Despite the individual recognition of Indigofera zollingeriana and Spirulina platensis as functional poultry feed ingredients, their synergistic effects remain largely unexplored. In this study, the effects of I. zollingeriana and S. platensis on growth performance, carcass traits, blood biochemistry, and the intestinal environment were evaluated. In a randomized block design, five dietary treatments were administered to local-meat type Muscovy ducks, with five replicates of five birds per treatment. The diets that were tested included the following: T0 (Control): Basal diet without the addition of Spirulina or Indigofera; T1: Basal diet 89.5% + Spirulina 0.5% + Indigofera 10%; T2: Basal diet 89% + Spirulina 1% + Indigofera 10%; T3: Basal diet (84.5% + Spirulina 0.5% + Indigofera 15%); And T4: Basal diet 84% + Spirulina 1% + Indigofera 15%. Compared with the control diet, the combined inclusion of Spirulina and Indigofera significantly decreased the feed conversion ratio (p<0.05), while feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG) remained unaffected. Carcass weight and percentage remained statistically comparable across treatments, with T3 yielding the highest numerical value. In summary, I. zollingeriana and S. platensis were combined to create a beneficial combination that improved feed efficiency and the gut environment without affecting carcass traits or organ development. Among the treatments, the combination consisting of 15% I. zollingeriana showed relatively favorable numerical responses in several measured variables, although these differences were not statistically significant for some variables.
Poultry farming plays a vital role in rural livelihoods and is a primary source of animal protein in Burkina Faso. However, the increasing introduction of fast-growing exotic breeds threatens the genetic integrity of local chicken populations. This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and structure of local chickens using 27 microsatellite markers, of which 23 were selected and 19 polymorphic markers were retained for analysis. A total of 116 individuals from local populations were genotyped, along with 20 individuals of the exotic broiler breed Cobb 500 for comparison. Genetic diversity, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, genetic distances, and population structure were evaluated using Bayesian and multivariate approaches. Results showed that 19 loci were polymorphic, revealing high allelic diversity with 117 alleles and a mean of 6.16 alleles per locus. The overall heterozygosity deficit (FIS) was low (0.04). Genetic differentiation among all populations was moderate (FST = 0.10), with higher differentiation between local populations and the exotic breed (FST = 0.19) and very low differentiation among local subpopulations (maximum FST = 0.04). Phylogenetic and Bayesian analyses indicated high admixture among local chickens, suggesting a largely homogeneous genetic structure, although the Sahelian population appeared slightly distinct. Evidence of introgression from exotic breeds was also observed, particularly in the Sudanian and Sudano-Sahelian zones. In conclusion, the local chickens of Burkina Faso form a single, weakly structured genetic pool characterized by high allelic diversity and a low heterozygosity deficit.
This study evaluated the effects of encapsulated Centella asiatica extract on growth performance, intestinal development, and intestinal microbial in ducks. A total of 240 two-day-old male Tegal ducks with an initial body weight of 42.5 ± 2.3 g were divided into four treatments with six replications. The treatments were T0, basal diet without encapsulated C. asiatica extract (ECAE); T1, basal diet + 0.2% ECAE; T2, basal diet + 0.4% ECAE; and T3, basal diet + 0.6% ECAE. The measured variables included intestinal segment weight, length, pH, percentage of live weight, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and coliform populations, villus height, crypt depth, feed consumption, body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and carcass percentage. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, followed by Duncan’s test at the 5% significance level. The results showed that ECAE significantly increased jejunal length and decreased ileal and cecal pH at 21 days of age (p<0.05). It also increased intestinal length, weight, and the percentage of intestinal segments of live weight at 35 days of age (p<0.05). The LAB population increased significantly in T2 and T3 (p<0.05). Villus height and crypt depth also increased significantly (p<0.05). Body weight gain and final body weight increased significantly in T1, while the FCR decreased (p<0.05). In conclusion, ECAE at all levels (0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6%) positively affected growth performance, intestinal development, and intestinal microbial in ducks, with the most pronounced improvement in intestinal and microbial parameters observed at 0.6% level and in growth performance parameters (body weight and FCR) at 0.2% level.
Increasing antimicrobial resistance has accelerated the exploration of phytobiotics as natural and sustainable feed additives to replace antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in poultry production. The antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects of phytobiotics such as flavonoids, alkaloids, polyphenols, saponins, and essential oils from plants enhance the health and productivity of poultry. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms and the beneficial effects of phytobiotics on antioxidant activity, immune responses, intestinal morphology, gut barrier integrity, gut microbiota modulation, and production performance in poultry. Phytobiotics enhance antioxidant defense through free radical scavenging activity and activation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes via the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Moreover, phytobiotics regulate cytokine expression, modulating immune responses, thereby increasing disease resistance and maintaining physiological homeostasis. Phytobiotics improve intestinal health by inhibiting pathogenic bacteria, promoting beneficial microbiota, increasing short-chain fatty acid production, and reinforcing tight junction proteins, leading to improved villous surface area and nutrient absorption efficiency. Studies have shown positive effects of phytobiotic inclusion on growth performance, egg production, intestinal health, and oxidative status in poultry. However, the efficacy of phytobiotics can be reduced during processing and storage as a result of thermal degradation, oxidation, and instability of bioactive compounds, which can reduce their antioxidant activity and biological functions in poultry. Nevertheless, phytobiotics remain promising as natural replacements for AGPs in enhancing poultry health, physiological status, intestinal function, and production performance in sustainable poultry production systems by modulating immune responses, improving antioxidant defense, maintaining intestinal morphology and gut barrier integrity, and promoting a balanced gut microbiota.
Tropical dairy systems face energy deficits from low-quality forages and high rumen fermentation heat, while interest grows in improving milk fatty acid composition, particularly CLA precursors; however, intensive biohydrogenation limits beneficial unsaturated fatty acids. This study evaluated the dose–response effects of coconut (CFAD) and palm (PFAD) fatty acid distillates on rumen fermentation, digestibility, and fatty acid biohydrogenation. An in vitro 2 × 5 factorial design was applied, comprising two FAD types and five inclusion levels (0%–4% DM) with 12 replicates. Fermentation characteristics, nutrient digestibility, microbial activity, and biohydrogenation indices were measured, and polynomial regression was used to determine optimal inclusion levels. CFAD exhibited stronger antimicrobial and defaunating effects, resulting in higher total VFA production, improved NH₃ utilization, enhanced microbial protein synthesis, and a more favorable unsaturation pattern at moderate inclusion levels, although it reduced trans-11 accumulation. In contrast, PFAD maintained more stable fermentation and promoted greater accumulation of trans-11 and CLA precursors, despite increasing methane-related pathways at higher inclusion levels. Overall, CFAD (2.5%–3% DM) is more suitable for improving fermentation efficiency, whereas PFAD (1.5%–2% DM) is more appropriate when the objective is to enhance CLA-related intermediates.
Bulls in humid tropical climates are constantly exposed to heat stress, affecting their reproductive performance. This study evaluated the effect of variables associated with season, especially temperature and humidity, on semen quality of Brahman bulls. A total of 39 ejaculates were analyzed from 12 Brahman bulls with ages at collection between 24 and 30 months. The temperature-humidity index (THI) was modeled as a continuous predictor variable; whereas, ejaculates were grouped into two THI cohorts for secondary exploratory analyses. These were based on sample medians of ≤80.1 and >80.1 points in a consistently high-THI tropical environment. Season was associated with variation in total motility (TM), progressive motility (PM), and sperm morphology. TM and PM were highest during the transitional season, whereas the percentage of normal sperm morphology was highest during the rainy season. Sperm curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), linearity index (LIN), straightness index (STR), and wobble (WOB) were significantly higher (p<0.05) during the dry season. Sperm viability did not differ significantly among seasons. Under the THI cohort comparison, significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in VCL, VAP, LIN, STR, and WOB, whereas TM, PM, viability, normal morphology, and VSL were not significantly affected. In conclusion, season was associated with variation in sperm motility, kinematic patterns, and morphology in Brahman bulls, whereas sperm viability remained relatively stable across seasons. The results do not suggest a beneficial effect of heat stress, but rather highlight the complexity of interpreting seminal quality responses under tropical conditions. In the continuous THI analysis, THI showed significant positive associations with TM and PM, whereas no significant associations were detected for the remaining kinematic variables, viability, or normal morphology.
The objective of this study was to evaluate dry matter intake (DMI), dry matter digestibility (DMD), ingestive behavior, and blood parameters in ewes fed extruded diets with increasing forage levels compared with fresh corn silage. Twenty adult, non-pregnant crossbred ewes (Dorper × Santa Inês; 4 ± 0.5 years old) with an initial body weight of 65.17 ± 10.45 kg were housed in metabolic cages for 20 days in a completely randomized design and assigned to one of the following treatments: fresh corn silage, extruded diet containing 52.5%, 60.0%, 65.0%, or 70.0% forage based on Urochloa spp. grass fiber. Data were analyzed using mixed models after testing for normality and homogeneity of residuals. Orthogonal contrasts were used to evaluate the effects of forage type and increasing forage levels. Glucose concentrations were analyzed as repeated measures over time, and the covariance structure was selected based on the corrected Akaike information criterion. Statistical significance was declared at p≤0.05. Extruded diets increased DMI, water intake from the drinker, fecal score, idling time (IT), chewing efficiency (CE), rumination efficiency (RE), and serum urea concentrations compared with corn silage (p<0.05); however, no effect was observed on DMD. Increasing forage levels in the extruded diets promoted a positive quadratic effect on DMI and rumination time up to 65.0% forage inclusion, whereas negative quadratic responses were observed for IT, CE, and RE. Blood glucose concentration showed a quadratic response to forage inclusion, reaching a maximum at 60.0% forage, while serum urea concentrations decreased linearly as dietary forage levels increased (p<0.05). In conclusion, fully extruded diets improved feed intake, water consumption, and ingestive efficiency in ewes without affecting DMD, even at higher forage inclusion levels. Forage inclusion levels between 60.0% and 65.0% optimized intake and rumination activity, while promoting greater stability in blood glucose concentrations.
The Libyan chicken is a vital resource for rural populations, especially in the northern parts of the country. Libyan indigenous chicken breeds are known for their ability to survive and adapt to adverse environmental conditions, making them an important resource for regional poultry production. Despite the importance of these breeds, little is known about their genetic composition. In this work, the complete genome of Libyan chicken was comprehensively studied using pylogenetic analysis, which provides long-read sequencing and the potential to capture complex genome architecture. The study examined 28 genomic datasets using the MEGA (molecular evolutionary genetics analysis) tool, which allows for determining structural changes, genetic variations, and evolutionary relationships within the breed. The outcomes showed that the mitochondria genome in Libyan chickens is well-organized despite having a genetic diversity which makes them divergent from the commercial breeds. The phylogenetic study also showed that Libyan chickens have an intermediate ancestral lineage with the Asian indigenous breeds and formed their own separate genetic lineages. The evidence above proves that the mitochondrial genome structure of the Libyan chicken is unique.
Solid-state fermentation (SSF) can improve the nutritional value of agro-industrial residues by enriching microbial protein and modifying fiber structure. However, routine monitoring of these dynamic changes by conventional chemical methods is time-consuming. This study evaluated the feasibility of combining near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) with chemometrics and machine learning for rapid estimation of gross energy (GE), crude protein (CP), and crude fat (ether extract [EE]) in citronella residues during SSF. Citronella residue was fermented for 28 days under four white-rot fungal treatments and an uninoculated control (n = 60). NIR spectra (1000–2500 nm) were preprocessed using multiplicative scatter correction (MSC), and informative wavelengths were selected using the successive projections algorithm (SPA). Predictive models were developed using partial least squares regression (PLSR), support vector regression (SVR), and light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM), with a 3:1 split for calibration and prediction samples (45/15 samples). CP, the principal indicator of protein enrichment during SSF, can be effectively monitored using NIRS, with PLSR yielding the highest predictive accuracy among all models (R² = 0.72, RMSE = 0.29%, and MAE = 0.23%). The ability to monitor CP through NIR enabled the rapid evaluation of nutritional upgrading. GE showed moderate predictive performance, with the best results from LightGBM (R² = 0.55, RMSE = 192.34 J/g, and MAE = 146.02 J/g). The poor predictive capability of EE (best R² = 0.15) reflects the variability and low concentrations of EE, the weak and non-unique spectral signatures of EE, and strong spectral absorption in the sample matrix. Therefore, these data support the use of NIRS to rapidly evaluate CP yields and changes in the dynamic range of CP during SSF, but indicate that EE will continue to have limited value as a NIRS-based predictor in this highly complex fermented matrix.
Horse milk contains diverse microbial communities whose composition may be altered by processing and the addition of carrier ingredients. This study evaluated the effects of milk form and dextrin supplementation on the microbiota of horse milk prepared as pasteurized liquid milk (SKC), powdered milk supplemented with 15% dextrin (SKD), and powdered milk without dextrin (SKT). Microbial diversity and composition were analyzed using full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing covering the V1–V9 regions. SKT showed the highest microbial richness, with 1185 observed taxa and a Shannon index of 3.43 ± 0.23, compared with 963 taxa and 2.40 ± 0.99 in SKD and 190 taxa and 2.02 ± 0.06 in SKC. SKC and SKD were dominated by lactic acid bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus gallinarum and Lactobacillus helveticus, whereas SKT contained higher proportions of stress-tolerant and spore-forming taxa such as Brevibacillus parabrevis (26%), Thalassoporum komareki (12%), and Lysinibacillus boronitolerans (10%). Sankey diagrams and principal component analysis further demonstrated distinct microbial community structures among the treatments. Overall, dextrin supplementation appeared to act as a protective carrier during drying, helping maintain the predominance of lactic acid bacteria, whereas powdered milk produced without dextrin was associated with a broader microbial profile.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Monaragala District of Sri Lanka to assess the prevalence, bacterial causes, antibiotic resistance patterns, and associated risk factors of subclinical mastitis (SCM) in dairy cows. Five veterinary surgeon (VS) divisions were selected using a simple random sampling method, and 607 lactating cows from 175 dairy farms were chosen through multi-stage stratified random sampling. SCM was diagnosed in each cow via the California Mastitis Test (CMT). Cows testing positive for CMT (≥2+ for any quarter) without clinical symptoms were considered SCM positive. Milk samples from positive cows were bacteriologically isolated and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Risk factors for SCM incidence were identified using multivariable generalized estimating equation (GEE) models and descriptive statistical analysis. The SCM prevalence was reported as 18.7% at the cow level, 26.8% at the farm level, and 10.75% at the quarter level. Staphylococcus aureus (79.1%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (16.4%) were the most commonly isolated pathogens. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing demonstrated significant resistance to ampicillin (67.6%), neomycin (89.8%), and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (60.2%). In contrast, the majority of isolates remained susceptible to enrofloxacin (81.1%). Multidrug resistance was noted in 31.8% of isolates, with S. aureus reporting the highest prevalence. Multivariable analysis detected parity, lactation stage, mastitis history, breed, production system, floor hygiene, and cleaning frequency as risk factors. In conclusion, SCM in Monaragala District was predominantly associated with contagious pathogens and influenced by both animal- and farm-management factors. Antimicrobial resistance was common among mastitis-associated bacterial isolates.
Heat stress has remained one of the gravest limitations on poultry production under tropical climatic conditions. It stimulates increased stress hormone levels, oxidative damage, and impaired metabolism, which ultimately reduce growth performance. This study aimed to evaluate whether Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 1582-fermented shallot bulb extract (LPFS), supplied as drinking water, could improve growth performance and physical resilience in yellow-feathered Rilai broilers exposed to chronic natural summer heat in Central Vietnam. In a completely randomized study design, 300 day-old male chicks were randomly assigned to six treatments (five replications of 10 birds each) and raised for 90 days in an open-sided house. The birds were fed plain drinking water (negative control), oxytetracycline in feed (100 mg/kg diet, positive control), or LPFS at 25, 50, 75, or 100 mg/L in drinking water. The growth performance was measured weekly, and blood samples were taken after 90 days and analyzed to determine lipid profiles, liver enzymes, acute-phase proteins, and stress/oxidative biomarkers. Body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly higher with LPFS supplementation compared to the negative control (p<0.05), with the most significant benefits observed in the later growth phase. Also, LPFS significantly decreased the levels of circulating corticosterone, malondialdehyde, and heat shock protein 70 in addition to increasing the activities of several major antioxidant enzymes. The serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were also lower in the groups treated with LPFS, with positive changes in liver enzyme activities. In conclusion, LPFS acts as a postbiotic–phytochemical water additive that supports productivity and metabolic resilience during prolonged natural summer heat exposure and may partially substitute for antibiotic-associated benefits in tropical poultry production.
Variation in milk yield among dairy goats maintained under identical feeding and management conditions suggests underlying differences in metabolic organization and nutrient utilization efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the precision of nutritional status in lactating Saanen dairy goats classified by milk production level by integrating productive performance, energy metabolic biomarkers, hormonal profiling, and untargeted serum metabolomics. Twenty multiparous goats were categorized into high production (HP; n = 10) and low production (LP; n = 10) groups based on average daily milk yield. Circulating non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), insulin, cortisol, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were measured, and serum metabolomic profiling was performed using LC–HRMS followed by multivariate and pathway enrichment analyses. HP goats produced significantly more milk (3.93 ± 0.35 L/day) than LP goats (2.55 ± 0.19 L/day) and exhibited lower NEFA, BHBA, and cortisol concentrations, indicating greater metabolic efficiency and reduced stress-associated burden. Untargeted metabolomics identified 54 annotated metabolites, of which 25 were significantly altered between groups. Multivariate analysis demonstrated clear metabolic separation, and pathway enrichment highlighted tryptophan metabolism, one-carbon metabolism, riboflavin metabolism, and carbohydrate-related pathways as key differentiating routes. HP goats were characterized by higher uridine diphosphate glucose, riboflavin, S-adenosylmethionine, and betaine, whereas LP goats showed increased kynurenine, L-formylkynurenine, 1-methylhistidine, cortisone, and methylmalonic acid. Nine metabolites exhibited strong discriminative performance (AUC > 0.8), supporting their potential as biomarker candidates. These findings indicate that milk production divergence in Saanen dairy goats reflects coordinated differences in systemic metabolic remodeling, defining distinct precision nutritional status phenotypes associated with metabolic efficiency and stress–energy adaptation.
Antimicrobial resistance is becoming a major concern for the poultry industry, particularly as Escherichia coli strains are increasingly exhibiting multidrug resistance. This study aims to assess the antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes of E. coli isolated from broilers in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, providing a scientific basis for managing antimicrobial use in poultry production. A total of 370 rectal fecal samples were collected from 25 farms, including 250 samples from healthy broilers (67.6%) and 120 samples from diarrheal broilers (32.4%). E. coli isolates were identified using conventional biochemical methods and confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In addition, isolates from diarrheal samples (n=120) were screened for seven virulence genes (hlyE, iss, eaeA, ent, escV, stx1, and stx2) using PCR. Data were statistically analyzed using R (version 4.4.1) to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, multidrug resistance (MDR), virulence genes, and AMR/MDR profiles. The results showed high resistance rates to most tested antimicrobial agents, particularly tetracycline and erythromycin (>90%), while ciprofloxacin exhibited the lowest resistance rate (31%-32%). The proportions of isolates resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent and those classified as MDR were 97.5% and 90.3%, respectively. Among the isolates from diarrheal samples, 94.2% carried at least one virulence gene. The genes hlyE, iss, and stx2 were the most prevalent, whereas ent, eaeA, and escV were detected at lower frequencies, and stx1 was not detected (p<0.001). The high prevalence of multidrug resistance, together with the frequent detection of hlyE, iss, and stx2 suggests the co-occurrence of resistance and virulence traits, which may facilitate their dissemination within the intestinal microbiota.
Free-range poultry production has gained increasing attention due to growing consumer demand for systems that promote animal welfare and sustainable meat production. However, information on the suitability of free-range systems for fast-growing broiler strains under tropical conditions remains limited and warrants further investigation. The current study aimed to evaluate the growth performance, behavior, apparent nutrient digestibility, serum lipid profile, and carcass characteristics of broilers reared under the free-range system. A total of 120 Cobb500 broiler chicks (14 days old) were randomly allocated to either a conventional indoor system or a free-range system with outdoor paddock access. Each treatment included 10 replicates of 6 birds reared in 1 & times; 1 m pens; free-range pens were provided with additional 1 & times; 6 m outdoor paddocks. Results revealed that free-range birds exhibited higher levels of foraging and locomotion. In contrast, indoor birds spent more time eating and resting throughout their growth period, especially at five weeks of age (p<0.05). No significant difference (p>0.05) was observed between the two treatments regarding growth performance traits. Meanwhile, broilers reared under a free-range system had significantly higher apparent digestibility of dry matter (p=0.017) and ether extract (p=0.043). In addition, free-range birds exhibited significantly lower serum triglycerides (-16.95%; p=0.001), LDL (-17.20%; p=0.002), VLDL (-14.07%; p=0.023), and LDL/HDL ratio (-20.00%; p=0.002) compared to conventionally reared birds. Abdominal fat content was also significantly reduced (-30%; p=0.003) in the free-range group, while other carcass traits remained unaffected (p>0.05). In conclusion, although the rearing system did not influence growth performance, free-range conditions improved behavioral expression, nutrient digestibility, and lipid metabolism by reducing serum lipid levels and carcass fatness.
Hematological values are essential in understanding the health of an animal. Interpretation of these values must consequently be clinically accurate. These values are also putative biomarkers for resiliency under tropical conditions. In this study, blood profiles of Panay Native (PN) and crossbred Holstein x Jersey (HxJ) heifer cattle were compared to identify biomarkers of tropical resilience. Blood samples from 58 heifers were analyzed using General Linear Models and multivariate techniques. Results demonstrated that temperate-derived Reference Intervals frequently misclassified healthy animals. The Panay cattle exhibited a superior erythropoietic phenotype (significantly higher RBC, HGB, PCV, p<0.001), driven by a unique regulatory mechanism in which increased red cell counts were balanced by reduced cell volume (negative RBC-MCV correlation, r = -0.76, p<0.001). In contrast, crossbred heifers exhibited signs of compensated hemolysis, characterized by regenerative anemia (>55% prevalence). Multivariate analysis revealed a clear divergence in physiological strategies, with crossbred cattle displaying a trade-off between erythropoiesis and immune stability, whereas the native cattle demonstrated superior homeostatic stability. Overall, this study confirms that non-localized reference intervals misinterpret the physiological realities of tropical herds, causing systemic diagnostic errors. Furthermore, the unique regulatory patterns substantiate the 'viscosity clamp' or the uncoupling of cell count and volume as putative biomarkers of innate climate resilience in indigenous cattle.
The intensification of pig production in developing countries raises concerns about animal welfare and its impact on pork quality, as well as industry sustainability and product value. This study aimed to evaluate the welfare status and post-slaughter meat quality of finishing pigs across different production scales in Vietnam. A cross-sectional survey of 45 farms (small, medium, and large-scale) was conducted using the Welfare Quality (R) framework (four principles and twelve assessment criteria). Subsequently, 18 crossbred pigs were slaughtered to analyze Longissimus dorsi quality (10th-15th ribs), including pH, color, chemical composition, and fatty acid profiles. Results indicated that the good feeding principle scored significantly higher in large-scale farms (LF: 80.28) compared to medium (MF: 67.89) and small-scale farms (SF: 59.95) (p<0.001). Conversely, the good health principle recorded the lowest scores across all scales (LF at 7.80, MF at 7.51, and SF at 7.74; p<0.01). Acceptable levels were obtained for appropriate behavior and environmental comfort (40-60 points). While pH remained similar across groups, meat from LF pigs exhibited significantly lighter color, higher protein content, and increased drip loss (p<0.01). Notably, the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids and the UFA/SFA ratio (unsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids) were greater in pigs raised on the LF, suggesting a favorable lipid composition. Briefly, large-scale production systems demonstrated enhanced animal welfare and beneficial meat quality traits, indicating that improved housing management and nutritional strategies contribute to more sustainable and higher-quality pork production.
Growth traits are important determinants of the efficiency and productivity of goat production systems. The Etawah Grade (EG) goat is a local Indonesian breed that is used for both milk and meat production. This study aimed to analyze the influence of non-genetic factors, estimate genetic parameters, and assess long-term genetic progress in growth traits of the EG goat at different ages. A total of 17,783 body weight records from 523 sires and 4342 dams were used to analyze non-genetic effects and estimate genetic parameters for growth traits in EG goats. The effect of non-genetic factors (sex, parity, season, year, and type of birth) on growth traits (body weight and average daily gain) was analyzed using a general linear model (GLM). Heritability and genetic trend were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) in the BreedR package from the R program. The results of this study showed that sex, parity, season, year, and type of birth had significant effects (p<0.01) on almost all growth traits. The heritability of growth traits was classified as low to moderate heritability (0.085-0.352). The genetic correlation in this study between all traits ranged from weakly positive to strongly positive (0.10-0.88). The estimated genetic trend in this study, based on estimated breeding values (EBV), was increased for all growth traits except 8MW and ADG8. These findings could provide a comprehensive longitudinal evaluation of growth performance and genetic progress in EG goats, offering practical insights to optimize selection strategies and improve breeding program effectiveness.
Chronic exposure to aflatoxin may induce intestinal dysfunction and impair poultry productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of toxin binders composed of bentonite, yeast cell wall, curcumin, and cinnamon in binding and mitigating the toxicity of aflatoxin B1 (AFB(1)) in broiler chickens. The in vitro tests used four different toxin binder treatments: 100% bentonite (BEN), 100% yeast cell wall (YEAST), 50% bentonite + 50% yeast cell wall (BEN+Y), and 47.5% bentonite + 47.5% 3% curcumin, 2% cinnamon, and yeast cell wall (COMB). Two hundred eighty-eight male day-old chicks (DOC) were used in in vivo treatments and divided into six dietary treatments: basal control diet (CTRL), basal diet with 300 ppb AFB(1) (AF), basal diet plus BEN+Y (CTRL-A), basal diet + COMB (CTRL-B), AF + BEN+Y (AF-A), and AF + COMB (AF-B). Each treatment consisted of six replicates with eight birds per replicate. In vitro results indicated that BEN had the strongest AFB(1) binding capacity (p<0.05), while COMB also displayed a high binding capability, albeit slightly inferior to BEN. In vivo analysis showed that dietary exposure to AFB(1) markedly decreased average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency, and the jejunal villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH:CD) (p<0.05). Broilers fed the AFB(1)-contaminated diet (AF) showed downregulated tight junction gene expression (CLDN-1 and ZO-1) and upregulated pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression (TNF alpha and IL-18) (p<0.05). Supplementation with BEN+Y attenuated AFB(1)-induced growth deficits, corrected the VH:CD ratio, normalized tight junction gene expression, and reduced intestinal inflammatory responses. In conclusion, the treatment BEN+Y showed the highest efficiency in mitigating the detrimental effects of dietary AFB(1) at 300 ppb, while the inclusion of curcumin and cinnamon did not show additional advantages.
The worldwide demand for poultry products is on the rise, thus emphasizing the necessity of natural additives in feed that boost productivity but do not compromise animals’ health and food safety. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a medicinal and culinary herb that has attracted attention as a phytogenic feed additive because of its bioactive compounds such as thymol and carvacrol. This review aims to summarize the impact of thyme supplementation in poultry, namely in broilers, layers, and quail, through leaves, powders, essential oils, and aqueous extracts. Thyme has been shown to improve growth performance, feed efficiency, and carcass traits at inclusion rates of 0.5%-2% for powders and 0.5%-1% for essential oils. Thyme supplementation influences reproductive performance, egg quality, and semen parameters; moreover, it also works as an immune modulator by increasing IgG, IgM, interferon-gamma, and interleukin-10. Antioxidant defense is strengthened through enhanced activities of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione S-transferase, along with reduced levels of malondialdehyde. Additionally, thyme showed favorable effects on serum lipid profile and gut health by stimulating protective species of Lactobacillus and suppressing pathogens (such as Escherichia coli). Mechanistic data suggest regulation of inflammatory cytokines and intestinal barrier genes. Thyme is a promising candidate for replacing antibiotics as growth promoters in tropical poultry systems, at levels of 0.5%-2% thyme powder and 100-200 mg/kg essential oil. To fully realize the potential of thyme as a sustainable alternative to antibiotics in poultry production, future studies should explore optimal dosing, mechanistic studies of the target site of action, stress mitigation capacity, long-term production impacts, and economic viability.
