Effects of dietary supplementation of natural and fermented herbs on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, meat quality and fatty acid composition in growing-finishing pigs

N-carbamylglutamate supplementation induces functional egg production in layers by modulating liver transcriptome profiles

Eggs rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), known as functional eggs, are animal products deemed beneficial to human health and possess high economic value. The production of functional eggs involves supplementing exogenous additives with the ability to regulate lipid metabolism. As N-Carbamylglutamate (NCG) serves as an endogenous arginine synthesizer, and arginine acts as the substrate for the formation of nitric oxide (NO), the biological function of NCG is partially mediated by NO. NO is a key regulatory molecule in lipid metabolism, suggesting that NCG may also have the ability to modulate lipid metabolism. In order to assess the capacity of NCG in regulating liver lipid metabolism and its potential application in producing functional eggs, we conducted a study to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of NCG on production performance, serum, and liver NO levels, yolk fatty acid composition, and the liver transcriptome of layers. In this study, we utilized 30 layers of the Jinghong No.1 breed, all aged 45 wk. All the birds were randomly divided into 2 groups. Each group had 5 replicates, and each replicate had 3 birds. We provided them with different diets: one group received the basic diet, and the other group's diet was supplemented with 0.08% NCG. The experiment lasted for 14 wk. The results did not reveal any positive impact of NCG on production performance. However, NCG supplementation elevated NO levels in serum and liver, along with an increase in yolk PUFA, ω-3, and ω-6 fatty acids. Liver transcriptome analysis identified 124 upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 43 downregulated DEGs due to NCG supplementation. Functional annotation using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database highlighted 3 upregulated DEGs (CPT1A, MOGAT1, and CHKA) and 2 downregulated DEGs (FASN and ETNPPL) associated with lipid metabolism. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that CPT1A was enriched in the AMPK signaling pathway and the PPAR signaling pathway, while FASN was enriched in the AMPK signaling pathway. Thus, CPT1A and FASN are potential functional genes related to lipid metabolism facilitated by NCG supplementation. In summary, our study suggests that NCG supplementation modulates liver lipid metabolism, leading to the production of functional eggs in layers.

Supplemental impact of silymarin in growing pig diet on the growth performance, total tract digestibility, faecal microflora, faecal noxious gas emission and absorption rate in blood

The research was done to examine the impact of dietary silymarin on growth performance, total tract digestibility, faecal microbial, faecal gas emission and absorption rate in blood of growing pigs. Experiment 1: a total of 140 growing pigs (24.47 ± 2.49 kg) were used in a 6-week trial. There were four dietary treatment groups (seven replicate pens/treatment, five pigs/pen) and treatment diets composed of corn, soybean meal (SBM), distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and rapeseed meal-based basal diets with 0%, 0.025%, 0.050% and 0.10% of micelle silymarin respectively. Experiment 2: A total of 18 pigs were divided into six treatment groups. Treatment diets: TRT1, TRT2 and TRT3 were basal diets with 30, 150 and 300 g powdered silymarin respectively; and TRT4, TRT5 and TRT6 were basal diets with 30, 150 and 300 g micelle-type silymarin respectively. Average daily gain (ADG) tended to increase (p < 0.10) at Week 3 and overall experiment after silymarin addition. Overall ADG and average daily feed intake are also intended to improve (p < 0.10) linearly in this study. During Week 6, growing pigs fed silymarin showed linearly increased (p < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter, nitrogen and energy. Dietary silymarin supplementation increased (p < 0.10) linearly the faecal Lactobacillus count at Week 3 while Escherichia coli count was linearly decreased at both the 3rd week (p < 0.05) and 6th week (p < 0.10). Silymarin supplementation showed no effect on faecal gas emissions. A higher (p < 0.05) absorption rate in the blood was found in micelle-type silymarin compared to powdered silymarin after the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th and 24th h of feeding. Results suggest that silymarin in a corn-SBM-DDGS-rapeseed meal-based diet may help to improve ADG, FI, ATTD and faecal microflora in growing pigs. And absorption rate in the blood of pig is higher in micelle-type silymarin.

Effect of dietary Achyranthes japonica extract on growth performance of growing pigs and absorption rate of quercetin in blood

This study was done to investigate the effects of the incorporation of Achyranthes japonica extracts (AJE) in diet on the production parameters of growing pigs. Exp 1: Total, 105 crossbred pigs (average body weight: 24.47 ± 2.46 kg) were used in a 6-week feeding trial. Pigs (seven replicates, five pigs per pen) were allotted randomly to three treatments. Dietary treatments: CON (basal diet); basal diet with 0.025% AJE, and basal diet + 0.050% AJE). Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial count, and fecal noxious gas were assessed in this study. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio (G:F) were not affected by the addition of up to 0.05% AJE. In the case of apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), and digestible energy (DE) were not changed in 3rd and 6th weeks of the feeding trial through the addition of AJE up to 0.05% in the growing pig diet. In microbial count, Lactobacillus and Escherichia coli count at 3rd and 6th week was similar in all the treatment diets. The inclusion of AJE at levels up to 0.05% in growing pig diet had no effect on the production of NH3, H2S, acetic acid, and CO2 in the feces. After ending the Exp 1, a total of nine pigs were divided into three treatment groups. Treatment diets were included, TRT1, basal diet + powder quercetin 30 g; TRT2, basal diet + powder quercetin 150 g; TRT3, basal diet + powder quercetin 300g. Rate of absorption in blood was increased with the higher dose of quercetin. The results suggested incorporation of AJE up to 0.05% has no significant effect on ADG, ADFI, and G:F, as well as DM, N, and DE digestibility, fecal microbial count, and fecal noxious gas emission in growing pigs, even though no negative effect was found.

Dietary Forsythia suspensa extracts supplementation improves antioxidant status, anti-inflammatory functions, meat fatty acid deposition, and intestinal microbial community in finishing pigs

This study aimed to determine the effects of Forsythia suspensa extracts (FSE) on performance, antioxidant status, inflammatory cytokines, meat quality, meat fatty acid composition, and gut microbial community in finishing pigs. Sixty-four pigs [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire)] with an average initial body weight of 88.68 kg were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments, with eight replicate pens per treatment (four pens were barrows and four pens were gilts), four pigs per pen. The dietary treatments included a corn-soybean meal basal diet (CON) and an FS diet (basal diet + 100 mg/kg FSE; FS). Compared with CON, pigs fed FSE showed enhanced (P < 0.05) saturated fatty acid (SFA)/polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio, reduced (P < 0.05) lightness, and n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio, as well as tended to increase C20:5n3 content in the longissimus dorsi muscle. Moreover, pigs fed FSE showed decreased (P < 0.05) serum cortisol and tumor nuclear factor-α contents, and increased (P < 0.05) serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase contents compared with CON. These pigs also tended to have increased serum total protein and immunoglobulin G contents, and decreased serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and interleukin-1β contents compared with CON. In the colon, pigs fed FSE had a higher (P < 0.05) relative abundance of Bifidobacteriales at the order level, Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae at the family level, as well as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium at the genus level compared with CON. In conclusion, dietary Forsythia suspensa extract supplementation effectively improved antioxidant status and anti-inflammatory functions, as well as modulated meat fatty acid composition, and gut microbial community in finishing pigs.

Effects of Quillaja saponin supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, and fecal gas emission in growing pigs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Quillaja saponin (QS) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, and fecal gas emission in growing pigs. A total of 50 crossbred growing pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an initial body weight of 23.83 ± 1.95 kg were randomly assigned to one of two treatments for a 56 d trial with five replicate pens per treatment and five pigs (two barrows and three gilts) per pen. Dietary treatments including control diet and control diet supplemented with 200 mg·kg−1 QS. The average daily gain was significantly increased during days 0–56, whereas the fecal ammonia emission on day 56 and fecal coliform bacteria counts on day 28 were significantly decreased in pigs fed with QS-containing diet. However, dietary supplementation of QS had no significant effects on apparent total tract digestibility. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 200 mg·kg−1 QS had beneficial effects on growth performance, fecal microbiota, and fecal gas emission in growing pigs. Considering the carry-over effects, the adaption period should be at least 28 d when supplementing 200 mg·kg−1 QS to the diet of growing pigs for improving the growth performance.

Advances in research on solid-state fermented feed and its utilization: The pioneer of private customization for intestinal microorganisms

With sustainable development of biotechnology, increasing attention has been placed on utilization of solid-state fermented feed (SFF). Solid-state fermented feed has been a candidate strategy to alleviate the contradiction between supply and demand of feed resources, ensure food hygiene safety, promoting energy conservation, and emission reduction. In production of SFF, a variety of organic acids, enzymes, vitamins, peptides, and other unknown growth factors are produced, which could affect performance of animals. Solid-state fermented feed produced by different fermentation techniques has great instability on different physiological stages of different animals, which hinders the application and standardized production of SFF. Herein, we summarize the current advances in the role of the characteristics of SFF prepared by different manufacturing technique and its research progress in animal experiments on growth performance, gastrointestinal ecology, and immune system, so as to provide references for further acquiring a relatively perfect set of SFF production and evaluation systems.

Effects of medicinal plants mixture on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, and fecal microbiota in growing pigs

Background and Aim

Alternative natural materials to antibiotics for improving digestive health and growth performance are needed due to strengthening regulations related to the use of antibiotic growth promoters. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of medicinal plants mixture (60% Bidens pilosa L., 15% Urena lobata L., 15% Pseuderanthemum palatiferum, 5% Ramulus cinnamomi, and 5% Star anise) as alternative growth promotors on animal health, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and growth performance of growing pigs.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted, from April 2020 to June 2020, at a private pig production farm located in Cam Giang district Hai Duong Province, Vietnam. Forty-eight 10-week-old crossbred (♂Duroc×♀ [Landrace×Yorkshire]) pigs, average initial body weight 30.3±1.42 kg, were randomly allocated to four dietary groups, three replicate pens per experimental group, with 4 pigs/pen. For 7 weeks, the pigs were fed a basal diet supplemented with the mixture at levels of 0, 20, 40, and 60 g/kg of feed.

Results

Final body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio, as well as apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, and gross energy were not significantly influenced by the diets (p>0.05). Inclusion of the plant mixture decreased significantly red blood cell count, blood cholesterol, urea nitrogen, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations (p<0.05) compared with the control diet. No diet effect was observed on fecal Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Clostridium spp., and total bacteria counts.

Conclusion

The incorporation of the plant mixture into the diet of growing pigs reduced serum cholesterol, LDL, and urea concentrations with no adverse effect on performance and nutrient digestibility.

Potential Application of Lonicera japonica Extracts in Animal Production: From the Perspective of Intestinal Health

Lonicera japonica (L. japonica) extract is rich in active substances, such as phenolic acids, essential oils, flavones, saponins, and iridoids, which have a broad spectrum of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial effect. Previous studies have demonstrated that L. japonica has a good regulatory effect on animal intestinal health, which can be used as a potential antibiotic substitute product. However, previous studies about intestinal health regulation mainly focus on experimental animals or cells, like mice, rats, HMC-1 Cells, and RAW 264.7 cells. In this review, the intestinal health benefits including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity, and its potential application in animal production were summarized. Through this review, we can see that the effects and mechanism of L. japonica extract on intestinal health regulation of farm and aquatic animals are still rare and unclear. Further studies could focus on the regulatory mechanism of L. japonica extract on intestinal health especially the protective effects of L. japonica extract on oxidative injury, inflammation, and regulation of intestinal flora in farm animals and aquatic animals, thereby providing references for the rational utilization and application of L. japonica and its extracts in animal production.

Effects of a probiotic-fermented herbal blend on the growth performance, intestinal flora and immune function of chicks infected with Salmonella pullorum

Salmonella pullorum is a highly pathogenic bacteria in poultry industry. However, antibiotics were restricted in many countries because of the increasing risk of antibiotic resistance, Therefore, an environmental friendly and effective alternative strives to be developed. This study investigated the benefit of a probiotic-fermented herbal blend on the growth performance and gut microbiota of newborn broilers infected with S. pullorum. A total of 120 one-day-old dwarf male chicks were randomly allotted to 4 treatment groups, each including 5 replicates of 6 chicks: negative control (NC), positive control (PC), herbal blend (HB), and probiotic-fermented herbal blend (PF). All birds (n = 90), except for those in the NC, were infected with S. pullorum (1.69 × 108 CFU) on day 1. On day 11, body weight (BW), mortality, tissue pathology, cecal colony counts, immune organ indices, cecal mucosa secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) concentrations, and cecal cytokine mRNA expression levels were investigated. No mortality was observed after the PF treatment, and less pathological condition was in the ileum, cecum, and liver of HB and PF. BW, average daily gain and average daily feed intake were significant higher in the HB group compared to the PC and were the highest in the PF (P < 0.05). HB treatment significantly increased cecal populations of Lactobacilli, and decreased cecal populations of Escherichia coli and Salmonella, but results were more pronounced in the PF group (P < 0.05). Both HB and PF treatments increased cecal mucosa sIgA compared with the PC (P < 0.05). Tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma were lowest (P < 0.05) and interleukin 4 was the highest (P < 0.05) in PF, which exhibited similar levels to the NC group. PF treatment significantly improved the development of the thymus and bursa in S. pullorum-infected chicks. In conclusion, PF treatment prevented death, improved growth performance, regulated intestinal flora and enhanced immune ability of in S. pullorum-infected with chicks.

Meat Composition, Fatty Acid Profile and Sensory Attributes of Meat from Goats Fed Diet Supplemented with Fermented Saccharina japonica and Dendropanax morbifera

A 90-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of diets supplemented with three concentrations (control or 0%, 0.5% and 1.0%) of fermented Saccharina japonica and Dendropanax morbifera (FSJ-DM) on the meat composition, growth performance, oxidative stability and fatty acid profile of Korean native black goat (KNBG) meat. The feed conversion ratio and body weight gain (1st to 2nd month) were improved significantly (p < 0.05) in response to feed supplemented with 1.0% FSJ-DM. Moisture content was increased, whereas ether extract and cholesterol contents were decreased in meat obtained from goats supplemented with 1.0% FSJ-DM dietary feeds (p < 0.05). In the same diet group, the total saturated fatty acids (ΣSFA) were lower, whereas the sum of polyunsaturated fatty acids (ΣPUFA) was higher, along with higher PUFA/SFA ratio and lower n-6/n-3 ratio (p < 0.05). On an average, the dietary supplementation of 1.0% FSJ-DM reduced the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and pH values of goat meat. Overall, the results of this study suggest that diet supplemented with 1.0% FSJ-DM improves the meat composition, growth performance and fatty acid profile and reduces lipid oxidation of goat meat.