This study investigated the effects of tuna oil (PC) and tuna oil encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (TNP) on metabolic pathways in thigh muscle of slow-growing chickens using proteomic analysis. Compared with the negative control (NC) diet containing 6% rice bran oil, the PC and TNP diets replaced half of the rice bran oil with tuna oil, thereby increasing dietary n-3 PUFAs and altering the n-6/n-3 ratio. Iliotibialis muscle samples were collected from slow-growing Korat chickens (n = 6 for each PC and TNP; n = 5 for NC). Fatty acid profiles were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry following lipid extraction and methylation. Proteomics analysis was performed using polyacrylamide gel-based protein separation and nanoLC-MS/MS to identify and quantify differentially expressed proteins. Distinct biological responses were observed between dietary treatments. In the TNP group, energy metabolism shifted toward aerobic pathways, with increased β-oxidation and reduced reliance on alternative pathways, such as the creatine-phosphate system, to support the tricarboxylic acid cycle. In contrast, the PC group exhibited high lipid peroxidation and by-products, triggering robust antioxidant and detoxification responses, as well as membrane repair mechanisms. Although the TNP group also activated antioxidant defenses, the response was less pronounced and was accompanied by increased expression of proteins involved in vesicle trafficking. Lipid peroxidation in the PC group was associated with calcium influx to maintain calcium homeostasis and stabilize muscle contraction under oxidative stress. This was evidenced by the upregulation of proteins related to sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pumps and muscle contraction stabilization. Conversely, the TNP group demonstrated adaptive responses to increased contractile activity with lower oxidative burden. Regarding immune function, the PC group showed stronger MHC-based immunosurveillance, reflecting heightened oxidative stress. Although immune responses were less pronounced in the TNP group, immune surveillance was maintained through selective protein expression. Overall, these findings demonstrate distinct cellular strategies in response to oxidative stress and immune challenges between PC and TNP treatments, highlighting the potential of lipid nanoparticle systems to optimize dietary lipid delivery in poultry.

The plasticity of the digestive tract in the first days of life offers a unique window to early orientate digestive functions. Different feeding strategies can be considered to early modulate and improve chicken health and welfare while ensuring feed efficiency. In this trial, the effects of five additives, targeting specific biological functions namely vitamin E, butyrate, capsaicin, carvacrol, and xylo-oligosaccharides on digestive homeostasis were studied in diets based on maize and soybean meal (MS) or on wheat, distillery by-products and horse bean (WB). A total of 432 one-day-old chickens were distributed across 72 pens and reared until 10 days. Data were analysed using ANOVA to assess the effects of additives, diet, and their interaction on growth performance, intestinal enzymatic activities, redox balance indicators, gut morphology and gene expression in both the gut and plasma. Chickens fed the MS-based diet showed a lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) (-4.8%; P < 0.001) over the entire period compared to those fed the WB-based diet, independently of the feed additive supplementation. However, the effect of the additives in the digestive tract were partly dependent of the diet. Vitamin E and carvacrol reduced the activity of the jejunal alkaline phosphatase, only in animals fed the WB-based diet (-50.3% and − 58.6%, respectively; P = 0.001). In the jejunum, the expression of key oxidative stress and inflammation associated genes (NOS2, MYD88, and SOCS1) was significantly increased in chickens subjected to the MS diet compared to those receiving the WB diet (respectively: +90.3%, + 78.3%, + 323.5%, all P < 0.001). Independently of the diet, vitamin E significantly decreased jejunal lipid peroxidation (-39.8%, P < 0.001) confirming its antioxidant properties. Capsaicin supplementation decreased plasma haptoglobin activity (-19.5%, P = 0.004). Only in the WB diet, vitamin E enhanced plasma total antioxidant status (+ 40.3%; P = 0.014). These findings demonstrate that digestive functionalities in young broilers chicks can be modulated early in life through specific feed additives, with effects partly influenced by the diet composition. These early effects on digestive functionality suggest the potential to modulate phenotypic trajectories from the earliest stages, with long-term consequences for performance, health, and welfare.

The aim of this research was to investigate the synthesis of suitable carriers of nanoparticles for improving the utilization of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) source in chicken diets. Lipid nanoparticles were successfully prepared with two different n-3 oil sources, tuna and algal oils using hot and high-pressure homogenization methods. Four preparations were defined as follows: non-targeting lipid nanoparticles containing tuna oil (TO_NPs), non-targeting lipid nanoparticles containing algal oil (AO_NPs), targeting lipid nanoparticles containing tuna oil (TO_TNPs) and targeting lipid nanoparticles containing algal oil (AO_TNPs). A second study was conducted for the targeting procedure, the treatments as follows: Control, TO_NPs and TO_TNPs. Thirty-three slow-growing chickens were examined during the post-administration kinetic at 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h. The physicochemical characteristics of lipid nanoparticles, storage stability and in vivo biodistribution were evaluated. The results showed that the particle diameters of TO_NPs and AO_NPs were 223.7 and 294.4 nm, whereas the particle diameters of TO_TNPs and AO_TNPs were 134.7 and 184.0 nm, respectively. The polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta-potential of nanoparticles showed a good distribution and stability in colloid dispersions, respectively. Moreover, the nanoparticles of the TNPs groups were less susceptible to lipid oxidation than that of the NPs groups during a storage at 4 °C. Biodistribution analysis based on Nile Red intensity indicated superior cellular uptake of TNPs. Fatty-acid profiling further confirmed this enhanced delivery, with TNPs increasing EPA and DHA deposition in breast muscle by approximately 26% and 35%, respectively, at 24 h post-administration compared with NPs. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of targeted lipid-based nanoparticles in facilitating direct transport of fatty acids into skeletal muscle cells.

This research aimed to investigate the optimization of lipid-based nanoparticles to improve the utilization of n-3 PUFA source in chicken diets. Three groups of slow-growing Korat chickens were reared under the same conditions and fed a diet containing 6 % rice bran oil (RBO, control group), 3 % tuna oil (3 % TO) and 3 % tuna oil in targeted lipid-based nanoparticles (3 % TO-TNP). The growth performance, carcass composition, meat quality, fatty acid profile of breast and thigh meat, hematological and plasma biochemical parameters were evaluated. The dietary lipid source had no effect on the growth performance, carcass composition, or breast and thigh meat quality (P > 0.05). Compared to the control group, the 3 % TO and 3 % TO-TNP groups exhibited lower levels of C18:2n-6 (linoleic acid) and n-6 PUFA (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups in the C18:3n-3 (ALA) level in breast and thigh meat, whereas the levels of C20:5n-3 (EPA) and C22:6n-3 (DHA) were higher in both TO groups. However, due to the high temperature required during the drying step of the nanoparticle synthesis process, n-3 PUFA enrichment was more efficient when TO was directly incorporated into the diet than when using targeted nanoparticles. Nevertheless, there was no difference between the 3 % TO and 3 % TO-TNP groups in the n-6/n-3 ratio (P > 0.05). The hemoglobin and hematocrit values were higher in 3 % TO-TNP than in the other groups (P < 0.05). In the plasma, HDL level was reduced in the TO groups compared to the control group (P < 0.05) suggesting a lower cholesterol hepatic synthesis and export. The TO groups had a higher activity of alanine amino transferase but a lower creatinine content than the control group (P < 0.05). The uric acid content was higher in 3 % TO-TNP group than in the 3 % TO group (P < 0.05) but no different compared with the control group. However, the values obtained for the hematological and biochemistry parameters measured in blood and plasma were within the normal range for chickens. To conclude, the supplementation of lipid-based nanoparticles allowed for change the fatty acid composition of chicken meat without any negative effect on production and health status of chickens.

The aim of this research was to investigate the synthesis of suitable carrier of nanoparticles for improving the utilization of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) source in chicken diets. Lipid nanoparticles were successfully prepared with two different n-3 oil sources, tuna and algal oils using hot and high-pressure homogenization method. Four preparations were defined as followed: non-targeting lipid nanoparticles containing tuna oil (TO_NPs), non-targeting lipid nanoparticles containing algal oil (AO_NPs), targeting lipid nanoparticles containing tuna oil (TO_TNPs) and targeting lipid nanoparticles containing algal oil (AO_TNPs). A second study was conducted for the targeting procedure, the treatments as followed: Control, TO_NPs and TO_TNPs. Thirty-three slow-growing chickens were examined during the post-administration kinetic at 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h. The physicochemical characteristics of lipid nanoparticles, storage stability and in vivo biodistribution were evaluated. The results showed that the particle diameters of TO_NPs and AO_NPs were 223.7 and 294.4 nm, whereas the particle diameters of TO_TNPs and AO_TNPs were 134.7 and 184.0 nm, respectively. The polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta-potential of nanoparticles showed a good distribution and stability in colloid dispersions, respectively. Moreover, the nanoparticles of the TNPs groups were less susceptible to lipid oxidation than that of the NPs groups during a storage at 4°C. The study of the biodistribution based on the Nile red intensity and the determination of n-3 PUFAs composition in chicken meat confirmed the effectiveness of targeted lipid-based nanoparticles to transport directly fatty acids into the skeletal muscle cells of chicken.

This chapter describes the main nutritional characteristics of algae and the current knowledge on their effects in poultry production with consideration to their impacts on animal health, growth performance, and product quality (eggs and meat). The chemical and nutritional value of algae is explored, along with extraction methods and the benefits of algae to animals. The authors then describe their impacts on laying hen production, covering egg productivity, quality and composition, as well as hens' health. Finally algae's effect on broiler chicken production is reviewed, covering growth performance, meat production and quality, and broiler health.

1. The objective of this study was to test the dose response of dietary supplementation with algae extracts rich in marine-sulphated polysaccharides (MSP1 and MSP2) on the growing performance, body composition at slaughter and caecal microbiota of broiler chickens.2. Male broiler Ross 308 chicks 1-d-old were distributed into eight groups, a control group (unsupplemented), four groups supplemented with increasing doses of algae extract MSP1 (40, 81, 121 and 162 g/ton feed) and three groups supplemented with increasing doses of algae extract MSP2 (40, 81 and 162 g/ton feed). Each group comprised six pens of 56 chickens.3. All chickens were reared under challenging conditions, i.e. high rearing density of 42 kg/m2, fed growing and finishing diets containing, palm oil, rye and high levels of wheat and subjected to short daily fasting periods. The growth performance was recorded during rearing. At 10, 22 and 31 d of age, 12 chickens per group were euthanised to collect the caecal contents and determine microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acid levels. At d 35, the quality of litter and the condition of feathers, footpads and tarsals were scored. At d 36, 7 chickens per pen were slaughtered under commercial conditions to determine carcass composition and breast meat quality (ultimate pH and colour).4. Algal extract MSP1 increased the weight of the caeca and butyrate concentration in the caeca at d 22 (p <= 0.05). It increased the ultimate pH of breast fillet measured after slaughter at d 36 (p <= 0.05). Moreover, the group receiving 162 g/t MSP1 had a more diverse microbiota at d22. However, algal extract MSP2 had negligible effect on the different measured parameters.

Distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are co-products of the ethanol industry. DDGS are used as animal feed in cattle, swine, poultry and aquaculture industries. The duck and goose egg and meat production represents a large market, particularly in Asia, but there are few data in the literature on the possibility to use DDGS in diets of growing and laying ducks and geese. This review aims to present the nutritional characteristics of DDGS, and the interests and limits to their use in poultry diets. Then, the acquired data for the use of DDGS in diets of growing and laying ducks and geese and their effects on the production performance and product quality will be detailed. At levels below 25% in growing and finishing diets, corn DDGS have no detrimental effect on growing performance, carcass composition and meat quality of ducks and geese. With sorghum DDGS, the inclusion level in the diet should not exceed 15%. For laying ducks, the use of corn DDGS is possible at levels up to 18% in the diets. Corn DDGS contain high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic and linoleic acids (20 and 38 g/kg, respectively), so their inclusion in diets will modify the fatty acid composition of meat and eggs and will increase their susceptibility to oxidation. Corn DDGS are rich in xanthophylls that will enhance the yellow colour of egg yolk. DDGS contain high levels of non-soluble polysaccharides so their digestibility will be improved by joint supplementation of the diets with enzymes such as xylanases and beta-glucanases. It is also important to adapt feed formulation and amino acid supplementation, particularly lysine intake, and to regularly monitor the mycotoxin levels in corn and DDGS feedstocks to avoid detrimental effects on health and growth or laying performance of animals.

Les drêches sont des coproduits issus de la production industrielle d’éthanol. Elles sont utilisées essentiellement dans l’alimentation des bovins, des porcs, des volailles et des poissons. Les œufs et la viande de canard et d’oie représentent un marché important, en particulier en Asie, mais peu d’études ont été publiées sur la possibilité d’utiliser des drêches dans leur alimentation. Cette revue présentera les particularités nutritionnelles des drêches et les intérêts et limites de leur utilisation dans l’alimentation des volailles. Puis, les données acquises sur l’utilisation des drêches dans l’alimentation des canards et des oies en croissance ou en ponte et leurs effets sur les performances de production et la qualité des produits seront détaillées. Les drêches de maïs incorporées à un niveau maximal de 25 % dans les régimes croissance et finition des canards et des oies n’ont pas d’impact négatif sur les performances de croissance, la composition de la carcasse et la qualité de leur viande. Le taux d’incorporation des drêches de sorgho dans l’aliment destiné aux palmipèdes ne devrait pas excéder 15 %. Pour les canes en ponte, il est possible d’incorporer 18 % de drêches de maïs dans l’aliment. Les drêches de maïs ont des teneurs élevées en acides gras insaturés, en particulier les acides oléique et linoléique (20 et 38 g/kg, respectivement). Leur incorporation dans les aliments induit donc une modification de la composition en acides gras de la viande et des œufs et accroît leur sensibilité à l’oxydation. Ces drêches sont également riches en xanthophylles qui accentuent la couleur jaune des œufs. La supplémentation conjointe des aliments avec des enzymes de type xylanases et β-glucanases améliore la digestibilité des drêches qui ont des teneurs élevées en polysaccharides insolubles. Cependant, pour utiliser les drêches, il est important d’adapter la formulation des aliments, en particulier la supplémentation en acides aminés, notamment en lysine, et de contrôler régulièrement les teneurs en mycotoxines des lots de maïs et de drêches pour éviter les effets délétères de ces contaminants sur la santé et les performances de croissance ou de ponte des animaux.

This article reviews the current state of knowledge on the quality of organic animal products and on the methods developed so far to authenticate their organic origin. As farming practices vary in both organic and conventional farming, the results are heterogeneous. We pinpoint the farming practices underlying the differences observed to shed light on the consequences of possible trajectories for organic farming. In general, quality attributes are more variable for organic products, linked to a lower level of inputs and/or greater variability in farming conditions, and a lower genetic selection for broilers. Improved quality attributes include a higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), particularly n-3 PUFA, in organic meat and cow's milk, and reduced risk of drug residues and bacterial resistance to antimicrobials. But both outdoor access and a frequently longer rearing period increase the probability and duration of animal exposure to potential environmental contaminants and the risk of their bioaccumulation in animal products. We identified antagonisms between quality attributes for lamb and pork. The implications of greater variability in product quality for consumers' acceptability and the adaptation of manufacturing processes remain largely unexplored. The reliability of authentication methods is hampered by the variability in farming practices, since they are based on differences in animal diet.

Cette synthèse fait le point des connaissances sur les différentes dimensions de la qualité des produits issus d’élevages en agriculture biologique (AB) vs conventionnelle et sur les méthodes développées pour les authentifier. Les pratiques d’élevage étant variables, en AB comme en agriculture conventionnelle (AC), les résultats sont hétérogènes. Nous soulignons les pratiques à l’origine des différences observées, ce qui permet d’éclairer les conséquences des possibles trajectoires de l’agriculture biologique. De manière générale, la qualité est plus variable pour les produits AB, en lien avec un moindre niveau d’intrants et/ou une plus grande variabilité des conditions d’élevage, ainsi qu’une moindre sélection génétique pour le poulet de chair. Les propriétés améliorées sont la teneur en acides gras polyinsaturés, notamment oméga 3, plus élevée pour le lait de vache et les viandes AB, une réduction du risque de résidus de médicaments et d’apparition de résistances bactériennes aux antimicrobiens. Mais l’accès au plein air et la période d’élevage souvent plus longue augmentent la probabilité et la durée d’exposition des animaux aux éventuels contaminants environnementaux et le risque de leur bioaccumulation dans les produits. Nous identifions des antagonismes entre différentes dimensions de la qualité, notamment pour les viandes ovine et porcine. Les implications de la plus grande variabilité de la qualité des produits AB sur leur acceptabilité par les consommateurs et l’adaptation des procédés de transformation restent peu étudiées. La fiabilité des méthodes d’authentification se heurte à la variabilité des pratiques d’élevage, car elles se fondent sur les différences dans l’alimentation des animaux.

This article critically reviews the state of knowledge on the quality of animal-source foods according to animal production and food processing conditions, including consumer expectations-behaviours and the effects of consumption of animal-source foods on human health. Quality has been defined through seven core attributes: safety, commercial, sensory, nutritional, technological, convenience, and image. Image covers ethical, cultural and environmental dimensions associated with the origin of the food and the way it is produced and processed. This framework enables to highlight the priorities given to the different quality attributes. It also helps to identify potential antagonisms and synergies among quality attributes, between production and processing stages, and among stakeholders. Primacy is essentially given to commercial quality attributes, especially for standard-commodity animal-source foods. This primacy has strongly influenced genetic selection and farming practices in all livestock commodity chains and enabled substantial quantitative gains, although at the expense of other quality traits. Focal issues are the destructuring of chicken muscle that compromises sensory, nutritional and image quality attributes, and the fate of males in the egg and dairy sectors, which have heavily specialized their animals. Quality can be gained but can also be lost throughout the farm-to-fork continuum. Our review highlights critical factors and periods throughout animal production and food processing routes, such as on-farm practices, notably animal feeding, pre-slaughter and slaughter phases, food processing techniques, and food formulation. It also reveals on-farm and processing factors that create antagonisms among quality attributes, such as the castration of male pigs, the substitution of marine-source feed by plant-based feed in fish, and the use of sodium nitrite in meat processing. These antagonisms require scientific data to identify trade-offs among quality attributes and/or solutions to help overcome these tensions. There are also food products that value synergies between quality attributes and between production and processing phases, particularly Geographical Indications. Human epidemiological studies have found associations between consumption of animal-source foods and increased or decreased risk for chronic non-communicable diseases. These associations have informed public health recommendations. However, they have not yet considered animal production and food processing conditions. A concerted and collaborative effort is needed from scientists working in animal science, food process engineering, consumer science, human nutrition and epidemiology in order to address this research gap. Avenues for research and main options for policy action are discussed.

Cette synthèse dresse un bilan critique de l'état des connaissances sur la qualité des aliments d'origine animale selon les conditions de production de l’animal et de transformation des produits, y compris les attentes et comportements des consommateurs et les effets de la consommation des aliments sur la santé humaine. La qualité a été déclinée selon sept dimensions : sanitaire, commerciale, organoleptique, nutritionnelle, technologique, d’usage et d’image. Cette dernière recouvre les dimensions éthiques, culturelles et environnementales associées à l'origine de l'aliment et à la manière dont il a été élaboré. Ce cadre permet de mettre en évidence les priorités accordées à ces différentes dimensions et d'identifier les antagonismes et synergies potentiels entre elles. Nous faisons un constat de priorité accordée aux dimensions commerciales de la qualité, notamment pour les produits standards. Cette priorité a fortement orienté la sélection génétique des animaux et les pratiques d’élevage dans toutes les filières. Elle a permis des gains quantitatifs considérables, mais souvent au détriment d'autres dimensions de la qualité. Des exemples emblématiques sont le poulet de chair standard, pour lequel la sélection sur la vitesse de croissance et le rendement en filet ont eu des conséquences délétères sur les propriétés organoleptiques, nutritionnelles et d'image, et le devenir des mâles dans la filière poules pondeuses ; et certaines filières laitières, qui ont fortement spécialisé leurs animaux. La qualité peut se construire mais aussi s’altérer tout au long de la chaîne alimentaire. Nous soulignons les facteurs et les périodes critiques, comme les pratiques d’élevage, notamment l'alimentation des animaux, les phases de pré-abattage et d'abattage, les pratiques de transformation et de formulation des aliments. Nous pointons certains facteurs qui créent des antagonismes entre différentes dimensions de la qualité, comme la castration des porcs mâles, la substitution des aliments d'origine marine par des aliments d'origine végétale chez les poissons, et l'utilisation des nitrites dans la transformation de la viande. Les recherches s’orientent vers les possibles compromis entre ces effets positifs et négatifs et/ou vers des solutions pour dépasser ces antagonismes. Il y a aussi des aliments qui valorisent des synergies entre différentes dimensions de la qualité et entre les phases de production et de transformation, notamment les indications géographiques. Les études d’épidémiologie nutritionnelle montrent des associations entre la consommation d'aliments d'origine animale et l'augmentation ou la diminution du risque de maladies chroniques ; elles ont permis de formuler des recommandations en matière de santé publique. Cependant, elles ne prennent pas encore en compte les conditions de production et de transformation, et nous pointons le besoin d’une meilleure connexion entre les communautés scientifiques à l’échelle de l’élevage, de la transformation, de la nutrition humaine et de l'épidémiologie pour combler cette lacune. Les besoins de recherche et les pistes d'action publique sont discutés.

Le recours important aux antiinfectieux en médecine humaine et vétérinaire a favorisé le développement de la résistance des agents infectieux notamment aux antibiotiques. Afin de réduire ce problème, depuis une dizaine d’années, les politiques publiques en France et en Europe ont mis en place des plans de contrôle et de réduction de l’usage des antibiotiques. En élevage, ces plans ont été efficaces puisque les volumes d’antibiotiques utilisés ont fortement diminué. Ils ont aussi permis de raisonner plus globalement le recours aux médicaments en élevage, de renforcer les mesures de prévention (biosécurité, vaccination), de modifier des pratiques d’élevage en concertation avec les éleveurs et les vétérinaires praticiens au sein des différentes filières et de développer des produits alternatifs aux antiinfectieux (extraits de plantes, huiles essentielles, acides organiques, prébiotiques, probiotiques…). Ce numéro spécial de la revue INRAE Productions Animales regroupe des articles qui synthétisent les principaux résultats et les perspectives de projets de recherche récents qui ont traité ces différents aspects.

The evolution of parameters known to be relevant indicators of energy status, oxidative stress, and antioxidant defense in chickens was followed. These parameters were measured weekly from 1 to 42 days in plasma and/or muscles and liver of two strains differing in growth rate. At 1-day old, in plasma, slow-growing (SG) chicks were characterized by a high total antioxidant status (TAS), probably related to higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and uric acid levels compared to fast-growing (FG) chicks whereas the lipid peroxidation levels were higher in the liver and muscles of SG day-old chicks. Irrespective of the genotype, the plasma glutathione reductase (GR) and peroxidase (GPx) activities and levels of hydroperoxides and α- and γ-tocopherols decreased rapidly post-hatch. In the muscles, lipid peroxidation also decreased rapidly after hatching as well as catalase, GR, and GPx activities, while the SOD activity increased. In the liver, the TAS was relatively stable the first week after hatching while the value of thio-barbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and GR activity increased and GPx and catalase activities decreased. Our study revealed the strain specificities regarding the antioxidant systems used to maintain their redox balance over the life course. Nevertheless, the age had a much higher impact than strain on the antioxidant ability of the chickens.