Modulation of Performance, Plasma Constituents, Small Intestinal Morphology, and Cecum Microbiota in Growing Geese by Dietary Citric Acid Supplementation

To investigate the efficiency and optimum inclusion level of CA in growing geese diets on performance, plasma constituents, and intestinal health, 240 healthy female geese at the age of 28d were randomly allotted six treatment diets incorporated with 0, 0.8, 1.6, 2.4, 3.2, and 4% CA. Each treatment group consisted of five replicates and eight birds per replicate. The findings demonstrated that 3.2% CA supplementation resulted in improved growth performance (ADG, ADFI, and FBW) (p = 0.001), and geese who received CA also showed lower body fat contents (p < 0.05) than the control group. Moreover, geese from the 2.4% and 3.2% CA group had the highest plasma glutathione peroxidase and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). A microbial diversity analysis of the cecum conducted by 16S rDNA sequencing revealed that 3.2% CA supplementation showed a significantly higher abundance of beneficial bacteria (Muribaculaceae, CHKCI001, Erysipelotricha-ceae_UCG_003, and UCG_009) (p < 0.05) and a lower abundance of harmful bacteria (Atopobiaceae, Streptococcus, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Alistipes) (p < 0.10). Collectively, our results revealed that dietary supplementation with 3.2% CA had several benefits on the performance and physiological health of growing geese by promoting nutrients metabolism, improving antioxidant capacity, and modulating cecum microbiota.

Effect of in ovo copper injection on body weight, immune response, blood biochemistry and carcass traits of broiler chicks at 35 days of age

The current study was conducted to investigate effects of copper (sulfate, acetate and nano) in ovo injection at 10 days of the embryogenesis period on body weight (BW), immunity, biochemical parameters and carcass traits of broiler chicks at 35 days of age. A total number of 462 fertile eggs were used in seven groups, each group containing 66 eggs in three replicates. The experimental design was as follows: the group 1 as a control, while groups 2, 3 and 4 injected with 8 μg/egg of Cu sulfate, Cu acetate and nano Cu, respectively, and groups 5, 6 and 7 injected with 16 μg/egg of Cu sulfate, Cu acetate and nano Cu, respectively. Results stated that BW was increased in Cu-injected groups, except groups of Cu acetate, but plasma constituents, carcass and relative weight of organs did not affect. Cu level (8 μg/egg) had better results than Cu level (16 μg/egg). No differences between among groups in relative weights of spleen and bursa and immune response. In conclusion, it is recommended that in ovo injection of different sources of Cu can augment the BW and did not harmfully affect immunity, carcass traits and biochemical parameters of broiler chicks.

Immune function in dairy cows related to energy balance and metabolic status in early lactation

Two feeding experiments were carried out in 2 successive years with 28 cows of the Norwegian Red Cattle (NRF) in each experiment. The cows were randomly distributed into 4 groups and subjected to different feeding regimens from 1 month prior to calving until 12 weeks after calving. The experimental design was factorial (2 x 2) with respect to protein content of the concentrate (17.5% digestible crude protein (DCP) v.s. 12.5% DCP) and concentrate allowances (standard v.s. substandard allowances after calving). Silage was offered ad libitum. Samples for estimation of serum immunoglobulin-G, white blood cells and lymphocyte responses to the mitogens phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A and pokeweed mitogen were collected 4 weeks prior to expected calving, and 2, 4 and 8 weeks after calving. The levels of milk immunoglobulin-G were estimated at calving and 2, 4 and 8 weeks after calving. A significant positive relationship was found between the estimated energy balance and the lymphocyte response to mitogens. Little evidence was found for the existence of a significant relationship between the immunologic parameters and plasma indicators of metabolic status. The lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin and levels of serum immunoglobulin-G increased, while levels of milk immunoglobulin-G decreased during the period from calving to 8 weeks after calving. Increased milk somatic cell counts were associated with a significant decrease in the lymphocyte responses to mitogens.