Effect of feedingAspergillus awamoriand canola seed on the growth performance and muscle fatty acid profile in broiler chicken

Effects of Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) Supplementation on production performance, egg quality traits, and biochemical parameters of blood and egg in laying hens at later stages of the production period

BACKGROUND

According to the promising outcomes acquired in recent studies that focused on using natural feed additives in animal nutrition, poultry nutritionists have also been interested in investigating these medicinal herbs' effects on poultry performance and egg characteristics. Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.), a natural source of antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, etc. compounds, is recommended as a potential alternative for antibiotics, with similar benefits and no adverse effects on animal health or their products. Considerable effects have been reported on laying hens' performance and their eggs' internal and external traits by pennyroyal inclusion in their diets.

OBJECTIVES

Due to the different results reported by pennyroyal inclusion in laying hens' diets in recent limited studies, this study was designed to reinvestigate the impacts of pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) supplementation (PS) on productive performance, egg quality traits, and biochemical compounds in blood and egg yolk in aged laying hens. The findings of this experiment may help for a better understanding of PS impacts on desired parameters, along with improving aged laying hens' performance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 144 Leghorn (Hyline-W36 strain) laying hens (53 weeks old) were used to investigate the effects of PS on performance, egg quality, and biochemical parameters of blood and egg yolk in old laying hens. The animals were distributed into three treatment groups; including a control diet (without PS), 0.5%, and 1% PS diets with six replicates and eight birds per replicate.

RESULTS

The results indicated that the egg production rate (except for week eight) and egg mass were significantly reduced by PS in the laying hens' diet during the first four weeks and the total period of the experiment (P<0.05). However, the feed conversion ratio increased by PS (P<0.05). Based on the egg quality trait evaluations (week 4), the yolk percentage, yolk height, and yolk index reduced, while shell-breaking strength represented a significant increase in PS groups (P<0.05). However, shell thickness and albumen percentage reduced and increased by 1% PS, respectively (P<0.05). At week eight, the Haugh unit reduced while the albumen pH increased by PS (P<0.05). The findings revealed a decline in the egg density in 1% PS groups (P<0.05). In the case of serum biochemical parameters, alanine aminotransferase increased, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) levels reduced in the PS groups (P<0.05). Moreover, the triglyceride levels of both serum and egg yolk (accompanied by the very low-density lipoprotein level of serum) decreased by PS (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, PS reduced serum and egg yolk triglyceride levels, accompanied by serum MDA, along with reducing production performance.

Aspergillus awamori attenuates ochratoxin A-induced renal and cardiac injuries in rabbits by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and downregulating IL1β, TNFα, and iNOS gene expressions

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the most dangerous and that pollute agricultural products, inducing a variety of toxic effects in humans and animals. The current study explored the protective effect of different concentrations of Aspergillus awamori (A. awamori) against OTA (0.3 mg/kg diet) induced renal and cardiac damage by exploring its mechanism of action in 60 New Zealand white male rabbits. Dietary supplementation of A. awamori at the selected doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg diet, respectively, for 2 months significantly improved the rabbit's growth performance; modulated the suppressed immune response and restored the altered hematological parameters; reduced the elevated levels of renal injury biomarkers such as urea, creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase; and increased serum total proteins concentrations. Moreover, it also declined enzymatic activities of cardiac injury biomarkers, including AST, LDH, and CK-MB. A. awamori alleviated OTA-induced degenerative and necrotic changes in the kidney and heart of rabbits. Interestingly, A. awamori upregulated Nrf2/OH-1 signaling pathway. Therefore enhanced TAC, CAT, and SOD enzyme activities and reduced OTA-induced oxidative and nitrosative stress by declining iNOS gene expression and consequently lowered MDA and NO levels. In addition to attenuating renal and cardiac inflammation via reducing IL-1β, TNF-α gene expressions in a dose-dependent response. In conclusion,this is the first report to pinpoint that dietary incorporation of A. awamori counteracted OTA-induced renal and cardiac damage by potentiating the rabbit's antioxidant defense system through its potent antioxidant, free radical scavenging, and anti-inflammatory properties in a dose-dependent response. Based on our observations, A. awamori could be utilized as a natural protective agent against ochratoxicosis in rabbits.

Carcass characteristics and meat quality assessment in different quail lines fed on canola seed supplemented diets

The effect of dietary supplementation with canola seed on carcass and meat quality characteristics in three quail lines was studied. Ninety quails aged 4-weeks were selected from three lines (white, black and brown) and randomly allocated to 3 feeding groups. One group was fed a basal diet as control, while the other two groups were fed on basal diet with 1 or 3% canola seed supplementation. Quails were slaughtered at 10 weeks of age. At 24 h postmortem, breast and thigh meat samples were separated; vacuum packaged and stored at -40°C until meat quality analyses. Results showed that carcass characteristics did not differ (P>0.05) between dietary treatments. However, the inclusion of canola seed increased (P<0.05) the concentration of total omega-3 fatty acid in meat and decreased widely the omega-6: omega-3 ratio compared to the control diet. Feeding 3% canola seeds decreased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the breast and thigh muscles of quails at day 5 of post-mortem. Regardless of dietary treatments, no carcass and meat quality characteristics except carcass weight differed between 3 quail lines. Brown quails exhibited significantly higher (P<0.05) carcass weight than white and black ones. These results indicate that feeding canola seed might modify meat fatty acid profile with better shelf life during postmortem aging. Likewise, due to high carcass weight, brown quail lines may be preferred for meat production purposes.

Use of Corn Silk Meal in Broiler Diet: Effect on Growth Performance, Blood Biochemistry, Immunological Responses, and Growth-Related Gene Expression

Simple Summary

Corn silk meal (CSM), the outer thread-like material found under corn husks, is a by-product of corn cultivation, which has been documented as a traditional medicine with multiple benefits for human health. Broilers cannot produce the enzymes needed to hydrolyze non-starch polysaccharide (NSP), which has been found to increase gut viscosity, and reduce the digestion and utilization of nutrients, thereby resulting in poor animal performance. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of diets supplemented with CSM and NSP on growth performance, blood biochemistry, immunological and growth-related gene expression in broiler chickens. A total of 270 broiler chickens were divided into six experimental groups: (1) basal diets (BD) as control; (2) BD supplemented with 0.5 g/kg feed NSP enzyme; (3) and (4) fed a diet containing 40 and 80 kg/ton of CSM; (5) and (6) fed a diet containing 40 and 80 kg/ton CSM and supplemented with 0.5 g/kg NSP enzyme. The results showed that the dietary inclusion of CSM with the NSP enzyme can improve growth performance, intestinal histopathology parameters, modify plasma lipids, and enhance immune response in broilers.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of diets supplemented with corn silk meal (CSM) and non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) enzyme on growth performance, blood biochemistry, immunological response, and growth-related gene expression in broiler chickens. A total of 270 broiler chickens were divided into six experimental groups: (1) basal diets (BD) as control; (2) BD supplemented with 0.5 g/kg feed NSP enzyme; the other four groups are CSM diets as following; (3) and (4) fed diet contain 40 and 80 kg/ton of CSM; (5) and (6) fed diet contain 40 and 80 kg/ton CSM and supplemented with 0.5 g/kg NSP enzyme. Body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein retention and fiber digestibility were synergistically improved (p < 0.05) when fed CSM supplemented with NSP enzyme. Moreover, a synergistic decrease (p < 0.05) in the serum glucose and total cholesterol were found. Immune organ weights and Newcastle disease virus titers were increased with CSM diets. Interestingly, the relative mRNAs of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) and insulin growth factor (IGF) were increased (p < 0.05) with the CSM and NSP enzyme: the relative mRNA expressions of cholecystokinin (CCK) and leptin were decreased by feeding CSM diets with the NSP enzyme. It could be concluded that the dietary inclusion of CSM with the NSP enzyme might improve growth performance, modify plasma lipids, and enhance immune response in broilers.

Nutritional manipulation to combat heat stress in poultry - A comprehensive review

Global warming and climate change adversely affect livestock and poultry production sectors under tropical and subtropical conditions. Heat stress is amongst the most significant stressors influencing poultry productivity in hot climate regions, causing substantial economic losses in poultry industry. These economic losses are speculated to increase in the coming years with the rise of global temperature. Moreover, modern poultry strains are more susceptible to high ambient temperature. Heat stress has negative effects on physiological response, growth performance and laying performance, which appeared in the form of reducing feed consumption, body weight gain, egg production, feed efficiency, meat quality, egg quality and immune response. Numerous practical procedures were used to ameliorate the negative impacts of increased temperature; among them the dietary manipulation, which gains a great concern in different regions around the world. These nutritional manipulations are feed additives (natural antioxidants, minerals, electrolytes, phytobiotics, probiotics, fat, and protein), feed restriction, feed form, drinking cold water and others. However, in the large scale of poultry industry, only a few of these strategies are commonly used. The current review article deliberates the different practical applications of useful nutritional manipulations to mitigate the heat load in poultry. The documented information will be useful to poultry producers to improve the general health status and productivity of heat-stressed birds via enhancing stress tolerance, oxidative status and immune response, and thereby provide recommendations to minimize production losses due to heat stress in particular under the growing global warming crisis.

Effects of Sunflower Meal Supplementation as a Complementary Protein Source in the Laying Hen’s Diet on Productive Performance, Egg Quality, and Nutrient Digestibility

The practical usage of untraditional feedstuffs such as sunflower meal (SFM) in laying hens nutrition in developing countries has received considerable attention. SFM is a by-product of the sunflower oil industry and has been progressively added to bird’s diets. Sunflower meal (SFM) is gaining great interest as a feed ingredient due to its eminent crude protein content, low anti-nutritional compounds, and low price. The current experiment was aimed to assess the production efficiency, egg quality, yolk fatty acids composition, and nutrient digestibility of laying hens fed SFM. A total of 162 Bovans Brown laying hens aged 60 weeks old were randomly allocated using a completely randomized design into three experimental groups of nine replicates each (n = six/replicate) for eight weeks. The dietary treatments involved a control (basal diet) and two levels of SFM, 50 and 100 g/kg feed. The dietary treatments did not influence live weight gain, feed intake, and egg mass. On one hand, the laying rate was increased; on the other hand, the feed conversion ratio and broken eggs rate of laying hens were decreased (p < 0.05) by the dietary inclusion of SFM. Dietary treatments had no effect on the egg’s quality characteristics except the yolk color and yolk height were larger (p = 0.01) for laying hens fed SFM compared with those fed the control. Dietary inclusion of SFM decreased (p < 0.05) the content of cholesterol in the egg yolk. Still, it increased the yolk contents of vitamin E, calcium, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and oleic acid (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the dietary inclusion of SFM increased crude protein and calcium digestibility, but decreased the ether extract digestibility. In conclusion, our results suggested that the dietary inclusion of SFM, up to 100 g/kg at a late phase of laying, could improve the production performance, some of the egg quality traits, and nutrient digestibility while decreasing egg yolk cholesterol.

Effect of Feeding Wet Feed or Wet Feed Fermented by Bacillus licheniformis on Growth Performance, Histopathology and Growth and Lipid Metabolism Marker Genes in Broiler Chickens

The present study evaluated the effect of three feeding methods (dry feed, wet feed or wet feed fermented with Bacillus licheniformis) on the growth performance, intestinal histomorphometry and gene expression of the lipid metabolism- and growth-related genes of broiler chickens. A total of 360 one-day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were randomly allotted into three groups containing four replicates with 30 birds each. The first group (control) was fed a dry mash basal diet. The second and third groups were fed wet feed and fermented wet feed. The final body weight and weight gain were reduced (p < 0.01) in the wet feed group, while they did not differ between the fermented wet feed and dry feed groups. Feed intake was not altered, and feeding on wet feed significantly (p < 0.01) increased the feed-to-gain ratio compared to the remaining groups. No differences between the three feeding methods in carcass characteristics, blood biochemistry and nutrient digestibility were observed except for crude protein digestibility, which was increased (p < 0.01) in the fermented wet feed group. Duodenal and ileal villi heights were elevated in birds fed fermented wet feeds, while crypt depth was not altered. The expression fold of IGF-1, GH and m-TOR genes in the pectoral muscle of birds fed wet feed was decreased (p < 0.05), while myostatin gene expression was elevated. Feeding on wet feed reduced the hepatic gene expression of PPARγ and increased that of FAS. In conclusion, wet feed negatively affected the broiler chickens' efficiency under heat stress; however, fermenting the wet feed with Bacillus licheniformis improved feed utilization and birds' performance compared to the dry feed group.

Aspergillus awamori positively impacts the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidative activity and immune responses of growing rabbits

In this study, we explored the effects of dietary administration of Aspergillus awamori on the growth, intestinal histomorphology, immune parameters and antioxidant enzyme activity of growing rabbits. The rabbits of 5 weeks of age (body weight, 855 ± 5.53 g) were allotted into four groups (12 rabbits per group) and fed four experimental diets enriched with A. awamori at 0, 50, 100 and 150 mg per kg diet for 8 weeks. After the feeding trial, an equal number of male APRI rabbits (3 months old; 4 groups, 5 rabbits per group) were housed in metabolism cages and fed the test diets for 14 days for the digestibility trial. All A. awamori-enriched diets induced a significant increase in the average body weight and weight gain of rabbits and significantly decreased the feed conversion ratio. In rabbits fed with A. awamori at 100 or 150 mg per kg diet, protein, lipid and fibber digestibility coefficients significantly increased compared with the control group. Intestinal villi measurements (length and thickness) were also enhanced in all rabbits fed with A. awamori. Adding A. awamori as a food supplement generally did not affect rabbit haematology and blood biochemistry values; however, at 150 mg per kg diet, it significantly increased the levels of haemoglobin and total protein, as well as red blood cell count. Furthermore, all enriched diets significantly increased rabbits' phagocytic activity and their phagocytic index. Rabbits fed with A. awamori also showed decreased malondialdehyde but increased catalase activity. In conclusion, A. awamori administered as feed supplement at 100-150 mg per kg of growing rabbits' diet enhances their growth, intestinal health and nutrient digestibility, and it raises the levels of their immune and antioxidative responses.

Effect of feeding wheat middlings and calcium lignosulfonate as pellet binders on pellet quality growth performance and lipid peroxidation in broiler chickens

Basal diets supplemented with 4 kg Ca-LS/ton of diet. Pellet quality characteristics (per cent fines, the present study was conducted to evaluate the influence of wheat middlings (WM) and calcium lignosulfonate (Ca-LS) as pellet binders on the pellet quality characteristics, growth performance, blood parameters, nutrients digestibilities, lipid peroxidation and muscle fatty acids profile in Egyptian broiler strain. A total of 3,120 broiler chicks at 1-day of age were divided randomly into three experimental treatments with eight replicates (130 each). The first treatment was fed the basal pelleted diets without any additives, the second treatment was fed diets including 50 kg WM/ton of diet and the third treatment was fed per cent pellets, and pellet durability index) were significantly improved in WM and Ca-LS treatments compared with the control. Body weight gain was significantly increased, while feed intake was significantly decreased resulting in improving of feed conversion ratio significantly in WM group in comparison with control and Ca-LS groups (p < .05). Nutrients apparent digestibility (dry matter, crude protein and crude fibre) were significantly improved by inclusion of WM compared with control and Ca-LS. Plasma total cholesterol, and uric acid concentrations were significantly decreased by dietary WM in comparison with control and Ca-LS experimental groups. Furthermore, linoleic, alpha-linolenic and arachidonic acids contents in breast muscle were significantly increased by WM and Ca-LS, while, muscle malondialdehyde concentration was significantly decreased. It could be concluded that inclusion of WM and Ca-LS can improve pellet quality characteristics, and WM (at a level of 50 kg/ton) had positive effects on growth performance, nutrients digestibilities, lipid peroxidation and fatty acids profile in Egyptian broiler strain.

Oxidative stress, hemato-immunological, and intestinal morphometry changes induced by ochratoxin A in APRI rabbits and the protective role of probiotics

This work studied the protective effects of Aspergillus awamori against ochratoxin A (OTA)-induced toxicity in APRI maternal line rabbits. A total number of 48 APRI line weanling rabbits (5 weeks) were divided into 4 groups (12 rabbits each) and fed the basal diet, 30 ppb/kg diet of OTA, 1 g/kg diet of A. awamori, and a mixture of OTA and A. awamori for 8 weeks. OTA reduced the final body weight and weight gain as well as the intestinal villi length and thickness, whereas increased the feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Rabbits fed diets with OTA showed significantly reduced crude protein, lipids, and fibers apparent digestibility coefficients (P < 0.05). The red blood cells and hemoglobin were significantly decreased in the OTA group comparing with the other groups (P < 0.05). The blood total protein and albumin displayed significantly lower levels by OTA than the other groups. In contrast, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea, and creatinine levels were significantly increased by OTA (P < 0.05). Phagocytic activity (PA) and phagocytic index (PI) showed significantly (P < 0.05) decreased levels in OTA-contaminated group, while rabbits fed A. awamori significantly showed the highest PA and PI levels (P < 0.05). Dietary A. awamori kept the levels of PA and PI in rabbits fed OTA significantly higher than those fed without A. awamori (P < 0.05) and not significantly different from the control group (P > 0.05). Catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) displayed significantly lower levels in the OTA group, while malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly higher than the other groups (P < 0.05). Rabbits fed OTA-contaminated diets displayed significantly lower CAT and SOD and higher MDA than rabbits fed OTA combined with A. awamori (P < 0.05). Our results indicated that dietary A. awamori ameliorated the damage in APRI rabbits fed OTA through alleviation of oxidative stress and immunity.

The effect of Aspergillus niger as a dietary supplement on blood parameters, intestinal morphology, and gut microflora in Haidong chicks reared in a high altitude environment

AIM

The effects of the inclusion of Aspergillus niger in the diet of Haidong chicks reared in the Qing-Zang high altitude area (China) under hypoxic conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 720 Haidong chicks were randomly divided into six groups and fed diets supplemented with 0%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1.0%, 1.25%, and 1.5% of A. niger to determine blood parameters, intestinal morphology, and gut microflora in Haidong chicks reared in a high altitude environment.

RESULTS

Packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell count, and hemoglobin concentration increased in the groups fed diets containing A. niger. The administration of A. niger in 1.0% and 1.25% significantly decreased the concentration of Escherichia coli in the cecum, while the concentration of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the cecum and ileum was increased in the treated groups. When compared to the control groups, villi height, crypt depth, and goblet cell density in the intestine was raised, in general, in the groups treated with A. niger.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that 1.25% A. niger as dietary supplement may improve the resistance to ascites among birds reared under hypoxic conditions.

Olive Cake Meal and Bacillus licheniformis Impacted the Growth Performance, Muscle Fatty Acid Content, and Health Status of Broiler Chickens

Olive cake meal (OCM) is characterized by its high nutritional value and is used as an alternative source of protein and fats in poultry diets. However, due to the high percentage of fiber in OCM, beneficial bacteria cells are used to improve the digestion rates. Therefore, the influence of OCM and Bacillus licheniformis (BL) on the growth, nutrient utilization, blood chemistry, and muscle fatty acid profile of broilers was exclusively examined in this study. Three hundred and sixty birds were randomly divided into six experimental groups (6 replicates/10 birds each): Control, OCM (2%), OCM (4%), BL, OCM (2%)/BL, and OCM (4%)/BL groups. Although feed intake was not meaningfully influenced by dietary treatments, weight gain was enhanced and feed conversion ratio was reduced (p < 0.05). The abdominal fat was lowered in broilers fed OCM (2%), OCM (4%), OCM (2%)/BL, and OCM (4%)/BL diets without a difference to those fed BL only (p < 0.05). Interestingly, blood total protein, albumin, Newcastle disease (ND) titer, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were significantly increased, while total cholesterol was decreased by the mixture of OCM and BL (p < 0.05). Muscle oleic and linoleic acids, as well as vitamin E, increased significantly in broilers fed both OCM (4%) and BL, while linolenic acid increased in all groups except those fed BL and control diets (p < 0.05). Liver malondialdehyde (MDA) was decreased by feeding BL or both OCM at 2% or 4% and BL (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the inclusion of BL to OCM diets resulted in improved fat utilization and, accordingly, enhanced growth, nutrient utilization, and antioxidative response in broilers. Based on the obtained results, it is recommended to use BL to improve the nutritional value of OCM and to increase the feed utilization of OCM by broilers.

Growth performance, hemato-biochemical indices, thyroid activity, antioxidant status, and immune response of growing Japanese quail fed diet with full-fat canola seeds

Dietary supplementation of full-fat canola seeds (FFCS) can be part of the global solution to the problem of incessant raise in feed cost. Genetic improvement via plant breeding constantly introduces varieties of canola with higher content of unsaturated fatty acids and lower content of anti-nutritional factors. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the dietary inclusion effect of new mutant of FFCS on growth performance, carcass traits, blood metabolites, thyroid activity, antioxidant status, and immune response of growing Japanese quails. A total of 640 21-day-old quails were used in a completely randomize design with and equally allotted to four experimental groups and eight replicates each. The experimental groups fed diets supplemented with 0, 50, 100, and 150 g FFCS/kg diet from 21 to 49 days of age. All experimental diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. The inclusion level of FFCS did not affect body weight and body weight gain at all studied periods, while feed intake was reduced and feed conversion ratio was enhanced linearly under all experimental periods except the duration from 28 to 35 days of age. All carcass traits were not statistically affected with graded levels of FFCS. Hemoglobin, leucocytes, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and MCH concentration values were linearly increased. Serum protein fractions, liver enzymes activities, renal function biomarkers, and triiodothyronine concentration were not affected. However, serum lipid profile was significantly altered, where high-density lipoprotein was linearly increased while triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were linearly (and quadratically for LDL) decreased. Antioxidant and immune statuses were improved; significant increment in glutathione and glutathione peroxidase values and antibody titer against Newcastle disease virus were elevated in groups treated with 10% and 15% FFCS. In conclusion, studied levels of FFCS, however, were not able to promote the growth rate of growing Japanese quails; they were more effective in boosting their antioxidant status and humoral immune response.

Beneficial influences of dietary Aspergillus awamori fermented soybean meal on oxidative homoeostasis and inflammatory response in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

High levels of soybean meal (SBM) in aquafeed leads to detrimental inflammatory response and oxidative stress in fish. In the present study, fermentation with Aspergillus awamori was conducted to explore the potential effects on improving the nutritional quality of soybean meal and the health status of turbot. A 63-day feeding trial (initial weight 8.53 ± 0.11 g) was carried out to evaluate the utilization of fermented soybean meal (FSM) by juvenile turbot. 0% (FM, control), 30% (S30, F30), 45% (S45, F45), and 60% (S60, F60) of fish meal were replaced with SBM or FSM, respectively. As the results showed, fermentation significantly reduced the contents of anti-nutritional factors in SBM, including raffinose (-98.8%), glycinin (-98.5%), β-conglycinin (-97.4%), trypsin inhibitors (-80%) and stachyose (-80%). A depression of fish growth performance and activities of superoxide dismutase and lysozyme were observed in S45 and S60 groups, while these inferiorities were only observed in F60 group. Meanwhile, fermentation also improved the heights of enterocytes and microvillus significantly in the F45 and F60 groups compared with those in SBM. An induced expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine transforming growth factor-β and depression of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β in the distal intestine were observed in the F45 and F60 groups. Taken together, this study indicated that fermentation with Aspergillus awamori could improve the replacement level with soybean meal from 30% to 45% in turbot.

Effects of Multi-Strain Probiotics Combined with Gardeniae fructus on Intestinal Microbiota, Metabolites, and Morphology in Broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a multi-strain probiotic combined with Gardeniae fructus on the growth performance, intestinal microbiota composition and metabolites, and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. The dietary treatments included the basal diet without any antimicrobials (C), the basal diet supplemented with 10 ppm avilamycin (A), the basal diet supplemented with 0.1% multi-strain probiotics powder containing Lactobacillus acidophilus LAP5, L. fermentum P2, L. casei L21, and Pediococcus acidophilus LS (1×107 CFU/g) (P), and the basal diet supplemented with a mixture of 0.1% multi-strain probiotics and 0.05% herbal medicine G. fructus (PH). The results showed no significant differences in growth performance across all groups. A denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis indicated that the groups PH, P, and A exhibited an increase in the similarity coefficients of their intestinal microbial populations. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis showed that the relative concentrations of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus in the cecum and Bifidobacterium spp. in the ileum were higher in the groups PH, P, and A than in group C, and the diet supplemented with multi-strain probiotics combined with G. fructus decreased the concentrations of cecal Escherichia spp. and Clostridium perfringens. The broilers fed with multi-strain probiotics combined with G. fructus showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in the cecal short-chain fatty acids (total SCFA, acetic acid, and butyric acid) compared to the other groups. The treatment with antibiotics, multi-strain probiotics, or multi-strain probiotics combined with G. fructus increased the villus height/crypt depth ratio in the ileum of broilers. In conclusion, the supplementation of multi-strain probiotics combined with G. fructus was beneficial to the intestinal microflora composition, metabolites, and morphology in broilers.

Growth performance, blood health, antioxidant status and immune response in red sea bream (Pagrus major) fed Aspergillus oryzae fermented rapeseed meal (RM-Koji)

This study evaluated the effects of dietary substitution of fishmeal by graded levels of a blend composed of Aspergillus oryzae fermented rapeseed meal [0% (RM0), 25% (RM25), 50% (RM50), 75% (RM75) and 100% (RM100)] on growth performance, haemato-immunological responses and antioxidative status of Pagrus major (average weight 5.5 ± 0.02 g). After 56 days, growth performances were significantly improved in fish fed RM25 diet compared to control (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, up to 50% replacement of fishmeal did not affect growth performance, feed conversion efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, protein apparent digestibility, protease activity, fish somatic indices and survival compared to control. While blood hematocrit and plasma protein were significantly enhanced in groups fed RM0 and RM25 diets, most of the hematological parameters did not change through the trial except glutamic pyruvate transaminase which was significantly increased in RM75 and RM100 groups and blood cholesterol which was gradually decreased with the increasing level of the blend. Interestingly, feeding fish with RM25 and RM50 diets significantly showed enhanced lysozyme, bactericidal and peroxidase activities and fish fed the same diets showed high resistance against oxidative stress (biological antioxidant potential and reactive oxygen metabolites). Additionally, catalase activity and tolerance against low salinity seawater were higher in fish fed RM25 diet. These findings suggested that, at a moderate level (25% and 50%), substitution of fishmeal by the fermented rapeseed meal promoted growth, nutrient utilization, and exerted immune responses and anti-oxidative effects in red sea bream.

The ameliorative effect of Aspergillus awamori on aflatoxin B1-induced hepatic damage in rabbits

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of Aspergillus awamori on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced liver damage in rabbits. Administration of AFB1 (0.3 mg/kg diet) led to a significant reduction in body weight, body weight gain, total feed intake, total serum proteins, albumin, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, phagocytic activity, phagocytic index, and the antioxidant enzyme, glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Moreover, AFB1 administration was associated with a significant increase in feed conversion ratio, lipid peroxidation and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase and total bilirubin. In addition, livers of AFB1-supplemented animals showed fatty degeneration with vacuolisation, focal areas of necrosis, mononuclear cells infiltration hyperplasia of bile ducts and sinusoids. A significant increase in the hepatic expression of the biotransformation gene (Cyp3A6), stress-sensitive genes (HO1 and SOD1), and inflammation-related genes (IL6, TNFa, NF-kB, and Cox2) was also observed. Supplementation of the diets with 0.05, 0.1 or 0.15% A. awamori ameliorated all AFB1 deleterious effects with the best improvement observed at the lowest concentration. This is the first investigation to report that supplementation of rabbit diets with A. awamori has an ameliorative effect against AFB1-induced liver damage possibly through preventing hepatic oxidative stress, promoting the antioxidant defence systems, and inhibiting expression of Cyp3A6, HO1, SOD1, IL6, TNFa, NF-kB, and Cox2. Therefore, A. awamori could be used as a potential preventive or therapeutic agent for aflatoxicosis.