in intestinal damage in Clostridium perfringens-induced avian necrotic enteritis (NE). The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effect of a C. perfringens infection on the MMP activity in the small intestine of birds with a pre-disposing coccidial infection to obtain a more thorough understanding of the pathogenesis of NE. For this purpose, the gelatinolytic activity present in jejunal tissue of Eimeria infected birds which were challenged with either a pathogenic C. perfringens type G strain or a commensal C. perfringens type A strain was analyzed using substrate zymography. The results show that infection of broilers with Eimeria and different C. perfringens strains, independent of their pathogenicity, decreases the expression of a 40–45 kDa host collagenase in the jejunum, as compared to the expression in Eimeria-infected control birds. It was also shown that the expression of 2 MMPs with molecular weights of approximately 50–60 and 60–70 kDa was significantly lower in necrotic tissue as compared to the activity in macroscopically healthy tissue adjacent to the lesion. These results indicate that host collagenases are not elicited by the C. perfringens infection for permeabilizing the host mucosa to allow penetration of the NetB toxin in Eimeria infected broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intensive selection for growth rate (GR) in broiler chickens carries negative after-effects, such as aberrations in skeletal development and the immune system, heart failure, and deterioration of meat quality. In Poland, fast-growing chicken populations are highly non-uniform in term of growth rate, which is highly unprofitable for poultry producers. Therefore, the identification of genetic markers for boiler GR that could support the selection process is needed. The hypothalamus is strongly associated with growth regulation by inducing important pituitary hormones. Therefore, the present study used this tissue to pinpoint genes involved in chicken growth control. Results: The experiment included male broilers of Ross 308 strain in two developmental stages, after 3rd and 6th week of age, which were maintained in the same housing and feeding conditions. The obtained results show for the overexpression of genes related to orexigenic molecules, such as neuropeptide Y (NPY), aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family, member A1 (ALDH1A1), galanin (GAL), and pro-melanin concentrating hormone (PMCH) in low GR cockerels. Conclusion: The results reveal strong associations between satiety centre and the growth process. The present study delivers new insights into hypothalamic regulation in broiler chickens and narrows the area for the searching of genetic markers for GR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the transition period, dairy cows suffer from negative energy balance due to the upcoming insulin resistance as a major metabolic disturbance. We hypothesized that providing glucose precursors for transition dairy cows may reduce the insulin resistance. In this study, 24 multiparous Holstein dairy cows were enrolled 8 weeks prior to parturition and divided into 4 equal groups, including control (Ctrl), monensin (Mo), propylene glycol (PPG), and monensin plus propylene glycol (Mo + PPG). Cows from the Mo and PPG groups received 1 mg/kg body weight (BW) of monensin, daily. Cows from the PGG group received 150 g of propylene glycol, daily. Cows from the Mo + PPG group received 1 mg/kg BW of monensin and 150 g/head of propylene glycol daily and Ctrl cows received basal diet without any supplementations. Intravenous glucose tolerance test (ivGTT) was conducted weekly from 3 weeks before to 3 weeks after parturition to evaluate the insulin resistance phenomenon. Immediately after glucose administration, glucose and insulin increased significantly, and their alterations were significant during the study. Glucose and insulin were significantly higher in the Ctrl group than in the other groups, and their levels in different pre- and post-partum periods were significantly lower in the Mo + PPG group than in the other studied groups. The results of this study represented that the supplementary feeding with propionate precursors, such as monensin and propylene glycol, reduced the insulin resistance in dairy cows during the transition period. This effect is more explicit by propylene glycol than by monensin, and the combination of both reduces insulin resistance at higher rates. The use of these dietary supplements is likely to produce more propionates as the main precursor of glucose; therefore, it reduces the negative energy balance and subsequently decreases the insulin resistance. In this regard, to reduce insulin resistance, it is recommended that dairy cows during the transition period be fed with monensin and propylene glycol supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is essential for monogastric animals. It is mainly produced by recombinant microorganisms (Candida famata, Bacillus subtilis and Ashbya gossypii). The availability of genetically modified organism (GMO)-free riboflavin, obligatory in European organic agriculture, is a major issue. Besides, requirements for organic livestock might differ from conventional production because other genotypes and feed formulations are used. The effects of a fermentation suspension with a high native content of riboflavin produced with unmodified A. gossypii by fermentation were investigated at graded dosages as an alternative to conventional (GMO-based) riboflavin in slow-growing broilers on performance traits and health and welfare indicators. In 2 runs with 800 animals each, Ranger Gold™ broilers were fed with 4 dietary treatments. For starter diets (day 1 to 18), treatments included a basal diet (1) without any riboflavin supplementation (negative control, N-C), (2) with conventional riboflavin supplementation (Cuxavit B2 80% riboflavin) at 9.6 mg/kg (positive control, P-C), (3) with riboflavin supplementation from the alternative source at 3.5 mg/kg (A-low) and (4) with riboflavin supplementation from the alternative source at 9.6 mg/kg (A-high). For the finisher diet (day 29 until slaughtering), P-C and A-high were supplemented with 8.0 mg/kg and A-low with 3.5 mg/kg. Diets were formulated according to organic regulations. Animals were kept in floor pens with 20 chickens per pen. Weekly, BW, feed and water consumption were recorded. Every second week, animal-based health and welfare indicators (feather score and footpad dermatitis) were scored. Slaughter traits were assessed for five males and females per pen at 62/63 days of age. Final body weight of A-high differed from N-C and A-low, but not from P-C. From week 2 until six years of age, A-high had a higher daily weight gain when compared to all other groups. With 74.4%, dressing percentage was higher in A-high compared with all other groups (73.3%). Breast percentage of A-low was lower than that of both control groups but did not differ from A-high. The highest frequency of liver scores indicating fatty liver syndrome was found in P-C, followed by N-C and A-low. Feather scores did not respond to treatment; the highest frequency of mild footpad dermatitis was observed in A-high, however at a low prevalence. In conclusion, the tested fermentation suspension with a high native content of riboflavin derived from fermentation of A. gossypii can be used at levels of commercial recommendations as alternative to riboflavin produced from GMO in broiler feeding. Further studies must verify whether riboflavin can be reduced without inducing riboflavin deficiency in slow-growing broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]