The nutritional evaluation of concentrated lipid sources is essential for improving the precision of energy values used in pig diet formulation. This study evaluated the effects of soybean oil, poultry fat, and pork fat on in vivo digestibility, in vitro dry matter digestibility, and net energy estimates in growing pigs. Twenty castrated male pigs were assigned to a completely randomised design with four treatments and five replicates. The experimental diets consisted of a control diet without added oil or fat and diets with 8% replacement of the control diet with soybean oil, poultry fat, or pork fat. Mean values were compared with the control diet using Dunnett's test. Concentrated lipid sources increased ether extract digestibility and dietary energy values compared with the control diet. Estimated net energy values were 8,139, 8,222, and 8,161 kcal/kg for soybean oil, poultry fat, and pork fat, respectively. None of the lipid-containing diets differed from the control diet in in vitro dry matter digestibility, indicating limited sensitivity of the assay to detect effects of lipid source inclusion. Overall, the results suggest that concentrated lipid sources increase dietary energy utilisation in growing pigs. Net energy values should be considered experiment-specific estimates.
The strategic focus on improving the quality of eggs, which are foundational and nutritious foods, offers a straightforward method to elevate the nutritional value of diets. However, studies on strategies to improve egg quality remain limited. Lycopene, a lipophilic carotenoid derived from red fruits and vegetables, enhances growth performance, lowers blood lipid levels, and improves antioxidant capacity. Therefore, in this study, a total of 360 laying hens were randomly divided into four groups. The CON group was fed a basal diet, the LYC group was supplemented with 120 mg/kg lycopene, whereas the CCBA group was supplemented with 60 mg/kg β-carotene, 250 mg/kg curcumin, 250 mg/kg allicin, and 500 mg/kg sodium butyrate, the CLYC group replaced β-carotene with lycopene, while other ingredients remained the same. For the yolk score, the LYC group significantly increased at days 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). The UFA and Vitamin A contents were significantly elevated in the LYC group compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). The result of lipid metabolism genes expression showed that the relative expression of ACC, LXR-α, and PPAR-α significantly increased in the CLYC and CCBA groups compared with the CON group (p < 0.05), the relative expression of LXR-α in the LYC group remarkably higher than that in the CON group (p < 0.05). Additionally, heatmap analysis showed that Turicibacter and Veillonella were enriched in the LYC group. The results of this study indicated that lycopene supplementation significantly improved egg quality, hepatic lipid metabolism, and systemic immunity in laying hens. Furthermore, analysis of gut revealed that lycopene increased ileal goblet cell numbers and IgA production, while enriching beneficial microbiota.
This experiment investigated the effects of clove essential oil (CEO) and a commercial condensed tannin (CT) on digestibility, rumen fermentation, blood metabolites, milk yield, milk composition, and fatty acid profile in lactating goats. Nine multiparous goats were used in a triplicated 3 × 3 Latin square design over three 21-d periods, with 14 d for diet adaptation and 7 d for data and sample collection. Goats were fed a basal diet without supplementation (CON), supplemented with CEO at 2 g/goat/d (CEO diet), or with CT at 2% of CT on a dry matter (DM) basis (CT diet). Digestibility of DM, organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fibre was higher (p < 0.05) with the CEO diet than with the CON and CT diets. Total volatile fatty acid concentration and acetate proportion were increased (p < 0.05) in the CEO diet compared to the CT and CON diets. Both the CEO and CT diets lowered (p < 0.05) ruminal ammonia-N concentration and rumen methane production per kg DM compared with the CON diet. Blood urea concentration decreased (p = 0.02) on the CEO and CT diets versus the CON diet. Daily milk yield and the yields of fat-corrected milk, fat, protein, lactose, non-fat solids, and milk fat concentration were higher (p < 0.05) with the CEO diet than with the CT and CON diets. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) increased (p < 0.01) while saturated fatty acids (SFA) decreased (p = 0.001) in the CON and CT diets compared with the CON diet. The CEO diet further increased monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (p = 0.01) and improved the SFA/MUFA ratio (p < 0.01) compared to the CON diet. The proportion of C18: 0 (stearic acid) increased (p = 0.05) in the CEO diet compared with the CT and CON diets. In addition, C18: 1 n-9c (oleic acid) increased (p < 0.01) most in the CEO diet, followed by the CT diet, and then the CON diet. Compared with the CON diet, the proportions of C18: 2 n-6c (linoleic acid) and C18: 2 trans (TT) also increased (p < 0.05) in both the CT and CEO diets. In conclusion, both additives successfully mitigated environmental impacts by suppressing ruminal methane emissions and ammonia-N concentration. However, CEO demonstrated clear superiority over CT by simultaneously enhancing nutrient digestibility, increasing milk and component yields, and optimising the milk fat profile by reducing SFA while increasing MUFA and oleic acid content.
This study evaluated the effects of graded dietary phytase (PHY) inclusion on feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEn), nutrient and mineral utilisation, and phytate degradation in growing turkeys. A positive control (PC) diet was formulated to meet or exceed breeder recommendations for nutrient content. A negative control (NC) diet was reformulated from the PC to contain the same calcium (Ca) to P ratio, but a reduced total P. The NC diet was subdivided and supplemented with PHY at 0, 100, 1000, 10,000, or 100,000 FTU/kg, resulting in six experimental diets. Seventy-two female BUT Premium turkey poults (mean body weight 1,885 g; SD ± 210 g) were randomly allocated to 36 raised-floor pens (two birds per pen; 0.36 m2 per pen). Each diet was fed for 9 days, from 68 to 77 days of age to six replicate pens following randomisation. Birds fed the NC diet exhibited significantly reduced FI, WG, dry matter retention (DMR), and AMEn compared with birds fed the PC diet, confirming the adverse effects of marginal phosphorus supply. Supplementation with PHY at inclusion levels ≥1000 FTU/kg largely alleviated these deficiencies. Increasing dietary PHY concentration resulted in significant positive dose-dependent responses in WG, FCR, DMR, nitrogen retention, and AMEn. Marked reductions (p < 0.001) in excreta inositol phosphates (IP) were observed at PHY doses ≥1000 FTU/kg. Concentrations of IP and free inositol (IN) followed expected responses to increasing PHY dose, involving linear and quadratic components. Mineral retention coefficients were generally lower in turkeys fed the NC diet than in those fed the PC diet, except for phosphorus retention, which did not differ between control diets. Increasing PHY dose produced significant positive linear responses (p < 0.001) in the retention of calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, manganese, zinc, and phosphorus, particularly at ≥1000 FTU/kg, Overall, the results confirm that turkeys respond to high PHY inclusion in a manner broadly consistent with broilers. Very high PHY levels (super- and mega-doses) provided continued additional benefits for growth performance beyond 1000 FTU/kg, along with continued improvements in nutrient retention, and the data suggest the optimum dose was beyond that investigated in this study.
Light weaning body weight (LWBW) piglets exhibit inferior growth performance, and their energy requirement vary dynamically with increasing body weight. Although high-energy diets improve growth, they risk impairing liver health. Therefore, we investigated a multi-phase, high-net energy (HNE) regimen with stepwise-decreasing energy concentration with increasing body weight, assessing its impact on growth performance, liver health, and gut microbiota in LWBW piglets. Thirty LWBW piglets (28 days of age, initial body weight: 6.09 ± 0.47 kg) were randomly assigned to two groups; a high-net energy diet based on the energy requirement curve (HNE diet), and a low-net energy diet formulated according to NRC recommendations (NRC diet). Each treatment consisted of five physically separated pens (experimental unit and replicate, n = 5), with three piglets housed per pen throughout the 42-day trial. Results showed that the HNE diet tended to reduce feed to gain ratio (p = 0.075) but failed to improve average daily gain (ADG) in LWBW piglets. Relative to the NRC diet, the HNE diet exhibited significant elevations in serum concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, bile acids, and alanine aminotransferase (p < 0.05), as well as in hepatic the content of malondialdehyde and the activity of total superoxide dismutase contents (p < 0.05). In addition, HNE diet upregulated the mRNA expression of lipogenic genes acetyl-CoA carboxylase (p < 0.05) and fatty acid synthase (p = 0.076), along with the protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and endoplasmic reticulum stress marker glucose-regulated protein 78 (p < 0.05). Serum metabolomic profiling revealed that HNE diet induced alterations in a series of metabolites associated with oxidative stress, specifically increasing the concentrations of LysoPC, LysoPE, and guanosine while reducing levothyroxine abundance in LWBW piglets. Prevotella copri was the key microbe in the colon of HNE group piglets. Furthermore, HNE diet significantly elevated colonic concentrations of acetate, propionate, and butyrate (p < 0.05). Collectively, these findings suggest that the high-net energy diet reduced the feed-to-gain ratio, it did not significantly increase the ADG of piglets. This phenomenon may be associated with liver function and gut microbiota. Notably, the early high-net energy diet induces a systemic metabolic alteration that persists after dietary normalisation.
The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of dietary lipoic acid (LA) supplementation on meat quality and antioxidant regulation mechanisms in finishing pigs subjected to oxidative stress challenge induced by diquat (DQ). A 2 × 2 factorial design was applied using 24 Large White barrows (70.64 ± 3.61 kg; n = 6 per group) assigned to Control, LA (800 mg/kg LA), DQ (8 mg/kg BW) and DQ + LA treatments. DQ was administered intraperitoneally on day 15, and pigs were slaughtered on day 29 for collection of Longissimus dorsi samples. Carcass traits, meat quality traits (pH, colour, drip loss and shear force), Nrf2/Keap1 protein levels, myofiber-related genes expression (MyHC isoforms), and SOD activity and expression were analysed. We found that LA and DQ showed limited effects on carcass traits, except for a significant DQ × LA interaction on backfat thickness. DQ reduced pH24 h and increased L24 h, indicating accelerated post-mortem acidification and altered meat colour. LA increased a45 min and significantly affected shear force, with a pronounced interaction under oxidative stress. DQ markedly upregulated Nrf2 protein expression, while LA partially attenuated this increase without affecting Keap1. DQ and LA significantly modulated myofiber type-related genes, with stress-dependent interactions observed for MyHC I and MyHC IIb. Moreover, DQ enhanced SOD mRNA, protein expression and enzyme activity, whereas LA increased SOD mRNA expression independently of oxidative stress, with no significant interaction effects. In conclusion, dietary LA modulated antioxidant capacity and muscle fibre gene expression in finishing pigs challenged with DQ; However, its effects on meat quality were stress-dependent rather than uniformly beneficial, indicating that further studies are needed to clarify its role in maintaining overall pork quality under diquat-induced oxidative stress challenge.
Feed scarcity during the long dry season is a major constraint to livestock production in the Sahel. During this period, fodder trees provide a valuable source of nutrients. This study assessed sheep feeding preferences for five woody species from Senegal's silvopastoral zone (Adansonia digitata, Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana, Balanites aegyptiaca, Guiera senegalensis, Khaya senegalensis) and evaluated their enteric methane mitigation potential. A cafeteria-style trial quantified voluntary intake, feeding time and preference coefficients of four sheep for fresh and air-dried leaves over 5 consecutive days during daily 30-min sessions. In vitro gas production assays, conducted with and without polyethylene glycol (PEG), measured total gas, methane concentration, and estimated digestibility. Leaves of A. raddiana and B. aegyptiaca showed high crude protein contents (168.7 and 167.0 g/kg DM) and metabolisable energy values (8.7 and 12.1 MJ/kg DM). In contrast, G. senegalensis and K. senegalensis contained high fibre (aNDF: 586.6 and 484.8 g/kg DM) and condensed tannins (35.8 and 66.9 g/kg DM). PEG addition increased gas production in A. raddiana, G. senegalensis and K. senegalensis, confirming tannin inhibition of fermentation. Sheep showed a clear preference (p < 0.001) for ingesting fresh A. raddiana (298 g/animal) and B. aegyptiaca (270 g/animal) leaves; feeding time and preference coefficients followed the same pattern. Preference coefficients were positively associated with crude protein and negatively linked to fibre and tannin contents, while tannin-rich species also produced less methane in vitro. Overall, A. raddiana and B. aegyptiaca emerged as valuable indigenous fodder resources for improving dry-season nutrition and potentially contributing to climate-smart livestock systems in the West African Sahel.
Phosphorus (P) has several vital functions, and its excretion may have environmental impacts. Thus, an adequate P supply is of utmost importance to meet the requirements of the animals while avoiding unnecessary excretion. Calculation of the P requirement of dairy cows considers factors such as P secretion via milk and P deposition in growing or pregnant animals. Furthermore, a value for the efficiency of P utilisation is applied, which should be determined in animals fed at a marginal P supply to maximise absorption. The objective of the present meta-analysis was thus to estimate the efficiency of P utilisation, accounting for P supply in dairy cows. The dataset included 399 observations published in 77 studies on dairy cows. Data on P intake and faecal P excretion were used to calculate standardised P digestibility, corrected for faecal endogenous P losses. Furthermore, the P requirement and the P supply relative to the requirement were calculated. Linear and non-linear regressions were performed to analyse the relationship between P excretion via faeces and urine and standardised P digestibility with P intake and P supply. Phosphorus intake exceeding the net requirement of dairy cows was excreted with faeces to a large extent, while urinary P excretion had only minor quantitative importance below 5.2 g P/kg DM of feed. The estimated standardised P digestibility at a marginal P supply was 83% and was interpreted as the estimate for efficiency of P utilisation. The data did not indicate that differentiation in P utilisation efficiency between mineral and organic P sources in the feed or by lactation stage is helpful for adequate P supply of dairy cows.
Two isoenergetic (12.05 MJ/kg ME) and isonitrogenic (approximately 200 g/kg CP) basal diets were prepared using 670 g/kg of wheat with low fibre and/or high fibre contents. Each basal diet was divided into four portions: one remained as is and fed as control (C); the second was the C supplemented with 100 FXU/kg of a commercial xylanase (XYL); the third was the C plus 20 g/kg of inulin (IN) powder; and the fourth was the C supplemented with both XYL and IN at the same inclusion rates, resulting in a total of eight experimental diets. A study was conducted from 10 to 21 days of age involving 320 female Ross 308 broiler chickens. Each diet, in meal form, was fed ad libitum to eight pens, five birds each, following randomisation. Supplementary XYL increased dietary nitrogen corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEn) (p < 0.001), dry matter retention (DMR), daily feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG) and reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05). Dietary IN tended (p < 0.01) to increase WG and reduce FCR and dietary wheat did not have an impact on growth performance variables (p > 0.05). Birds fed XYL had reduced relative weight of the pancreas (p < 0.050) and there was XYL by IN interaction (p < 0.05) on relative weight of the caeca as it was greater for those fed XYL and IN. No other changes in relative weight of the gastrointestinal tract organs were observed (p > 0.05). Bird fed XYL or IN had greater (p < 0.05) butyric acid (BA) concentration in caecal content. Feeding XYL led to reduced acetic (AA) and propionic acid (PA) concentrations in caecal excreta (p < 0.05) and to a greater BA:AA ratio (p < 0.001). Dietary IN increased blood serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (p < 0.05) and XYL increased concentration of hepatic coenzyme Q10 (p < 0.05). The type of dietary wheat did not have an impact on any of the studied variables, suggesting that birds were able to tolerate the fibre contents in this study. It seems that both IN and XYL, can serve as feed enhancers that potentially may promote antioxidant status of birds and help poultry to cope with various stress factors during production. The study further confirms that supplementing wheat-based diets with XYL may be a strategy to mitigate the reduction in available energy and to increase nutrient availability in broiler diets.
This study evaluated the effects of Aspergillus-fermented agro-industrial by-products (AIBPs) through solid-state fermentation (SSF) on weaner rabbits. A total of 108 weaned rabbits (6 weeks old; 549 g BW) were allotted to 9 treatments in a completely randomised design following a 2 × 4 + 1 factorial arrangement. The diets consisted of fermented or unfermented AIBPs: maize shaft (MS), cowpea shell (CS), soybean hull (SH) or groundnut shell (GS), plus a wheat-offal control. Fermented AIBPs improved growth performance and reduced mortality during 6-9 weeks (p < 0.05), whereas unfermented AIBPs supported compensatory growth at 10-14 weeks. Fermentation enhanced nutrient digestibility but did not alter haematological and serum indices. Carcass yield was higher with fermented AIBPs, while similar prime cut yields were comparable to unfermented AIBPs. Rabbits fed unfermented AIBPs had heavier small intestines, greater villus development and higher microbial counts. It was concluded that agro-industrial by-products are valuable feed resources for rabbits, and microbial fermentation can further enhance their nutritional and functional properties for early post-weaning rabbits.
This study evaluated the effects of sorghum silages treated with chemical, microbial, and combined additives on fermentative quality, aerobic stability, nutritional composition, and productive performance of confined sheep. Forty uncastrated male sheep were used, distributed among four treatments: silage without additives (control); silage treated with a chemical additive based on organic acids; silage inoculated with Lentilactobacillus buchneri; and silage treated with the combination of both additives. The silages were evaluated after 90 days of storage, and the animals were confined for 60 days, receiving individually adjusted diets. The diets were provided as a total mixed ration composed of sorghum silage, ground corn, cottonseed cake, urea, mineral supplement, and ammonium sulphate, with the concentrate ingredients being mixed with the silage at the time of feeding. No significant differences in dry matter intake were observed among treatments. However, animals fed treated silages, especially with the combination of additives, showed greater intake of non-fibrous carbohydrates and metabolisable energy. The apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and ether extract was higher with the use of additives, particularly in the combined treatment, which also presented the highest total digestible nutrient content. Daily weight gain was greater in sheep fed silages treated with both additives. Furthermore, the additives improved aerobic stability and reduced discard losses during the feeding period. Therefore, the application of chemical and microbial additives to sorghum silage promoted better nutrient preservation, fermentative profile, and aerobic stability, resulting in greater nutrient utilisation and improved productive performance in sheep.
The nutrient composition of the pea grain fraction that escapes precaecal digestion may vary in response to the pea variant, affecting its fermentation characteristics in the hindgut. Quantifying the formation of fermentation end products in vivo remains challenging. Therefore, this study investigated the digestion and fermentation characteristics of 12 pea variants using two combined in vitro assays. In vitro indigestible solids (IVIS) of pea grains, representing the fraction of pea grains escaping precaecal digestion, were incubated for 48 h using a modified Hohenheim gas test with pig faeces as inoculum. Gas production was recorded at nine time points, and NH4+-N and volatile fatty acids (VFA) were measured at 8 and 24 h. Precaecal disappearance was high for starch and crude protein ( >94%), whereas fibre fractions remained largely undigested ( <16%) and were the most abundant and variable fraction in the IVIS. Incubated IVIS differed in potential gas production and maximum rate of gas production among pea variants (p < 0.001, 46.7 to 73.9 mL/200 mg dry matter and 2.9 to 5.1 mL/h, respectively). For metabolite concentrations, an effect of the IVIS was observed for NH4+-N and VFA at 8 and 24 h (p < 0.001). Multivariate regression showed a positive association of acid detergent fibre with the potential gas production (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.82). The concentration of crude protein was positively associated with the NH4+-N concentration at 8 and 24 h (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.85, R2 = 0.86). The crude fibre concentration was negatively associated with the branched-chain fatty acid concentration at 24 h (p = 0.001, R2 = 0.70). Starch concentration was positively associated with gas production at 2 h (p < 0.016, R2 = 0.49) and propionate concentration at 8 h (p < 0.038, R2 = 0.86). To conclude, early-stage propionate production is driven by the precaecal indigestible starch, whereas the fermentation potential is primarily determined by the precaecal indigestible fibre fractions. Formation of metabolites by protein fermentation depends on the concentration of precaecal indigestible protein but may be inhibited with higher fibre concentrations. The differences in fermentation characteristics among IVIS of pea variants were associated with the analysed nutrient composition of the IVIS but not with those of the original grains.
Water consumption may vary depending on climate, dry matter intake (DMI) as well as genetic group and physiological state of the cows. Little is published for other genetic groups besides Holstein. Understanding the need for water intake (WI) as well as drinking behaviour in critical periods could help producers develop adjusted management practices. This study aimed to investigate the drinking and water consumption behaviour of Holstein, Gyr and Girolando-F1 (½ Holstein ½ Gir) cows during the transition period. Thirty-six cows were distributed into three groups (n = 12 each) according to their genetic group. WI and water drinking behaviour were monitored from 10 days before parturition until 21 days of lactation using electronic drinkers. During pre-calving, a positive correlation was observed between WI and DMI only for Holstein (r = 0.31; p < 0.05) and Girolando-F1 (r = 0.34; p < 0.05) cows. Holstein cows ingested the highest amount of water daily and per 100 kg of body weight (BW) (30.9 kg and 4.5 kg). Holstein cows had higher WI per BW0.75 than Gyr cows (0.23 kg vs. 0.12 kg). Furthermore, Holstein cows remained longer and spent more active time at the drinker (85.4 min; 81.2 min) than Gyr (13.5 min; 12.1 min) and Girolando-F1 cows (36.8 min; 34.4 min; p < 0.05), respectively. Holstein and Girolando-F1 cows had a higher daily number of active visits to the drinker than Gyr cows (4.2, 4.2, and 2.8 times, respectively). In the post-calving period, WI was positively correlated with DMI in all genetic groups, but it was correlated with milk yield (MY) only in Holstein (r = 0.21; p < 0.05) and Girolando-F1 (r = 0.42; p < 0.05) cows. The WI per MY and per BW0.75 was lower for Girolando-F1 cows in relation to the Holstein and Gyr cows on the first day post-calving and highest for Gyr cows on the seventh day post-calving. WI per kg of BW0.75 was higher for Holstein cows than for Gyr cows during the first 21 days of lactation, while WI per kg BW0.75 of Holstein cows was higher than that of Girolando-F1 cows on days 3 and 4 and from days 7 to 21. The genetic groups differed in WI and drinking behaviour and were mainly modulated by DMI and THI in the pre-calving period and by MY and DMI in the post-calving period.
Using the substitution method and extruded diets, the metabolisable energy (ME) and digestible nutrient contents of soybean meal (SBM), poultry by-product meal with high ash content (PBMha), micronised soybean meal (MSM), and corn gluten meal (CGM) were determined for dogs. A complete and balanced control diet (CD) was formulated. Test diets were prepared by mixing 70% of the CD with 30% of the protein source in evaluation, according to the substitution method requirements. Due to its high fat content, the MSM diet was formulated with 85% of the CD and 15% of MSM to obtain adequate extrusion. Thirty-five Beagle dogs (7 per diet) were used to evaluate the total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) of each diet, by the total collection of faeces method. Results were applied to calculate the ingredient TTAD and digestible nutrients content. Data were analysed in a completely randomised design and submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test (p < 0.05). The TTAD of DM, OM, CP, and gross energy were higher for CGM (p < 0.05). The TTAD of CP was similar for SBM and MSM, whose values were higher than for PBMha (p < 0.05). Faeces production was higher for dogs fed the SBM diet and PBMha, and faecal DM was lower for dogs fed the SBM diet. The results indicate variable TTAD among protein sources, with vegetable protein sources generally being more digestible than PBMha.
Meat is highly susceptible to oxidation, which leads to the degradation of lipids and proteins, resulting in undesirable changes in meat quality, such as colour and shelf life. This process can be mitigated by both non-enzymatic antioxidants and enzymatic antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The oxidative stability of meat is influenced by several factors, including animal nutrition. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of corn silage supplementation on meat oxidative status and its correlation with the expression level of genes associated with this process in the longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle of Braford steers. For this study, 30 steers were randomly assigned to two experimental groups of 15 animals each. One group was fed with ad libitum pasture supplemented with corn silage and the other group was fed with ad libitum pasture. The degree of protein and lipid oxidation was determined by total protein carbonyl content and lipid degradation products, respectively. The antioxidant capacity was determined by measuring the radical-scavenging activities, total phenol content (TPC), and the activities of the CAT, SOD, and GPx enzymes. In addition, the relative levels of sod (1 and 2), cat, and gpx genes were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results indicated that meat from corn-silage supplementation exhibited higher levels of oxidation than those from pasture-fed steers. Also, results showed that meat from corn-silage-supplemented steers were more oxidised than those from pasture-fed steers. Moreover, hydrophilic extracts showed higher levels of antioxidant capacity than liphophilic ones in boths feeding systems and the muscles of animals that received corn exhibited a 17% reduction in TPC. In addition, expression levels of cat, sod (1 and 2), and gpx genes were lower in this group compared to the pasture-finished group. Consequently, the gene expression of the antioxidant enzymes exhibited a negative correlation with lipid oxidation, and with lipophilic antioxidants. Conversely, a positive correlation was observed with polyphenol content. This study demonstrated that the oxidative stability of meat can be enhanced by feeding steers with pasture, rather than finishing with corn silage supplementation. Moreover, attributable to reduced expression levels of antioxidant enzymes, leading to higher lipid and protein oxidation levels, which has a deleterious effect on meat quality. Consequently, the gene expression of the antioxidant enzymes evaluated, specifically sod, cat and gpx, has been identified as a promising reliable biomarker for oxidative stability in meat.
Oil extraction from walnut (Juglans regia L.) kernels yields residue of walnut oilcake (WOC) that is often discarded as waste despite its rich bioactive contents. This study evaluates the potential use of WOC as a replacement for conventional feedstuffs in broiler diets, assessing its effects on production performance, nutrient utilisation, carcass traits, meat quality and gut health. A total of 160 day-old male broiler chicks in total were evenly distributed into four dietary groups, with five replications each consisting of eight chicks. The birds in group T0 were fed the control diet based on conventional corn-s oybean meal, while those of treatment groups were fed diets with WOC substituted for soybean meal at levels of 10% (T1), 20% (T2), and 30% (T3). The experiment lasted for 42 days. Inclusion of WOC upto 20% did not influence feed intake, early growth, FCR (until T2), or nutrient digestibility but inhibited performance at T3. Dressing yield and breast/thigh weights were improved (p < 0.05), whereas fat, cholesterol, TBARS, tyrosine, and drip loss decreased ;(p < 0.05) with increased antioxidant activity, water-holding capacity and meat lightness. WOC diets also decreased caecal coliforms and improved ileal villus morphology. In conclusion, WOC can replace soybean meal upto 20% without compromising production performance, while improving carcass traits, meat quality, oxidative stability and gut health in broiler chickens.
Copper (Cu) supplementation is essential in pig nutrition; however, its effects on performance, trace element accumulation in edible tissues, and environmental excretion require careful evaluation. In the present study a total of 24 male, castrated fattening pigs of two different hybrid mast lines (11 weeks of age) were divided according to their initial body weight (25.8 ± 3.5 kg) into four groups. Pigs were fed for 14 weeks a complete feed supplemented with Cu covering a range between the recommended Cu supplementation and the permissible European maximum level (i.e. 5, 15, and 25 mg/kg complete feed). Two different Cu sources were used: Cu sulphate (CuSO₄) and glycine-Cu chelate hydrate (Cu-Gly). The aim of the trial was studying the influence of the different Cu levels and sources on growth performance, Cu transfer to edible tissues (muscle, liver, kidney, blood) and faeces, as well as the concentration of other trace elements, including iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) in tissues of fattening pigs. Performance parameters, including average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR), showed a dependency with respect to the pig breed, whereas Cu content and Cu sources showed no influence. Copper concentrations in the liver, kidney, muscle, and blood serum remained constant across groups. Faecal Cu excretion increased proportionally with dietary Cu levels, with higher excretion observed for the organic Cu source at 15 mg/kg as compared with inorganic source at similar level. The results show, that Cu levels up to the maximum level of 25 mg/kg complete feed are not necessary to achieve good growth performance in healthy fattening pigs. The unaffected Cu concentrations in liver, muscle, kidney, and blood, as well as increased faecal excretion with increasing Cu level in the feed, indicate an adequate supply and homoeostatic regulation of Cu. In addition, a reduced use of Cu in pig fattening will help to reduce Cu emission into the environment.
In vitro gas production (GP) techniques, such as the extended Hohenheim gas test (eHGT), are being used to estimate the protein values of ruminant feeds and commonly apply rumen fluid obtained from rumen-cannulated animals as inoculum. This study aimed to compare rumen fluid inoculum (RI) with faecal inoculum (FI) concerning in vitro ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) release and microbially bound nitrogen (mN). Rumen fluid was obtained from lactating dairy cows and faeces from adult wether sheep. Six feeds for ruminants, including rapeseed meal, soybean meal, sunflower meal, pea grain, maize grain, and rye grain, were incubated for 8, 24, and 48 h with and without an additional carbohydrate (CHO) source. NH3-N increased with the incubation time for all feeds and both inocula. For NH3-N values after 8, 24 and 48 h of incubation, the two-way interaction between feed and inoculum source was significant (p < 0.001). Across the six feeds, the NH3-N values did not differ between RI and FI after 8 h, whereas RI-NH3-N was 17% and 23% higher than FI-NH3-N after 24 and 48 h, respectively. For most feeds, the mN values decreased with RI as incubation time increased. In contrast, mN in FI remained constant or increased between 8 and 24 h before decreasing at 48 h. Overall, the NH3-N and mN values were lower with FI than RI. After 24 and 48 h, the two inocula did not significantly differ in the response to the CHO supply, studied as the ratio of mg NH3-N decrease per 1 mL of GP. Linear regression analysis showed that FI-NH3-N can be used to predict RI-NH3-N using the six feeds or the CHO-supplemented feeds at all incubation times. The highest estimation accuracy was found at 24 h for the feeds alone (slope = 1.39, R2 = 0.98, CV = 3.9%) and the feeds plus CHO source (slope = 1.55, R2 = 0.99, CV = 4.1%). In conclusion, FI has the potential to be applied as an inoculum to assess the protein values of ruminant feeds in vitro.
The comprehension of the digestive strategy of red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria) is necessary for effective dietary practices, which prevent metabolic disorders often seen in captivity. The present study evaluated the effects of three extruded diets (high in fibre [Control], high in starch [Starch], and high in fat [Fat]) on the tortoises' preference, nutrient digestibility, faeces quality, fermentation products, and gastrointestinal transit time (GTT). Eighteen adult red-footed tortoises (9 males and 9 females) were used to compare diet palatability. Tortoises were randomly divided into three groups of six, balanced for sex and assigned to one of the experimental diets. The total tract apparent digestibilities (TTAD) of nutrients and energy was measured using chromium oxide (0.25%) as a marker, while GTT was assessed with ferric oxide (2.5%). Faeces were collected for analysis of short and branched-chain fatty acids, lactate, ammonia, and pH. Data were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and means were compared using Tukey's test (p < 0.05). Diet preference was evaluated with paired t-test, and first-choice preferences by the Chi-square test (p < 0.05). The tortoises showed preference for the Starch and Fat diets, consuming less of the Control diet, high in fibre (p < 0.05). The TTAD of dry matter, organic matter, and gross energy was highest for the Starch diet, intermediate for the Fat diet, and lowest for the Control diet (p < 0.05). The TTAD of fat was lowest for the Fat diet, which resulted in faeces with a high fat content (33.9 ± 2.64% faecal DM; p < 0.05). Tortoises fed the Control diet showed a trend towards a longer GTT, nearly three days longer than those on the other diets (p = 0.075). Short- and branched-chain fatty acids, and faecal lactate, were similar across diets (p > 0.05), though ammonia concentration was lower in the Control diet compared to the Starch diet (p < 0.05). In conclusion, red-footed tortoises showed a preference for diets high in starch and fat over the high fibre formulation. Fat TTAD was limited, decreasing with higher fat intake. Faecal concentrations of fermentation products remained consistent across diets, suggesting extensive absorption of these compounds due to the tortoises' long GTT and the reverse peristalsis.
This study was conducted to evaluate fat supplements differing in fatty acid (FA) composition on nutrient digestibility, milk yield and composition, and milk FA profile in dairy cows. Twenty-four Holstein cows (149 ± 85 d in milk, 35.6 ± 6.29 kg/d milk yield and 671 ± 93.4 kg body weight) were distributed in 8 Latin squares according to parity number, milk yield and days in milk, and enrolled in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square experiment with 21-d periods. Cows within block were randomly assigned to treatment sequences containing: 1) control (CON), no fat supplement and 2.44% ether extract (EE, dry matter basis (DM)); 2) calcium salts of palm oil (CSPO), CSPO at 2.60% diet DM and 4.49% EE diet DM; and 3) encapsulated fatty acids (EFA), EFA at 2.60% diet DM and 4.30% EE diet DM. Fatty acids from EFA are derived from soybean oil, palm oil, and tallow. The primary differences in FA profiles between CSPO and EFA were related to stearic acid (4.26 and 31.7 g/100 g FA, respectively), oleic acid (32.7 and 8.80 g/100 g FA, respectively), and linoleic acid (8.81 and 19.1 g/100 g FA, respectively). Fat supplements were included in the concentrate mix and cows were fed a total mixed ration (48:52 of forage to concentrate ratio). Data were analysed using mixed models and treatment differences were evaluated by orthogonal contrasts (CON vs. fat-supplemented diets and CSPO vs. EFA). Dry matter intake and digestibility were not affected by treatments; however, EE intake and digestibility were higher with the inclusion of fat supplements. Fat supplementation increased milk yield (34.1, 35.8, and 35.9 kg/d for CON, CSPO and EFA, respectively). Fat supplementation also improved the yield of milk components and feed efficiency. Cows fed EFA had higher milk protein concentrations compared to those fed CSPO. Cows fed fat supplements exhibited higher concentrations of unsaturated FA and lower concentrations of de novo FA in milk compared to CON group. The concentration of de novo and odd-chain FA in the milk of cows fed CSPO was lower than in those fed EFA. Cows fed EFA had lower concentrations of trans-11 C18:1 and cis-9 C18:1 FA compared to the CSPO group. Fat supplements increased milk yield, feed efficiency and unsaturated FA concentration in milk without affecting DM digestibility. Supplementing cows with either CSPO or EFA resulted in similar performance.
