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In spite of their indispensable role in host nutrition, the anaerobic gut fungal (AGF) component of the herbivorous gut microbiome remains poorly characterized. To examine global patterns and determinants of AGF diversity, we generated and analyzed an amplicon dataset from 661 fecal samples from 34 animal species, 9 families, and 6 continents. We identified 56 novel genera, greatly expanding AGF diversity beyond current estimates. Both stochastic (homogenizing dispersal and drift) and deterministic (homogenizing selection) processes played an integral role in shaping AGF communities, with a higher level of stochasticity observed in foregut fermenters. Community structure analysis revealed a distinct pattern of phylosymbiosis, where host-associated (animal species, family, and gut type), rather than ecological (domestication status and biogeography) factors predominantly shaped the community. Hindgut fermenters exhibited stronger and more specific fungal-host associations, compared to broader mostly non-host specific associations in foregut fermenters. Transcriptomics-enabled phylogenomic and molecular clock analyses of 52 strains from 14 genera indicated that most genera with preferences for hindgut hosts evolved earlier (44-58 Mya), while those with preferences for foregut hosts evolved more recently (22-32 Mya). This pattern is in agreement with the sole dependence of herbivores on hindgut fermentation past the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction event through the Paleocene and Eocene, and the later rapid evolution of animals employing foregut fermentation strategy during the early Miocene. Only a few AGF genera deviated from this pattern of co-evolutionary phylosymbiosis, by exhibiting preferences suggestive of post-evolutionary environmental filtering. Our results greatly expand the documented scope of AGF diversity and provide an ecologically and evolutionary-grounded model to explain the observed patterns of AGF diversity in extant animal hosts.

BACKGROUND: Insect-derived proteins are a promising, valuable and permitted ingredient for poultry feed. However, more emphasis should be given to their effects on avian species different from chicken, such as quail (Coturnix coturnix), whose rearing represents an important activity. The present paper provides novel information about the impact of graded dietary levels of Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae meal on quail growth and meat quality. RESULTS: Four diets were formulated with graded inclusion levels of TM, namely 1.65, 3.3 and 6.6 g on 100 g feed (T1.65, T3.3, T6.6, respectively) to partially replace the conventional proteins of a control diet (C). A total of 192 birds were allotted to one of the groups and fed for 35 days. The inclusion of TM meal linearly increased feed conversion ratio, and decreased carcass and breast weight. Texture and water holding capacity of meat were linearly reduced with increasing TM in diet, while fatty acid composition was not affected. However, the meat from quails fed diets including TM was subject to greater thermal damage than the C group; hence further studies are encouraged. CONCLUSION: TM meal inclusion at higher levels than 1.65% slightly impaired the growth performance of Japanese quails. Negligible effects on physical properties such as colour, texture, cooking loss and also on the fatty acid profile of the raw and cooked meat was found after including TM in quails’ diet up to 3.3%. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

One hundred twenty, 12 weeks old laying Japanese quails (JQ) were equally divided into 4 groups (6 replicates of 5 birds/group). The control group (CON) fed a corn-soybean diet; TML1.4, TML2.8, and TML5.6 groups fed a diet where a Tenebrio molitor larvae meal (TML) was included at 1.4, 2.8, and 5.6%, respectively. The trial lasted 54 days. The villi height (VH) and the crypt depth (CD) linearly decreased from the control to the TML5.6 group (P < 0.01) in the duodenum, while an opposite trend was observed for the Ab+ mucous cells count (P < 0.01). The highest VH/CD ratio was found in the TML1.4 group (P < 0.01). In the jejunum a lower VH was observed in the TML1.4 compared to the CON group; the Ab+ mucous cells increased (P < 0.01) according to the increase of the TM inclusion in the diet, while the highest VH/CD ratio (P < 0.01) was recorded in the TML2.8 group. In the duodenum only the L-ANP has been affected by TML (P < 0.001), with a quadratic and linear effect. The L-ANP is affected by the dietary treatment in the jejunum (P < 0.05), where showed a quadratic effect with the highest value in TML2.8. The % of butyric acid is maximized (P < 0.05) with the TML1.4 diet and that of the isobutyrate and valeric acids increased (P < 0.01) from TML1.4 to TML5.6. The use of TML at 1.4% in laying quail diets can be considered as a way to improve the intestinal health of the birds.

Anaerobic fungi are potent fibre degrading microbes in the equine hindgut, yet our understanding of their diversity and community structure is limited to date. In this preliminary work, using a clone library approach we studied the diversity of anaerobic fungi along six segments of the horse hindgut: caecum, right ventral colon (RVC), left ventral colon (LVC), left dorsal colon (LDC), right dorsal colon (RDC) and rectum. Of the 647 ITS1 clones, 61.7 % were assigned to genus level groups that are so far without any cultured representatives, and 38.0 % were assigned to the cultivated genera Neocallimastix (35.1 %), Orpinomyces (2.3 %), and Anaeromyces (0.6 %). AL1 dominated the group of uncultured anaerobic fungi, particularly in the RVC (88 %) and LDC (97 %). Sequences from the LSU clone library analysis of the LDC, however, split into two distinct phylogenetic clusters with low sequence identity to Caecomyces sp. (94–96 %) and Liebetanzomyces sp. (92 %) respectively. Sequences belonging to cultured Neocallimastix spp. dominated in LVC (81 %) and rectum (75.5 %). Quantification of anaerobic fungi showed significantly higher concentrations in RVC and RDC compared to other segments, which influenced the interpretation of the changes in anaerobic fungal diversity along the horse hindgut. These preliminary findings require further investigation.

The diversity of the methanogenic archaea associated with the six segments of the horse and donkey hindgut (caecum, right ventral colon, left ventral colon, left dorsal colon, right dorsal colon, and rectum) was analyzed using 16S rDNA gene clone library. A total of 641 positive clones, 321 from the horse and 320 from the donkey hindgut, were examined by the RFLP, revealing 9 different ribotypes, 8 in the horse and 5 in the donkey hindgut. In both the animals Methanobacteriales (Methanobrevibacter-like sequences) and Methanomicrobiales (Methanocorpusculum-like sequences) were detected as the dominant orders followed by the uncultured Methanomassiliicoccales. The composition of the equine archaeal community was found to be dependent on the gut region. In both the two animals no Methanobrevibacter-like clones were detected in the caeca, which were instead inhabited by the Methanocorpusculum-like archeons. The Methanosarcinales were found only in distal regions of the horse hindgut.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of the partial substitution of maize grain with local ancient wheats by-products in an organic laying hens farm on animal performance and blood profile, as well as on eggs quality. A total of 80 Hy-Line W-36 Single Comb White Leghorn, 18 weeks old hens were homogenously divided into two groups. The two groups (40 laying hens each, 8 replicates, 5 hens/replicate) were fed two isoprotein and isoenergetic diets: the Control group (C) was fed a standard, organic maize-soybean meal diet whereas in the Ancient Grains group (AG) part of the maize grain was replaced by a mix of ancient grains middling, consisting in 50:50 of Triticum aestivum var. spelta (spelt) and Triticum durum dicoccum L. (emmer wheat). The birds fed the maize based-diet (C) showed a higher (P < 0.01) egg weight and feed intake than the Ancient Grains (AG) group. By contrary, the feed conversion ratio was more favourable (P < 0.05) in hens fed the Ancient Grains diet. The eggs produced by the hens fed the Control diet showed higher length and width than the other group (P < 0.01). The shell thickness and strength were also higher in the Control group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). The experimental dietary treatment positively affected some blood parameters. The Control group showed higher levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (P < 0.05) as well as of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) (P < 0.01). In addition, butyrate, which may have great implications for the regulation of the immune response, resulted significantly higher in the caecal content of hens from the Ancient Grains group. Overall, the Ancient Grains diet seemed to be able to guarantee the production performances with positive effects on the animal health.

Given probable the increment in the nutritional needs of both humans and animals, animal production will have increased dramatically by 2050. Insect meals could be an alternative protein source for livestock, and they would also be able to reduce the environmental problems related to intensive animal production system. The aim of this study was to evaluate productive performance, blood analysis, nutrient digestibility, and changes in the internal organs of laying hens fed Hermetia illucens larvae meal (HI) at two different levels in substitution (25 or 50%) of soybean meal (SBM). A total of 162 Hy-line Brown hens (sixteen weeks old) were equally divided into three experimental groups and fed isoprotein and isoenergetic diets. Egg weight, feed intake, and feed conversion rate were not affected by the soybean meal substitution at both inclusion levels of insect meal. Egg mass was positively affected by the insect meal diets, as was the lay percentage, although only at the lowest inclusion level. Dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein digestibility coefficients were lower for the HI50 diet, probably due to the negative effect of chitin. A reduction in serum cholesterol and triglycerides was observed in both insect-meal fed groups, while serum globulin level increased only at the highest level of insect meal inclusion, and, consequently, the albumin to globulin ratio decreased. Overall, a protein replacement of 25% with an insect meal from Hermetia illucens larvae in the diet of laying hens seems to be more suitable and closer to the optimal level.

A total of 120, twelve wk old female Japanese quails were divided into 4 groups (6 replicates of 5 birds each). The control group (CON) fed a corn-soybean diet; in the other 3 groups, Tenebrio molitor larvae meal (TML) replaced 5, 10, and 20% of the soybean protein (T5, T10, and T20). The laying performance and egg quality were studied for 54 d. The data were processed by a one-way ANOVA; the orthogonal contrast analysis was performed to test the linear, quadratic and cubic effects among the means. The laying rate and egg mass linearly decreased (P < 0.01) as the TML inclusion level in the diet increased. The egg weight and feed conversion ratio linearly increased from the control to T20 diet (P < 0.01) while the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein linearly decreased (P < 0.05). The albumen and yolk weight showed a linear increase (P < 0.01) due to dietary TML inclusion, while the eggshell weight showed the opposite (P < 0.05). The estimated activity of Δ9-desaturase (C16:0), Δ5+Δ6-desaturase on both polyunsaturated fatty acid n-6 and n-3 linearly increased (P < 0.05) as affected by dietary TML. The boiled yolk lightness (L*) showed higher values in T5 and T10 groups (quadratic contrast, P < 0.01). The yolk redness index (a*) showed lower values in T5 and T20 than control and T10 groups (cubic contrast, P < 0.01). The albumen L*, a*, and b* indexes showed a significant effect of the quadratic contrast (P < 0.05). In addition, the albumen b* index showed a significant effect of the cubic contrast (P < 0.01). The total lipids showed the highest values (cubic contrast, P < 0.05) in the T10 and T20 groups. The total monounsaturated fatty acids linearly increased (P < 0.05) according to the increase of dietary TML. The best inclusion level of defatted TML meal for laying quails seems to be 1.4% of diet, corresponding to the T5 diet.

Simple Summary Concurrently with the actual challenges in the poultry industry, we aimed to assess the changes induced by the inclusion of an alternative protein source (partially defatted Hermetia illucens larva meal, HI) at two different levels as well as hen age on the overall egg quality and deepened their effect of albumen technological properties. This study could provide useful information for the egg supply chain in order to optimize egg utilization, as a whole or as egg products, thus preventing food losses or undesirable wastes. Specifically, based on the obtained results, the eggs laid by hens fed the highest inclusion of HI would be directed towards egg product industry due to their reduced eggshell percentage and thickness which could increase their fragility. Contrariwise, due to the impaired albumen technological properties, as foaming, found in the egg laid by 27–35 wk-old hens, they could be preferentially sold as a whole. Abstract The impact on the egg quality and the albumen technological properties were here evaluated as affected by diet and hen age (A) of 162 Hy-line Brown hens. Three isoproteic and isoenergetic diets were formulated respecting the requirements for Hy-line hens: the control diet (C) based on conventional protein sources, and other two where vegetable proteins were substituted at 25% (HI25) and 50% (HI50) by partially defatted Hermetia illucens larva meal (HI). Ten eggs collected from each group at the hen ages of 20, 27, and 35 weeks were evaluated. The eggshell percentage and thickness were significantly reduced in the HI50 eggs (11.93% and 476 µm, respectively) compared to the C (12.34%, 542 µm) and HI25 (12.54%, 516 µm). The aging lowered (p = 0.05) the protein and increased (p < 0.001) water contents of the eggs. Although the foam capacity of the HI50 albumen was halved than the C group (p < 0.05), it was unaffected by the aging. Additionally, this did not impair the volume and the textural properties of a batter (angel cake) in which it was included. On the opposite, the textural characteristics of the cake made by the oldest hens (i.e., 35 wk-old) were compromised. In conclusion, the diet and hen age differently affected egg quality and its technological properties, which could be positive to obtain eggs to destine directly to the market or to the egg industry.

The effect of pasture on the stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) and miRNA 103 expression was evaluated on dairy goats divided into two homogeneous groups (G, grazing, and S, stable). Group S was housed in a stall and received alfalfa hay as forage, while group G was led to pasture. The goats of both the groups received the same amount of concentrate. Milk yield did not differ statistically between the groups. Group G showed significantly higher fat (4.10% vs. 2.94%, p &lt, 0.01) and protein percentage (3.43% vs. 3.25%, p &lt, 0.05) than group S. Among milk fatty acids, group S showed significantly higher levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and lower values of mono-unsaturated fatty acid (MUFA). The percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) were not different between groups even if pasture significantly affected the percentages of C18:3 and total omega 3. In group G, total CLAs were twice than in group S (0.646% vs. 0.311%, 0.01) mainly due to the differences in CLA cis9 trans 11 (0.623% vs. 0.304%, 0.01). Milk total CLA in grazing group was significantly (p &lt, 0.01) higher in August according to the highest value of both linoleic and &alpha, linolenic acids in the pasture. In grazing animals, SCD expression decreased from April to June, increased in July and decreased again in August, while it was almost unvaried along the trial in group S. By contrast, the expression of miRNA 103 showed a similar trend for both groups, decreasing from April to June, increasing in July and falling down in August. To our knowledge, this is the first observation of the effects of pasture on miRNA expression in milk from ruminant species.

To evaluate the effects of feeding a Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae meal on the different intestinal traits of hens, and to determine the toxic elements&rsquo, concentration in the insect meal and diets, 162 hens were randomly allotted to three groups. The control received a corn-soybean meal-based diet (SBM), the HI25 and HI50 groups received two diets in which the 25% and 50% of the dietary protein were replaced by the HI protein, respectively. The duodenal and jejunal villi height and villi/crypt were higher (p &lt, 0.01) in the SBM than in the HI groups. The ileal villi height was higher (p &lt, 0.05) in the SBM and HI25 groups than the HI50. The HI50 group exhibited a lower duodenal maltase activity. The intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) activity linearly decreased in the duodenum and jejunum as the dietary insect meal inclusion increased. The HI50 group had a higher acetate and butyrate level than the SBM. The levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) in the diets and insect meal were lower than the maximum values established by the EU Commission. The 25% soybean protein replacement with Hermetia illucens larvae meal in the diet of laying hens was more suitable and closer to the optimal level than 50%.

This work investigated the changes of the rumen microbiome of goats switched from a forage to a concentrate diet with special attention to anaerobic fungi (AF). Female goats were fed an alfalfa hay (AH) diet (0% grain, n = 4) for 20 days and were then abruptly shifted to a high-grain (HG) diet (40% corn grain, 60% AH, n = 4) and treated for another 10 days. Rumen content samples were collected from the cannulated animals at the end of each diet period (day 20 and 30). The microbiome structure was studied using high-throughput sequencing for bacteria, archaea (16S rRNA gene) and fungi (ITS2), accompanied by qPCR for each group. To further elucidate unclassified AF, clone library analyses were performed on the ITS1 spacer region. Rumen pH was significantly lower in HG diet fed goats, but did not induce subacute ruminal acidosis. HG diet altered prokaryotic communities, with a significant increase of Bacteroidetes and a decrease of Firmicutes. On the genus level Prevotella 1 was significantly boosted. Methanobrevibacter and Methanosphaera were the most abundant archaea regardless of the diet and HG induced a significant augmentation of unclassified Thermoplasmatales. For anaerobic fungi, HG triggered a considerable rise in Feramyces observed with both ITS markers, while a decline of Tahromyces was detected by ITS2 and decrease of Joblinomyces by ITS1 only. The uncultured BlackRhino group revealed by ITS1 and further elucidated in one sample by LSU analysis, formed a considerable part of the AF community of goats fed both diets. Results strongly indicate that the rumen ecosystem still acts as a source for novel microorganisms and unexplored microbial interactions and that initial rumen microbiota of the host animal considerably influences the reaction pattern upon diet change.

The microbial profiles of the luminal content of five hindgut segments of one healthy horse were compared with rectal sample to elucidate the effect of anatomical region on bacterial and archaeal community structure and to evaluate the use of faeces as a representative model of large intestine. The qualitative and quantitative changes of the microbial community composition of caecum, right ventral colon, left ventral colon, left dorsal colon, right dorsal colon and faeces were monitored by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and real-time PCR using universal primers amplifying the V3 region of 16 S rDNA. DGGE fingerprints revealed extensive bacterial as well as archaeal diversity in all studied samples and reflected shifts in the community structure among the caecum, the different segments of the colon and the faeces. Archaeal DGGE pattern of the caecum differed from all the other parts of the hindgut. Microbial profile similarities were found between the left and the right dorsal colon and between the left ventral colon and the faeces. The excised DGGE bands were related to uncultured bacteria and methanogens, the dominant archaeal bands of caecum and faeces were related to Methanocorpusculum sp. Diversity indices indicated the higher diversity for bacteria than for archaea and the dominance of some methanogenic species. The real-time PCR revealed the differences in the microbial quantitative composition of each segment, showing the highest number of total bacteria and archaea in the right ventral colon. The analyses of bacterial and archaeal composition along the one equine hindgut indicate that the faecal sample is similar to that of the left ventral colon, but does not represent the microbial community of the caecum and other parts of the colon.

A partial substitution (25 or 50%) of dietary protein with Tenebrio molitor (TM) and Hermetia illucens (HI) meals as protein sources in the diet of Barbary partridge (Alectoris barbara) has been tested in terms of raw and cooked meat quality. Twelve partridges per feeding group (control - SBM, HI25, HI50, TM25 and TM50) were slaughtered. The peeled carcasses of the HI25, HI50, TM25 and TM50 groups were heavier than those of the SBM group, both raw and cooked. The pH, color and shear force of the raw meat were not affected to any greater extent by the diet, whereas the presence of insect meal seemed to increase the yellowness index of the cooked meat. The proximate composition was unaffected by both the species and the level of insect meal, although the fatty acid profile was changed considerably. The HI and TM groups had significantly higher C18:1n-9 and lower C16:0 contents than SBM. Furthermore, Hermetia illucens, added as 50% of the dietary protein, induced a significant increase in C12:0 and C16:1n-7. As a result, the highest AI and TI were obtained for the HI50 diet (0.38 and 0.75, respectively), whereas the TM groups both had intermediate AI values (around 0.35) and the lowest TI (0.67). Finally, the cholesterol content of the birds was not affected by insect inclusion in the feeds.

a b s t r a c t The in vivo and post mortem performance and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration in kids born from goats fed conventional (group C) or genetically modified (group T) soy- bean meal were evaluated. The goat colostrum quality, in terms of chemical composition, as well as immunoglobulin concentration, and the presence of feed DNA fragments were also investigated. Kid birth weights were similar, while significantly (P < 0.05) higher in those born from goats in group C at day 30 and at slaughtering. In addition, kids from mothers fed conventional soybean recorded significant (P < 0.05) higher height at the withers and chest width. Concerning the post mortem measurements, only carcass weights were significantly affected by the treatment resulting in lighter T kids (P < 0.05). Colostrum from the treated groups recorded a significantly (P < 0.01) lower percentage of protein and fat. Similarly, both chemical parameters significantly differed in milk collected 15 days after kidding, although these differences disappeared in the successive samplings. Both colostrum and kids serum IgG concentration were significantly (P < 0.01) lower in the treated groups. Transgenic target DNA sequences (35S and CP4 EPSPS) were not detected in colostrum from goats that received a diet containing conventional soybean meal. By contrast, transgenic DNA fragments were amplified (P < 0.05) in samples from goats that received the transgenic soybean.

In the paper the short- and long-term glycaemic response after 4 diet programmes was evaluated. Each diet programme was alternatively administered to 6 healthy cats for 30 days. At the end of each period cats were weighed and underwent blood sampling for glucose and fructosamine determination. Glycaemia was measured every 2 hours for 24 hours using an automated glucometer. Very high protein level and low starch (VHP÷LS) and high protein and moderate starch level (HP÷LS) diets showed glucose (Mean and Peak) and fructosamine values signi cantly lower compared to the moderate protein and high starch diets (MP/HS). It is likely that these results are due to the contemporary e ect of the following nutritional characteristics: protein level, protein/starch ratio and dietary bre. All these parameters were higher in VHP/LS and HP/MS diets. These preliminary results suggest that the use of diets with high protein/starch ratio and soluble bre levels favours the carbohydrate metabolism of healthy cats.

To investigate the effect of two insect meals (from Hermetia illucens, HI and Tenebrio molitor, TM larvae) on productive performance and blood profiles of Barbary partridge, ninety, seven days old partridges were divided into 5 groups (6 replicates, 3 partridges/replicate). Up to 64d, the groups fed 5 isoproteic and isoenergetic diets: the control fed a corn-soybean meal diet (SBM group); in TM25 and TM50 groups the 25 and 50% of SBM proteins were substituted by the protein from TM, respectively; in HI25 and HI50 groups the 25 and 50% of SBM were substituted by the protein from HI, respectively. The birds fed TM25 and both the HI levels reached a higher (P

Four one-week growth trials were conducted on green sturgeon fry to determine the effect of feeding rate on their growth performance at 18 °C when they were fed a salmonid soft moist feeds containing 445–457 g kg−1 of crude protein and 201–207 g kg−1 of lipid. The fry used in Trials I-IV were 5–8 weeks after their initiation of exogenous feeding. Their average initial body weights were 1.63 ± 0.01, 2.63 ± 0.03, 5.08 ± 0.08 and 7.49 ± 0.05 g, respectively. Six feeding rates used were as follows: 2.5–15.0% body weight per day (% BW day−1) with a 2.5% increment in Trial I; 1.25–7.50% BW day−1 with a 1.25% increment in Trial II; and 2.0–7.0% BW day−1 with a 1.0% increment in Trials III and IV. Four replicates with 50 fry per tank in Trials I-III and 30 fry per tank in Trial IV were assigned randomly to each feeding rates. The final body weight, specific growth rate, feed efficiency, protein retention, and whole-body moisture, lipid, and energy contents were significantly (P

A factorial experiment was conducted to compare the responses of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in seven different tissues of White Sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus and Green Sturgeon A. medirostris after they were exposed to four different stressors. Three White Sturgeon (2.3 ± 0.1 kg [mean ± SE]) and three Green Sturgeon (2.3 ± 0.1 kg [mean ± SE]) were each subjected to one of four different stressors, after which the Hsp70 levels in seven different tissues were measured using Western blot. The four stressors were heat shock, cold shock, air exposure, and food deprivation; and the seven tissues sampled were mucus, heart, liver, gastrointestinal tract, gill, spleen, and white muscle. We also sampled tissues of three White Sturgeon and three Green Sturgeon without any stressor, and measured their Hsp70 levels as a control. We compared Hsp70 responses of the stressed sturgeon with those of the control, which was set at 100%, and found that Hsp70 responses were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by t...

The trial was performed on 36 goats (50.3 ± 2.6 kg body weight) having free access to pasture, constituted by 60% Leguminosae and 40% Graminee, equally divided into three groups (CTR, SC, AS) homogeneous in parity and milk production at the previous lactation. Concentrate of groups SC and AS was supplemented with 20 g/head/day of Saccaromyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract plus S. cerevisiae respectively, while group CTR was CTR was not supplemented and was used as control. Average milk yield did not differ statistically among the groups (g/head/day 1480 vs 1630 vs 1630 for CTR, SC and AS, respectively). By contrast, milk fat percentage was significantly (P < 0.01) lower in SC and AS compared to CTR. Group AS showed significantly (P < 0.01) lower milk protein percentage than CTR. Lactose was unaffected by treatments. Finally, milk fatty acid profile was unaffected by treatments. In conclusion, the supplementation of diet with live yeast and fungal extracts does not appear useful when goats are fed on pasture.

Four 1-week growth trials were conducted to determine the effects of feeding rates on the growth performances of white sturgeon ( Acipenser transmontanus ) fries 6–9 weeks after initiation of feeding. Six feeding rates with four replications were used in each of the four trials, and the feeding rates were 3.0–8.0, 2.0–7.0, 1.0–6.0 and 1.0–6.0% body weight (BW) per day in 1% increment, respectively. Number of fries per replicate and their initial BW (means ± SEM) were 60, 45, 30 and 30 and 2.8 ± 0.1, 4.5 ± 0.4, 8.5 ± 0.7 and 10.0 ± 0.7 g, respectively. The fries were kept at 18–19 °C and fed a commercial salmonid feed (488 g kg −1 protein and 123 g kg −1 fat). Mortality was low and unrelated to feeding rates. Final body weights, body weight increases, specific growth rates and feed efficiency were significantly ( P < 0.05) affected by the feeding rates. Body moisture and lipid contents were significantly affected by feeding rates except body moisture content in trial II. Body protein contents were not affected by feeding rates except in trial III. Broken-line analysis on specific growth rates indicated that the optimum feeding rates were 6.5 ± 0.4, 4.8 ± 0.2, 4.2 ± 0.1 and 3.8 ± 0.2% body weight per day, respectively, for white sturgeon fries 6–9 weeks after initiation of feeding.

Triplicate groups of juvenile green and white sturgeon (30 ± 2 g) were exposed to one of the four nominal concentrations of dietary methylmercury (MeHg, 0 (control), 25, 50, and 100mg MeHg/kg diet) for 8 weeks to determine and compare the effects on growth performance and mercury (Hg) tissue burden in the two sturgeon species. Mortality, growth performance as measured by percent body weight increase per day, hepatosomatic index, proximate composition of whole body, and Hg burden in the whole body, gill, heart, liver, kidney, and white muscle were determined to assess the adverse growth effects and bioaccumulation of dietary MeHg in sturgeon. Significantly higher mortality and lower growth rate (p0.05) were noted in green and white sturgeon fed the MeHg diets compared to the controls. Green sturgeon fed the MeHg diets exhibited earlier and more severe adverse effects compared to white sturgeon. Mercury accumulated in all tissues in a dose-dependent manner regardless of species, and the highest Hg concentrations were found in the kidneys of both species. Dietary MeHg had no significant effect (p0.05) on the whole body proximate compositions of either sturgeon species. In conclusion, green sturgeon was more susceptible to dietary MeHg toxicity than white sturgeon in our 8-week growth experiment based on the higher mortality and lower growth rate and body energy contents.

The effect of organic system on the fatty acid profile of milk and CLA content was evaluated using 30 pregnant pluriparous goats, divided into two homogeneous groups (S and O) of 15 goats each. Group S was housed in a stable and received alfalfa hay as forage, while group O was raised according EC Regulation 834/2007 and led to pasture. After the kids weaning, goats were milked twice a day for 5 months. Daily milk yield was recorded and, monthly, representative milk samples from the two daily milkings were analysed for chemical and fatty acid profile. Average milk yield did not differ statistically between the groups. The goats of the O group had significantly higher fat content in milk than those of group S (65.9 g/day vs. 54.3 g/day, P P P P

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two diets with different protein/fat ratios (P/F) (diet A: P/F 2.26; diet B: P/F 3.36) on the chemical composition, fatty acid profile and some somatic indexes of meagre (Argyrosomus regius). The trial was carried out on two groups of meagre raised in two different sea cages during 15 months. At the end of the production cycle biometric measures as well as chemical-nutritional analysis of the fillets were conducted on 25 fishes per group. Diet A, with a lower P/F, furnished animals with higher percentages of mesenteric fat (0.48 vs 0.41%; Pvs 48.12; Pvs 2.41%; Pvs 75.42%; Pvs 20.20%; Pvs 4.23%; Pvs 36.08%; Pvs 19.77%; Pvs 0.37, P

An in vitro trial was conducted to investigate the effect of different inoculum sources (buffalo vs. cattle) on rumen fermentation and degradability. Incubations were carried out using rumen fluid obtained from buffalo or cattle fed the same diet [60% grass hay and 40% concentrate; 18 kg dry matter (DM)/day]. The fermentation kinetics of eight feeds commonly used in ruminant nutrition (alfalfa hay, barley meal, beet pulp, corn meal and silage, ryegrass hay and silage and soya bean meal s.e.) were studied with the in vitro gas production technique and rumen fermentation parameters (substrate disappearance, pH and volatile fatty acids production) were determined after 120 h of incubation. The linear relationship indicates that the microbial metabolic pathways of the two inocula for all the substrates were qualitatively similar, albeit often quantitatively different. In this in vitro study, a significant influence of rumen inoculum (buffalo vs. cow) on fermentation and degradability of the examined substrates was found. The differences in buffalo and cattle rumen fermentation can be explained with a different microbial activity of the two ruminant species, because of different amount of microbial population or microbial population constituted by different species of bacteria and protozoa.

Authors report results emerging from gastric content analysis from n. 96 wild boars hunted in Sardinia isle, during the hunting tide (2001-2005), from November to January. Mean pH of the gastric content was 3.77 +/- 0.69. Mean total capacity (TC) of each stomach was 1702 +/- 680 g. Mean Stuff ratio (CW/TC) between the content weight (CW) and stomachs TC was 0.45. Food categories found in animal stomachs were: 19 categories of vegetal species (Allium spp., Arbutus unedo, Arisarum vulgare, Avena fatua, Avena sativa, Castanea sativa, Ceratonia siliqua, Chamaerops umilis, Cichorium intybus, Hordeum sativum, Juniperus oxycedrus, Myrtus communis, Olea europea, Pirus amygdaliformis, Pistacia lentiscus, Quercus spp., Rhamnus alaternus, Triticum durum, Zea mais); 11 categories of animal species (Agriotes lineatus, Apodemus sylvaticus dicrurus, Chalcides chalcides, Chalcides ocellatus tiligugu, Crematogaster scutellaris, Forficula auricularia, Helix aspersa, Lumbricus terrestris, Ovis aries, Podarcis tiliguerta tiliguerta, Scolopendra cingulata); three categories were identified in general terms (insects larvae, hairs of mammals, feathers of birds). Food categories found in the stomach contents of Sus scrofa meridionalis confirm observations by other researchers who report the prevalence of vegetables in spite of animal food sorts in the wild boar diet in Italian regions.

Ruminal bolus for electronic identification of Sarda goats under extensive farm conditions and the retention rate and health effects of ceramic boluses (70 mm × 21 mm, 75 g) enclosing passive transponders half-duplex (32.5 mm × 3.8 mm) were evaluated. A metallic balling gun was used in order to insert 1411 boluses into goats (1132 adults and 279 kids) and the effect on health and retention rate were determined over 8 months. The location of boluses in reticulum after the administration was checked with a hand-held reader. To verify the readability and the retention rate of bolus used as control readings at 1, 7, 30 and 210 days were recorded under dynamic conditions in a race-way, using a fixed reader with a frame antenna (94 cm × 52 cm). Health status was not affected by boluses in the control and the retention rate of boluses after the 8 months was 99.6% with six boluses lost. The ruminal boluses, when retained, showed a 100% readability in static conditions (restrained animals) with the hand-held reader. Farmers expressed satisfaction and interest in the electronic identification system. The use of the ceramic bolus is recommended as a safe and tamper-proof method for electronic identification of goats. This can improve the reliability for identification and management of goats within the extensive conditions in the Sardinia island.

The fermentation of the neutral detergent-soluble (NDS) fraction of three forages (alfalfa hay, Italian ryegrass +oats hay and corn silage) was measured using a curve subtraction technique with in vitro gas production data from the whole forage (WF) and the isolated neutral detergent fibre (NDF). NDF disappearance and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production were determined. There was no significant difference between the VFA patterns from the whole forage and the isolated NDF. There were significant (P R M -WF > R M -NDF. Trends in the rates of gas and VFA production were similar in the whole forages. The NDF showed a high superimposition between substrate degradability and VFA production. Our experiment confirmed the curve subtraction technique as a simple method to obtain information on the size and digestion kinetics of the NDS fraction, which helps in understanding the nutritional significance of this important fraction of the forages studied. Afin de formuler au mieux les regimes alimentaires des ruminants d'elevage, la connaissance de la digestibilite des differentes fractions du fourrage est importante. Le but de cette recherche est d'etudier les cinetiques de fermentation des fractions NDF et NDS (fraction soluble) et les relations entre la degradabilite des NDF et la production de gaz et d'acides gras volatiles de 3 fourrages en utilisant la technique de production de gaz in vitro.

Nowadays there is an increasing interest towards breeding systems, also for rabbit meat production, that are more mindful of animal welfare through an attenuation of the productive cycles intensity. These particular rearing techniques provide a delaying of the weaning age to reduce young rabbits stress. The present experiment is part of a wider research (Pinna et al., 2004; Marongiu et al., 2004) conducted in a sardinian farm in which rabbits are usually weaned at about 60 days of age. Surely this managerial choice could be considered rather questionable but from a scientific point of view could also represent the occasion to examine the productive performance of rabbits submitted to such a late weaning. The final part of the survey, regarding the carcass composition and the meat chemical-nutritional characteristics, was carried out through the comparison of two groups of rabbits weaned at 28 and at 63 days of age respectively.

a b s t r a c t A comparative examination of potential differences in selenium (Se) sensitivity was conducted on two sturgeon species indigenous to the San Francisco Bay-Delta. Juvenile green (Acipenser medirostris), recently given a federally threatened status, and white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) were exposed to one of four nominal concentrations of dietary l-selenomethionine (SeMet) (0 (control), 50, 100, or 200 mg SeMet/kg diet) for 8 weeks. Mortality, growth performance, whole body composition, histopath- ology, and Se burdens of the whole body, liver, kidneys, gills, heart, and white muscle were determined every 2 to 4 weeks. Significant (p < 0.05) mortality was observed in green sturgeon fed the highest SeMet diet after 2 weeks, whereas no mortality was observed in white sturgeon. Growth rates were significantly reduced in both species; however, green sturgeon was more adversely affected by the treatment. Dietary SeMet significantly affected whole body composition and most noticeably, in the decline of lipid contents in green sturgeon. Selenium accumulated significantly in all tissues relative to the control groups. After 4 and 8 weeks of exposure, marked abnormalities were observed in the kidneys and liver of both stur- geon species; however, green sturgeon was more susceptible to SeMet than white sturgeon at all dietary SeMet levels. Our results showed that a dietary Se concentration at 19.7 ± 0.6 mg Se/kg, which is in range with the reported Se concentrations of the benthic macro-vertebrate community of the San Francisco Bay, had adverse effects on both sturgeon species. However, the exposure had a more severe pathologi- cal effect on green sturgeon, suggesting that when implementing conservation measures, this federally listed threatened species should be monitored and managed independently from white sturgeon.

Triplicate groups of juvenile green and white sturgeon (average weight of 30 ± 2 g) were exposed to one of four concentrations of dietary methylmercury (MeHg; 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg MeHg/kg diet) for 8 weeks to determine and compare the sensitivity of the two sturgeon species from a histopathological perspective. After 4- and 8-week exposure, histological changes were examined in the kidney, liver, gill, skeletal muscle, and heart muscle of both species using light microscopy. Marked abnormalities were observed in the kidney and liver of both sturgeon species after each exposure period; the abnormalities showed progressive histological alterations in severity with increasing doses and duration of exposure. Renal lesions included tubular epithelium degeneration and necrosis, renal corpuscular disintegration, and interstitial tissue degeneration. The changes observed in the livers of both sturgeon species were glycogen depletion and vacuolar degeneration. In the gill and skeletal and heart muscle of green and white sturgeon fed MeHg-added diets, mild histological changes were observed but did not show pronounced difference between the two species. Although the lowest observed effect concentration in both species was the 25 mg MeHg/kg diet, the histological changes in the kidney and liver were more pronounced at all treatments groups of green sturgeon than those of white sturgeon. The current results on structural changes of kidney and liver (i.e., more severe glycogen depletion and tubular epithelium degeneration in green sturgeon) confirmed our previous results, in that green sturgeon exhibited a higher mortality, lower growth rate, and lower protein, lipid, and energy contents in their whole body than white sturgeon under the same MeHg exposures.

In order to study the metabolic profile of ostriches in relation to diet, 40 animals of both sexes were divided equally into two groups and fed two diets ad libitum consisting, on a dry matter basis, of the same commercial concentrate (60%) for the two groups and of corn silage (group A) or alfalfa hay (group B). In the morning, after about 12 h of fasting, blood was collected from the wing vein. The following haematological parameters were determined with an automatic system (Ektachem 250 analyser, Kodak): glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, lactate (LAC), total protein (TP), uric acid, total bilirubin (Tbil), creatinine (CREA), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl−), iron (Fe), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), cholinesterase (ChE), α-amylase (Amyl), lipase (LIP) and γ-glutamyltrasferase (GGT). Diet significantly affected some parameters of the metabolic profile. Indeed, owing to the presence of alfalfa hay in the diet, group B showed, in comparison to group A, significantly higher values of uric acid (222.5 vs 387.5 mmol/L, p < 0.01), GGT (8.50 vs 11.3 U/L, p < 0.05), Tbil (8.50 vs 10.7 mmol/L, p < 0.05), Ca (2.41 vs 2.83 μmol/L, p < 0.01), Mg (1.01 vs 1.18 μmol/L, p < 0.05) and K (2.71 vs 3.16 μmol/L, p < 0.01). The levels of creatinine (27.3 vs 32.6 mmol/L, p < 0.05) and AST (344.9 vs 461.4 U/l, p < 0.01) were also higher for group B.

The aim of this study was to compare some somatic indexes, chemical-nutritive characteristics and the contents of some metals (Pb, Cu, Cr and Zn) in the whole body and fillet from caught and reared sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo). The fish came from three different conditions: reared in marine cages (R), captured in a natural lagoon (L) and in the Mediterranean sea (S). Thirty fish per group, divided into three weight categories (100±15.3, 200±18.7 and 300±20.4g), were used for the trial. Reared sharpsnout seabream showed higher amounts of celomatic fat (3.41%, 2.43%, 0.21%, respectively for R, L and S) and total lipid (13.86%, 11.23% and 5.06% respectively for R, L and S), and lower moisture (64.14%, 65.54%, 71.53%) and protein (17.73, 19.03 and 19.17%) than those caught in the lagoon and sea. The whole body of reared fish contained lower amounts of lead (0.70, 0.75 and 0.97mg/kg, respectively for R, L and S), copper (0.15, 0.38, 0.25mg/kg) chrome (2.19, 3.52, 3.77mg/kg) and higher zinc contents (63.47, 53.42, 47.31mg/kg) than caught fish. Fatty acids from sharpsnout seabream fillets showed a high lipid quality as confirmed also by low values of Thrombogenic index (0.36, 0.30 and 0.22, respectively for L, S, R) and Atherogenic index (0.47, 0.42 and 0.33, respectively for L, S, R). Reared sharpsnout seabream showed lower saturated fatty acid values (26.44%, 32.21%, 34.85%, respectively for R, S, L) and higher oleic acid amount (21.61%, 19.15%, 11.99%, respectively for R, L and S). The subjects captured in the sea had a higher arachidonic acid content (5.44%, 1.76%, 0.59%, respectively for S, L, R). In the weight categories, the 100g subjects, showed higher incidence of viscera (VSI: 4.32%, 3.12% and 2.92%, respectively for 100, 200 and 300g) and liver (HIS: 2.20%, 1.97%, and 1.77%, respectively for 100, 200 and 300g), higher moisture (69.49%, 67.03%, 64.69%) and lower lipid rate (7.64%, 10.18%, 12.32%).

The serum metabolic profile of ostriches was studied in relation to the blood collection site (jugular vs. wing vein) and age (1 vs. 2 years) on 20 male birds. Blood was collected from the birds in the morning, after 12 h of fasting. Different collection site did not affect the examined parameters, but some statistically significant differences were observed between the age groups. However, all the parameters agreed with the data reported in the literature and contribute to our knowledge of the metabolic profile of ostriches. South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 35(4) 2005: 268-272

In order to better define the effect of the sex on the metabolic profile of young ostriches (Struthio camelus Domesticus), forty birds were divided into two groups by sex (20 males vs 20 females). The animals were fed ad libitum natural pasture and corn silage. The daily ration was completed by administering 1200 g/head of a commercial concentrate with the following chemical composition expressed as a percentage of dry matter: crude protein 18.8, crude fibre 8.4, ether extract 3.6, ash 7.5. After about 12 h of fasting, in the morning the blood was collected from the wing vein. The following biochemical parameters were determined: glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, lactate (LAC), total protein (TP), uric acid, total bilirubin (Tbil), creatinine (CREA), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), natrium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), iron (Fe), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), cholinesterase (ChE); α-amylase (Amyl), lipase (LIPA); γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT). Sex significantly affected only some haematic parameters: in the females total protein and calcium were higher than in the males (TP, 43.3 vs 38.9 g/l, respectively for females and males, P < 0.05; Ca, 2.99 vs 2.59 mmol/l, respectively for females and males, P < 0.01). The other haematic parameters did not show significant differences by sex, and the average values were: glucose (9.87 mmol/l), cholesterol (1.96 mmol/l), triglycerides (1.56 mmol/l), LAC (6.60 mmol/l), uric acid (361 mmol/l), CREA (31.95 μmol/l), Na (144.8 mmol/l), K (3.27 mmol/l), Cl (109.7 mmol/l), P (1.47 mmol/l), Mg (1.10 mmol/l), Fe (9.22 μmol/l), Tbil (9.28 mol/l), AST (341.3 U/l), ALT (11.42 U/l), AP (75.8 U/l), GGT (10.07 U/l), Amyl (6.97 U/l), LIPA (241.2 U/l), ChE (385.1 U/l). The results of our study, in agreement with previous findings, contribute to enhance the knowledge on the metabolic profile of ostriches in function of the sex.