动物营养Animal Nutrition

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Effects of yeast and yeast cell wall polysaccharides supplementation on beef cattle growth performance, rumen microbial populations and lipopolysaccharides production

PENG Quan-hui, CHENG Long, KANG Kun, Tian Gang, Mohammad AL-MAMUN, XUE Bai, WANG Li-zhi, ZOU Hua-wei, Mathew Gitau GICHEHA, WANG Zhi-sheng

2020, 19 (3): 810-819. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(19)62708-5

Abstract （138） PDF in ScienceDirect

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of live yeast and yeast cell wall polysaccharides on growth performance, rumen function and plasma lipopolysaccharides (LPS) content and immunity parameters of beef cattle. Forty Qinchuan cattle were randomly assigned to one of four treatments with 10 replicates in each treatment. The dietary treatments were: control diet (CTR), CTR supplemented with 1 g live yeast (2×10¹⁰ live cell g^–1 per cattle per day (YST1), CTR supplemented with 2 g live yeast per cattle per day (YST2) and CTR supplemented with 20 g of yeast cell wall polysaccharides (30.0%≤β-glucan≤35.0%, and 28.0%≤mannanoligosaccharide≤32.0%) per cattle per day (YCW). The average daily gain was higher (P=0.023) and feed conversion ratio was lower (P=0.042) for the YST2 than the CTR. The digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (P=0.039) and acid detergent fiber (P=0.016) were higher in yeast supplemented groups. The acetic acid:propionic acid of the YST2 was lower compared with the CTR (P=0.033). Plasma LPS (P=0.032), acute phase protein haptoglobin (P=0.033), plasma amyloid A (P=0.015) and histamine (P=0.038) were lower in the YST2 compared with the CTR. The copies of fibrolytic microbial populations such as Fibrobacter succinogenes S85, Ruminococcus albus 7 and Ruminococcus flavefaciens FD-1 of the YST2 were higher (P<0.001), while the copies of typical lactate producing bacteria Streptococcus bovis JB1 was lower (P<0.001) compared with the CTR. Little differences were observed between the CTR, YST1 and YCW in growth performance, ruminal fermentation characteristics, microbial populations, immunity indices and total tract nutrient digestibility. It is concluded that the YST2 could promote fibrolytic microbial populations, decrease starch-utilizing bacteria, reduce LPS production in the rumen and LPS absorption into plasma and decrease inflammatory parameters, which can lead to an improvement in growth performance in beef cattle.

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The effect of lactic acid bacteria inoculums on in vitro rumen fermentation, methane production, ruminal cellulolytic bacteria populations and cellulase activities of corn stover silage

GUO Gang, SHEN Chen, LIU Qiang, ZHANG Shuan-lin, SHAO Tao, WANG Cong, WANG Yong-xin, XU Qing-fang, HUO Wen-jie

2020, 19 (3): 838-847. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(19)62707-3

Abstract （132） PDF in ScienceDirect

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculums on fermentation quality and in vitro digestibility of corn stover silage. Corn stover was ensiled without (control) or with Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), Enterococcus faecalis (EF), and Enterococcus mundtii (EM) for 45 days. The fermentation characteristics were assessed, and subsequent in vitro dry matter digestibility (DM-D), neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDF-D), volatile fatty acids (VFA), methane (CH₄) production, cellulolytic bacteria proportions and their activities per corn stover silage were also determined. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) among the silage pH, lactic acid, crude protein (CP), water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and lignocelluloses contents of different treatments. The relative proportions of Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Fibrobacter succinogenes, carboxymethyl-ocellulose and β-glycosidase activities, DM-D, NDF-D, and VFA production of in vitro incubation was higher (P<0.05) for silages inoculated with LP and EF than those of the control silage. Silage inoculated with LP showed the lowest (P<0.05) CH₄ production per unit yield of VFA, which was positively corresponded to the lowest (P<0.05) ratio of acetate to propionate. In summary, the ensiling fermentation quality and subsequent utilization of corn stover silage were efficiently improved by inoculated with L. plantarum.

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Effects of palm fat powder and coated folic acid on growth performance, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility and hepatic fat accumulation of Holstein dairy bulls

ZHANG Zhen, LIU Qiang, WANG Cong, GUO Gang, HUO Wen-jie, ZHANG Yan-li, PEI Cai-xia, ZHANG Shuan-lin

2020, 19 (4): 1074-1084. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(19)62752-8

Abstract （135） PDF in ScienceDirect

This study evaluated the effects of palm fat powder (PFP) and coated folic acid (CFA) on growth performance, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility, microbial enzyme activity, microflora, hepatic lipid content and gene expression in dairy bulls. Forty-eight Chinese Holstein bulls ((362±12.4) days of age and (483±27.1) kg of body weight (BW)) were assigned to four groups in a completely randomized design with a 2×2 factorial arrangements. Supplemental PFP (0 or 30 g PFP kg^–1 dietary dry matter (DM)) and CFA (0 or 120 mg FA d^–1 as CFA) were mixed into the top one-third of a total mixed ration. The study included a 20-day adaptation period and followed by a 90-day collection period. The lower (P<0.01) feed conversion ratio with PFP or CFA addition resulted from the constant DM intake and the higher (P<0.05) average daily gain. The higher (P<0.05) ruminal pH, ether extract digestibility, microbial α-amylase activity, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens copy, and expression of peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (CPT1), and lower ruminal total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration, acetate to propionate ratio, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility, copies of total protozoa and Ruminococcus flavefaciens, and expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP1) and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase α (ACACA) were observed for PFP addition. Supplementation with CFA increased (P<0.05) ruminal total VFA concentration, acetate to propionate ratio, digestibility of DM, organic matter, crude protein and NDF, activity of cellobiase, pectinase and α-amylase, copies of selected microbial except for total protozoa, as well as expression of PPARα, but decreased (P<0.05) ruminal pH, and expression of SREBP1 and ACACA. The PFP×CFA interaction (P<0.05) was observed for ammonia N, hepatic TG content, and mRNA expression of CPT1 and FAS. There had no significant difference in hepatic TG content when CFA was supplemented in the diet without PFP addition, the lower (P=0.001) hepatic TG content was observed when CFA was supplemented in the diet with PFP addition. The higher (P<0.05) mRNA expression of CPT1, and the lower (P<0.05) mRNA expression of FAS and ammonia N concentration were observed when CFA was supplemented in diet either without or with PFP addition. The results indicated that supplementation of CFA in PFP diet was more effective on increasing hepatic CPT1 expression, and decreasing ammonia N, hepatic TG content and FAS expression than in diet without PFP. Supplementation with PFP or CFA improved growth performance of dairy bulls by promoting nutrient utilization, microbial enzyme activity, microflora, and hepatic gene expression.

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Effect of transferring lignocellulose-degrading bacteria from termite to rumen fluid of sheep on in vitro gas production, fermentation parameters, microbial populations and enzyme activity

Ayoub AZIZI, Afrooz SHARIFI, Hasan FAZAELI, Arash AZARFAR, Arjan JONKER, Ali KIANI

2020, 19 (5): 1323-1331. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(19)62854-6

Abstract （93） PDF in ScienceDirect

The digestive tract of termite (Microcerotermes diversus) contains a variety of lignocellulose-degrading bacteria with exocellulases enzyme activity, not found in the rumen, which could potentially improve fiber degradation in the rumen. The objectives of the current study were to determine the effect of inoculation of rumen fluid (RF) with three species of bacteria isolated from termite digestive tract, Bacillus licheniformis, Ochrobactrum intermedium, and Microbacterium paludicola, on in vitro gas production (IVGP), fermentation parameters, nutrient disappearance, microbial populations, and hydrolytic enzyme activities with fibrous wheat straw (WS) and date leaf (DL) as incubation substrate. Inoculation of RF with either of three termite bacteria increased (P<0.05) ammonia-N concentration compared with the control group (free of termite gut bacteria). Termite bacteria inoculation had no effect (P>0.05) on gas production characteristics, dry matter, organic matter and neutral detergent fiber disappearance, pH, and concentration and composition of volatile fatty acids. Population of proteolytic bacteria and protozoa, but not cellulolytic bacteria, were increased (P<0.05) when RF was inoculated with termite bacteria with both WS and DL substrates. Inoculation of RF with termite bacteria increased protease activity, while activities of carboxymethyl-cellulase, microcrystalline-cellulase, α-amylase and filter paper degrading activity remained unchanged (P>0.05). Overall, the results of this study indicated that transferring lignocellulose-degrading bacteria, isolated from digestive tract of termite, to rumen liquid increased protozoa and proteolytic bacteria population and consequently increased protease activity and ammonia-N concentration in vitro, however, no effect on fermentation and fiber degradation parameters were detected. These results suggest that the termite bacteria might be rapidly lysed by the rumen microbes before beneficial effects on the rumen fermentation process could occur.

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Effects of different molecular weights of chitosan on methane production and bacterial community structure in vitro

TONG Jin-jin, ZHANG Hua, WANG Jia, LIU Yun, MAO Sheng-yong, XIONG Ben-hai, JIANG Lin-shu

2020, 19 (6): 1644-1655. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63174-4

Abstract （87） PDF in ScienceDirect

As a new feed additive, chitosan has been shown in recent years to have a certain role in reducing methane emissions from the gastrointestinal tracts of ruminants. However, the effects of chitosan with different molecular weights on rumen fermentation, methane production and bacterial community structure are not yet clear. A basal diet without chitosan served as the control (CTL), and the treatment diets were supplemented with chitosan with different molecular weights: 1 000 (1K), 3 000 (3K), 5 000 (5K), 50 000 (5W) and 200 000 (20W) dry matter (DM). Six fermentation units per treatment were established. Gas chromatography was used to measure the concentrations of methane, H₂ and volatile fatty acids (VFAs). The bacterial 16S rRNA genes were sequenced with an Illumina MiSeq platform and analysed to reveal the relative abundances of bacterial community taxa. The results showed that the propionate proportion was significantly increased by the addition of chitosan with different molecular weights (P<0.05), while methane production and the acetate proportion were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The relative abundances of Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group and Prevotellaceae_UCG_003 were significantly increased in the 3K chitosan group compared with the CTL group, whereas the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Correlation analyses of the relative abundances of the bacterial genera showed that Prevotella was positively related to propionate production (P<0.05). In conclusion, 3K chitosan could reduce methane production by replacing fibrolytic bacteria (Firmicutes and Fibrobacteres) with amylolytic bacteria (Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria) in the bacterial community structure.

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Effect of dietary supplementation of pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium on growth performance, meat quality and antioxidative ability of broilers

LIU Guo-qing, SUN Guang-ming, LIAO Xiu-dong, HUANG Jian-zhong, GUO Mei-jin, ZHANG Li-yang, GUO Yan-li, LU Lin, LUO Xu-gang

2020, 19 (7): 1850-1856. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(19)62851-0

Abstract （137） PDF in ScienceDirect

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) in the form of PQQ disodium (PQQ·Na₂) on the growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and antioxidative ability of broilers. A total of 720 one-d-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly allocated to 1 of 6 treatments with 8 replicates of 15 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Birds were fed a PQQ·Na₂-unsupplemented corn-soybean meal basal diet (control) or the basal diet supplemented with 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 or 0.5 mg PQQ·Na₂ kg^–1 for 42 d. Compared with the control chicks, the chicks fed the diets supplemented with PQQ·Na₂ had lower (P<0.05) feed:gain (F/G) during the grower phase and drip losses of breast muscles on day 42. As supplemental PQQ·Na₂ level increased, plasma total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) on d 42, liver T-AOC on d 21 and heart T-AOC on d 21 and 42 increased linearly (P<0.05), but malondialdehyde concentrations in plasma, liver and heart on d 21 or 42 decreased linearly (P<0.001) or quadratically (P<0.005). The results from the present study indicate that dietary supplemental PQQ·Na₂ can improve antioxidant ability and meat quality of broilers, and in general, it is implied that the optimal supplemental PQQ·Na₂ level is 0.1 mg kg^–1 of diet for broilers from 1 to 42 d of age.

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Kinetics of selenium absorption in ligated small intestinal loops of chicks

LIU Guo-qing, ZHANG Shu-min, AN Zhi-min, FENG Yan-zhong, DONG Xue-yu, LI Su-fen, LU Lin, ZHANG Li-yang, WANG Run-lian, LUO Xu-gang, LIAO Xiu-dong

2020, 19 (8): 2095-2102. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63194-X

Abstract （131） PDF in ScienceDirect

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element that has a large number of biological functions for broilers. However, the absorption kinetics of Se from sodium selenite in the small intestine of broilers remains unclear. Therefore, two experiments were conducted with 28-d-old commercial male broilers to study the kinetics of Se absorption in ligated small intestinal segments. In experiment 1, the Se absorption in duodenal, jejunal, and ileal segments at different post-perfusion time points (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 min) were compared. In experiment 2, a kinetic study of Se absorption was conducted with the duodenal, jejunal, and ileal loops perfused with solutions containing 0, 0.0375, 0.075, 0.15, 0.30, or 0.60 μg mL^–1 of Se as sodium selenite, and Se contents in perfusates were determined at 100 min after perfusion. The results from experiment 1 showed that the Se absorption increased in an asymptotic response (P<0.0001) to post-perfusion time within 120 min in all the small intestinal segments, but increased linearly (P<0.0001) at less than 100 min after perfusion in duodenal and ileal segments, while more than 96.0% of the maximum Se absorption occurred at 100 min after perfusion in each small intestinal segment. In experiment 2, there was no difference (P>0.05) in the Se absorption rate among different ligated small intestinal segments perfused with solutions containing 0.0375–0.15 μg mL^–1 of Se, however, the Se absorption rate was higher (P<0.05) in the jejunum than that in the duodenum perfused with solutions containing 0.30–0.60 μg mL^–1 of Se. The kinetic curves of Se absorption demonstrated that the Se absorption was a saturated carrier-mediated process in the duodenum, and the maximum absorption rate was 1 271 pg min^–1 cm^–1; whereas the Se absorptions were a non-saturated diffusion process in the jejunum and ileum, and the diffusive constants were 2 107 and 1 777 cm² min^–1, respectively. The results from the present study indicate that the jejunum is the main Se absorption site, and the Se absorption is a saturated carrier-mediated process in the duodenum, but a non-saturated diffusion process in the jejunum and ileum of broilers.

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Effect of dietary calcium or phosphorus deficiency on bone development and related calcium or phosphorus metabolic utilization parameters of broilers from 22 to 42 days of age

YANG Yun-feng, XING Guan-zhong, LI su-fen, SHAO Yu-xin, ZHANG Li-yang, LU Lin, LUO Xu-gang, LIAO Xiu-dong

2020, 19 (11): 2775-2783. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63302-0

Abstract （76） PDF in ScienceDirect

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary calcium (Ca) or phosphorus (P) deficiency on bone development and related Ca or P metabolic utilization parameters of broilers from 22 to 42 days of age based on our previous study, which indicated that dietary Ca or P deficiency impaired the bone development by regulating related Ca or P metabolic utilization parameters of broilers from 1 to 21 days of age. A total of 504 one-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments with 7 replicates in a completely randomized design, and fed the normal control and Ca- or P-deficient diets from 1 to 21 days of age. At 22 days of age, the broilers were further fed the normal control diet (0.90% Ca+0.35% non-phytate P (NPP)), the P-deficient diet (0.90% Ca+0.18% NPP), the Ca-deficient diet (0.30% Ca+0.35% NPP) or the Ca and P-deficient diet (0.30% Ca+0.18% NPP), respectively. The results showed that dietary Ca or P deficiency decreased (P<0.05) tibia bone mineral density (BMD), bone breaking strength (BBS), ash content, tibia ash Ca content and serum P content on days 28 and 42, but increased (P<0.05) tibia alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of broilers on day 42 compared with the control group. Furthermore, the broilers fed the P-deficient diet had the lowest (P<0.05) tibia BMD, BBS, ash content, serum P content and the highest (P<0.05) serum Ca content on day 28 compared with those fed the Ca-deficient or Ca and P-deficient diets. The results from the present study indicated that the bone development and related Ca or P metabolic utilization parameters of broilers were the most sensitive to dietary P deficiency, followed by dietary Ca deficiency or Ca and P-deficiency; dietary Ca or P deficiency impaired the bone development possibly by regulating serum Ca and P contents as well as tibia Ca content and ALP activity of broilers from 22 to 42 days of age.

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Alginate oligosaccharides preparation, biological activities and their application in livestock and poultry

LIU Ming, LIU Lei, ZHANG Hong-fu, YI Bao, Nadia EVERAERT

2021, 20 (1): 24-34. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63195-1

Abstract （140） PDF in ScienceDirect

Alginate oligosaccharides (AOS), belonging to the class of functional marine oligosaccharides, are low-molecular polymers linked by β-1,4-mannuronic acid (M) and α-1,4-guluronic acid (G), which could be classically obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of alginate. With low viscosity and good water solubility, as well as anti-oxidant, immune regulation, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, AOS have been widely used in medical science and functional food, green agriculture and other fields. As new bio-feed additives, AOS have broad potential applications in animal husbandry. In this review, the sources of alginate, chemical structure and preparation methods of AOS, and their biological activities and application in livestock and poultry are summarized. We expect this review could contribute to lay a foundation of application and further research for AOS in livestock and poultry.

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Effects of selenium source and level on growth performance, antioxidative ability and meat quality of broilers

WANG Chuan-long, XING Guan-zhong, WANG Li-sai, LI Su-fen, ZHANG Li-yang, LU Lin, LUO Xu-gang, LIAO Xiu-dong

2021, 20 (1): 227-235. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63432-3

Abstract （165） PDF in ScienceDirect

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of selenium (Se) source and level on growth performance, carcass traits, antioxidative ability and meat quality of broilers. A total of 320 one-d-old Arbor Acres commercial broilers were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatments with 8 replicates in a completely randomized design involving a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments plus one Se-unsupplemented basal diet control for 42 d. The two Se sources were sodium selenite and Se yeast, and the two supplemental Se levels were 0.20 and 0.40 mg Se kg^–1. The results showed that broilers fed the Se-supplemented diets had higher (P<0.05) average daily gain and average daily feed intake from 22 to 42 d of age, eviscerated yield and abdominal fat percentages, Se concentrations and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in breast and thigh muscles on d 42, and lower (P<0.05) feed/gain from 1 to 21 and 22 to 42 d of age, mortality from 22 to 42 d of age and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in thigh muscle on d 42 than those fed the control diet. Broilers fed the diets supplemented with Se yeast had higher (P<0.05) pH value and lower (P<0.05) shear force in thigh muscle than those fed the diets supplemented with sodium selenite. Additionally, broilers fed the diets supplemented with 0.40 mg Se kg^–1 had lower (P<0.05) shear force in thigh muscle and higher (P<0.05) GSH-Px activities in breast and thigh muscles than those fed the diets supplemented with 0.20 mg Se kg^–1. Furthermore, broilers fed the diet supplemented with Se yeast at 0.40 mg Se kg^–1 had higher (P<0.05) Se concentrations in breast and thigh muscles than those fed the diet supplemented with Se yeast at 0.20 mg Se kg^–1, but no differences (P<0.05) were observed in these indices of broilers fed the diets supplemented with sodium selenite between 0.20 and 0.40 mg Se kg^–1. The results from the present study indicated that supplemental Se could increase the growth performance, muscle Se concentration and antioxidative ability of broilers; and the Se from Se yeast was more effective than the Se from sodium selenite in improving meat quality of broilers.

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Effects of rearing system (floor vs. cage) and sex on performance, meat quality and enteric microorganism of yellow feather broilers

WANG Lai-di, ZHANG Yang, KONG Ling-ling, WANG Zhi-xiu, BAI Hao, JIANG Yong, BI Yu-lin, CHANG Guo-bin, CHEN Guo-hong

2021, 20 (7): 1907-1920. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63420-7

Abstract （188） PDF in ScienceDirect

This study investigated the effects of floor and cage rearing systems on performance, meat quality, and enteric microorganisms of male and female yellow feather broilers. Two hundred Xueshan chickens (42 days old; 100 of each sex) were divided into four groups, according to sex and rearing system (stainless-steel cage or litter floor). Male and cage-reared broilers exhibited better (P<0.001) performance and higher (P≤0.001) eviscerated percentage than female and floor-reared broilers. The interaction between rearing system and sex had an effect (P<0.05) on the percentage of breast and thigh muscles. Female floor-reared broilers presented the highest (P<0.02) percentage of breast and thigh muscles among all the groups. In both sexes, the abdominal fat content in cage-reared broilers was higher (P<0.01) than that in floor-reared broilers. Female cage-reared broilers exhibited better (P<0.05) meat quality of breast muscle than other groups. An analysis of welfare observations indicated that the feather quality of floor-reared broilers was better (P<0.01) than that of cage-reared broilers, whereas the gait scores were not significantly affected (P>0.05) by rearing system. The enteric microbiota assessment by 16S rRNA amplicon-based sequencing showed that Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were the most prevalent phyla in both rearing systems, and that the cecum was relatively stable in terms of microbiome composition. Floor-reared broilers exhibited a richer diversity of bacteria in the intestinal tract than cage-reared broilers, while alpha diversity was not significantly different (P>0.05) among the groups. The ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes and the abundance of Helicobacter and Romboutsia could potentially affect the production of broilers. These findings indicate that cage rearing improved the production of male Xueshan broilers, which may be due to the difference in enteric microbiota between cage and floor rearing systems.

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Effects of formic acid and corn flour supplementation of banana pseudostem silages on nutritional quality of silages, growth, digestion, rumen fermentation and cellulolytic bacterial community of Nubian black goats

Zhang Hao, Cheng Xuan, Mabrouk ELSABAGH, Lin Bo, Wang Hong-rong

2021, 20 (8): 2214-2226. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63470-0

Abstract （145） PDF in ScienceDirect

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding formic acid and corn flour supplementation to banana pseudostem silages on the nutritional quality of these silages, growth, digestion, rumen fermentation and cellulolytic bacterial community of Nubian black goats fed these silages. Banana pseudostem silage was prepared either conventionally without any additives (CON) or mixed with 0.6% formic acid (F), 10% corn flour (C), or both (F+C). Four experimental diets containing 40% of the corresponding silages were designed with roughage to concentrate ratio of 50:50 (dry matter (DM) basis). A total of 48 Nubian black castrated goats (body weight (BW), (22.64±1.82) kg; 4-mon-old) were randomized into one of the four treatment groups with 12 replicates of one castrated goat per replicate for each treatment in a completely randomized design. Each group was fed on one of the four experimental diets for 40 days. A factorial arrangement of treatments of 2 (formic acid levels: 0 and 0.6%)×2 (corn flour: 0 and 10%) was adopted. Formic acid supplementation increased (P<0.05) average daily gain, as well as lactic acid, propionate and butyric acid and water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations, but decreased (P<0.05) the feed conversion rate, pH value, acetate/propionate ratio, and butyric acid concentration relative to the CON group. Corn flour supplementation increased (P<0.05) the apparent digestibility of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and non-fibrous carbohydrate and Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens populations, but decreased (P<0.05) the Ruminococcus flavefaciens population relative to the CON group. There were no F×C treatment interactions (P>0.05) for any of the other indices except for the apparent digestibility of non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) (P<0.05). The results demonstrated that adding 0.6% formic acid and 10% corn flour supplementation to banana pseudostem silages improved the nutritional quality of these silages and enhanced the growth performance of Nubian black castrated goats by improving apparent nutrient digestibility, and regulating ruminal fermentation and bacteria populations.

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Quantification and prediction of enteric methane emissions from Chinese lactating Holstein dairy cows fed diets with different dietary neutral detergent fiber/non-fibrous carbohydrate (NDF/NFC) ratios

DONG Li-feng, JIA Peng, LI Bin-chang, WANG Bei, YANG Chun-lei, LIU Zhi-hao, DIAO Qi-yu

2022, 21 (3): 797-811. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(21)63825-X

Abstract （309） PDF in ScienceDirect

Methane (CH₄) emissions from ruminant production are a significant source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas production, but few studies have examined the enteric CH₄ emissions of lactating dairy cows under different feeding regimes in China. This study aimed to investigate the influence of different dietary neutral detergent fiber/non-fibrous carbohydrate (NDF/NFC) ratios on production performance, nutrient digestibility, and CH₄ emissions for Holstein dairy cows at various stages of lactation. It evaluated the performance of CH₄ prediction equations developed using local dietary and milk production variables compared to previously published prediction equations developed in other production regimes. For this purpose, 36 lactating cows were assigned to one of three treatments with differing dietary NDF/NFC ratios: low (NDF/NFC=1.19), medium (NDF/NFC=1.54), and high (NDF/NFC=1.68). A modified acid-insoluble ash method was used to determine nutrient digestibility, while the sulfur hexafluoride technique was used to measure enteric CH₄ emissions. The results showed that the dry matter (DM) intake of cows at the early, middle, and late stages of lactation decreased significantly (P<0.01) from 20.9 to 15.4 kg d^–1, 15.3 to 11.6 kg d^–1, and 16.4 to 15.0 kg d^–1, respectively, as dietary NDF/NFC ratios increased. Across all three treatments, DM and gross energy (GE) digestibility values were the highest (P<0.05) for cows at the middle and late lactation stages. Daily CH₄ emissions increased linearly (P<0.05), from 325.2 to 391.9 kg d^–1, 261.0 to 399.8 kg d^–1, and 241.8 to 390.6 kg d^–1, respectively, as dietary NDF/NFC ratios increased during the early, middle, and late stages of lactation. CH₄ emissions expressed per unit of metabolic body weight, DM intake, NDF intake, or fat-corrected milk yield increased with increasing dietary NDF/NFC ratios. In addition, CH₄ emissions expressed per unit of GE intake increased significantly (P<0.05), from 4.87 to 8.12%, 5.16 to 9.25%, and 5.06 to 8.17% respectively, as dietary NDF/NFC ratios increased during the early, middle, and late lactation stages. The modelling results showed that the equation using DM intake as the single variable yielded a greater R2 than equations using other dietary or milk production variables. When data obtained from each lactation stage were combined, DM intake remained a better predictor of CH₄ emissions (R²=0.786, P=0.026) than any other variables tested. Compared to the prediction equations developed herein, previously published equations had a greater root mean square prediction error, reflecting their inability to predict CH₄ emissions for Chinese Holstein dairy cows accurately. The quantification of CH₄ production by lactating dairy cows under Chinese production systems and the development of associated prediction equations will help establish regional or national CH₄ inventories and improve mitigation approaches to dairy production.

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Effects of dietary amylose to amylopectin ratio on growth performance, carcass quality characteristics and meat fatty acids in Chinese Qinchuan cattle

PIAO Min-yu, HU Feng-ming, KONG Fan-lin, LIU Yun-long, WANG Shuo, CUI Kai, SUN Tao, DIAO Qi-yu, TU Yan

2021, 20 (12): 3256-2169. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63576-6

Abstract （178） PDF in ScienceDirect

This study evaluated the effects of the dietary starch amylose/amylopectin ratio on growth performance, rumen fermentation and blood parameters, carcass characteristics and marbling score, and meat fatty acid profiles and transcriptional changes in the genes involved in the gluconeogenesis pathway in Chinese Qinchuan cattle. Forty-five cattle were randomly divided into three groups. The bulls were fed a control diet (middle amylose/amylopectin ratio=0.47) or diets with either waxy corn starch (WS) inclusion (low amylose/amylopectin ratio=0.23) or pea starch (PS) inclusion (high amylose/amylopectin ratio=0.60) for 90 days. The bulls were individually allowed to receive the diets at the daily amount of at least 2.1% of their individual BW twice daily. The bulls were weighed at 45-day intervals, and blood and rumen fluid samples were also collected at 45-day intervals. The bulls were slaughtered and longissimus thoracis (LT) samples were collected for meat quality measurements. Compared with PS, the average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency in control and WS were increased (P<0.05) during d 0 to 45. However, the feed efficiency in PS was increased (P<0.05) compared with the control and WS during d 46 to 90. During the whole feeding trial, the ADG in control and WS showed trends that were higher (0.05<P<0.1) than that of PS, while other growth performance measures and feed intake did not differ (P>0.05) among the three groups. Compared with PS, the serum insulin concentration in WS was increased (P<0.05) at d 45, but not at d 90. Compared with control and WS, the serum SOD and T-AOC concentrations in PS were increased (P<0.05) at d 45, but not at d 90. Compared with control, the rumen microbial crude protein contents in WS and PS were increased (P<0.05) at d 0, while those of control and WS were higher (P<0.05) than that of PS at d 45, but not at d 90. Compared with PS, the backfat thickness in control and WS were increased (P<0.05), however, the marbling score and expression of genes related to the gluconeogenesis pathway in liver of the three groups did not differ (P>0.05). Chemical and physio-chemical compositions of LT did not differ (P>0.05) among the three groups. In conclusion, diets with low or middle amylose/amylopectin ratios increased the backfat thickness, and tended to improve ADG, but had no effect on other carcass characteristics, fat content in the LT, or the expression of hepatic genes related to the gluconeogenesis pathway in Chinese Qinchuan cattle.

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Recent advances in nutrient requirements of meat-type sheep in China: A review

MA Tao, DENG Kai-dong, TU Yan, ZHANG Nai-feng, ZHAO Qi-nan, LI Chang-qing, JIN Hai, DIAO Qi-yu

2022, 21 (1): 1-14. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(21)63625-0

Abstract （310） PDF in ScienceDirect

China has the world’s largest sheep flock and the largest producer of sheep meat by far. However, the nutrient requirements have not been systemically studied and there is a lack of knowledge of nutrient requirement for meat-type sheep in China. Since 2008, the nutrient requirements of meat-type sheep in China has been systematically investigated. In this review, we introduced the history of studies of nutrient requirements of meat-type sheep in China, summarized the recent advances in nutrient requirements of meat-type sheep, and highlighted the future directions of researches on nutrient requirements of meat-type sheep in China.

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Recent advances in immunocastration in sheep and goat and its animal welfare benefits: A review

ZENG Fan-mei, DING Yi, Teketay WASSIE, JING Hai-jing, Sohail AHMED, LIU Gui-qiong, JIANG Xun-ping

2022, 21 (2): 299-309. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(21)63670-5

Abstract （291） PDF in ScienceDirect

Castration of male animals is a common practice in the meat industry aimed at reducing aggressive behavior, preventing unpleasant flavor, and controlling undesirable breeding. For many years, mechanical castration and surgical castration have been practiced to sterilize the animals. However, these castration methods are not humane because of the associated risk of death, pain, and stress. Recently, immunocastration targeting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG) axis has been reported as an animal-friendly approach that circumvents many of the concerns with conventional castration, and suggested by researches as an alternative to surgical castration. However, there is no compilation of updated information on the use of immunocastration in sheep and goats. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the developmental process from traditional surgical castration to immunocastration and to screen the process of immune targets. It also compares the respective advantages and disadvantages of traditional castration technologies and immunocastration, in particular including analyses in the characteristics, features application and welfare benefits of immunocastration in sheep and goats were also analyzed.

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Dynamic change of fungal community in the gastrointestinal tract of growing lambs

YIN Xue-jiao, JI Shou-kun, DUAN Chun-hui, TIAN Pei-zhi, JU Si-si, YAN Hui, ZHANG Ying-jie, LIU Yue-qin

2022, 21 (11): 3314-3328. DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2022.08.092

Abstract （248） PDF in ScienceDirect

Although fungal communities in the gastrointestinal tract have a significant role in animal health and performance, their dynamics within the tract are not well known. Thus, this study investigated fungal community dynamics in the rumen and rectum of lambs from birth to 4 mon of age by using IT1S rDNA sequencing technology together with the RandomForest approach to determine age-related changes in the fungal ecology. The results indicated that gastrointestinal fungal community composition, diversity, and abundance altered (P<0.05) with the increasing age of the lambs. Two phyla, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, dominated the samples. Similarity within age groups of the rumen fungi increased sharply after 45 days of age, while the similarity increased (P<0.05) significantly after 60 days of age in the rectum. The age-related genera, Acremonium, Microascus, Valsonectria, Myrmecridium, Scopulariopsis, Myrothecium, Saccharomyces, and Stephanonectria, were presented in both ruminal and rectal communities, and their changes in relative abundance were consistent at both sites. The principal coordinates analysis showed significant differences (P<0.05) between the fungal communities in the rumen and rectum. Our findings demonstrate that both the age of lambs and the gastrointestinal tract region can affect the composition of these fungal communities, and this provides new insight and directions for future studies in this research area.

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Dietary copper supplementation modulates performance and lipid metabolism in meat goat kids

ZHANG Yan-mei, AO De, LEI Kai-wen, XI Lin, Jerry W SPEARS, SHI Hai-tao, HUANG Yan-ling, YANG Fa-long

2023, 22 (1): 214-221. DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2022.08.066

Abstract （312） PDF in ScienceDirect

Forty-eight male Lezhi black goat kids with similar body weight ((12.09±1.70) kg) and age ((60±5) d) were used to determine the effect of dietary copper (Cu), in the form of reagent grade Cu sulfate (CuSO₄∙5H₂O), on performance, serum lipid profile, and the relative mRNA abundance of genes involved in lipid metabolism. Goat kids were stratified by body weight and randomly assigned to one of 4 treatment groups. Each treatment consisted of 12 replicate pens with each pen containing one goat kid. Treatment groups received the basal diet with no supplemental Cu (control), basal diet plus 10 mg of Cu kg^–1 of dry matter (DM), basal diet plus 20 mg of Cu kg^–1 of DM, or basal diet plus 30 mg of Cu kg^–1 of DM. Goats were housed individually in pens and fed a high-concentrate pelleted diet for 60 d. Average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed:gain of goats were not affected by dietary Cu supplementation (P>0.10). No differences were detected in serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations of goat kids fed with different Cu concentrations (P>0.05). However, serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations decreased linearly (P=0.01) as the concentration of dietary Cu increased. Intramuscular fat content of longissimus muscle increased (P=0.002) quadratically and liver Cu concentrations increased (P<0.001) linearly as dietary Cu concentration increased. Compared with the control, dietary supplementation of 20 mg Cu kg^–1 DM decreased the relative mRNA abundance of fatty acid-binding protein 4 (P=0.01) and lipoprotein lipase (P=0.05), and tended to decrease the relative mRNA abundance of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (P=0.06) in longissimus muscle of goats. The relative mRNA abundance of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (P<0.001), carnitine acetyltransferase (P=0.001), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (P=0.001) were also decreased in liver by Cu supplementation. These results indicate that dietary supplementation of Cu modified lipid metabolism by increasing muscular fat and decreasing serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the modification might be associated with the reduction of relative mRNA abundance of genes for oxidation of long-chain fatty acid in muscle and liver of Lezhi black goat kids.

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Long term effects of artificial rearing before weaning on the growth performance, ruminal microbiota and fermentation of fattening lambs

HUANG Wen-qin, CUI Kai, HAN Yong, CHAI Jian-min, WANG Shi-qin, LÜ Xiao-kang, DIAO Qi-yu, ZHANG Nai-feng

2022, 21 (4): 1146-1160. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(21)63763-2

Abstract （171） PDF in ScienceDirect

Early life intervention is important to shape the gut microbiome profiles of adult animals due to the tremendous alteration of diet components. Nevertheless, there is still no unified understanding about its long-term effects in lambs. In this study, sixty 20-day-old lambs were assigned into ewe-rearing (ER) and artificial-rearing (AR) treatments to evaluate the effects of AR strategy on ruminal microbiota, fermentation, and morphology of pre-weaning lambs (from 20 to 60 days of age) and its long-term effects in the fattening stage (from 61 to 180 days of age). During the pre-weaning stage, ER lambs were breastfed and supplemented starter, while AR lambs were artificially fed with milk replacer and starter. During the fattening stage, all lambs in both treatments were fed with the same fattening diets. At 60, 120 and 180 days of age, 6 lambs from each group were slaughtered to collect rumen content and tissue samples. Compared with ER lambs, the dry matter feed intakes of AR lambs increased (P<0.05) from 20 to 180 days of age, companying an increased average daily gain (ADG) from 61 to 120 days of age (P<0.05) and from 121 to 180 days of age (0.05<P<0.1). Although there was no difference in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA, including acetate, propionate, and butyrate) between treatments before weaning (P>0.05), it was higher (P<0.05) in AR lambs compared with ER lambs at the fattening stage. The rumen keratin layer of AR lambs was thinner (P<0.05) than that of ER lambs. Along with lamb growth from 60 to 180 days of age, the differences in rumen bacterial diversity between AR and ER treatments grew more distinct (P<0.05). Compared with ER lambs, AR lambs increased (P<0.05) rumen bacteria abundance, such as phylum Spirochaetes and genus Treponema at 60 days of age, phylum Actinobacteria and genus Succiniclasticum at 120 days of age, and phylum Proteobacteria at 180 days of age, but decreased genus Selenomonas from 60 to 180 days of age, and Anaerovibrio at 180 days of age. In summary, the early interventions before weaning could improve dry matter feed intake of lambs, which triggered robust rumen development and produced positive long-term effects on rumen fermentation and noticeable weight gain of fattening lambs. It suggests that the artificial rearing strategy is effective in improving rumen fermentation and microbial maturity of intensive fattening lambs.

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Long-term effect of subacute ruminal acidosis on the morphology and function of rumen epithelial barrier in lactating goats

HU Hong-lian, YANG Shu-qing, CHENG Meng, SONG Li-wen, XU Ming, GAO Min, YU Zhong-tang

2022, 21 (11): 3302-3313. DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2022.08.087

Abstract （174） PDF in ScienceDirect

Grain-induced subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) impairs rumen epithelial barrier function, but it is yet to be determined if SARA can cause persistent damage to the morphology and function of the rumen epithelial barrier. The objective of the present study was to investigate if SARA has persistent effects on the morphological structure and permeability of ruminal epithelium and the expression of the genes involved in epithelial barrier function using a lactating goat model. Twelve mid-lactating Saanen goats with rumen cannulas were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: control group (Ctrl, n=4) fed a basal diet with a non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC) to neutral detergent fiber (NDF) ratio of 1.40, and SARA group (SARA, n=8) fed the same basal diet but with increasing NFC to NDF ratio from 1.4 to 1.79, 2.31, and 3.23 overtime to induce SARA. At the end of the SARA challenge (post-SARA), 4 goats were randomly selected from the SARA group and fed only hay mixture ad libitum for another 4 weeks to allow for restitution (post-SARA). Ruminal pH was continuously recorded to monitor the severity of SARA. Samples of the ventral ruminal epithelium were collected after slaughter to examine the structural and functional changes of the ruminal epithelium using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Ussing chambers, qRT-PCR, and Western bolt analyses. Compared with the Ctrl group, ruminal papilla length, width, surface area and thickness of stratum corneum increased (P<0.05), while stratum spinosum and basale thickness, and total depth of the epithelium decreased (P<0.05) in the SARA group. These changes diminished or tended to return to the levels of the Ctrl group in the post-SARA group (P>0.05). The SARA challenge also decreased cellular junction and widened the intercellular space between epithelial cells. Rumen transepithelial short-circuit current (Isc), tissue conductance (Gt), and mucosa-to-serosa flux of paracellular horseradish peroxidase (HRP) all increased (P<0.05) both in the SARA and post-SARA groups, which indicates that SARA can induce a sustained increase in epithelial permeability and barrier dysfunction. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expressions of CLDN1, OCLN and ZO-1 were down-regulated (P<0.01) in both the SARA and post-SARA groups. The results of this study showed that SARA could result in sustained epithelial barrier dysfunction, at both structural and functional levels, which is associated with decreased expression of rumen epithelial tight junction proteins, and the restitution of rumen epithelial barrier function is slower than that of its morphology.

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The succession of fecal bacterial community and its correlation with the changes of serum immune indicators in lambs from birth to 4 months

YIN Xue-jiao, JI Shou-kun, DUAN Chun-hui, TIAN Pei-zhi, JU Si-si, YAN Hui, ZHANG Ying-jie, LIU Yue-qin

2023, 22 (2): 537-550. DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2022.08.055

Abstract （205） PDF in ScienceDirect

Early bacterial colonization and succession within the gastrointestinal tract have been suggested to be crucial in the development of host immunity. In this study, we have investigated the changes in live weight and concentrations of selected serum parameters in relation to their fecal bacterial communities as determined by high throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene over the same period in lambs. The results showed that lambs’ growth performance, the serum parameters, fecal bacterial community and fecal bacterial functions were all affected (P<0.05) by age of the lambs. Similarity within age groups of fecal microbiota was lower in the preweaning period and increased sharply (P<0.05) after weaning at 60 days. The similarity between the samples collected from birth to 90 days of age and those collected at 120 days of age, increased (P<0.05) sharply after 30 days of age. Some age-associated changes in microbial genera were correlated with the changes in concentrations of immune indicators, including negative (P<0.05) correlations between the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae UCG-010, Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group, Ruminococcaceae UCG-005, Ruminococcaceae UCG-009, Ruminococcaceae UCG-013, Ruminiclostridium 6, Ruminococcaceae UCG-008, and Oscillibacter with serum concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), D-lactate dehydrogenase (DLA), immunoglobulin (IgA, IgM, and IgG), and cytokines (interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-12, and IL-17), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and the relative abundance of these genera increased from 45 days of age. In conclusion, these results suggested that the age-related abundances of particular genera were correlated with serum markers of immunity in lambs, and there might be a critical window in the period from birth to 45 days of age which provide an opportunity for potential manipulation of the fecal microbial ecosystems to enhance immune function.

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Ensiling vine tea (Ampelopsis grossedentata) residue with Lactobacillus plantarum inoculant as an animal unconventional fodder

WANG Yuan, ZHOU Hong-zhang, GAO Yu, WANG Ning-wei, LIU Han, YANG Fu-yu, NI Kui-kui

2023, 22 (4): 1172-1183. DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2022.10.001

Abstract （213） PDF in ScienceDirect

The study aimed to evaluate the application of silage fermentation in storing vine tea residue. Dynamic of fermentation-related product, chemical component and bacterial community of silage with or without Lactobacillus plantarum F1 inoculant were analyzed. The results showed that F1 treatment had a significant (P<0.05) impact on the lactic acid and ammoniacal nitrogen concentrations and pH value. Total phenols were well preserved in both treatments. After 30 days of ensiling, L. plantarum occupied the majority of Lactobacillus genus (more than 95%) in all silage samples. Spearman revealed a positive (P<0.01) correlation between lactic acid content and Lactobacillus. Overall, ensiling vine tea residue with L. plantarum can effectively preserve the nutritional attributes and total phenols, which offers a new insight into utilizing vine tea residue.

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Effect of dioscorea opposite waste on growth performance, blood parameters, rumen fermentation and rumen bacterial community in weaned lambs

GUO Yun-xia, YANG Ruo-chen, DUAN Chun-hui, WANG Yong, HAO Qing-hong, JI Shou-kun, YAN Hui, ZHANG Ying-jie, LIU Yue-qin

2023, 22 (6): 1833-1846. DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2022.10.002

Abstract （283） PDF in ScienceDirect

This study investigated the effects of dioscorea opposite waste (DOW) on the growth performance, blood parameters, rumen fermentation and rumen microbiota of weaned lambs. Sixty healthy weaned Small-Tailed Han lambs (male, (22.68±2.56) kg initially) were used as the experimental animals. Four levels of concentrate: 0 (control, CON), 10% (DOW1), 15% (DOW2) and 20% (DOW3), were replaced with DOW in the basal diet as experimental treatments. The results showed that lambs fed the DOW2 diet had a higher (P<0.05) dry matter intake (DMI) than the other groups. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) among DOW groups in average daily weight gain (ADG), and replacing concentrate with DOW linearly or quadratically increased (P<0.05) the ADG, while lambs fed the DOW2 diet showed greater (P<0.05) ADG than the CON group. The relative plasma concentration of growth hormone (GH), insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin were affected by DOW, replacing concentrate with DOW linearly or quadratically (P<0.05) enhanced the plasma concentration of GH, IGF-1 and insulin, which was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the DOW2 group than in the CON, DOW1 and DOW3 groups. In addition, the DOW treatment showed a lower (P<0.05) concentration of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) than the CON group. Replacing concentrate with DOW quadratically decreased (P<0.05) the ruminal ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N) and increased (P<0.05) the total of volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) at 0 and 4 h after feeding as well as linearly decreased (P<0.05) the NH₃-N at 8 h after feeding. Replacing concentrate with DOW linearly decreased (P<0.05) the propionate and increased the aceate before feeding, and linearly decreased (P<0.05) propionate and quadratically increased (P<0.05) the aceate at 4 and 8 h after feeding. Lambs fed the DOW2 diet increased the phylum Firmicutes and genera Succiniclasticum and Ruminococcus_1 groups, whereas decreased (P<0.05) the relative abundance of phylum Deferribacteres and genera intestinimonas and Ruminiclostridium. In summary, replacing the concentrate with 15% DOW was beneficial for improving the rumen fermentation and ADG by increasing the DMI and modulating the rumen microbial community.

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Responses of growth performance, antioxidant function, small intestinal morphology and mRNA expression of jejunal tight junction protein to dietary iron in yellow-feathered broilers

Kaiwen Lei, Hao Wu, Jerry W Spears, Xi Lin, Xi Wang, Xue Bai, Yanling Huang

2024, 23 (4): 1329-1337. DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2023.04.041

Abstract （179） PDF in ScienceDirect

This study aimed to investigate the dose-effect of iron on growth performance, antioxidant function, intestinal morphology, and mRNA expression of jejunal tight junction protein in 1- to 21-d-old yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 720 1-d-old yellow-feathered male broilers were allocated to 9 treatments with 8 replicate cages of 10 birds per cage. The dietary treatments were consisted of a basal diet (contained 79.6 mg Fe kg^–1) supplemented with 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 160, 320, 640, and 1,280 mg Fe kg^–1 in the form of FeSO₄·7H₂O. Compared with the birds in the control group, birds supplemented with 20 mg Fe kg^–1 had higher average daily gain (ADG) (P<0.0001). Adding 640 and 1,280 mg Fe kg^–1 significantly decreased ADG (P<0.0001) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (P<0.0001) compared with supplementation of 20 mg Fe kg^–1. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in plasma and duodenum increased linearly (P<0.0001), but MDA concentration in liver and jejunum increased linearly (P<0.05) or quadratically (P<0.05) with increased dietary Fe concentration. The villus height (VH) in duodenum and jejunum, and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (V/C) in duodenum decreased linearly (P˂0.05) as dietary Fe increased. As dietary Fe increased, the jejunal relative mRNA abundance of claudin-1 decreased linearly (P=0.001), but the jejunal relative mRNA abundance of zona occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin decreased linearly (P˂0.05) or quadratically (P˂0.05). Compared with the supplementation of 20 mg Fe kg^–1, the supplementation of 640 mg Fe kg^–1 or higher increased (P˂0.05) MDA concentrations in plasma, duodenum, and jejunum, decreased VH in the duodenum and jejunum, and the addition of 1,280 mg Fe kg^–1reduced (P˂0.05) the jejunal tight junction protein (claudin-1, ZO-1, occludin) mRNA abundance. In summary, 640 mg of supplemental Fe kg^–1 or greater was associated with decreased growth performance, increased oxidative stress, disrupted intestinal morphology, and reduced mRNA expression of jejunal tight junction protein.

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Dietary manganese supplementation inhibits abdominal fat deposition possibly by regulating gene expression and enzyme activity involved in lipid metabolism in the abdominal fat of broilers

Xiaoyan Cui, Ke Yang, Weiyun Zhang, Liyang Zhang, Ding Li, Wei Wu, Yun Hu, Tingting Li, Xugang Luo

2024, 23 (12): 4161-4171. DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2023.08.004

Abstract （202） PDF in ScienceDirect

Excessive abdominal fat deposition seriously restricts the production efficiency of broilers. Several studies found that dietary supplemental manganese (Mn) could effectively reduce the abdominal fat deposition of broilers, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with the inorganic or organic Mn on abdominal fat deposition, and enzyme activity and gene expression involved in lipid metabolism in the abdominal fat of male or female broilers. A total of 420 1-d-old AA broilers (half males and half females) were randomly allotted by body weight and gender to 1 of 6 treatments with 10 replicates cages of 7 chicks per cage in a completely randomized design involving a 3 (dietary Mn addition)×2 (gender) factorial arrangement. Male or female broilers were fed with the Mn-unsupplemented basal diets containing 17.52 mg Mn kg^–1 (d 1–21) and 15.62 mg Mn kg^–1 (d 22–42) by analysis or the basal diets supplemented with 110 mg Mn kg^–1 (d 1–21) and 80 mg Mn kg^–1(d 22–42) as either the Mn sulfate or the Mn proteinate with moderate chelation strength (Mn-Prot M) for 42 d. The results showed that the interaction between dietary Mn addition and gender had no impact (P>0.05) on any of the measured parameters; abdominal fat percentage of broilers was decreased (P<0.003) by Mn addition; Mn addition increased (P<0.004) adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) activity, while Mn-Prot M decreased (P<0.002) the fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity in the abdominal fat of broilers compared to the control; Mn addition decreased (P<0.009) diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) mRNA expression level and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) mRNA and protein expression levels, but up-regulated (P<0.05) the ATGL mRNA and protein expression levels in the abdominal fat of broilers. It was concluded that dietary supplementation with Mn inhibited the abdominal fat deposition of broilers possibly via decreasing the expression of PPARγ and DGAT2 as well as increasing the expression and activity of ATGL in the abdominal fat of broilers, and Mn-Prot M was more effective in inhibiting the FAS acitivity.

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Supplementation of Lycium barbarum residue increases the growth rate of Tan sheep by enhancing their feed intake and regulating their rumen microbiome and metabolome

Yajun Zhang, Xiao Chang, Bing Wang, Dawei Wei, Rongzhen Zhong, Yansheng Guo, Min Du, Guijie Zhang

2024, 23 (9): 3129-3144. DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2023.10.008

Abstract （140） PDF in ScienceDirect

Lycium barbarum residue (LBR), a by-product of L. barbarum processing, is packed with bioactive components and can be potentially utilized as a feed additive in animal husbandry. However, the fundamental understanding of its effectiveness on livestock animals is still lacking, particularly in ruminants. To explore the effects of LBR on the growth performance, rumen fermentation parameters, ruminal microbes and metabolites of Tan sheep, sixteen fattening rams (aged 4 mon) were fed a basal diet (CON, n=8) or a basal diet supplemented with 5% LBR (LBR, n=8). The experiment lasted for 70 d, with 10 d adaptation period and 60 d treatment period. The results showed that the LBR enhanced the average daily feed intake, average daily gain (P<0.05), and ruminal total volatile fatty acids (P<0.01) while decreasing ammonia-nitrogen concentration and rumen pH value (P<0.05). Additionally, the LBR improved the relative abundances of Prevotella, Succiniclasticum, Ruminococcus, Coprococcus, Selenomonas, and Butyrivibrio (P<0.05) and reduced the relative abundances of Oscillospira and Succinivibrio (P<0.05). The LBR altered the ruminal metabolome (P<0.01) by increasing the abundances of ruminal metabolites involved in amino acids (e.g., L-proline, L-phenylalanine, L-lysine, and L-tyrosine), pyrimidine metabolism (e.g., uridine, uracil, and thymidine), and microbial protein synthesis (e.g., xanthine and hypoxanthine). In conclusion, LBR had positive effects on the growth rate of Tan sheep as well as on rumen fermentation parameters, rumen microbiome and rumen metabolome.

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Retinol is involved in the intestinal regeneration and strengthens the intestinal barrier during refeeding in broiler chickens

Youli Wang, Huajin Zhou, Jing Chen, Yuqin Wu, Yuming Guo, Bo Wang, Jianmin Yuan

2024, 23 (11): 3843-3859. DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2023.11.006

Abstract （92） PDF in ScienceDirect

Fasting is typically used before feeding metabolizable energy assessment in broilers. Previous studies have shown that fasting cause atrophy of the intestinal villus. Whether fasting affects intestinal permeability during refeeding by altering barrier function and nutrient absorption is of concern. Here, 23-d-old broilers were randomly assigned to 5 treatments, fasted for 0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h, respectively, and then refed for 2 d, to study the impact of different duration of fasting on the intestinal regeneration and barrier function during refeeding. Results showed that the intestinal morphology in fasted birds was recovered in 2 d of refeeding at most. As fasting durations increased, enterocytes per intestinal villus were linearly and quadratically increased (both P<0.05), whereas goblet cells per intestinal villus was linearly decreased (both P<0.05). Besides, the mRNA level of lysozyme was linearly decreased as fasting durations increased during refeeding (both P<0.05), while quadratically increased mucin 2 was observed only after 1 d of refeeding (P<0.05). Linear increase effects were observed for claudin 2 and zonula occludens-1 with increased fasting durations after 1 d of refeeding (all P<0.05), and linear and quadratical effects were observed for claudin 2 at 2 d of refeeding (both P<0.05). Besides, we found that intestinal permeability to creatinine, 4 and 70 kD dextran were linearly and quadratically decreased with increased fasting durations at 6 h and 1 d of refeeding (all P<0.05). Furthermore, jejunum proteomic from birds refed for 6 h showed that birds fasted for 36 h showed increased antimicrobial peptides and upregulated retinol metabolism when compared to the nonfasted birds (P<0.05). Further study showed that retinyl ester catabolism was inhibited during fasting and enhanced during refeeding. Results of intestinal organoid culture showed that retinol benefits the cell proliferation and enterocyte differentiation. In conclusion, the intestinal permeability to small and large molecules was decreased during refeeding by strengthening the intestinal barrier function, and the activated retinol metabolism during refeeding is involved in the intestinal regeneration and strengthens the intestinal barrier.

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Klebsiella as an α-tocopherol source facilitating Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation in rice straw silage

Cheng Zong, Lu Tang, Tao Shao, Yu Xiao, Zhongyong Huang, Wanqi Jiang, Jiugang Zhu, Zhihao Dong, Mao Li, Qinhua Liu

2024, 23 (12): 4186-4202. DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2023.11.036

Abstract （130） PDF in ScienceDirect

Silage serves as the indispensable diet of ruminants, the increasing mechanism of α-tocopherol during silage making is unclear. Rice straw lacks chlorophyll after harvesting the grain, this can eliminate the impact of tocopherols formed by the breakdown of chlorophyll. Here, we explored the α-tocopherol source, its influencing factor, and its relationship with dominant lactic acid bacteria in rice straw silage treated without or with different additives (sodium benzoate, Lactobacillus plantarum, cell wall degrading enzymes, the combination of L. plantarum and cell wall degrading enzymes) and vacuum times (5, 8, 11, and 14 s) after ensiling for 42 d. We found that the pathogenic Klebsiella was traced as the source of increased α-tocopherol in rice straw silage. The residue air in the silo, pH value, and additive variety had impacts on Klebsiella activity, which was strongly active at levels of residue air in the silo and pH that were high. As an acidic niche creator, L. plantarum was more effective than sodium benzoate in restraining Klebsiella. Despite having a low acidity tolerance, Klebsiella was still present in rice straw silage treated with L. plantarum. The relationship between Klebsiella and L. plantarum was that Klebsiella could afford α-tocopherol to the multiplication of L. plantarum and residue capsular polysaccharide protected Klebsiella from escaping the extinction in rice straw silage.

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