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Simple Summary: 25-hydroxycholecalciferol has been widely used to increase the calcium and phosphorus absorption in lactating sows, while there have been only a few studies focusing on its effect on performance and health status of gestating sows and their offsprings. In this study, the dietary 25-hydroxycholecalciferol supplementation from day 85 of gestation was shown to effectively enhance the performance, antioxidant capacity, and immunoglobulin levels in sows and newborn piglets, which demonstrated that 25-hydroxycholecalciferol was an efficient additive for improving the reproductive performance and immune-antioxidant status of gestating sows during production. In this study, the aim was to evaluate the effects of dietary 25-hydroxycholecalciferol supplementation from day 85 of gestation on performance, antioxidant capacity, and immunoglobulin level of sows and newborn piglets. On day 85 of gestation, forty Landrace × Yorkshire gestating sows (average body weight of 241 ± 6.8 kg; average parity of 3.47 ± 0.6) were allotted into two treatments (20 replicates per treatment) based on parity, body weight, and back fat thickness. From day 85 of gestation to farrowing, sows were fed a normal vitamin D3 diet as control (containing 50 μg/kg vitamin D3; CON), or a 25-hydroxycholecalciferol-supplemented diet (containing 50 μg/kg 25-hydroxycholecalciferol). Compared with CON, dietary 25-hydroxycholecalciferol supplementation increased (p < 0.05) protein and fat content in colostrum and the average birth body weight of newborn piglets. Sows fed 25-hydroxycholecalciferol showed increased (p < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility of crude protein compared with CON. Diets supplemented with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol also increased (p < 0.05) the content of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and tended to increase (p = 0.06) the total antioxidant capacity content and reduce (p = 0.09) the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in colostrum. An increase (p < 0.05) in the content of SOD and a reduction (p < 0.05) in the content of MDA in the serum of newborn piglets was also observed in the 25-hydroxycholecalciferol treatment compared with CON. Dietary 25-hydroxycholecalciferol supplementation also enhanced (p < 0.05) the immunoglobulin G content and reduced (p < 0.05) the concentration of tumor nuclear factor-α in the serum of sows, as well as reducing (p < 0.05) the content of immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin A in the serum of newborn piglets compared with CON. Supplementation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in sow diets increased (p < 0.05) the content of alkaline phosphatase in the serum and colostrum of sows, the concentration of insulin and crosslap in serum of sows, and the serum calcium content of newborn piglets compared with CON. In conclusion, dietary 25-hydroxycholecalciferol supplementation from day 85 of gestation could enhance performance, antioxidant capacity, and immunoglobulin in sows and newborn piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extracts (MLE) in broiler diets on growth performance, carcase characteristics, physical meat quality, haematological parameters, and caecal bacterial counts. A total of 144 Arbour Acres broilers were randomly assigned into 3 experimental groups (eight replicates having six chicks), naming control (received a basal diet with fresh drinking water), antibiotic (75 mg chlortetracycline/L of drinking water), and MLE (50 ml Moringa oleifera leaf extracts/L of drinking water). The MLE group had the highest average daily gain, final body weight, and lower feed conversion ratio than both control and antibiotic groups. Overall, the MLE treatment significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the broiler's feed consumption. Although, MLE lowered abdominal fat, other visceral organ and carcase traits showed no variations. The pH value of the breast muscle at 24 h in the MLE group was higher compared to the control and antibiotic groups. Additionally, the cooking loss % and drip loss % at 24 h and on day 7 were the lowest in the MLE group. The haemoglobin and red blood cell levels were significantly higher (p < 0.05), and total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly lower in the MLE group than the control and antibiotic groups. Broilers in the MLE group had lower E. coli as well as total aerobic counts compared to the control-fed group. In conclusion, MLE at 50 mL/L of drinking water can be a potential alternative to antibiotic growth promoters for enhancing broilers' growth, health and meat quality. HIGHLIGHTS: Moringa oleifera leaf extracts (MLE) could improve broilers' average daily gain, final body weight and feed conversion ratio of broilers. Moringa leaf extracts could decrease the cooking loss, drip loss of breast meat and total cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations in serum. Moringa leaf extracts could lowered E. coli and total aerobic bacteria counts in caecal ingesta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study evaluated the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MLP) on the growth performance, meat quality, carcass traits, blood profile, and cecal bacteria of broiler chickens. MLP-fed broilers showed the highest weight gain, average daily feed intake, and best feed efficiency, as evidenced by a lower feed conversion ratio. MLP also enhanced meat quality, indicated by higher pH, lower cooking loss, and reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Positive impacts on the blood profile included increased red blood cell count, higher hemoglobin levels, and a lower stress indicator (H/L ratio). Additionally, MLP positively changed the cecal bacterial population by reducing harmful E. coli and Shigella spp. while increasing beneficial Lactobacillus spp. Thus, MLP is a promising natural feed additive for improving broiler growth, meat quality, overall health, and producing antibiotic-free and healthier broilers for consumers. The effect of dietary inclusion of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MLP) on the growth, meat quality, carcass characteristics, hematobiochemical profile, and cecal bacteria of broiler chicken was investigated in this research trial. In this study, 192-day-old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were assigned in a completely randomized design to three groups: control, antibiotic, and MLP. A standard basal diet was given to the control group, while the antibiotic group received 75 mg/kg chlortetracycline, and the MLP group received 100 mg/kg M. oleifera leaf powder supplemented basal diet. Each group was further divided into eight replicates consisting of eight birds each, and the trial ran for 35 days. Among the groups, the MLP-fed broilers achieved the highest final body weight (FBW), average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI). Notably, the FCR for the whole experimental period was lower in the MLP group, indicating a more efficient use of feed for growth. Supplementation of MLP with basal diet significantly increased (p < 0.05) the weight of thighs and drumsticks relative to live weight %, while the spleen and abdominal fat weight (% of live weight) were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Adding MLP to the diet improved the meat quality of broilers, as indicated by the highest pH of meat at 45 min and the lowest cooking loss (%) observed in this group. MLP exhibited hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic effects, with the lowest total cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to non-supplemented groups. The hematological profile revealed that the MLP group exhibited the highest RBC count and Hb level, while also showing the lowest H/L ratio. Moringa supplementation significantly (p < 0.05) modulated the cecal bacterial population, reducing pathogenic E. coli and Shigella spp. while increasing beneficial Lactobacillus spp. and the total aerobic plate count (TAPC). In conclusion, Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MLP) can be used as a natural feed supplement for promoting the growth, meat quality, healthy blood, and sound health of broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of compound enzymes (CE) (containing per g 375 U amylase, 2500 U protease, 4000 U xylanase and 150 U β-glucanase) on performance, nutrient digestibility, serum antioxidant status, immunoglobulins, intestinal morphology, volatile fatty acids contents and microbiota community in weaned pigs. Seventy-two pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, weaned at d 28) with an average body weight of 8.49 ± 0.87 kg were allotted into two treatments with six replicate pens per treatment (three barrows and three gilts per pen) according to sex and body weight in a randomised complete block design. The treatments contained a corn-soybean meal-barley basal diet (CON) or a basal diet supplemented with 1000 mg CE/kg (CE). The study was divided into phase 1 (d 1 to 14) and 2 (d 15 to 35). The average daily gain was increased (p < 0.05) in pigs fed CE in phase 2 and overall (d 1 to 35) compared with CON. These pigs had greater (p≤ 0.05) serum IgA, IgG, superoxide dismutase and catalase contents, as well as tended to increase serum IgM content and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of organic matter in phase 1 compared with CON. In phase 2, pigs supplemented with CE showed greater (p < 0.01) ATTD of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and gross energy compared with CON. These pigs also had increased (p < 0.05) IgA, IgG, IgM, superoxide dismutase contents, and decreased (p < 0.05) malondialdehyde content in serum compared with CON. Moreover, pigs fed CE had higher (p < 0.05) villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in ileum, and tended to increased acetic acid content in colon compared with CON. Furthermore, pigs fed CE had increased (p < 0.05) relative abundance of Firmicutes at phylum level, Lactobacillales at order level, Lactobacillaceae at family level, Bacilli at class level, Lactobacillus at genus level in caecum and colon, as well as lower (p < 0.05) relative abundance of Bacteroidetes at phylum level, Bacteroidales at the order level, Bacteroidia at class level, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_6 at genus level in colon compared with CON. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of compound enzymes could effectively improve nutrient digestibility, serum antioxidant status, immunoglobulin, gut morphology, microbiota community, and therefore improve performance in weaned pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Medicinal mushrooms contain biologically active substances that can be used as an immune‐modulating agent in poultry. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Flammulina velutipes mushroom waste (FVW) on performance, immune response and serum immunity in growing layer hens. RESULTS: No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed with respect to average daily feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio among the experimental groups during the entire study period (1–70 days). Antibody titers against Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis were higher (P < 0.05) in the FVW fed groups than in the control and antibiotic groups. On day 28, serum immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG were higher (P < 0.05) in the 6% FVW group than in the control and antibiotic fed groups. On day 70, serum IgA was higher (P < 0.05) in FVW fed groups than in the control group; IgG was higher (P < 0.05) in the FVW groups than in the control and antibiotic groups. However, IgM was higher (P < 0.05) in both the 4% and 6% FVW groups than in the control and antibiotic groups for both experimental periods. Serum cytokine interleukin (IL)‐2 and tumor necrosis factor‐α concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in both the 4% and 6% FVW grousp than in the control and antibiotic groups; IL‐4 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the FVW groups than in the control group; and IL‐6 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the 6% FVW group than in the control and antibiotic groups. CONCLUSION: FVW at the 6% level can be used as a potential phytogenic feed stuff in growing layer hen rations with respect to improving the immune response without affecting normal weight gain. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The size of the pork market is increasing globally to meet the demand for animal protein, resulting in greater farm size for swine and creating a great challenge to swine farmers and industry owners in monitoring the farm activities and the health and behavior of the herd of swine. In addition, the growth of swine production is resulting in a changing climate pattern along with the environment, animal welfare, and human health issues, such as antimicrobial resistance, zoonosis, etc. The profit of swine farms depends on the optimum growth and good health of swine, while modern farming practices can ensure healthy swine production. To solve these issues, a future strategy should be considered with information and communication technology (ICT)-based smart swine farming, considering auto-identification, remote monitoring, feeding behavior, animal rights/welfare, zoonotic diseases, nutrition and food quality, labor management, farm operations, etc., with a view to improving meat production from the swine industry. Presently, swine farming is not only focused on the development of infrastructure but is also occupied with the application of technological knowledge for designing feeding programs, monitoring health and welfare, and the reproduction of the herd. ICT-based smart technologies, including smart ear tags, smart sensors, the Internet of Things (IoT), deep learning, big data, and robotics systems, can take part directly in the operation of farm activities, and have been proven to be effective tools for collecting, processing, and analyzing data from farms. In this review, which considers the beneficial role of smart technologies in swine farming, we suggest that smart technologies should be applied in the swine industry. Thus, the future swine industry should be automated, considering sustainability and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 180 weaning pigs (28 d of age, weighted 7.81±1.51 kg) were selected to explore the relationship between the different levels of mixed organic acids (MOA) on performance, serum antioxidant status and intestinal health of weaned piglets, as well as to investigate the potential possibility of MOA alternative to antibiotics growth promoters (AGP) [funded by BMNS (6202019) and NSFC (31772612)]. Pigs were randomly allocated to five treatments with six replicates (n = 6), including one basal diet with AGP (75 mg/kg chlorinomycin + 15 mg/kg virginiamycin + 50 mg/kg guitaromycin) and four diets with 0 (Con), 3,000 (Con-3), 5,000 (Con-5), 7,000 mg/kg (Con-7) MOA. The experiment was separated phase 1 (d 1 to d 14) and phase 2 (d 15 to d 28). In phases 1, 2 and overall, an improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) and average daily gain (ADG) was noticed (P < 0.05) in piglets supplemented with AGP, Con-3 and Con-5. The concentration of serum IgG was enhanced (P < 0.05) in piglets supplemented with Con-5 in phase 2. In the jejunum and ileum, piglets fed AGP and Con-3 increased (P < 0.01) the ratio of villus height to crypt depth. An up-regulated of the Claudin-1 and ZO-1 gene in jejunum of piglets fed Con-3 and Con-5 were observed (P < 0.05). The piglets fed AGP, Con-3 and Con-5 increased (P < 0.05) the content of acetate acid and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) in the cecum, butyric acid and TVFA in the colon. Also, Con-3 declined (P < 0.05) the content of Lachnospiraceae in piglets. The current findings indicated that dietary MOA supplementation at 3,000 mg/kg and 5,000 mg/kg could enhance the performance by improving immune parameters and intestinal health of piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Weaning stress may reduce feed intake, weight gain and health status of piglets. Antibiotics are used to overcome post-weaning disorders. However, the abuse of antibiotics in pig feed has become a worldwide problem. Previous studies show Chinese herbs have been used as a potential non-antibiotic way to enhance anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial functions of piglets. This study aims to evaluate the effect of Forsythia suspense extract (FSE) as an antibiotics substitute on performance, nutrient digestibility, serum antioxidant capacity, fecal Escherichia coli concentration and intestinal morphology of weaned piglets. The results show that dietary FSE supplementation can substitute antibiotics in improving antioxidant capacity, nutrients digestibility and reducing fecal E. coli content, so as to reduce nitrogen output and diarrhea rate, and eventually enhance growth performance in weaned piglets. The aim of this study is to determine the efficiency of Forsythia suspense extract (FSE) as an antibiotics substitute on performance, nutrient digestibility, serum antioxidant capacity, fecal Escherichia coli concentration and intestinal morphology of weaned piglets. A total of 108 Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire) weaned piglets (28 days (d) weaned, average body weight of 8.68 ± 1.36 kg) were randomly assigned into three dietary treatments, six pens per treatment, three barrows and three gilts per pen. The treatments contained a corn-soybean meal basal diet (CTR), an antibiotic diet (basal diet + 75 mg/kg chlortetracycline; CTC), and an FSE diet (basal diet + 200 mg/kg FSE; FSE). The experiment included phase 1 (d 1 to 14), phase 2 (d 15 to 28) and phase 3 (d 29 to 35). Compared with CTR, piglets fed FSE show improved (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake in phase 2, as well as enhanced (p < 0.05) ADG from day 15 to 35 and day 1 to 28. Piglets supplemented with CTC and FSE showed a reduced (p < 0.05) diarrhea rate in phase 1, while piglets fed FSE showed enhanced (p < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and gross energy, as well as lower (p < 0.05) nitrogen output in phase 2 compared with CTR and CTC. The content in the form of Colony-Forming Units (CFUs) of fecal E. coli on day 14 and 28 was lower (p < 0.05) in piglets fed FSE in comparison with CTR. The contents of total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase and catalase in serum are enhanced (p < 0.05) compared with CTR and CTC, whereas the concentration of malondialdehyde in serum was decreased (p < 0.05) for piglets fed FSE on day 28 compared with CTC. The villus height to crypt depth ratio in ileum was numerically higher (p < 0.05) in piglets fed FSE in comparison with CTR. In conclusion, dietary FSE supplementation could substitute CTC in improving antioxidant capacity, nutrients digestibility and reducing fecal E. coli content, so as to reduce nitrogen output and diarrhea rate, and eventually improve performance in weaned piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]