Dietary Germinated Paddy Rice and Stocking Density Affect Egg Performance, Serum Biochemical Properties, and Proteomic and Transcriptomic Response of Laying Hens Exposed to Chronic Heat Stress

Germinated paddy rice (GPR) could be a good alternative feed source for poultry with stocking density and heat stress problems. A total of 72 Hy-line Brown laying hens raised under low (LSD, 0.12 m2/bird) and high stocking densities (HSD, 0.06 m2/bird) were investigated. Three dietary GPR levels (0, 74 and 148 g/kg) were used. It was found that average daily feed intake, hen-day egg production, and egg mass significantly decreased in the HSD group. The levels of serum glucose (GLU), phosphorous (P), corticosterone (CORT), total Ig, lysozyme (LZY), and superoxide dismutase activities (SOD) in the HSD group were higher than those in the LSD group. Dietary GPR significantly affected GLU, P, alternative complement haemolytic 50 (ACH50), total Ig, and LZY. Moreover, CORT level significantly decreased in 74 and 148 g/kg dietary GPR groups, whereas SOD significantly increased only in the 148 g/kg dietary GPR group. Serum samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and 8607 proteins were identified. Proteome analysis revealed 19 proteins which were enriched in different stocking densities and dietary GPR levels. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR technique was successfully used to verify the differentiated abundant protein profile changes. The proteins identified in this study could serve as appropriate biomarkers

Effects of aqua agar as water replacement for posthatch chicks during transportation on residual yolk-sac and growth performance of young broiler chickens

Water is one of the most essential nutrients for the maintenance of chicks' function, and delayed access to feed and water post hatch has been reported to dehydrate chicks. Aqua agar (AA) was formulated to contain more than 95% water and an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of AA as water replacement for posthatch chicks during transportation. During the simulated transport, chicks were held for 24 h with (AA group) or without (NO-AA group) aqua agar in chick boxes. During the holding period, chicks in the AA group lost less body weight, compared with the NO-AA group. However, the weight of residual yolk tended to be lower in the AA-treated birds. There were no significant differences in the weight of gizzard, proventriculus, and liver, nor in the weights and lengths of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. A higher body weight was also observed in the AA group at 7 days of age. At 21 days of age, weight gain and feed intake were higher (P < 0.05) in the AA group, when compared to that of the NO-AA group. No significant differences were observed in the feed conversion rate (FCR) between the two groups. In conclusion, the data suggests that the use of AA as a water replacement could reduce the negative impact of water deficiency in posthatch period during transportation, resulting in greatly improved growth performance of young broilers at 21 days of age

Histology of intestinal villi and epithelial cells in chickens fed low protein or low fat diets

To establish the intestinal histological alterations in chickens fed low crude protein (CP) or low crude fat (EE) in long-term isocaloric diets, 60 birds were allotted to three treatments, each with five replicates of four chickens. They were fed the control, low-CP, or low-EE diet from the age of 9 to 16 weeks. The chickens receiving the low-CP diet showed a clear reduction in performance and carcass characteristics like breast and wings. However, these adverse effects did not occur in the chickens fed the low-EE diet. The villus height in the duodenum and ileum were lower (P<0.05) in the low-CP group. The duodenal villus area decreased (P<0.05) in both the low-CP and low-EE groups, whereas the ileum showed a lower value (P<0.05) in only the low-CP group. The cell area of the duodenum and jejunum displayed decreasing values (P<0.05) in the low-CP and low-EE groups. As regards the mitotic numbers, the jejunum and ileum showed a decrease (P<0.05) in the low-CP group. On the villus tip surface in the duodenum of the control and low-EE groups, clear protuberant cells and cell clusters with a great number of epithelial cells were found. These cell clusters degraded to faintly dome-shaped cells in the low-CP group, resulting in a lower level of morphological changes than in the other two groups. The epithelial cells on the jejunal and ileal tip surfaces did not show a specific change in the treatment groups

Feeding Thai Native Sheep Molasses Either Alone or in Combination with Urea-Fermented Sugarcane Bagasse: The Effects on Nutrient Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation, and Hematological Parameters

The purpose of this study was to find out how adding molasses to fermented sugarcane bagasse (FSB) alone or in combination with urea affected sheep&rsquo;s rumen fermentation, hematological parameters, and ability to digest nutrients. Four Thai native sheep with an initial body weight (BW) of 20.87 &plusmn; 1.95 kg and 11 &plusmn; 1.0 months old were assigned to a 4 &times; 4 Latin square design with 4 periods of 14-d adaptation and 7 d of sample collection. Each treatment received a different combination of experimental roughage as follows: FSB without additives (T1), FSB + 10% molasses (T2), FSB + 20% molasses (T3), and FSB + 10% molasses + 3% urea (T4). The concentrate diet was fed twice daily at 2% BW, while roughage sources were provided ad libitum for each treatment. The crude protein (CP) digestibility in the T2 and T3 groups was higher (p &lt; 0.05) than in the FSB group without additions, with the T4 group having the highest (p &lt; 0.05). Although there were no significant differences in blood glucose, packed cell volume, ruminal pH, ammonia&ndash;nitrogen (NH3-N), propionic acid, or acetic acid, the plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) at 0 h was highest in the T4 group (p &lt; 0.05) compared with the other groups. However, the proportion of butyric acid tended to be higher in all FSB groups with additives. Thus, the current experiment concluded that the addition of molasses alone or in combination with urea had positive effects on pH and LAB population, and including both together in FSB improved the CP digestibility of sheep. In conclusion, FSB with 10% molasses and 3% urea might be used as an alternate roughage source for ruminants without affecting the animal&rsquo;s ruminal fermentation or hematological parameters

Effect of sugar cane extract, commercial probiotic and their mixture on growth performance and intestinal histology in broiler chickens.

Abstract: Problem statement: As the intestinal function is intimately affected by fed diets, many kinds of natural substances and probiotics have been supplemented to broilers to raise poultry productivity due to activating intestinal function. Besides, the intestinal histology is clearly altered by intestinal functions. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Sugar Cane Extract (SCE) and commercial probiotic (SPB), either alone or in combination, could improve growth performance and how intestinal histological alterations would be observed in these birds. Approach: A total of 64, 7-dold male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups, consisting of 4 replicates of 4 birds each. Commercial mash starter and finisher diets were supplemented with 0.05% SCE, 0.4% SPB, or a mixture of 0.05% SCE and 0.4% SPB (SCE + SPB). Results: Body weight gain was better in all the experimental groups than the control. The greatest improvement was observed in the SCE + SPB group. Most values of villus height, villus area, cell area and cell mitosis in all intestinal segments were higher (p&lt;0.05) in the experimental groups than in the control group. Most epithelial cells on the villus apical surface of the experimental groups were composed of protuberant cells. In addition, cell clusters composed of these cells were observed in the duodenum of the SCE + SPB group and in the jejunum of the SCE group. In the ileum, the SCE + SPB group had the most protuberant cells. Conclusion: The present results of enhanced light microscopic parameters and protuberant epithelial cells in SCE and SPB groups suggest that the intestinal villi and epithelial cells might be hypertrophied by SCE and SPB. The fact that a synergistic effect was observed with regard to growth performance and intestinal histology in the SCE + SPB group suggests that SCE is a good supplement to probiotics

Effects of Heat-Killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 Supplementation on Growth Performance, Blood Profiles, Intestinal Morphology, and Immune Gene Expression in Pigs

In the present study, the effects of dietary heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 (HK L-137) on the productive performance, intestinal morphology, and cytokine gene expression of suckling-to-fattening pigs were investigated. A total of 100 suckling pigs [(Large White &times; Landrace) &times; Duroc; 4.5 &plusmn; 0.54 kg initial body weight (BW)] were used and assigned to each of the four dietary treatments as follows: (1) a control diet with antibiotics as a growth promoter (AGP) from the suckling phase to the grower phase and no supplement in the finisher phases; (2) a control diet without antibiotics as a growth promoter (NAGP); (3) a control diet with HK L-137 at 20 mg/kg from the suckling phase to the starter phase and no supplement from the grower phase to the finisher phases (HKL1); and (4) a control diet with HK L-137 at 20 mg/kg from the suckling phase to the weaner phase, at 4 mg/kg from the starter phase to the finisher 1 phase, and no supplement in the finisher 2 phase (HKL2). During the weaner&ndash;starter period, the pigs fed on the AGP and HKL2 diets showed significantly higher weight gain and average daily gain (ADG) than those in the NAGP group (p &lt; 0.05). The pigs in the AGP, HKL1, and HKL2 groups showed greater ADG than those in the NAGP groups (p &lt; 0.05) throughout the grower&ndash;finisher period. The suckling pigs in the HKL1 and HKL2 groups showed a higher platelet count (484,500 and 575,750) than in the others (p &lt; 0.05); however, there were no significant differences in the other hematological parameters among the treatment groups. The relative mRNA expression level of IFN- &szlig; of the suckling and starter pigs were significantly higher in the HKL1 and HKL2 groups than in the others (p &lt; 0.05), while the IFN-&gamma; showed the highest level in the HKL2 suckling pigs (p &lt; 0.05). These results demonstrate that a HK L-137 supplementation could stimulate the immune response in suckling and starter pigs and promote the growth performance in finishing pigs

Effects of Heat-Killed <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> L-137 Supplementation on Growth Performance, Blood Profiles, Intestinal Morphology, and Immune Gene Expression in Pigs

In the present study, the effects of dietary heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 (HK L-137) on the productive performance, intestinal morphology, and cytokine gene expression of suckling-to-fattening pigs were investigated. A total of 100 suckling pigs [(Large White × Landrace) × Duroc; 4.5 ± 0.54 kg initial body weight (BW)] were used and assigned to each of the four dietary treatments as follows: (1) a control diet with antibiotics as a growth promoter (AGP) from the suckling phase to the grower phase and no supplement in the finisher phases; (2) a control diet without antibiotics as a growth promoter (NAGP); (3) a control diet with HK L-137 at 20 mg/kg from the suckling phase to the starter phase and no supplement from the grower phase to the finisher phases (HKL1); and (4) a control diet with HK L-137 at 20 mg/kg from the suckling phase to the weaner phase, at 4 mg/kg from the starter phase to the finisher 1 phase, and no supplement in the finisher 2 phase (HKL2). During the weaner–starter period, the pigs fed on the AGP and HKL2 diets showed significantly higher weight gain and average daily gain (ADG) than those in the NAGP group (p p p IFN- ß of the suckling and starter pigs were significantly higher in the HKL1 and HKL2 groups than in the others (p IFN-γ showed the highest level in the HKL2 suckling pigs (p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that a HK L-137 supplementation could stimulate the immune response in suckling and starter pigs and promote the growth performance in finishing pigs

Effect of Bacillus toyonensis BCT-7112T supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, immune-related gene expression, and gut microbiome in Barbary ducks

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Bacillus toyonensis BCT-7112T supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, immune-related gene expression, and the cecal microbiota of meat ducks. A total of 150 one-day-old male Barbary ducks were divided into 3 groups with 5 replicates (n = 10 ducks per replicate) by completely randomized design and offered diets supplemented with the commercial product Toyocerin (containing 1 × 109 B. toyonensis BCT-7112T viable spores/g product) at the levels of 0, 500, or 1,000 mg/kg (0, 500, or 1,000 ppm), respectively, for 8 wk. The results showed that although ducks in the 500 ppm B. toyonensis BCT-7112T group displayed numerically better values (e.g., weight gain and feed conversion ratio) than those in the control group, the growth performance of ducks fed diets supplemented with B. toyonensis BCT-7112T did not differ significantly from that of the control group (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the intestinal mucosal morphology of ducks across the experimental groups (P > 0.05). However, ducks in the 500 ppm B. toyonensis BCT-7112T group showed a trend of greater values, for example, villus height per crypt depth of duodenum (P = 0.16) and ileum (P = 0.12) compared with those in the control group. The relative expression of immune-related genes, for example, interferon (IFN) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the meat duck spleen was significantly lower in both B. toyonensis BCT-7112T groups at 14 d and 35 d than in the control group (P < 0.05). Beta diversity analysis of the cecal microbiota of ducks in either the 500 ppm or the 1,000 ppm B. toyonensis BCT-7112T group showed to have higher diversity than that in the control group, where at the phylum level, Bacteroidetes was the most abundant, followed by Firmicutes, and at the genus level, Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, and Ruminococcaceae were the top 3 most abundant genera. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that 500 ppm supplementation with B. toyonensis BCT-7112T in duck diets can reduce proinflammatory cytokine gene expression, improve immunological function, and increase the variety of microbial communities in the ceca of meat-type ducks

Total Replacement of Soybean Meal with Sundried Soymilk Residue in the Total Mixed Ration has a Negative Impact on Intake, Digestibility, and Milk Production in Dairy Goats

This study aimed to evaluate whether total replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with sundried soymilk residue (SSR) in a total mixed ration (TMR) affects intake, digestibility, milk production, and blood metabolites in dairy goats. A total of 12 healthy Saanen dairy goats (40.12 ± 5.80 kg of BW) in midlactation (31.23 ± 10.12 days) were used in a randomized complete design (n = 4 goats/group). Dietary treatments were based on a TMR as follows: control TMR without SSR (CON) or SBM-based TMR with 50% or 100% of SSR replacing SBM (SSR-50 and SSR-100, respectively). All goats had ad libitum access to feed and clean water throughout the experiment. The dry matter (DM) intake decreased (p0.05) by dietary treatments. Compared with CON, the milk yield decreased significantly (p0.05) by feeding dietary SSR. Compared with other treatments, blood glucose concentration was lower (p0.05). The results indicated that SSR could replace SBM in a TMR at less than 50%. Thus, the present study provides support for further investigation to enhance the utilization of soybean waste as an alternative protein source in the TMR for dairy goats and potentially other ruminants