Background One of the main roles of the intestinal mucosa is to protect against environmental hazards.Supple-mentation of xylo-oligosaccharides(XOS)is known to selectively stimulate the growth of beneficial intestinal...Background One of the main roles of the intestinal mucosa is to protect against environmental hazards.Supple-mentation of xylo-oligosaccharides(XOS)is known to selectively stimulate the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria and improve gut health and function in chickens.XOS may have an impact on the integrity of the intestinal epithelia where cell turnover is critical to maintain the compatibility between the digestive and barrier functions.The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of XOS and an arabinoxylan-rich fraction(AXRF)supplementation on gut func-tion and epithelial integrity in broiler chickens.Methods A total of 128 broiler chickens(Ross 308)were assigned into one of two different dietary treatments for a period of 42 d:1)control diet consisting of a corn/soybean meal-based diet;or 2)a control diet supplemented with 0.5%XOS and 1%AXRF.Each treatment was randomly distributed across 8 pens(n=8)with 8 chickens each.Feed intake and body weight were recorded weekly.On d 42,one male chicken per pen was selected based on aver-age weight and euthanized,jejunum samples were collected for proteomics analysis.Results Dietary XOS/AXRF supplementation improved feed efficiency(P<0.05)from d 1 to 42 compared to the con-trol group.Proteomic analysis was used to understand the mechanism of improved efficiency uncovering 346 dif-ferentially abundant proteins(DAP)(Padj<0.00001)in supplemented chickens compared to the non-supplemented group.In the jejunum,the DAP translated into decreased ATP production indicating lower energy expenditure by the tissue(e.g.,inhibition of glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle pathways).In addition,DAP were associated with decreased epithelial cell differentiation,and migration by reducing the actin polymerization pathway.Put-ting the two main pathways together,XOS/AXRF supplementation may decrease around 19%the energy required for the maintenance of the gastrointestinal tract.Conclusions Dietary XOS/AXRF supplementation improved growth efficiency by reducing epithelial cell migration and differentiation(hence,turnover),actin polymerization,and consequently energy requirement for maintenance of the jejunum of broiler chickens.展开更多
Background The effect of microbial phytase on amino acid and energy digestibility is not consistent in pigs,which may be related to the phytase dosage or the adaptation length to the diet.Therefore,an experiment was c...Background The effect of microbial phytase on amino acid and energy digestibility is not consistent in pigs,which may be related to the phytase dosage or the adaptation length to the diet.Therefore,an experiment was conducted to test the hypotheses that increasing dietary phytase after an 18-day adaptation period:1)increases nutrient and energy digestibility;2)increases plasma P,plasma inositol,and bone ash of young pigs;and 3)demonstrates that maximum phytate degradation requires more phytase than maximum P digestibility.Results Data indicated that increasing inclusion of phytase[0,250,500,1,000,2,000,and 4,000 phytase units(FTU)/kg feed]in corn-soybean meal-based diets increased apparent ileal digestibility(AID)of Trp(quadratic;P<0.05),and of Lys and Thr(linear;P<0.05),and tended to increase AID of Met(linear;P<0.10).Increasing dietary phytase also increased AID and apparent total tract digestibility(ATTD)of Ca and P(quadratic;P<0.05)and increased ATTD of K and Na(linear;P<0.05),but phytase did not influence the ATTD of Mg or gross energy.Concentrations of plasma P and bone ash increased(quadratic;P<0.05),and plasma inositol also increased(linear;P<0.05)with increasing inclusion of phytase.Reduced concentrations of inositol phosphate(IP)6 and IP5(quadratic;P<0.05),reduced IP4 and IP3(linear;P<0.05),but increased inositol concentrations(linear;P<0.05)were observed in ileal digesta as dietary phytase increased.The ATTD of P was maximized if at least 1,200 FTU/kg were used,whereas more than 4,000 FTU/kg were needed to maximize inositol release.Conclusions Increasing dietary levels of phytase after an 18-day adaptation period increased phytate and IP ester degradation and inositol release in the small intestine.Consequently,increasing dietary phytase resulted in improved digestibility of Ca,P,K,Na,and the first 4 limiting amino acids,and in increased concentrations of bone ash and plasma P and inositol.In a corn-soybean meal diet,maximum inositol release requires approximately 3,200 FTU/kg more phytase than that required for maximum P digestibility.展开更多
Background:This study evaluated the effects of supplemental xylanase and xylooligosaccharides(XOS)in a cornsoybean meal(SBM)-based diet on growth performance and intestinal health of broilers.A total of 288 day-old ch...Background:This study evaluated the effects of supplemental xylanase and xylooligosaccharides(XOS)in a cornsoybean meal(SBM)-based diet on growth performance and intestinal health of broilers.A total of 288 day-old chicks(Cobb 500)were allocated to 36 floor pens(8 birds/pen)equally in 9 dietary treatments in a 3×3 factorial arrangement.The treatments were combinations of 3 levels of xylanase(0,0.005% and 0.01% Econase XT)and 3 levels of prebiotics(0,0.005% and 0.01% XOS)added to basal mash diets formulated in three phases(starter,d 0-14;grower,d 15-28;finisher,d 29-42).The feed intake and body weights were recorded weekly.On d 42,ileal sections were collected for histomorphometric and gene expression analysis,and cecal content was collected for determining short-chain fatty acids(SCFA)and microbiota.Results:Xylanase linearly(P<0.01)increased the average daily gain(ADG)in both the finisher and total period and the final body weight gain(FBWG,2940&2932 vs.2760 g)of broilers.XOS did not significantly increase either ADG or FBWG(P>0.05).Supplemental xylanase and XOS did not affect average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio(P>0.05).Xylanase and XOS did not change villus height(VH)or crypt depth(CD)ratio(P>0.05).However,xylanase exhibited a trend(P=0.097)on VH:CD ratio.The inclusion of 0.01%XOS without xylanase increased the level of IL-10(a marker of anti-inflammatory cytokine)and IL-4(a T-cell differentiation cytokine)genes compared with control(P<0.05).The acetate production was increased by xylanase(P<0.01)and XOS(P<0.05)without an additive effect.Xylanase increased total SCFA(P<0.01)while XOS had a tendency to increase(P=0.052).Alpha and beta diversity of microbiota among treatments were not different(P>0.05).However,the mean proportion of family Ruminococcaceae was increased by the supplemental 0.01% xylanase(P<0.01).Conclusion:It can be concluded that XOS can enhance cecal fermentation,while xylanase can increase the body weight gain along with the fermentation metabolites in the ceca of broilers fed the corn-SBM-based diet but the effects may not always translate into an improved mucosal absorptive capacity and a better feed efficiency.展开更多
Background: A 21-day experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that Ca requirements to maximize growth performance expressed as the standardized total tract digestible(STTD) Ca to STTD P ratio is less than 1.40:...Background: A 21-day experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that Ca requirements to maximize growth performance expressed as the standardized total tract digestible(STTD) Ca to STTD P ratio is less than 1.40:1. The second hypothesis was that increasing dietary Ca increases plasma Ca concentration and downregulates abundance of genes related to Ca absorption(TRPV6, S100 G, and ATP2 B1) in the duodenum, and tight junction proteins(OCLN, CLDN1, and ZO1) in the duodenum and ileum.Methods: Twenty corn-soybean meal diets were formulated using a 4 × 5 factorial design with diets containing 0.16%, 0.33%, 0.42%, or 0.50% STTD P, and 0.14%, 0.29%, 0.44%, 0.59%, or 0.74% STTD Ca. Six hundred and forty pigs(initial weight: 11.1 ± 1.4 kg) were allotted to 20 diets and 5 blocks in a randomized complete block design. On day21, weights of pigs and feed left in feeders were recorded and blood, duodenal tissue, ileal mucosa, and the right femur were collected from 1 pig per pen. Abundance of m RNA was determined in duodenal and ileal tissue via quantitative RT-PCR. Data were analyzed using a response surface model.Results: The predicted maximum ADG(614 g), G:F(0.65), and bone ash(11.68 g) was obtained at STTD Ca:STTD P ratios of 1.39:1, 1.25:1, and 1.66:1, respectively, when STTD P was provided at the requirement(0.33%). If dietary STTD P was below the requirement, increasing dietary Ca resulted in reduced(P < 0.05) ADG and G:F. However, if dietary STTD P was above the requirement, negative effects(P < 0.05) on ADG and G:F of increasing STTD Ca were observed only if dietary STTD Ca exceeded 0.6%. Plasma Ca concentration was positively affected by STTD Ca over the range studied(quadratic, P < 0.01) and negatively affected by increasing STTD P(linear, P < 0.01). There was a linear negative effect(P < 0.05) of STTD Ca on the abundance of S100 G, TRPV6, OCLN, and ZO1 in duodenum, and CLDN and ZO1 in ileum.Conclusions: The STTD Ca:STTD P ratio needed to maximize growth performance of 11-to 25-kg pigs is less than1.40:1, if P is at the estimated requirement. Increasing dietary Ca reduces transcellular absorption of Ca and increases paracellular absorption of Ca.展开更多
Background:Two experiments were conducted to establish an optimal NE challenge model and evaluate the efficacy of stimbiotic(STB)supplementation in necrotic enteritis(NE)challenged broilers.In Exp.1,a total of 120 Arb...Background:Two experiments were conducted to establish an optimal NE challenge model and evaluate the efficacy of stimbiotic(STB)supplementation in necrotic enteritis(NE)challenged broilers.In Exp.1,a total of 120 Arbor Acres(AA)broilers(45.0±0.21 g)were randomly assigned to 6 treatments in a 3×2 factorial arrangement.Vaccine treatments included non-challenge(0),×10 the recommended dose(×10)or×20 the recommended dose(×20)by the manufacturer.Clostridium perfringens(CP)treatments were non-challenge(No)or 3 mL of 2.2×10^(7)CFU CP challenge(Yes).In Exp.2,a total of 72 AA broilers(40.17±0.27 g)were randomly assigned to 6 treatments in a 3×2 factorial arrangement.Dietary treatments included non-additive(CON),100 mg/kg STB(STB)and 100 mg/kg STB on top of a typical commercial blend including an essential oil,probiotics,and enzyme(CB).Challenge treatments included non-NE challenge(No)and NE challenge(Yes)as established in Exp.1.Results:In Exp.1,CP and vaccine challenge decreased(P<0.05)body weight(BW),body weight gain(BWG)and feed intake(FI),and increased(P<0.05)the number of broilers with diarrhea and intestinal lesions.The oral administration of×20 recommended dose of vaccines coupled with 3 mL of 2.2×10^(7)CFU CP resulted in(P<0.01)a significantly increased incidence of wet litter and intestinal lesions.Thus,this treatment was chosen as the challenge model for the successful inducement of NE in Exp.2.In Exp.2,the NE challenge negatively affected(P<0.01)growth performance,ileal morphology,immunoglobulin contents in blood,caecal microbiota in the caecum,footpad dermatitis,intestinal lesion scores,tumour necrosis factor(TNF-α)and endotoxin in the serum compared with the non-NE challenged birds.The supplementation of STB and CB in diets enhanced(P<0.05)growth performance,intestinal microbiota,and blood profiles by stimulating ileal morphology(VH and VH:CD)and propionate production in the cecum,and there were no differences in measured variables between STB and CB supplemented birds.Conclusion:Overall,these results indicate that STB supplementation was able to reduce the inflammatory response and improve the performance of NE challenged birds,and the supplementation of STB alone was as effective as a typical commercial blend containing a number of other additives.展开更多
Background: Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary natural betaine on sow reproductive performance during summer(Exp. 1) and non-summer months(Exp. 2). Treatments were designed as a 2 × 2 f...Background: Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary natural betaine on sow reproductive performance during summer(Exp. 1) and non-summer months(Exp. 2). Treatments were designed as a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with factors including dietary betaine(0 or 0.2%) and period of supplementation(lactation or post-weaning until 35 days post-insemination). In Exp. 1, 322 and 327 sows and in Exp. 2, 300 and 327 sows representing young(parity 1 and 2) and mature(parity 3 to 6) sows, respectively, were used.Results: In Exp. 1, supplementation of betaine during lactation increased sow body weight losses(-11.95 vs.-14.63 kg;P = 0.024), reduced feed intake(4.12 vs. 4.28 kg/d;P = 0.052), and tended to reduce percentage of no-value pigs(P = 0.071). Betaine fed post-weaning reduced weaning-to-estrus interval(5.75 vs. 6.68 days;P = 0.054) and farrowing rate(86.74% vs. 91.36%;P = 0.060), regardless of parity group. Post-hoc analysis with sows clustered into 3 parity groups(1, 2 and 3, and 4+) indicated that betaine fed in lactation to parity 4+ sows(P = 0.026) and betaine fed post-weaning to parity 1 sows increased the number of pigs born in the subsequent cycle(P ≤ 0.05). In Exp. 2, betaine fed during lactation tended to reduce the weaning-to-estrus interval(6.64 vs. 7.50 days;P = 0.077) and farrowing rate(88.23% vs.83.54%;P = 0.089), regardless of parity group. Feeding betaine post-weaning reduced number of pigs born(13.00 vs.13.64;P = 0.04) and pigs born alive(12.30 vs. 12.82;P = 0.075), regardless of parity group.Conclusions: Using 0.2% betaine during the non-summer months did not benefit sow performance. During the summer, betaine supplementation in lactation increased subsequent litter size in parity 4+ sows. Betaine fed during the post-weaning period reduced the wean-to-estrus interval and farrowing rate, increased total number of pigs born for parity 1 sows and reduced total number of pigs born to parity 4+ sows. Further research is needed to determine if the detrimental effects on feed intake and farrowing rate may be correlated and depend on dietary betaine level.展开更多
Since the caecal microbiota of young broilers are not yet able to ferment the dietary fibre(DF)fraction of the feed to a large extent,increasing the accessibility of DF substrates along the gastrointestinal tract is c...Since the caecal microbiota of young broilers are not yet able to ferment the dietary fibre(DF)fraction of the feed to a large extent,increasing the accessibility of DF substrates along the gastrointestinal tract is crucial to benefit from the health stimulating metabolic end-products(e.g.butyric acid)generated upon microbial DF fermentation.Therefore,the present study aimed to evaluate the potential of reduced-particle size wheat bran(RPS-WB)and endoxylanases as feed additives to stimulate arabinoxylan(AX)hydrolysis and fermentation along the hindgut of young broilers.To this end,RPS-WB and endoxylanase supplementation were evaluated in a 2×2 factorial design using a total of 256 male 1-d-old chicks(Ross 308).Broilers were assigned to 4 dietary treatments:a basal wheat-based diet with(1)no feed additives(control,CTRL),(2)an endoxylanase(XYL;Econase XT 25 at 0.10 g/kg diet),(3)1%wheat bran with an average reduced particle size of 297μm(RPS-WB)and(4)an endoxylanase and 1%RPS-WB(RPS-WB+XYL).Each dietary treatment was replicated 8 times and on d 10 and 28,respectively,24 and 16 broilers per treatment group were euthanised to analyse AX degradation,short-chain fatty acid production and digesta viscosity in the ileum and caecum.Broilers receiving XYL in their diet showed increased AX solubilisation and fermentation at both d 10 and 28 compared to the CTRL group(P<0.05).Adding RPS-WB to the diet stimulated wheat AX utilisation by the primary AX degraders in the caecum at 10 d of age compared to the CTRL group,as observed by the high AX digestibility coefficient for the RPS-WB supplemented group at this young age(P<0.05).At 28 d,RPS-WB supplementation lowered body-weight gains but increased butyric acid concentrations compared to the XYL and CTRL group(P<0.05).Although no synergistic effect for RPS-WB+XYL broilers was observed for AX hydrolysis and fermentation,these findings suggest that both additives can raise a dual benefit to the broiler as a butyrogenic effect and improved AX fermentation along the ileum and caecum were observed throughout the broiler's life.展开更多
文摘Background One of the main roles of the intestinal mucosa is to protect against environmental hazards.Supple-mentation of xylo-oligosaccharides(XOS)is known to selectively stimulate the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria and improve gut health and function in chickens.XOS may have an impact on the integrity of the intestinal epithelia where cell turnover is critical to maintain the compatibility between the digestive and barrier functions.The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of XOS and an arabinoxylan-rich fraction(AXRF)supplementation on gut func-tion and epithelial integrity in broiler chickens.Methods A total of 128 broiler chickens(Ross 308)were assigned into one of two different dietary treatments for a period of 42 d:1)control diet consisting of a corn/soybean meal-based diet;or 2)a control diet supplemented with 0.5%XOS and 1%AXRF.Each treatment was randomly distributed across 8 pens(n=8)with 8 chickens each.Feed intake and body weight were recorded weekly.On d 42,one male chicken per pen was selected based on aver-age weight and euthanized,jejunum samples were collected for proteomics analysis.Results Dietary XOS/AXRF supplementation improved feed efficiency(P<0.05)from d 1 to 42 compared to the con-trol group.Proteomic analysis was used to understand the mechanism of improved efficiency uncovering 346 dif-ferentially abundant proteins(DAP)(Padj<0.00001)in supplemented chickens compared to the non-supplemented group.In the jejunum,the DAP translated into decreased ATP production indicating lower energy expenditure by the tissue(e.g.,inhibition of glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle pathways).In addition,DAP were associated with decreased epithelial cell differentiation,and migration by reducing the actin polymerization pathway.Put-ting the two main pathways together,XOS/AXRF supplementation may decrease around 19%the energy required for the maintenance of the gastrointestinal tract.Conclusions Dietary XOS/AXRF supplementation improved growth efficiency by reducing epithelial cell migration and differentiation(hence,turnover),actin polymerization,and consequently energy requirement for maintenance of the jejunum of broiler chickens.
基金support for this research from AB Vista,Marlborough,UK,is greatly appreciated。
文摘Background The effect of microbial phytase on amino acid and energy digestibility is not consistent in pigs,which may be related to the phytase dosage or the adaptation length to the diet.Therefore,an experiment was conducted to test the hypotheses that increasing dietary phytase after an 18-day adaptation period:1)increases nutrient and energy digestibility;2)increases plasma P,plasma inositol,and bone ash of young pigs;and 3)demonstrates that maximum phytate degradation requires more phytase than maximum P digestibility.Results Data indicated that increasing inclusion of phytase[0,250,500,1,000,2,000,and 4,000 phytase units(FTU)/kg feed]in corn-soybean meal-based diets increased apparent ileal digestibility(AID)of Trp(quadratic;P<0.05),and of Lys and Thr(linear;P<0.05),and tended to increase AID of Met(linear;P<0.10).Increasing dietary phytase also increased AID and apparent total tract digestibility(ATTD)of Ca and P(quadratic;P<0.05)and increased ATTD of K and Na(linear;P<0.05),but phytase did not influence the ATTD of Mg or gross energy.Concentrations of plasma P and bone ash increased(quadratic;P<0.05),and plasma inositol also increased(linear;P<0.05)with increasing inclusion of phytase.Reduced concentrations of inositol phosphate(IP)6 and IP5(quadratic;P<0.05),reduced IP4 and IP3(linear;P<0.05),but increased inositol concentrations(linear;P<0.05)were observed in ileal digesta as dietary phytase increased.The ATTD of P was maximized if at least 1,200 FTU/kg were used,whereas more than 4,000 FTU/kg were needed to maximize inositol release.Conclusions Increasing dietary levels of phytase after an 18-day adaptation period increased phytate and IP ester degradation and inositol release in the small intestine.Consequently,increasing dietary phytase resulted in improved digestibility of Ca,P,K,Na,and the first 4 limiting amino acids,and in increased concentrations of bone ash and plasma P and inositol.In a corn-soybean meal diet,maximum inositol release requires approximately 3,200 FTU/kg more phytase than that required for maximum P digestibility.
基金supported by AB Vista Feed Ingredients,Marlborough,Wiltshire,UK.
文摘Background:This study evaluated the effects of supplemental xylanase and xylooligosaccharides(XOS)in a cornsoybean meal(SBM)-based diet on growth performance and intestinal health of broilers.A total of 288 day-old chicks(Cobb 500)were allocated to 36 floor pens(8 birds/pen)equally in 9 dietary treatments in a 3×3 factorial arrangement.The treatments were combinations of 3 levels of xylanase(0,0.005% and 0.01% Econase XT)and 3 levels of prebiotics(0,0.005% and 0.01% XOS)added to basal mash diets formulated in three phases(starter,d 0-14;grower,d 15-28;finisher,d 29-42).The feed intake and body weights were recorded weekly.On d 42,ileal sections were collected for histomorphometric and gene expression analysis,and cecal content was collected for determining short-chain fatty acids(SCFA)and microbiota.Results:Xylanase linearly(P<0.01)increased the average daily gain(ADG)in both the finisher and total period and the final body weight gain(FBWG,2940&2932 vs.2760 g)of broilers.XOS did not significantly increase either ADG or FBWG(P>0.05).Supplemental xylanase and XOS did not affect average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio(P>0.05).Xylanase and XOS did not change villus height(VH)or crypt depth(CD)ratio(P>0.05).However,xylanase exhibited a trend(P=0.097)on VH:CD ratio.The inclusion of 0.01%XOS without xylanase increased the level of IL-10(a marker of anti-inflammatory cytokine)and IL-4(a T-cell differentiation cytokine)genes compared with control(P<0.05).The acetate production was increased by xylanase(P<0.01)and XOS(P<0.05)without an additive effect.Xylanase increased total SCFA(P<0.01)while XOS had a tendency to increase(P=0.052).Alpha and beta diversity of microbiota among treatments were not different(P>0.05).However,the mean proportion of family Ruminococcaceae was increased by the supplemental 0.01% xylanase(P<0.01).Conclusion:It can be concluded that XOS can enhance cecal fermentation,while xylanase can increase the body weight gain along with the fermentation metabolites in the ceca of broilers fed the corn-SBM-based diet but the effects may not always translate into an improved mucosal absorptive capacity and a better feed efficiency.
基金Financial support for this research from AB Vista,Marlborough,UK
文摘Background: A 21-day experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that Ca requirements to maximize growth performance expressed as the standardized total tract digestible(STTD) Ca to STTD P ratio is less than 1.40:1. The second hypothesis was that increasing dietary Ca increases plasma Ca concentration and downregulates abundance of genes related to Ca absorption(TRPV6, S100 G, and ATP2 B1) in the duodenum, and tight junction proteins(OCLN, CLDN1, and ZO1) in the duodenum and ileum.Methods: Twenty corn-soybean meal diets were formulated using a 4 × 5 factorial design with diets containing 0.16%, 0.33%, 0.42%, or 0.50% STTD P, and 0.14%, 0.29%, 0.44%, 0.59%, or 0.74% STTD Ca. Six hundred and forty pigs(initial weight: 11.1 ± 1.4 kg) were allotted to 20 diets and 5 blocks in a randomized complete block design. On day21, weights of pigs and feed left in feeders were recorded and blood, duodenal tissue, ileal mucosa, and the right femur were collected from 1 pig per pen. Abundance of m RNA was determined in duodenal and ileal tissue via quantitative RT-PCR. Data were analyzed using a response surface model.Results: The predicted maximum ADG(614 g), G:F(0.65), and bone ash(11.68 g) was obtained at STTD Ca:STTD P ratios of 1.39:1, 1.25:1, and 1.66:1, respectively, when STTD P was provided at the requirement(0.33%). If dietary STTD P was below the requirement, increasing dietary Ca resulted in reduced(P < 0.05) ADG and G:F. However, if dietary STTD P was above the requirement, negative effects(P < 0.05) on ADG and G:F of increasing STTD Ca were observed only if dietary STTD Ca exceeded 0.6%. Plasma Ca concentration was positively affected by STTD Ca over the range studied(quadratic, P < 0.01) and negatively affected by increasing STTD P(linear, P < 0.01). There was a linear negative effect(P < 0.05) of STTD Ca on the abundance of S100 G, TRPV6, OCLN, and ZO1 in duodenum, and CLDN and ZO1 in ileum.Conclusions: The STTD Ca:STTD P ratio needed to maximize growth performance of 11-to 25-kg pigs is less than1.40:1, if P is at the estimated requirement. Increasing dietary Ca reduces transcellular absorption of Ca and increases paracellular absorption of Ca.
基金AB Vista(Marlborough,Wiltshire,UK)for providing the feed additives and funding this research。
文摘Background:Two experiments were conducted to establish an optimal NE challenge model and evaluate the efficacy of stimbiotic(STB)supplementation in necrotic enteritis(NE)challenged broilers.In Exp.1,a total of 120 Arbor Acres(AA)broilers(45.0±0.21 g)were randomly assigned to 6 treatments in a 3×2 factorial arrangement.Vaccine treatments included non-challenge(0),×10 the recommended dose(×10)or×20 the recommended dose(×20)by the manufacturer.Clostridium perfringens(CP)treatments were non-challenge(No)or 3 mL of 2.2×10^(7)CFU CP challenge(Yes).In Exp.2,a total of 72 AA broilers(40.17±0.27 g)were randomly assigned to 6 treatments in a 3×2 factorial arrangement.Dietary treatments included non-additive(CON),100 mg/kg STB(STB)and 100 mg/kg STB on top of a typical commercial blend including an essential oil,probiotics,and enzyme(CB).Challenge treatments included non-NE challenge(No)and NE challenge(Yes)as established in Exp.1.Results:In Exp.1,CP and vaccine challenge decreased(P<0.05)body weight(BW),body weight gain(BWG)and feed intake(FI),and increased(P<0.05)the number of broilers with diarrhea and intestinal lesions.The oral administration of×20 recommended dose of vaccines coupled with 3 mL of 2.2×10^(7)CFU CP resulted in(P<0.01)a significantly increased incidence of wet litter and intestinal lesions.Thus,this treatment was chosen as the challenge model for the successful inducement of NE in Exp.2.In Exp.2,the NE challenge negatively affected(P<0.01)growth performance,ileal morphology,immunoglobulin contents in blood,caecal microbiota in the caecum,footpad dermatitis,intestinal lesion scores,tumour necrosis factor(TNF-α)and endotoxin in the serum compared with the non-NE challenged birds.The supplementation of STB and CB in diets enhanced(P<0.05)growth performance,intestinal microbiota,and blood profiles by stimulating ileal morphology(VH and VH:CD)and propionate production in the cecum,and there were no differences in measured variables between STB and CB supplemented birds.Conclusion:Overall,these results indicate that STB supplementation was able to reduce the inflammatory response and improve the performance of NE challenged birds,and the supplementation of STB alone was as effective as a typical commercial blend containing a number of other additives.
文摘Background: Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary natural betaine on sow reproductive performance during summer(Exp. 1) and non-summer months(Exp. 2). Treatments were designed as a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with factors including dietary betaine(0 or 0.2%) and period of supplementation(lactation or post-weaning until 35 days post-insemination). In Exp. 1, 322 and 327 sows and in Exp. 2, 300 and 327 sows representing young(parity 1 and 2) and mature(parity 3 to 6) sows, respectively, were used.Results: In Exp. 1, supplementation of betaine during lactation increased sow body weight losses(-11.95 vs.-14.63 kg;P = 0.024), reduced feed intake(4.12 vs. 4.28 kg/d;P = 0.052), and tended to reduce percentage of no-value pigs(P = 0.071). Betaine fed post-weaning reduced weaning-to-estrus interval(5.75 vs. 6.68 days;P = 0.054) and farrowing rate(86.74% vs. 91.36%;P = 0.060), regardless of parity group. Post-hoc analysis with sows clustered into 3 parity groups(1, 2 and 3, and 4+) indicated that betaine fed in lactation to parity 4+ sows(P = 0.026) and betaine fed post-weaning to parity 1 sows increased the number of pigs born in the subsequent cycle(P ≤ 0.05). In Exp. 2, betaine fed during lactation tended to reduce the weaning-to-estrus interval(6.64 vs. 7.50 days;P = 0.077) and farrowing rate(88.23% vs.83.54%;P = 0.089), regardless of parity group. Feeding betaine post-weaning reduced number of pigs born(13.00 vs.13.64;P = 0.04) and pigs born alive(12.30 vs. 12.82;P = 0.075), regardless of parity group.Conclusions: Using 0.2% betaine during the non-summer months did not benefit sow performance. During the summer, betaine supplementation in lactation increased subsequent litter size in parity 4+ sows. Betaine fed during the post-weaning period reduced the wean-to-estrus interval and farrowing rate, increased total number of pigs born for parity 1 sows and reduced total number of pigs born to parity 4+ sows. Further research is needed to determine if the detrimental effects on feed intake and farrowing rate may be correlated and depend on dietary betaine level.
文摘Since the caecal microbiota of young broilers are not yet able to ferment the dietary fibre(DF)fraction of the feed to a large extent,increasing the accessibility of DF substrates along the gastrointestinal tract is crucial to benefit from the health stimulating metabolic end-products(e.g.butyric acid)generated upon microbial DF fermentation.Therefore,the present study aimed to evaluate the potential of reduced-particle size wheat bran(RPS-WB)and endoxylanases as feed additives to stimulate arabinoxylan(AX)hydrolysis and fermentation along the hindgut of young broilers.To this end,RPS-WB and endoxylanase supplementation were evaluated in a 2×2 factorial design using a total of 256 male 1-d-old chicks(Ross 308).Broilers were assigned to 4 dietary treatments:a basal wheat-based diet with(1)no feed additives(control,CTRL),(2)an endoxylanase(XYL;Econase XT 25 at 0.10 g/kg diet),(3)1%wheat bran with an average reduced particle size of 297μm(RPS-WB)and(4)an endoxylanase and 1%RPS-WB(RPS-WB+XYL).Each dietary treatment was replicated 8 times and on d 10 and 28,respectively,24 and 16 broilers per treatment group were euthanised to analyse AX degradation,short-chain fatty acid production and digesta viscosity in the ileum and caecum.Broilers receiving XYL in their diet showed increased AX solubilisation and fermentation at both d 10 and 28 compared to the CTRL group(P<0.05).Adding RPS-WB to the diet stimulated wheat AX utilisation by the primary AX degraders in the caecum at 10 d of age compared to the CTRL group,as observed by the high AX digestibility coefficient for the RPS-WB supplemented group at this young age(P<0.05).At 28 d,RPS-WB supplementation lowered body-weight gains but increased butyric acid concentrations compared to the XYL and CTRL group(P<0.05).Although no synergistic effect for RPS-WB+XYL broilers was observed for AX hydrolysis and fermentation,these findings suggest that both additives can raise a dual benefit to the broiler as a butyrogenic effect and improved AX fermentation along the ileum and caecum were observed throughout the broiler's life.