As an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters, live yeast supplementation has proven useful in reducing weaning stress and improving performance parameters of piglets. Here, we compared the performance and hindgut microbiota of weanling piglets subjected to different pre- and post-weaning yeast supplementation regimens using a live strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Actisaf Sc 47). Average feed intake and average daily weight gain of piglets within Yeast-Control and Yeast-Yeast groups were higher than those in the Control-Control group. Yeast supplementation resulted in development of microbial communities that were phylogenetically more homogenous and less dispersed compared to the microbiota of control piglets. Key bacterial taxa overrepresented in the microbiota of yeast supplemented piglets included phylum Actinobacteria, specifically family Coriobacteriaceae, as well as Firmicutes families Ruminococcaceae, Clostridiaceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, and Peptococcaceae. Correlation network analysis revealed that yeast supplementation was associated with enrichment of positive correlations among proportions of different bacterial genera within the hindgut ecosystem. In particular, within the cecal microbiota of supplemented piglets, higher numbers of positive correlations were observed among potentially beneficial genera of the phyla Actinobacteria and Firmicutes, suggesting a mechanism by which yeast supplementation may contribute to regulation of intestinal homeostasis and improved performance of piglets.

The effects of live yeast (strain CNCM I-4407; Actisaf Sc 47; Phileo Lesaffre Animal Care, Marcq-en-Baroeul, France) administration on nutrient digestibility and fecal microflora in dogs were investigated. The study included 24 young beagle dogs. They were allocated in control and live yeast (LY) groups (6 males and 6 females in each). During the Adaptation (d 1 to 28) and Trial (d 29 to 70) periods, the dogs received a standard dry pelleted diet. In the Trial period, the LY dogs were given capsuled Actisaf Sc 47 at 1 g/kg live weight with at 2.9 × 10 cfu/g. The control dogs received empty capsules. Live weight and feed consumption were recorded. Blood samples for complete blood count (CBC) and serum biochemistry (urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, and alanine aminotransferase) and fecal samples for pH, microbiology, DM, lactic acid, and ammonia and digestibility evaluation were collected during the Trial period from each dog. The LY dogs had a higher ( < 0.05) weight gain during the Trial period than the control ones. Feed consumption was not adversely affected by LY. The CBC values and urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, and alanine aminotransferase were not adversely affected by LY. Live yeast did not significantly influence pH of fresh feces. Fecal lactic acid and ammonia concentrations were not affected. The LY dogs showed lower ( < 0.05) Escherichia coli and fecal enterococci counts in feces than the control ones. Lactic acid bacteria, Clostridium perfringens, and total coliforms did not show any significant differences between the treatments. The LY dogs showed a higher ( < 0.05) apparent digestibility of NDF. Digestibilities of DM, ash, crude fiber, CP, and fat were not influenced.

A study was conducted to determine the effect of live yeast supplementation in the diet of rabbit does on their mortality and reproductive performance and the performance of their progeny. A total of 52 cross-bred rabbit does (New Zealand×Californian) were divided into 2 groups differing in diet offered during 2 reproductive cycles and containing (group S; n=26) or not (group C; n=26) 1 g of yeast (Actisaf Sc 47, S.I. LESAFFRE, France)/kg of feed. Natural mating was performed 11 d after kindling and kits were weaned at 28 d of age. Body weight of litters was measured at birth, 21 d and at 28 d of age (weaning). Mortality of kits and rabbit does was monitored daily, and fertility of rabbit does and viability rate of kits at birth were also determined. Weight and litter size at birth and at weaning, litter weight gain during lactation and length of gestation were similar between the 2 groups during the 2 cycles. The mortality of does during the experiment was higher in group C than in group S (27 vs. 4%; P<0.05). Fertility rate of rabbits does and viability rate of kits at birth were higher (P<0.05) in rabbits fed with the supplemented diet than those with the control diet during the second lactation. In the first cycle, kit mortality was lower in S group (15.5%) than the C group (24.7%) during the first 21 d (P<0.05). However, no difference was observed during the second lactation. In conclusion, our results suggest that the inclusion of yeast in the diet of rabbit does could trigger positive effects on the fertility and mortality of rabbit does, as well as on the viability rate of kits at birth.

It has already been stated that live yeast (LYSc47, 1010 CFU/g DM, Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-4407, Phileo Lesaffre Animal Care, France) is unable to colonize the digestive tract of cows. But, is the LY ruminal concentration stable after few days of distribution and how does it change within the day? Four early-lactating Holstein cows fitted with permanent ruminal cannulas were assigned to 4 treatments in a 4 × 4 Latin square design: 2 control diets consisting of a corn-silage-based TMR with ground corn (CD) or ground wheat (WD) top dressed at 0 to 5.1010CFU/cow/day of LYSc47 in the morning meal (YCD and YWD, respectively). Each 14-d experimental period consisted of 9 d of adaptation to the diet, 3 d of measurement (d 1 to d 3) and a 2-d transition phase. During d 1 to d 3, ruminal fluid of cows was individually sampled −1 h, +0.5 h and +7 h around the morning meal. The concentration of live LYSc47 was determined by the method for counting the CFU (CFU/mL of ruminal fluid) on YM agar containing 1% chloramphenicol. Data were analyzed using general mixed model procedure of SPSS (IBM SPSS Statistics V22) including fixed effect of day, diet and hour nested in day and cow as random effect. No LySc47 was detected in ruminal fluid of cows receiving WD or CD. For cows receiving LYSc47, ruminal concentration of LYSc47 was affected (P < 0.001) by time of sampling during the day: 3.91, 4.94 and 4.16 log CFU/mL at −1 h, +0.5 h and 7 h around morning meal, respectively. LYSc47 content significantly increased 30 min after ingestion of the daily dose: +1.03 log CFU/mL and then decreased significantly toward lower level (−0.78 log/mL over 7 h whatever is the diet). LYSc47 content at +7 h remained significantly higher than at −1 h, but after 9 d of daily supplementation, LYSc47 ruminal concentration remained similar (P = 0.432) over the 3 d of sampling whatever was the diet. It clearly showed that LYSc47 had a quick revival capacity in ruminal content and that its daily supplementation is essential to maintain a threshold concentration in ruminal ecosystem.

The effects of live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (strain CNCM I-4407, 10 cfu/g; Actisaf; Lesaffre Feed Additives, France) on the severity of diarrhea, immune response Published Online First on December 4, 2013 as doi:10.2527/jas.2013-6793 at Univ of Connecticut Homer Babbidge Lib on January 6, 2014 www.journalofanimalscience.org Downloaded from 2 and growth performance in weaned piglets orally challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain (ETEC) O149:K88 were investigated. Live yeast was fed to sows and their piglets in the late gestation, suckling and post-weaning periods. Sows were fed a basal diet without (Control; n=2) or with (Supplemented; n=2) 1 g/kg of live yeast from d 94 of gestation and during lactation until weaning of the piglets (d 28). Suckling piglets of the supplemented sows were orally treated with 1 g of live yeast in porridge carrier 3 times a week until weaning. Weaned piglets were fed a basal starter diet without (Control; n=19) or with (Supplemented; n=15) 5 g of live yeast/kg feed for two weeks. Significantly lower daily diarrhea scores (P<0.05), duration of diarrhea (P<0.01) and shedding of pathogenic ETEC bacteria (P<0.05) in feces was detected in the supplemented piglets. Administration of live yeast significantly increased (P<0.05) IgA levels in the serum of piglets. Evidence indicates that decreased infection-related stress and severity of diarrhea in yeast-fed weaned piglets positively affected their growth capacity in the post-weaning period (P<0.05). The results suggest that dietary supplementation with live yeast S. cerevisiae to sows and piglets in the late gestation, suckling and post-weaning periods can be useful in the reduction of the duration and severity of PWD caused by ETEC.

The effects of live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (strain CNCM I-4407, 10(10) cfu/g; Actisaf; Lesaffre Feed Additives, Marcq-en-Baroeul, France) on the severity of diarrhea, immune response, and growth performance in weaned piglets orally challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strain O149:K88 were investigated. Live yeast was fed to sows and their piglets in the late gestation, suckling, and postweaning periods. Sows were fed a basal diet without (Control; n = 2) or with (Supplemented; n = 2) 1 g/kg of live yeast from d 94 of gestation and during lactation until weaning of the piglets (d 28). Suckling piglets of the supplemented sows were orally treated with 1 g of live yeast in porridge carrier 3 times a week until weaning. Weaned piglets were fed a basal starter diet without (Control; n = 19) or with (Supplemented; n = 15) 5 g of live yeast/kg feed for 2 wk. Significantly lower daily diarrhea scores (P < 0.05), duration of diarrhea (P < 0.01), and shedding of pathogenic ETEC bacteria (P < 0.05) in feces was detected in the supplemented piglets. Administration of live yeast significantly increased (P < 0.05) IgA levels in the serum of piglets. Evidence indicates that decreased infection-related stress and severity of diarrhea in yeast-fed weaned piglets positively affected their growth capacity in the postweaning period (P < 0.05). The results suggest that dietary supplementation with live yeast S. cerevisiae to sows and piglets in the late gestation, suckling, and postweaning periods can be useful in the reduction of the duration and severity of postweaning diarrhea caused by ETEC.

A study was conducted to determine the effect of live yeast supplementation of sow diets on reproductive performance, immune function, milk composition of sows and performance of their progeny. A total of 47 F1 sows (Yorkshire×Landrace) were allotted to five dietary treatments and two different levels (106 or 107CFU/g of diet) of live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sc47) were supplemented during gestation, lactation or both. Treatments were (1) no yeast supplementation during gestation and lactation, (2) gestation—basal diet, lactation—106CFU of yeast/g of diet, (3) gestation—basal diet, lactation—107CFU of yeast/g of diet, (4) gestation—106CFU of yeast/g of diet, lactation—106CFU of yeast/g of diet, (5) gestation—107CFU of yeast/g of diet, lactation—107CFU of yeast/g of diet. Inclusion of live yeast in sow diets did not result in any significant difference in body weight or backfat thickness of sows at 110d of gestation and 21d postpartum. Additionally, reproductive performance of sows, i.e. litter size, total born alive, birth weight and weight gain of progeny, was not influenced by live yeast supplementation (P>0.13). Dietary treatment did not affect average daily feed intake of sows during lactation. Compared with the control, weaning to estrus interval (WEI) was shortened (P<0.01) and percentage of sows in estrus by day 7 after weaning was increased (P<0.01) when sows were fed live yeast contained diet during lactation, regardless of yeast supplementation during gestation. There was no significant difference in milk composition during overall lactation except that IgG concentration in colostrum tended to be higher in the groups receiving live yeast supplementation (P=0.10) compared with the control group, resulting in higher IgG concentration in plasma of piglets at 24h postpartum (P<0.05). These results suggested that the reproductive performance of sows might be improved as shown by reduction of WEI when sows were fed diets supplemented with live yeast. Moreover, the supplementation of live yeast in sow diets could elevate IgG concentration in colostrum and subsequently plasma IgG of piglets.

The impact of 2 doses of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae were evaluated, 5 × 10(10) cfu/kg of feed (L1) and 5 × 10(11) cfu/kg of feed (L2) against a control (CON) with no added yeast, using an in vitro model [colon simulation technique (Cositec)] to mimic digestion in the pig colon. The L2 (but not L1) dose significantly improved DM digestibility compared to CON (61 v 58%) and increased NH(3) concentrations (+15%). Volatile fatty acid concentrations increased with L2 compared to CON--isobutyrate (+13.5%), propionate (+8.5%), isovalerate (+17.8%), and valerate (+25%)--but only valerate was increased with L1 (+14.2%). The analysis of microbiota from the liquid associated bacteria (LAB) and solid associated bacteria (SAB) revealed an interaction between the fraction and treatment (P < 0.05). Indeed, L2 had a significant impact on SAB and LAB (P < 0.01) whereas L1 only tended to change the structure of the population in the SAB (P < 0.1). Overall, this study showed that a live yeast probiotic could improve digestion in a colonic simulation model but only at the higher dose used and this effect was associated with a shift in the bacterial population therein.

1. Three experiments were carried out to study the effects of two experimental yeast cell wall (YCW) supplements, one from the yeast extract industry and the other from the brewery industry, added to maize or wheat based-diets, on performance and intestinal parameters of broiler chickens (Ross 308). 2. In the first and second experiments, a completely randomised block design with 4 experimental treatments was used: T-1) Negative control, no additives T-2) Positive control, avilamycin group (10 mg/kg feed), T-3) Yeast extract-YCW (500 mg/kg), and T-4) Brewery-YCW (500 mg/kg feed). There were 6 replicates of 20 (experiment 1) and 22 (experiment 2) chicks per treatment. 3. In experiment 1 (wheat based diets), yeast extract-YCW increased BW and daily feed intake (42 d). The effects were comparable to those of avilamycin. In experiment 2 (maize based diet), avilamycin, yeast extract-YCW and brewery-YCW treatments improved the feed conversion ratio with respect to the negative control group (0 to 14 d). 4. At 24 d, in both experiments, the ileal nutrient digestibility and ileal bacterial counts were not affected by any experimental treatment. In maize diets, lower intestinal viscosity was obtained with avilamycin, yeast extract-YCW and brewery-YCW than with the negative control. In wheat diets, yeast extract-YCW and brewery-YCW reduced intestinal viscosity. 5. A third experiment was conducted to study the effect of yeast extract-YCW on animal performance, intestinal mucosa morphology and intestinal viscosity. A 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used; one factor was the dietary yeast extract-YCW supplementation (0 or 500 mg/kg feed) and the other the cereal in the diet (maize or wheat). 6. At 43 d, the heaviest BW was in chickens fed on yeast extract-YCW compared to those given the negative control. At 22 d, yeast extract-YCW increased villus height, mucus thickness and number of goblet cells with respect to negative control. 7. Results of these experiments suggest that supplementation of yeast extract-YCW to broiler chicken diets increased animal performance by favouring intestinal mucosal development.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the influence of diet composition on ruminal parameters, more particularly redox potential (Eh). Four Holstein dry dairy cows, fitted with ruminal cannulas, were allocated in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. They were given four experimental hay-based diets D0, D25, D42 and D56 consisting of 0%, 25%, 42% and 56% of ground wheat and barley concentrate mixture, respectively. They were fed at a daily feeding rate of 8.0 kg DM per cow during a 24-day experimental period (a 21-day diet adaptation, three consecutive days of measurement and sampling). The physicochemical parameters, such as pH and Eh, were measured and Clark's exponent (rH) was calculated from 1 h before feeding to 8 h after feeding at 1-h interval. Samples of ruminal fluid were taken at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after feeding for the determination of volatile fatty acid (VFA) and ammonia N (NH3-N) concentrations. Ruminal bacterial populations were also studied by means of capillary electrophoresis single-strand conformation polymorphism (CE-SSCP) technique to focus on the structure of the ruminal microbiota and the diversity index was calculated. Mean ruminal Eh and rH were not modified by the concentrate-to-forage ratio and averaged - 210 mV and 6.30, respectively, across diets. The pH decreased slightly by 0.10 pH unit between treatments D0 and D56 with an average of 6.58. Nevertheless, the time during which physicochemical parameters remained at nadir value after feeding varied with diets: 2 and 7 h for D0 and 6 and 5 h for D56, respectively for pH and Eh. Moreover, fermentative parameters were altered by treatments: total VFA and NH3-N were greater in D56 (72.2 mM and 17.5 mg/100 ml) compared with D0 (65.2 mM and 14.2 mg/100 ml). However, neither the structure of bacterial populations of the rumen nor the diversity index (Shannon) was altered by treatments.

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of dietary addition of yeast cell wall (YCW); beta-1, 3/1, 6-glucan (BG); and mannoprotein complex (MP) purified fractions in broilers. In experiment 1, there was a control diet and 5 experimental diets containing, respectively: 10 mg of avilamycin (AVI)/kg of feed, 500 mg of YCW/kg of feed, 95 mg of MP/kg of feed, 145 mg of BG/kg of feed, and 95 mg of MP plus 145 mg of BG/kg of feed. All birds were vaccinated via drinking water against Newcastle disease virus at 9 d of age. At 42 d, chickens fed AVI, YCW, MP + BG, and BG diets had similar BW not significantly different from chickens fed the control diet. The antibody response of Newcastle disease virus vaccine was not affected by any experimental treatment. Broilers fed MP + BG diet had greater thymus weights (P </= 0.05), as a percentage of BW than those from the control and AVI treatments, but similar with respect to YCW and BG treatments. In experiment 2, there was a group-fed basal diet and 3 additional experimental groups receiving the basal diet supplemented with, respectively: 500 mg of YCW/kg of feed, 190 mg of MP/kg of feed, and 227 mg of BG/kg of feed. At 42 d of age, no difference in broiler growth rates was observed. Samples of the jejunum were collected at 21 d of age to determine villus height. Significantly higher villus height was observed in YCW, MP, and BG groups compared with that of the control group. The relative percentage of liver weight (P </= 0.01) was lower in broilers fed YCW than in broilers fed the control diet, but no differences were observed in respect to chickens fed BG. Data of these studies suggested that the changes in thymus and liver relative weights and villus morphology of broilers were induced with the same intensity by the use of complete YCW, MP + BG, and BG supplements.

J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 87, E-Suppl. 2/J. Dairy Sci. Vol. 92, E-Suppl. 1 IS populations remained constantly chemotactic toward G1000 (main effect, P<0.05). Although IS populations were inhibited by fat, chemotaxis to G1000 was unchanged; in contrast, chemotaxis by EN is more complex. Fat might be inhibitory by disrupting membrane structure or more selectively by disrupting the ability to sense a glucose gradient, blinding EN to newly ingested feed.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the capacity of 2 dietary feed additives, sodium bicarbonate and live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (strain Sc 47), in optimizing ruminal pH in dairy cows and to determine their modes of action. Three early lactating Holstein cows, fitted with ruminal cannulas, were allocated in a 3 x 3 Latin square design. They were given a total mixed ration as control diet (CD) at a daily feeding rate of 28.0 kg of dry matter (DM)/cow supplemented with 150 g/d of sodium bicarbonate (SBD) or 5 g/d of live yeast (YD) during a 21-d experimental period (14 d of diet adaptation, 4 consecutive days of measurement and sampling and 3 d of transition). The pH and redox potential (E(h)) were measured from 1 h before feeding to 8 h after feeding at 1-h intervals, and samples of ruminal fluid were taken at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after feeding for the determination of volatile fatty acids and lactate concentrations. Total tract apparent digestibility of the diet was also determined. Ruminal pH fluctuated between 6.53 at feeding and 5.57 at 5 h postfeeding. Mean pH was greater with SBD (6.21) and YD (6.14) compared with CD (5.94), showing that both additives had a pH stabilization effect. The E(h) varied from -88 mV at 1 h before feeding to -165 mV at 1 h after feeding. Mean E(h) and Clark's Exponent (rH) were lower with YD (-149 mV and 7.31, respectively) than with SBD (-137 mV and 7.85, respectively) and CD (-115 mV and 8.05, respectively), indicating that the yeast strengthened the reducing power of the milieu. Total volatile fatty acids were greater in SBD (95.3 mM) and YD (99.4 mM) compared with CD (85.3 mM). Acetate concentration was greater in SBD (60.8 mM) and YD (59.1 mM) compared with CD (53.2 mM). Propionate concentration was greater in YD (25.8 mM) than in SBD (20.0 mM) and CD (18.0 mM). Butyrate remained constant between diets. Mean total lactate concentrations were 16.5, 12.2, and 5.4 mM for CD, SBD, and YD, respectively, with a 67% decrease with YD. Total tract organic matter digestibility was greater for YD (66.6%) compared with SBD (61.7%) and CD (62.2%). The neutral detergent fiber digestibility was greater with YD (41.6%) compared with SBD (34.3%) and CD (29.6%), whereas acid detergent fiber digestibility was greatest in YD (32.3%), intermediate in SBD (24.4%), and lowest in CD (18.1%). By inducing a lower ruminal E(h) and rH, live yeast prevented accumulation of lactate and allowed better fiber digestion, whereas sodium bicarbonate seemed to act only as an exogenous buffer.

In vitro biosorption of ochratoxin A (OA) onto three yeast industry products: a vinasse containing yeast cell walls (EX16), a purified yeast beta glucan (BETA) and a yeast cell wall fraction (LEC), has been studied as a function of the temperature. Equilibrium binding assays were performed from 4 to 37°C. The best models for OA biosorption onto EX16, BETA and LEC were identified as respectively Hill's, Freundlich and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller models. LEC was the most effective adsorbent for OA removal in aqueous solutions. All biosorption processes were spontaneous (negative ΔG0) and exothermic (negative ΔH0). For EX16 and BETA, the favourable enthalpic contributions (negative ΔH0 values) to OA binding, were associated to unfavourable entropic contributions (negative ΔS0 values). By contrast, the entropic contribution to OA binding was favourable (positive ΔS0 values) in the case of LEC. The calculated values of the heat capacity (ΔCp) were close to zero, indicating the absence of a temperature dependency for ΔH and ΔS. The results suggest that the remarkable OA biosorption onto LEC involves both polar and non-polar non-covalent interactions and the concomitant reorganization of the water molecules of the solvent.