Beurteilung der Nährstoffversorgung bei hochleistenden Tieren – hier Mastbroiler – mit Öko-Futtermitteln

Das Ziel der beiden Versuche des Forschungsauftrages 02OE023 „Beurteilung der Nährstoffversorgung bei hochleistenden Tieren – hier Mastbroiler – mit Öko-Futtermitteln“ bestand darin, den Einfluss einer gestaffelten Protein- und Energieversorgung langsamwachsender Broiler auf Wachstumsmerkmale und Ganzkörperzusammensetzung zu prüfen. Für die Untersuchungen standen 469 (Versuch 1) bzw. 384 (Versuch 2) männliche Broiler der Herkunft Hubbard ISA 257 zur Verfügung. Die Versuche, die eine Länge von 56 bzw. 84 Tage hatten, wurden in ein, zwei oder drei Phasen (1. – 35., 36. – 56., 57. – 84. Tag) eingeteilt. Die Broiler erreichten im Versuch 2 Mastendmassen von über 4 kg nach 84 Tagen durch eine hohe Proteinversorgung von 23 % im Starterfutter (0,4 % Methionin) vom 1. – 35. Lebenstag sowie 21 % (0,37 % Methionin) im Nachfolgefutter, um insbesondere eine bedarfsgerechtere Methioninkonzentration im Futter, das sich aus Futtermitteln aus dem ökologischen Landbau zusammensetzte, zu realisieren. Eine Energiekonzentration von 12 MJ ME pro kg (Trockensubstanz) wurde dabei dem höheren Energiebedarf der bewegungsaktiven Broiler gerecht. Eine Fütterung der langsamwachsenden Broiler in zwei oder drei Phasen (1. - 35., 36. – 56., 57. – 84. Tag) und einer damit verbundenen besseren Anpassung der Proteinkonzentration im Futter an den Bedarf der Tiere erwies sich als geeignete Fütterungstechnik. Nach einer intensiven Fütterung der Broiler mit höheren Proteingehalten im ökologischen Futter bzw. durch Fütterung eines optimierten kommerziellen Futters zeigte sich, dass das der tägliche Zuwachs der Broiler nach 56 Tagen Mast rückgängig war. Der Futteraufwand, der bei den herkömmlich gefütterten Broilern bis zum 56. Tag bei 1,8 kg/kg und den intensiv-ökologisch gefütterten Broilern bei 2,0 kg/kg lag, verschlechterte sich in den folgenden 4 Wochen auf 3,2 kg/kg bzw. 3,4 kg/kg. Erste Hinweise auf eine mögliche Bedeutung für den Einsatz von Kräutern, die ätherische Öle mit einem hohen Anteil an Carvacrol enthalten, im ökologischen Broilerfutter gaben die Wachstumsergebnisse der Broiler, deren Futter mit einem 1 % getrocknetem Bohnenkraut angereichert war

Development of a subacute ruminal acidosis risk score and its prediction using milk mid-infrared spectra in early-lactation cows

peer reviewe

Vulnerability of Polarised Intestinal Porcine Epithelial Cells to Mycotoxin Deoxynivalenol Depends on the Route of Application

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a Fusarium derived mycotoxin, often occurring on cereals used for human and animal nutrition. The intestine, as prominent barrier for nutritional toxins, has to handle the mycotoxin from the mucosa protected luminal side (apical exposure), as well as already absorbed toxin, reaching the cells from basolateral side via the blood stream. In the present study, the impact of the direction of DON exposure on epithelial cell behaviour and intestinal barrier integrity was elucidated. METHODS: A non-transformed intestinal porcine epithelial cell line (IPEC-J2), cultured in membrane inserts, serving as a polarised in vitro model to determine the effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) on cellular viability and tight junction integrity. RESULTS: Application of DON in concentrations up to 4000 ng/mL for 24, 48 and 72 hours on the basolateral side of membrane cultured polarised IPEC-J2 cells resulted in a breakdown of the integrity of cell connections measured by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), as well as a reduced expression of the tight junction proteins ZO-1 and claudin 3. Epithelial cell number decreased and nuclei size was enlarged after 72 h incubation of 4000 ng/mL DON from basolateral. Although necrosis or caspase 3 mediated apoptosis was not detectable after basolateral DON application, cell cycle analysis revealed a significant increase in DNA fragmentation, decrease in G0/G1 phase and slight increase in G2/M phase after 72 hours incubation with DON 2000 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Severity of impact of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol on the intestinal epithelial barrier is dependent on route of application. The epithelium appears to be rather resistant towards apical (luminal) DON application whereas the same toxin dose from basolateral severely undermines barrier integrity

a review

It is well documented that global warming is unequivocal. Dairy production systems are considered as important sources of greenhouse gas emissions; however, little is known about the sensitivity and vulnerability of these production systems themselves to climate warming. This review brings different aspects of dairy cow production in Central Europe into focus, with a holistic approach to emphasize potential future consequences and challenges arising from climate change. With the current understanding of the effects of climate change, it is expected that yield of forage per hectare will be influenced positively, whereas quality will mainly depend on water availability and soil characteristics. Thus, the botanical composition of future grassland should include species that are able to withstand the changing conditions (e.g. lucerne and bird's foot trefoil). Changes in nutrient concentration of forage plants, elevated heat loads and altered feeding patterns of animals may influence rumen physiology. Several promising nutritional strategies are available to lower potential negative impacts of climate change on dairy cow nutrition and performance. Adjustment of feeding and drinking regimes, diet composition and additive supplementation can contribute to the maintenance of adequate dairy cow nutrition and performance. Provision of adequate shade and cooling will reduce the direct effects of heat stress. As estimated genetic parameters are promising, heat stress tolerance as a functional trait may be included into breeding programmes. Indirect effects of global warming on the health and welfare of animals seem to be more complicated and thus are less predictable. As the epidemiology of certain gastrointestinal nematodes and liver fluke is favourably influenced by increased temperature and humidity, relations between climate change and disease dynamics should be followed closely. Under current conditions, climate change associated economic impacts are estimated to be neutral if some form of adaptation is integrated. Therefore, it is essential to establish and adopt mitigation strategies covering available tools from management, nutrition, health and plant and animal breeding to cope with the future consequences of climate change on dairy farming

Biological detoxification of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol and its use in genetically engineered crops and feed additives

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is the major mycotoxin produced by Fusarium fungi in grains. Food and feed contaminated with DON pose a health risk to humans and livestock. The risk can be reduced by enzymatic detoxification. Complete mineralization of DON by microbial cultures has rarely been observed and the activities turned out to be unstable. The detoxification of DON by reactions targeting its epoxide group or hydroxyl on carbon 3 is more feasible. Microbial strains that de-epoxidize DON under anaerobic conditions have been isolated from animal digestive system. Feed additives claimed to de-epoxidize trichothecenes enzymatically are on the market but their efficacy has been disputed. A new detoxification pathway leading to 3-oxo-DON and 3-epi-DON was discovered in taxonomically unrelated soil bacteria from three continents; the enzymes involved remain to be identified. Arabidopsis, tobacco, wheat, barley, and rice were engineered to acetylate DON on carbon 3. In wheat expressing DON acetylation activity, the increase in resistance against Fusarium head blight was only moderate. The Tri101 gene from Fusarium sporotrichioides was used; Fusarium graminearum enzyme which possesses higher activity towards DON would presumably be a better choice. Glycosylation of trichothecenes occurs in plants, contributing to the resistance of wheat to F. graminearum infection. Marker-assisted selection based on the trichothecene-3-O-glucosyltransferase gene can be used in breeding for resistance. Fungal acetyltransferases and plant glucosyltransferases targeting carbon 3 of trichothecenes remain promising candidates for engineering resistance against Fusarium head blight. Bacterial enzymes catalyzing oxidation, epimerization, and less likely de-epoxidation of DON may extend this list in future