Productive traits and meat fatty acid profile of broiler chickens fed diets containing micronized fava beans (Vicia faba L. var. minor) as the main protein source

SUMMARY A trial was conducted to assess the effect of diets containing fava beans (Vicia faba var. minor) on productive traits, carcass yields, and meat fatty acid profiles of broiler chickens. Hubbard strain broiler chicks, divided into 2 groups, received a durum wheat middlings-based diet containing soybean meal (190 g/kg) or dehulled-micronized fava beans (310 g/kg) as the main protein source from 14 d to slaughter age (49 d). Replacement of soybean meal with fava beans as the dietary protein source had no effect on broiler growth performance, carcass dressing percentage, and abdominal fat. In contrast, meat quality characteristics were affected (P < 0.05) by dietary inclusion of fava beans. Accordingly, breast and drumstick muscles of birds fed the fava bean diets had lower L* (lightness) and higher a* (redness) and b* (yellowness) values when compared with birds fed the soybean meal diets. Total collagen and water-holding capacity values were higher in the fava bean treatment. The polyunsaturated fatty acid concentration in breast and drumstick muscles was significantly increased with inclusion of the alternative protein source, whereas the saturated fatty acid concentration was similar among treatments. The n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio of the broiler muscles decreased significantly in the fava bean group. It was concluded that replacing soybean meal with dehulled-micronized fava beans at 31% of the diet had no adverse effect on broiler growth performance and meat quality

effect of feeding low fiber fraction of air classified sunflower helianthus annus l meal on laying hen productive performance and egg yolk cholesterol

Abstract The present study was designed to determine the effect on laying performance and egg quality resulting from total substitution of soybean meal (SBM) with low-fiber sunflower meal (SFM; Helianthus annus L.) meal in diet of hens. ISA Brown layers, 28 wk of age, were randomly allocated to 2 dietary treatments and fed for 10 wk. The hens were kept in a free-range environment and fed 2 wheat middling-based diets consisting of a control diet, which contained SBM (153 g/kg of diet), and a test diet containing low-fiber SFM (160 g/kg of diet) as the main protein source. Each dietary treatment was replicated 4 times. Low-fiber SFM was obtained by a combination of sieving and air classification processes. Feed consumption was recorded daily and egg production was calculated on a hen-day basis; eggs from each group were collected weekly to evaluate egg components and quality. The total substitution of SBM with low-fiber SFM had no adverse effect on growth performance of laying hens. Egg production and none of egg quality traits examined were influenced by dietary treatment, except for yolk color (

Beyond Timber: forest management models for transforming conflict into cooperation

This Brief is based on a report prepared for the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry aiming at documenting outcomes achieved by the Program’s research activities.The competing needs of different groups who depend upon the Congo Basin rainforest can be met if innovative, new research-based models for multiple-use forest management are employed.The models, together with accompanying policy guidance, have been endorsed by the region’s forest administration body COMIFAC and offer the potential to alleviate both the conflict between groups and the pressures on the landscape, allowing livelihoods and forest to flourish. Underpinned by groundbreaking, multi-disciplinary, international research, the models embody combined insights into local people’s needs, the ecologica

Low-fiber alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) meal in the laying hen diet: Effects on productive traits and egg quality

Abstract This study was designed to determine the effects on laying performance and egg quality resulting from partial substitution of soybean meal (SBM) with low-fiber alfalfa (LFA; Medicago sativa L.) meal in the diet of early-phase laying hens. ISA Brown layers, 18 wk of age, were randomly allocated to 2 dietary treatments and fed for 10 wk. The hens were fed 2 wheat middling–based diets: a control diet, which contained SBM (15% of diet), and a test diet containing LFA (15% of diet) as the main protein source. Low-fiber alfalfa meal was obtained by a combination of sieving and air-classification processes. Feed intake was recorded daily, and egg production was calculated on a hen-day basis; eggs from each group were weekly collected to evaluate egg components and quality. The partial substitution of SBM with LFA had no adverse effect on growth performance of early-phase laying hens. Egg production and none of the egg-quality traits examined were influenced by dietary treatment, except for yolk color (

Impact of 24 weeks of strength training coupled to endurance training on endurance performance (hero dolomites 2019)

Despite reports are still equivocal, in recent years different studies reported how strength training could impact positively on endurance performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a long-term strength coupled to endurance training protocol in comparison with endurance training protocol on cycling performance. 14 trained amateurs' cyclists (males; 27,03 ± 3,75 years; 177,15 ± 5,69 cm; 69,67 ± 8,53 kg; 22,2 ± 1,67 BMI) that completed the Hero Dolomites 2018 competition and signed to the 2019 edition (86 km, 4500 m) participated to the study. 7 of them (treated) followed a 24 weeks strength training coupled to endurance training program to increase performance, the other (untreated) followed their endurance training routines without any specific resistance training protocol. FTP (Functional Threshold Power) test and 1RM (One Repetition Maximum) test (barbell squat and leg press 45°) were planned at week 1, week 8, week 16 and week 24. 2019 race times were compared to 2018 once. Treated individuals showed increased strength (barbell squat: +29,7 ± 7,8 kg; leg press 45°: +53,5 ± 13,1 kg) and FTP (+23,2 ± 9,3 W) from week 1 to week 24. Both treated and untreated individuals improved their race time from 2018 to 2019 (treated: -51,4 ± 24,6 m; untreated: -11,8 ± 14,4 m). Treated individuals improved significantly race time from 2018 compared to untreated individuals (p&lt;0,05). Structured and periodized strength sessions can be incorporated and maintained for the entire duration of a 24 weeks training program impacting positively on endurance performance

Everesting challenge attempt strategy: A case study

The Everesting challenge (repeat any hill, anywhere in the world, until you climb an altitude of 8848 m; the equivalent of M. Everest) is becoming an increasingly popular challenge. The physical and metabolic stress to which the body is exposed during this type of exercise is unusual and it is also particularly challenging for coaches, trainers and sport nutritionists. The aim of this study is to analyse the parameters and key details necessary to optimize a 10-week training protocol for an ultra-endurance performance like the Everesting challenge. An ex-élite cyclist, trained individual (male; 26 years; 181 cm; 71,7 kg; 21,9 BMI) followed a 10 weeks training and nutrition program to reach his peak performance and attempt the challenge. Body composition analysis checks (body weight, body circumferences, skinfold thickness and bioimpedance analysis) and performance tests (Conconi, Functional Threshold Power, Maximum Lactate Steady State) were planned at week 1, 5 and 10. After 10 weeks FTP increased from 245 to 267 W and at MLSS from 252 W to 270 W. Body weight decreased from 71,7 kg to 68,3 kg and body fat from 10,7% to 6,8 % (Jackson-Pollock 7 sites). The individual was able to accomplish the Everesting challenge concluding his ride in 13h34m27s, average power 162 W, average heart rate 139 bpm, 7685 kcal consumed. 10 weeks of strategically planned nutrition and training program may be sufficient to prepare an élite athlete or a well-trained individual to attempt an ultra-endurance challenge like the Everesting

Efficacy of the probiotic strain Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121 in diarrhoea prevention in newborn foals

The aim of this work was to assess the effectiveness of the probiotic strain Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121 for the prevention of neonatal diarrhea in one to three day-old foals. Fecal samples from twenty foals divided randomly in experimental and control groups were studied. The experimental group (n=10) received E. faecalis CECT7121 (1 x 1010 CFU/ml) orally in the first day of life and for a 6 days period. The control group (n=10) received distilled water for the same period. In 4/10 of the foals from the control group diarrhea was observed, conversely diarrhea cases were not observed in any of the foals belonging to the experimental group. The differences between groups were statistically significant (p&lt;0.001). E. faecalis CECT7121 was isolated in faeces from the second day of treatment until six days after the end of the probiotic administration. Therefore, E. faecalis CECT 7121 may be considered as a biological tool for the prevention of neonatal diarrhea in foals. Any adverse effects, at least under the conditions of this assay, but more efficacy studies should be performed to evaluate this organism in the prevention or treatment of diseases in foals.

Phenomenology of pp->pp eta reaction close to threshold

The recent high statistics measurement of the pp -> pp eta reaction at an excess energy Q=15.5 MeV has been analysed by means of partial wave decomposition of the cross section. Guided by the dominance of the final state 1S0 pp interaction (FSI), we keep only terms involving the FSI enhancement factor. The measured p-p and p-eta effective mass spectra can be well reproduced by lifting the standard on-shell approximation in the enhancement factor and by allowing for a linear energy dependence in the leading 3P0->1S0,s partial wave amplitude. Higher partial waves seem to play only a marginal role