Delayed feed access post-hatch negatively impacts growth and intestinal development in broilers. Threonine (Thr) is known to support epithelial tissue development. This study evaluated the effects of early feeding strategies, including in ovo Thr administration and hydrogel provision, on broiler performance, gut and liver histomorphology, and leukocyte profiles. Control birds were fed immediately post-hatch, while others experienced a 48 h feed delay. One group received in ovo Thr on day 17 of incubation, while others were given Hydrogel® with or without Thr during the first 48 h post-hatch. Immediate feed birds showed the best performance (p < 0.05), while early Thr supplementation (in ovo or hydrogel) partially mitigated the negative effects of delayed feed access. On day 21, birds treated with in ovo Thr had 4% higher body weight (BW) than untreated birds (p < 0.05). Birds given hydrogel post-hatch showed no significant BW differences compared to other groups (p > 0.05), but 48 h delayed, non-supplemented birds had 34.3% lower BW than immediate-fed birds (p < 0.05). Compensation was linked to improved gut architecture, though no significant effects were observed on leukocyte profiles or liver histology. In ovo Thr feeding is recommended to mitigate the adverse effects of a two-day delay in feed access for broiler chickens.

Stress adversely affects physiological processes in animals, including gastrointestinal motility, potentially reducing digestion efficiency. Electromyography (EMG) is a suitable method for monitoring smooth muscle activity, allowing separate measurements of the heart and digestive organs (stomach, small intestine, large intestine). This study aimed to investigate whether stress alters the smooth muscle activity of the digestive tract using electromyographic measurements. We conducted the experiment on Topigs x Duroc barrows (n = 4), weighing 30 kg. Stress induction was performed with a single intravenous ACTH injection (10 µg/kg), which dose corresponds to a mild stress effect. Electromyographic signals were continuously recorded for 8 hours both in control and stress conditions. The measurements were divided into 30-minute intervals, and the smooth muscle electric potential (mV) was determined for each organ. Statistical comparisons between control and stress-induced states were made using paired Student's t-test. The results revealed a post-stress reduction in smooth muscle activity across all organs. The decrease was statistically significant in the small and large intestine, while in the stomach, reduced activity was observed 5 hours after stress induction. In conclusion, even mild stress decreases the smooth muscle activity of digestive organs, reducing gastrointestinal motility and potentially impairing digestion efficiency.

In ovo administration of DL-methionine and post-hatch Hydrogel® supplements were tested to examine the impact of early feeding on performance and immune-related traits in a commercial broiler stock. One thousand one hundred and twenty Ross 308 eggs were incubated and assigned to seven treatment groups: intact (no in ovo administration) and immediate feed access (C1), in ovo saline treatment and immediate feed access (C2), intact and delayed feeding (ID), in ovo saline treatment and delayed feeding (IoS), in ovo DL-Methionine treatment and delayed feeding (IoM), intact and delayed access to feed, but immediate access to commercial Hydrogel® without (Hyd) or with 5mg/kg (HydM) DL-methionine post-hatch. The results showed, that the in-ovo methionine may have positive effects on the weight gain of the birds (p < 0.001) compared to the commercial Hydrogel® however, it cannot compete with the immediate feeding. The number of heterophils decreased significantly (p < 0.001) by day 21 in ID and IoS compared to the immediately fed control (C1). The number of lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils, increased in treatments supplemented with methionine (p < 0.05) (IoM, HydM) indicating enhanced immune protection.There were no differences in the total antioxidant capacity (FRAP) and malonaldehyde concentration (MDA) (p = 0.07) in the examined groups. The Cytochrome P450 H1 (CYP2H1) gene was downregulated in all treatment groups (on days 21 and 35) indicating a slower metabolism, particularly in the ID group compared to C1 and C2 (p < 0.001). The HydM treatment could upregulate the IL2 expression as the immediate feeding, while only IoM treatment resulted in significant downregulation by day 35 (p < 0.001). IL6 was upregulated in all treatment groups (p < 0.001) except for HydM, where the gene expression did not differ from the housekeeping gene. Early administration of dietary methionine has a positive effect on performance and the immune system, however, none of the early feeding methods can compete with immediate feed access. The possible positive effects of early nutrition and its epigenetic impact should be examined in further studies.

The metabolic capacity of swine caecum-derived Lactobacillus spp. to biotransform mycotoxins presents promising potential as a host-probiotic strategy to improve pig health and support host-targeted probiotic research. In the present study, Lactobacillus spp. isolated from the pig caecum were examined for their ability to detoxify fumonisin B1 (FB1) in vitro. Three experimental groups were established (i) Control 1 (C1: buffer + caecal chyme), (ii) Control 2 (C2: buffer + FB1), (iii) Experimental group (E: buffer + caecal chyme + FB1), each with 12 replicates per group (4 replicates per time point 0, 24, and 48 h). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to determine bacterial abundance, while fumonisin B1 (FB1) and its hydrolyzed product (HFB1, Hydrolyzed Fumonisin B1), were quantified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Group E showed a significant increase in Lactobacillus spp. abundance (p < 0.001), indicating a selective microbial response to FB1 exposure. In contrast, total bacterial counts did not differ significantly between C1 and E (p = 0.35), suggesting that the proliferation of Lactobacillus was the main microbiological outcome supporting the host-probiotic hypothesis. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed distinct microbial clustering, explaining 97.3% of the variance. Compared to C2, FB1 levels in group E were significantly reduced at 24 and 48 h, while HFB1 conversion rates increased from 47.1% to 56.5%. The study identified Lactobacillus pontis, Lactobacillus amylovorus, and Lactobacillus ultunensis as promising host-associated probiotics, with potential application as feed additives to mitigate mycotoxin effects in pigs. These findings warrant further in vivo validation.

The negative impact of stress on physiological processes has been generally known for a long time, but few studies address the decrease in the motor activity of digestion because of stress. Electromyography, a non-invasive method used in humans for nearly 100 years, is suitable for measuring smooth muscle activity. In recent years, the method has also been adapted for pigs. The aim of our preliminary study was to determine whether ACTH induction affects the smooth muscle activity of the digestive organs in pigs and whether this can be demonstrated using electromyographic measurements. Measurements were performed on 30 kg Topigs x Duroc barrows (n = 4) under normal and stress conditions. Stress induction was carried out by intravenous administration of ACTH injection at a dose of 10 µg/kg body weight, which dose corresponds to a mild stress effect. Data were recorded continuously for 8 hours, segmented into 30-minute intervals during data processing, and analyzed using Fast Fourier Transformation and expressed as Power Spectrum maximum measure of value. Our results showed significant decrease in smooth muscle activity in stomach and a tendency for reduce in small intestine post ACTH induction, which may influence digestive processes through reduced motor activity.

This study aimed at assessing the effects of two infra-vitam traits, specifically the slaughter weight (SW) and the ultrasound backfat depth (BCKF) on several post-mortem and quality traits of typical Prosciutto Veneto protected designation of origin (PDO) dry-cured ham. The trial was conducted on a population of 423 pigs fed using different strategies to generate a high variation in SW (175 ± 15.5 kg) and BCKF (23.16 ± 4.14 mm). All the left thighs were weighed at slaughter and the ham factory during the different processing phases. The fat cover depth of green trimmed hams was measured. Data were analyzed with a linear model including SW classified in tertiles, BCKF as a covariate, SW × BCKF interaction, sex, batch, and pen nested within batch. Our results highlighted that, for each 10 kg increase in SW, trimmed and seasoned ham weights increased by 0.76 and 0.54 kg, respectively. The increase in SW significantly reduced relative curing and deboning losses but did not affect ham fat cover depth and trimming losses. A rise in BCKF increased the ham fat cover depth and trimming losses and decreased the curing and deboning losses. Increases in SW and BCKF improved quality traits of the seasoned ham including fat cover depth, visible marbling, inner lean firmness, and fat color. These findings confirm the feasibility of increasing SW and BCKF, which will result in a reduction in the relative losses associated with the dry-curing process while improving the quality of the seasoned ham.

Slaughter weight and feed efficiency are highly dependent on the length of post-hatch feed deprivation, due to the short fattening time. Late feed access has negative consequences on the development of the intestine, while threonine might be a candidate to support epithelial tissue development. The present study aimed to examine the effects of different early nutrition methods, particularly early Thr supplementation on the performance, gut and liver histomorphology, and the number of different leukocyte types in broiler chicken. Control birds were fed immediately post-hatch, while others had access to solid feed with a 48-hour delay. In one group in ovo threonine, administration was applied at d17 of incubation, while other groups of birds received hydrogel with or without Thr fortification in the first 48h. Our results confirmed that the best performance was achieved in birds that had no delay in feed access. Early Thr supplementation could at least partly compensate for the loss attributed to the post-hatch delay in feed access. The higher ability of compensation can be explained by the better architecture of the gut tissue, while there were no significant effects of Thr supplementation on the rate of leukocytes and liver histology parameters.

Homocysteine is a metabolic intermediate in the methionine-cysteine conversion. High level of homocysteine in blood leads to changes in methylation pathways and consequently in transcriptional activation; therefore, it can disrupt gene expression. This chapter presents the biochemical pathways of the transformation of homocysteine in broilers and demonstrates the beneficial effects of certain bioactive feed additives (betaine and berberine) to health-related and production problems caused by the accumulation of homocysteine. Based on recent scientific findings, the following conclusions have been drawn: Hyperhomocysteinosis has received little attention in the field of avian physiology research. Currently used feed additives, such as betaine, potentially decrease circulating homocysteine, but support only one of the pathways responsible for homocysteine decomposition. Various phytonutrients may be suitable owing to their pleiotropic bioactive components, such as berberine. It can potentially maintain redox homeostasis in animals and modulate immune responses and therefore may be able to provide for liver protective functions. Additionally, it can encourage healthy tissue to express enzymes that are responsible for the degradation of homocysteine. Further studies are recommended to investigate how effectively berberine can reduce the incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia in broilers and whether it is necessary to use feed supplements throughout the life cycles of birds.

This chapter presents the expected climate scenario in corn-producing areas and suggests alternative strategies for producing resilient forage for dairy cattle in dry continental climate zones. The consideration of irrigating corn for silage production arises due to the alterations in climate. However, it is anticipated that different crop rotations will suffice to sustain the forage supply on intensive dairy farms without requiring additional water resources in the dry season, including drought-resistant crops, early-cut whole-crop cereals, and intense annual ryegrass alongside corn and sorghum. Crop management and crop rotation strategies adapted to local and weather conditions are critical to maintaining milk production. Due to the high digestibility, digestible NDF, and undigestible NDF of the early cut, intensively growing grass silages, rye silage (harvested at the boot stage or earlier), triticale, barley, and wheat silage (harvested at boot-early heading stage) could increase dairy cows’ dry matter intake and milk production under heat-stress conditions. As a result, cattle feed will contain more ingredients than it does today to cope with climate change in cattle feeding.

The eating quality of pork, e.g. its taste and tenderness are favourably affected by inter- and intramuscular fat (IMF) content. Many genes are involved in forming the fat deposited in the meat and especially in between the muscle fibres, among others, the genes of the FABP family (FABP3, FABP4), the LEPR gene, the SDC and the FASN. The objective of this trial was to study whether a moderate change in dietary Lys content (approximately 6%) through the growing and fattening period results in a shift in the expression of genes involved in fat metabolism (FABP3, FABP4, LEPR, SDC and FASN). In the study, Danbred pigs were assigned from a fattening study that involved 96 pigs (50-50% barrows and gilts) from about 25 kg to 125kg live weight. The animals received three-phase feeding and the feeds were formulated according to their requirements. The dietary treatments were set by diets containing different Lys levels in all phases: 10.9, 9.1 g/kg, and 8.3 g/kg vs 11.5, 9.6 and 9.0 g/kg Lys, respectively. The pigs were slaughtered in 125 kg live weight and carcass classification through lean meat % was performed. Meat samples from the carcass were taken within 30 minutes post-mortem from the longissimus dorsi muscle. Gene expression levels were quantified using RT-qPCR analysis. The results indicated that variations in dietary lysine (Lys) content did not significantly influence slaughter quality or the expression levels of genes associated with fat metabolism. Consequently, it can be inferred that a 10% difference from the recommended Lys content does not alter lipid synthesis in the longissimus dorsi muscle of pigs.

To explore the influence of 4 feeding strategies on dry-cured ham quality, 336 barrows and gilts (3 batches, 112 pigs/batch) of 90 kg body weight (BW), were divided into 4 groups and housed in 8 pens with automated feeders. In the control group (C), the pigs were fed restrictively medium-protein feeds and slaughtered at 170 kg BW (SW) and 265 d of slaughter age (SA). With the older age (OA) treatment, the pigs were restrictively fed low protein feeds and slaughtered at 170 kg SW and 278 d SA. The other two groups were fed ad libitum high protein feeds, the younger age (YA) group was slaughtered at 170 kg SW and 237 d SA, the greater weight (GW) at 265 d of SA and 194 kg SW. The hams were dry-cured and seasoned for 607 d, weighed before and after seasoning and deboning. Sixty hams were sampled and sliced. The lean and the fat tissues were separated and analyzed for proximate composition and fatty acid profile. The model of analysis considered sex and treatment as fixed factors. With respect to C: i) OA lowered the ham weight, the lean protein content, increased marbling and decreased the PUFA proportion in intramuscular and subcutaneous fat; ii) YA hams had thicker fat cover with lower PUFA in intramuscular and subcutaneous fat; iii) GW increased the deboned ham weight, fat cover depth and marbling, reduced PUFA in intramuscular and subcutaneous fat, without alteration of the lean moisture content. Sex had a negligible impact.

The nitrogen (N) load of broiler meat production is known for its high contribution to the environmental footprint of animal agriculture. The modeling work presented here is to be used as a tool to understand and quantify N excretion via a dynamic mechanistic nutrient partitioning simulation. The model has been developed for broilers, representing energy and protein utilization. Three case studies are presented and discussed, such as (1) feeding schedules with adjusted protein content feeds; (2) feeding diets with different digestibility of crude protein; and (3) feeding diets with the same digestible protein and different SID lysine, methionine plus cystine or threonine contents. In addition to N retention and total N excretion, diagnostic variables for N excretion via urine and obligatory urinary N excretion were studied to evaluate N partitioning in response to different feeding schedules. The excess N was calculated in each scenario for the whole fattening period. This in silico study has confirmed that unprecise diet formulation has considerable consequences: overestimation of digestibility or oversupply of dietary protein increases the total ammonia N in the manure and thus the N emission potential of poultry meat production. The presented approach may be recommended to design alternative feeding strategies with a low environmental footprint.

This study investigated effects of dietary fumonisins (FBs) on gut and faecal microbiota of weaned pigs. In total, 18 7-week-old male pigs were fed either 0, 15 or 30 mg FBs (FB1 + FB2 + FB3)/kg diet for 21 days. The microbiota was analysed with amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene V3-V4 regions (Illumina MiSeq). Results showed no treatment effect (p > 0.05) on growth performance, serum reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde. FBs increased serum aspartate transaminase, gamma glutamyl-transferase and alkaline phosphatase activities. A 30 mg/kg FBs treatment shifted microbial population in the duodenum and ileum to lower levels (compared to control (p < 0.05)) of the families Campylobacteraceae and Clostridiaceae, respectively, as well as the genera Alloprevotella, Campylobacter and Lachnospiraceae Incertae Sedis (duodenum), Turicibacter (jejunum), and Clostridium sensu stricto 1 (ileum). Faecal microbiota had higher levels of the Erysipelotrichaceae and Ruminococcaceae families and Solobacterium, Faecalibacterium, Anaerofilum, Ruminococcus, Subdoligranulum, Pseudobutyrivibrio, Coprococcus and Roseburia genera in the 30 mg/kg FBs compared to control and/or to the 15 mg/kg FBs diets. Lactobacillus was more abundant in the duodenum compared to faeces in all treatment groups (p < 0.01). Overall, the 30 mg/kg FBs diet altered the pig gut microbiota without suppressing animal growth performance.

Slaughter weight (SW) is critical for dry-cured ham production systems with heavy pigs. A total of 159 C21 Goland pigs (gilts and barrows) at 95 ± 9.0 kg body weight (BW) from three batches were used to investigate the impact of ad libitum feeding on SW, growth performance, feed efficiency, and carcass and green ham characteristics. Diets contained 10 MJ/kg of net energy and 7.4 and 6.0 g/kg of SID-lysine. Slaughter weight classes (SWC) included <165, 165–180, 180–110 and >210 kg BW. In each batch, pigs were sacrificed at 230 or 258 d of age. Left hams were scored for round shape, fat cover thickness, marbling, lean colour, bicolour and veining. Data were analyzed with a model considering SWC, sex and SWC × Sex interactions as fixed factors and the batch as a random factor. The linear, quadratic and cubic effects of SWC were tested, but only linear effects were found. Results showed that pigs with greater SWC had greater average daily gain and feed consumption, with similar feed efficiency and better ham quality traits: greater ham weight, muscularity, and fat coveringin correspondence of semimembranosus muscle. Barrows were heavier and produced hams with slightly better characteristics than gilts.

The cellular toxicity of the Fusarium mycotoxin fumonisins (FUMs) has been widely accounted for. However, the ability of FUMs to destroy intestinal functions is an emergence of growing concern. Thus, this experiment ascertained whether dietary FUMs obstruct the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AAs) in fattening pigs during either short (7 d)- or long (21 d)-term exposure. Ten Danbred fattening pigs (initial body weight (BW) of 67.5 ± 4.1) inserted with a post-valve T-cecum cannula in the terminal ileum were enrolled in the trial. The pigs were randomly divided into a control group fed a basal commercial diet and a group fed in vitro-produced FUMs to provide a 40 mg FUMs/kg-contaminated diet. Titanium dioxide was added at an inclusion rate of 0.5% as an indigestible marker to diets. During two separate periods, ileal digesta were collected for 3 consecutive days for the determination of the AID of CP and the various dispensable and indispensable AAs. Data were subjected to two-way ANOVA of SPSS version 20.0 software using FUMs dose (i = 2; 0 or 40 mg FUMs/ kg feed) and duration (j = 2; short- vs. long-term exposure) as fixed factors. According to our findings, a dietary intake of 40 mg/kg FUMs substantially interfered with the AID of arginine, histidine, and tyrosine (p = 0.003, 0.047, and 0.047, respectively) in terms of the dose and duration interaction effect. In addition, the main duration effect of the AID of histidine was significant (p < 0.001). It is, therefore, conceivable that a dietary dose of a 40 mg/kg FUMs-contaminated diet does not drastically affect CP and AAs digestibility in fattening pigs over a period of 7 or 21 days.

Fat metabolism and intramuscular fat (IMF) are qualitative traits in pigs whose development are influenced by several genes and metabolic pathways. Nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics offer prospects in estimating nutrients required by a pig. Application of these emerging fields in nutritional science provides an opportunity for matching nutrients based on the genetic make-up of the pig for trait improvements. Today, integration of high throughput “omics” technologies into nutritional genomic research has revealed many quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for the mutation(s) of key genes directly or indirectly involved in fat metabolism and IMF deposition in pigs. Nutrient–gene interaction and the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in fatty acid synthesis and marbling in pigs is difficult to unravel. While existing knowledge on QTLs and SNPs of genes related to fat metabolism and IMF development is yet to be harmonized, the scientific explanations behind the nature of the existing correlation between the nutrients, the genes and the environment remain unclear, being inconclusive or lacking precision. This paper aimed to: (1) discuss nutrigenetics, nutrigenomics and epigenetic mechanisms controlling fat metabolism and IMF accretion in pigs; (2) highlight the potentials of these concepts in pig nutritional programming and research.

Fumonisins (FUM) have been reported to impede gut functioning in pigs. However, investigations into the possible effect on mineral metabolism are limited. Thus, the trial studied the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and retention of dietary nitrogen and minerals, intestinal architecture, digestive enzymes activity and heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70) activity. Eighteen weaned piglets of 7 weeks old were assigned to three groups and their feed either contained 0, 15 or 30 mg FUM/kg for 21 days. ATTD and retention of dietary N and minerals were measured in a 5- day long balance trial between Day 17 and Day 21. The digestible and metabolisable energy (DE and ME) content of the feeds were also determined. The body weights, cumulative feed intake, relative organ weights, digestive enzymes activity and intestinal morphology were not affected (p > 0.05) by dietary treatments. The DE content was significantly lower (p < 0.05) when the feed contained 15 mg/kg FUM, but no statistically reliable treatment effect was confirmed for ME content. Dietary FUM significantly lowered (p < 0.05) the ATTD of Ca and P but not (p > 0.05) N, K, Mg and Na. The relative retention rate of N, Ca, P, K, Mg and Na in all groups were not impacted (p > 0.05) by treatments. The ATTD and relative retention of Cu and Zn were remarkably (p < 0.05) lower in piglets fed FUM-contaminated feed. In addition, the expression of Hsp70 activity in the liver was significantly elevated (p < 0.05) in the highest treatment group. These findings suggest that a dietary dose of 15 or 30 mg FUM/kg diet distorts the nutritive value of the mixed feed, results in poor ATTD and retention rates of Zn and Cu, and elevate Hsp70 activity in the liver without altering intestinal architecture or digestive enzymes' activity in weaned piglets.