Research on the Effect of Microbial Fermentation Feeds on Slaughter Performance and Meat Quality in Pig with Large-scale Feeding

In this paper, Duroc-lanndrae-Yorkshire crossbred piggy of born at 75 days of age, bouncing with health and similar body weight were randomly divided into experimental group （136 pigs） and control group （136 pigs）. Pigs in control group were fed with conventional diets, and 4% microbial fermentation feeds were added to the basal diet of experimental group to research on the effect of performance and meat quality of pig breeding. The results indicated that after feeding 106 d, compared to control group, the slaughter performance, meat quality and content of fatty acid and amino acid of experimental group were all better, its slaughter rate increased 1.53%, the carcass weight increased 2.75% and the backfat thickness decreased 0.02 cm. In addition, the pork meat in test group hadn＇t antibiotic and heavy metal residues, while it had higher color score, lower pH45min and pH24h value, better tenderness and rate of cooked meat and higher content of fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids and amino acids. Microbial fermentation feed using in test group can significantly improved the flavor and aroma of pork, and eating this pork conducive more to human health. Thus, the application of microbial fermenta- tion feed can provide a more safe, healthy and nutritious flavor pork for human beings.

Chinese herb feed additives improved the growth performance, meat quality, and nutrient digestibility parameters of pigs

Background:Since the use of antibiotics in animal feed has become a critical concern worldwide due to severe threats to human health and environment,we are in need of finding alternatives to antibiotics in pig breeding,maintaining the health of pigs,and getting high-quality pork.As traditional Chinese herbs(TCH)are rich natural resources in China and show great benefits to human health we propose to transfer this abundant resource into animal production industry as additives.Methods:Three groups of Chinese herbs(groups A,B,and C)were used as feed additives in the diet for pigs.In total 32 pigs were arranged in four groups(groups A,B,C,and control group,NC),fed in the same facility,eight pigs(one group)in each colony,free drinking,for 120 days.The feed:gain ratio(F/G),meat quality,total protein,and amino acid concentration of muscle were checked in the experiments.Results:After 120 days of feeding,the feed:gain ratio(F/G)of pigs in groups A,B,and C was decreased 17.56%,9.31%,and 13.86%compared with NC treatment,respectively.The diets supplemented with Chinese herbs improved meat quality,increased loin eye area(especially group A and C showed significant difference,P<.001),the total protein(increased ratio vs NC was A=4.54%,B=0.38%and C=3.53%),amino acid concentration of muscle,increased the villus height:crypt depth ratio,and induced positive effects on serum biochemical parameters and immune function(serum TC and TG concentrations were significantly lower than those in the NC group,P<.05.).Conclusions:The use of Chinese herbal feed additives can reduce the cost of pig breeding and produce high-quality pock.The combination of these effects would contribute to better absorption ability of the intestinal tract and yield a better growth performance.

Effects of Feeding Time on the Growth Performance and Variation of RNA/DNA Ratio of the Chinese Soft-shelled Turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis

The present study was to investigate the effects of feeding time on growth of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle. The experiment was carried out with a photoperiod of 12L （light）： 12D （dark） with lights on at 06：00 and off at 18：00. Turtles were maintained at a temperature of 32 - 0.2 ℃ in tanks throughout the length of the experiment. The turtles in group 1 to group 6 were fed respectively at 00：00, 04：00, 08：00, 12：00, 16：00 and 20：00 with 60 turtles each （Initial body weight 88.27 - 0.09 g）. Acrophases of postprandial RNA/DNA ratio in liver in each group was shown between 5h and 7h after feeding. A positive linear correlation could be seen between specific growth rate （SGR） and RNA/ DNA：SGR=t.1586RNA/DNA-0.7097 （r = 0.9328, P = 0.0066）. The results indicated that the values at the acrophases of about 6h after feeding might be used as an instantaneous growth index in the Chinese soft-shelled turtle. The turtles in group 1 grew better than group 3, group 4, group 5, group 6, because they ate more, but they ate more and grew slower than group 2, whose feed conversion rate was also higher. Meanwhile, the SGR and feeding rate of turtles fed at 12：00 were the lowest from the six groups （P 〈 0.05）. Turtles fed in group 1, group 2 and group 6 developed more heavy final body weight （FBW）, higher feeding rate and SGR than the other three groups. This probably suggested that turtles fed in scotophase grew better than that fed at photophase in total.

The Effect of Quantitative Feed Restriction Duration on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens

The growth productivity of broilers is influenced by improving growth performance through improving body weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion rate. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of quantitative feed restriction duration on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broilers. A total of 144 day-old broiler chicks were reared in a deep litter system until slaughter at 42 days. Chicks were randomly allocated to three treatments which were replicated three times with 16 birds per replicate. The three treatments were the control (T1), one week of feed restriction (T2), and two weeks of feed restriction (T3). Birds were fed with starter, grower and finisher diets. The average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) were computed for each week. Carcass weight and internal organs weights were measured. The body weight gained by the birds in T1 was similar to the birds that were restricted for a week. The treatments had a significant effect on the average daily gain in weeks 4, 5, and 6. The ADG for T2 was higher (P < 0.05) at week 5 after 1 week of restriction, than T1 and T3. The feed conversion ratio was significantly higher in T3 after 2 weeks of restriction. In T2 and T3, feed intake was significantly lower than in birds fed ad libitum at week 4 at the start of the treatment. There was no significant effect on the relative weights of heart weights, liver, gizzard, feet, and heads among the treatment groups except for intestine weight which was lower (P < 0.05) in T1 than T2 and T3. It was concluded that broilers that were restricted for one week had a positive result in growth performance. Feed restriction had minimal effect on the organ weights of broiler chickens.

Effects of dietary protein/energy ratio on growth performance,carcass trait,meat quality,and plasma metabolites in pigs of different genotypes

Background： The protein/energy ratio is important for the production performance and utilization of available feed resources by animals. Increased protein consumption by mammals leads to elevated feed costs and increased nitrogen release into the environment. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary protein/energy ratio on the growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and plasma metabolites of pigs of different genotypes. Methods： Bama mini-pigs and Landrace pigs were randomly assigned to two dietary treatment groups （Chinese conventional diet with low protein/energy ratio or National Research Council diet with high protein/energy ratio; n = 24 per treatment） in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Blood and muscle samples were collected at the end of the nursery, growing, and finishing phases. Results： We observed significant interactions （P 〈 0.05） between breed and diet for total fat percentage, intramuscular fat （IMF） content, protein content in biceps femoris （BF） muscle, and plasma urea nitrogen （UN） concentration in the nursery phase; for average daily gain （ADG）, average daily feed intake （ADFI）, dry matter, IMF content in psoas major （PM） muscle, and plasma total protein and albumin concentrations in the growing phase; and for drip loss and plasma UN concentration in the finishing phase. Breed influenced （P 〈 0.05） growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality, but not plasma metabolites. Throughout the trial, Landrace pigs showed significantly higher （P 〈 0.0_5） ADG, ADFI, dressing percentage, lean mass rate, and loin-eye area than did Bama mini-pigs, but significantly lower （P 〈 0.0.5） feed/gain ratio, fat percentage, backfat thickness, and IMF content. Dietary protein/energy ratio influenced the pH value, chemical composition of BF and PM muscles, and plasma activities of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and plasma concentration of UN. Conclusions： Compared with Landrace pigs, Bama mini-pigs showed slower growth and lower carcass performance, but had better meat quality. Moreover, unlike Landrace pigs, the dietary protein/energy ratio did not affect the growth performance of Bama mini-pigs. These results suggest that, in swine production, low dietary protein/energy ratio may be useful for reducing feed costs and minimizing the adverse effects of ammonia release into the environment.

Effects of conditioners(single-layer, double-layer and retentionconditioner) on the growth performance, meat quality and intestinal morphology of growing and finishing pigs

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feed conditioners(single-layer, double-layer and retentionconditioner) on the growth performance, meat quality and intestinal morphology of pigs throughout the growing to finishing phase. A total of 96 growing pigs((28.70±3.20) kg) were selected and randomized into three treatment groups with four replicates per group. Eight pigs were used per replicate for the 17-week feeding trial. The grower diet was given at 0 to 6 weeks and a finisher diet was given at 6 to 17 weeks. The treatments were as follows: SC diet(control; single-layer conditioning), DC diet(double-layer conditioning), and RC diet(retention-conditioning). Starch gelatinization was significantly higher(P<0.05) in the RC treatment than in the SC treatment, however, there was no significant difference in the starch gelatinization between the DC group and the RC group. In the growing phase, the feed to gain index(F:G) was significantly lower(P<0.05) in the RC group than in the SC and DC groups. Between growing and finishing, the F:G was the lowest(P<0.05) in the SC group compared to the RC or DC group. Drip loss, a measurement of meat quality, was significantly lower(P<0.05) in longissimus dorsi tissue collected from pigs fed the RC diet than in tissues collected from pigs fed the SC diet. The intestinal quality of the duodenum and jejunum tissues showed a significant increase(P<0.05) in the crypt depth and villus height in the RC group compared to the SC-or DC-treated pigs. These results demonstrated that the retentionconditioner treatment decreased the F:G in growing pigs, improved intestinal morphology and enhanced the meat quality in the finishing pigs. However, the retention-conditioner treatment had a negative impact on growth performance in the finishing pigs.

Effects of Nano Chinese Herbal Medicine Feed Additive on Growth Performance,Meat Quality and Disease Resistance of Chickens

[Objectives]To explore the effects of nano compound Chinese herbal medicine feed additive on growth performance,meat quality and disease resistance of chickens.[Methods]Chickens were fed with nano compound Chinese herbal medicine feed additive developed by Hunan Polytechnic of Environment and Biology,including 120 chickens in the treatment group and 120 chickens in the control group(CK).The growth performance indices(body weight gain,feed to gain ratio and slaughter index),meat quality indices(pH value,color,drip loss,shear force)and disease resistance indices(morbidity and mortality)of the chickens in the treatment and CK groups were recorded and determined,respectively.[Results]The inclusion of 2%nano compound Chinese herbal medicine feed additive in the diet significantly increased the growth rate,reduced the feed-to-gain ratio and improved the meat quality of the chickens.Supplementing Chinese herbal medicine could increase the pH value and reduce the drip loss and shear force of chicken meat.At the same time,the body's immune function,antioxidant level and resistance against diseases of the chickens fed with nano compound Chinese herbal medicine feed additive were improved.[Conclusions]The inclusion of nano compound Chinese herbal medicine feed additive in the diet can improve the growth performance,meat quality and disease resistance of chickens.

Effects of Clenbuterol,Genotype,and Feeding Method on Bodyweight Gain of Meat Rabbits

Four-factor and three-level orthogonal experimental design(L9(34))was used in the experiment.The effects of three genotypes:Germany SAB three-bred-cross rabbits(S2),New Zealand purebred(N),and crossbred rabbits(ON);three levels of Clenbuterol treatment: 1 ng.g-1,2 ng.g-1and 3 ng.g-1,and three feeding methods:5-day,7-day and 10-day withdrawal period after two weeks of feeding Clenbuterol(CL)on bodyweight gain were evaluated.CL apparently improved average daily gain(ADG)of rabbits.70-day ADG of 5-day and 10-day withdrawal were higher than that of 7-day withdrawal,70-day ADG of S2 genotype was significantly higher than that of the control and N genotype was significant.Genotype,additive dose and feeding method had significant effects on overall-stage ADG.ON genotype,2 ng.g-1 dose and 5-day withdrawal feeding method was the best.Responses of different genotype to Clenbuterol appeared different at experimental prophase or whole experimental period.

Intoxication Induced by Urea Containing Diets in Broiler Chickens: Effect on Weight Gain, Feed Conversion Ratio, Hematological and Biochemical Profiles

Urea as a source of cheap non-protein nitrogen is used to adulterate fish and meat meals which are basic components of broiler diets. The present study was carried out to elucidate the effects of urea on weight gain, and hematological and biochemical profiles. A total of 48 broiler chicks were randomly allotted into 4 groups, designated Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 of 12 birds each. Birds in Groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed on diets containing urea at the levels of 1%, 2.5% and 4%, respectively. Birds in Group 1 served as control and were not exposed to urea. Experimentation period was for 3 weeks and experiment was terminated when birds were 42 days of age. Body weight of all intoxicated birds at the various intervals was significantly decreased in comparison with that of the untreated control. Compared with control, all intoxicated broilers manifested significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrease in all hematological parameters involving erythrocytic and total leucocytic counts, Hemoglobin (Hb) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) on a dose- and time-pattern. In comparison with the control levels, biochemical profile of the intoxicated birds disclosed significant decrease in blood glucose level and significant increase in serum uric acid, urea, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Based upon the present data, it was concluded that the addition of urea to broiler diets bears serious sequences concerning the general health condition, performance, weight gain, and hematological and biochemical profiles.

Effects of Different Protein Energy Ratios on Fattening Performance,Slaughter Performance and Meat Quality of Pigs

[Objectives]Protein energy ratio refers to the proportional relationship between protein and energy levels in animal diets,i.e.,the grams of crude protein corresponding to every megacalorie of energy,which is generally expressed as CP:ME or CP:DE.This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different diets on fattening and slaughter performance and meat quality traits for"L(Large Yorkshire)×L(Landrace)"crossbred pigs.[Methods]Eighteen piglets of L×L crossbred with similar body weights about 51 kg were selected.The piglets were divided into 3 groups randomly and each group was assigned to 3 replicates with 2 piglets in a replicate.Group A was fed diet Ⅰ (control diet),group B was fed the same diet of group A in the first month of the trial but fed diet Ⅱ in second month,and group C consumed diet Ⅲ.All the pigs were fed in the same feeding condition for two months except the different diets during the trial.One pig in similar body weight from each replicate was slaughtered for the determination of slaughter performance and meat quality traits in the end of the trial.[Results]The average daily feed intake(ADFI)of pigs from group B was only(2.32±0.52)kg and significantly lower than those from group A and group C(P<0.05),but no difference was found in average daily gain(ADG) and feed/gain(P>0.05).Also,no differences occurred in the carcass length,back fat thickness,longissimus muscle (LM) area and dressing percentage(P>0.05).In addition,no differences were found in the meat quality traits of shear force,meat color,pH_(45 min),pH_(24 h) and cooking loss(P>0.05).However,the water-holding capacity of meat from group C was(2.58±0.02)ms and significantly lower than that of(2.80±0.20)ms from group A(P<0.05).Although the contents of glutamic acid and cystine in LM from group B was significantly lower than those from group A and group C(P<0.05),no differences occurred in the contents of other amino acids,the total amino acid and total flavor amino acid among the three groups(P>0.05).However,the inosine monophosphate content of LM from group C was only(331.80±11.53)mg/100 g and significantly lower than those of(361.00±6.36)and(366.37±4.80)mg/100 g from group A and B(P<0.05).Even though no differences were found in the contents of DM and CP in LM among the three groups of pigs,the content of intramuscular fat(IMF)in LM from group B and group C was increased by 45.6%and 46.58%respectively from that of group A(P<0.05),but no difference occurred between group B and C(P>0.05).[Conclusions]DietsⅡ and Ⅲ in this study caused no differences in fattening and slaughter performance of L×L crossbred pigs,but the effects on some meat traits were still significant,especially on the improvement of intramuscular fat in experimental pigs.Therefore,they could improve the meat quality of crossbred pigs to a certain extent.

Effect of Chinese Herbal Feed Additive on Meat Quality of Rex Rabbit

[ Objective] The aim of this study was to provide a theoretical basis for population and application of Chinese herbal feed additive in the rex rabbit breeding. [ Methyl] 108 weaned -rex rabbits aged 40 days were divided into three groups with thirty -six each group. Group A were fed basal diet, while group B were fed basal diet supplemented with 0.3% Chinese herbal feed additive and group C were fed basal diet supplemented with 0.4% Chinese herbal feed additive. The meat quality indexes were measured when feeding to 150 age in days. [ Result] There was significant difference among pH value, water loss rate, storing loss rate and crude protein content in each group （P〈0.05）, but no significant difference was found in tenderness, cooking percentage, moisture content and crude fat content （ P 〉 0.05）. The total content of ami- no acids, essential amino acids and semi essential amino acids as well as main delicious amino acids was highest in group C accounting for 23.84%, 11.47% and 8.32% respectively, next came group B accounting for 20.94%, 10.64% and 6.81% respectively, and lowest in group C （ control group） accounting for 19.06%, 9.61% and 6.46% respectively. [ Conclusion] The Chinese herbal feed additive can improve meat quality of rex rabbit the best addition of 0.4%.

Linkage between the intestinal microbiota and residual feed intake in broiler chickens

Background:Intestinal microbiota plays a key role in nutrient digestion and utilization with a profound impact on feed efficiency of livestock animals.However,the intestinal microbes that are critically involved in feed efficiency remain elusive.Methods:To identify intestinal bacteria associated with residual feed intake(RFI)in chickens,male Cobb broiler chicks were individually housed from day 14 to day 35.Individual RFI values were calculated for 56 chickens.Luminal contents were collected from the ileum,cecum,and cloaca of each animal on day 35.Bacterial DNA was isolated and subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing.Intestinal microbiota was classified to the feature level using Deblur and QIIME 2.High and low RFI groups were formed by selecting 15 and 17 chickens with the most extreme RFI values for subsequent LEfSe comparison of the difference in the microbiota.Spearman correlation analysis was further performed to identify correlations between the intestinal microbiota composition and RFI.Results:No significant difference in evenness,richness,and overall diversity of the microbiota in the ileum,cecum,or cloaca was observed between high and low RFI chickens.However,LEfSe analysis revealed a number of bacterial features being differentially enriched in either high or low RFI chickens.Spearman correlation analysis further identified many differentially enriched bacterial features to be significantly correlated with RFI(P<0.05).Importantly,not all short-chain fatty acid(SCFA)producers showed a positive association with RFI.While two novel members of Oscillibacter and Butyricicoccus were more abundant in low-RFI,high-efficiency chickens,several other SCFA producers such as Subdoligranulum variabile and two related Peptostreptococcaceae members were negatively associated with feed efficiency.Moreover,a few closely-related Lachnospiraceae family members showed a positive correlation with feed efficiency,while others of the same family displayed an opposite relationship.Conclusions:Our results highlight the complexity of the intestinal microbiota and a need to differentiate the bacteria to the species,subspecies,and even strain levels in order to reveal their true association with feed efficiency.Identification of RFI-associated bacteria provides important leads to manipulate the intestinal microbiota for improving production efficiency,profitability,and sustainability of poultry production.

Effect of Different Dietary Protein and Lipid Levels on the Growth,Body Composition,and Intestinal Digestive Enzyme Activities of Juvenile Yellow Drum Nibea albiflora(Richardson)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the optimal dietary protein-to-lipid ratio for juvenile Nibea albiflora with an initial weight of(11.76 ± 0.20) g.Nine experimental diets containing different concentrations of protein(40%,47%,or 54%) and lipids(5%,9%,or 13%) in a 3 × 3 factorial experimental design were tested in triplicate groups of fish,while the protein-to-energy(P/E) ratios of the diets varied in the range of 19.74–28.32 mg k J^(-1).Results showed that fish fed diets containing 9% or 13% lipids with 54% protein exhibited significantly higher weight gains and specific growth rates than those fed other diets.The feed conversion rate of fish fed the diet with 40% protein and 5% lipids was significantly poorer than that of fish fed other diets.The protein efficiency rate of fish fed diets with 5% lipids was significantly lower than that of fish fed 9% or 13% lipid diets.Carcass lipid and energy contents were positively correlated with dietary lipid level regardless of protein level.Fish fed a 54% protein diet showed the highest trypsin activity.The intestinal lipase activity of fish fed the diet containing 13% lipids was significantly higher than that of fish fed 5% or 9% lipid diets.These results demonstrate the high protein dietary requirements of N.albiflora.A diet containing 54% protein and 9%–13% lipids with a P/E ratio of 26.2–27.81 mg protein k J^(-1) can be considered optimal for juvenile N.albiflora.

Composition and Physico-Chemical Properties of Meat from Capons Fed Cereals

Chemical composition, physico-chemical properties and fatty acid composition of breast and drumstick meat from capons （castrated male cockerels） fed cereals were studied. Three groups of capons were reared. One group was fed ad libitum the same commercial diet until the 4th mon of life. The last month of its life, the capons of this group were fed corn. The second and third group of capons were fed the same diet from caponization. The second group was fed mixture of corn （50%） and wheat （50%）. The third group of capons was fed 2/3 corn and 1/3 mixture of corn （50%） and barley （50%）. Capons were reared under free-range conditions and slaughtered at 150 d of age. Caponization was performed at 48 d. No signiifcant effects of feeding in chemical composition, pH, water holding capacity, drip and cooking losses and texture of the meat were observed. The meat of the third group （capons fed 83%corn） was more yellow and showed higher content of C18：2 than that of the other capons.

A novel integrated step-feed biofilm process for the treatment of decentralized domestic wastewater in rural areas of China

For wastewater treatment in rural areas, a novel three-stage step-feed wastewater treatment system, combined with a drop-aeration biofilm process, was tested in the laboratory to investigate its performance in removing suspended solids （SS）, chemical oxygen demand （COD）, NH4＋-N, total nitrogen （TN）, and total phosphorus （TP）. The removal rates of SS, COD and NH4＋-N were 90%, 80%, and 90% in efluent concentrations less than 10 mg/L, 50 mg/L and 8 mg/L, respectively. The TP removal rate was less satisfactory. The C/N ratio in the raw wastewater was often less than 3.5, and the removal efficiency of TN was therefore limited. A carbon-release batch experiment was carried out to measure the feasibility of enhancing denitrification at low influent C/N ratios. The result showed that the C/N could be over 9.0 in the supernatant. Polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis technology was used to reveal the changes in the bacterial community during different stages of the integrated step-feed biofilm process. The results showed that banding patterns and the distribution of dominant bands for the same experimental period in different aerobic zones were similar. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that lanes 10, 11 and 12, which presented three aerobic zones at the same operation period, had the closest phylogenetic relationship among the lanes.

Analysis of York Pigs Feeding Behavior Using Stepwise Regression and Principal Component Regression

A statistical analysis was conducted on the feeding behavior of 106 York breeding pigs.Pearson correlation analysis,principal component correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression equation methods were applied to establish regression equations of the York breeding pigs total feed intake per time and average feed intake per time with corrected fat thickness,feed conversion rate,and corrected daily gain.The results showed that:①there were three peak feed intake periods for the pigs,and the correlation coefficient between the feed intake and the corrected fat thickness of the pigs in the 24 h period was positive or negative,that is,increasing the number of feeding times and the feed intake was not necessarily conducive to the fat thickness accumulation,but the breeding goal of fat thickness could be achieved by controlling the feeding times and feed intake;②the average feed intake of pigs in the 60-90 kg body weight stage was 30%-50%higher than that of the 30-60 kg body weight stage,but the number of feeding times decreased,the peak feeding time was more concentrated,and the feeding duration per time was 3.0 min longer,indicating that as the weight of pigs increased,the feed intake increased significantly;and③the stepwise regression equations and the principal component equations showed that the feeding behavior of York pigs in the 30-90 kg growth stage was not only affected by the feeding time within 24 h,but also by environmental factors such as temperature and humidity.The feeding behavior of York pigs is a complex process of interaction between environmental factors and animal factors.

Influence of fish meal quality on growth,feed conversion rate and protein digestibility in shrimp (Penaeus chinensis ) and red seabream (Pagrosomus major)

The effect of fishmeal quality on growth,feed conversion ratio and protein digestibility was studied in a growth experiment with shrimp and red seabream.The shrimp and fish were fed three diets varing in the quality of the fishmeal used in the respective feeds: low quality fish meal,good quality fish meal,and Peru fish meal.The experiment lasted for 2 months.The shrimp and fish fed the feed with good quality fish meal showed significantly better feed conversion ratio,weight gain rate,protein digestibility than the other groups.

Time-restricted feeding relieves high temperature-induced impairment on meat quality by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway,modification of muscle fiber composition,and enriching the polyunsaturated fatty acids in pigs

To assess the effects of a time-restricted feeding(TRF)regimen on meat quality of pigs exposed to high ambient temperature,a two-month feeding and heat treatment(HT)trial was conducted using a 2×2 factorial design.A total of 24 growing pigs(11.0±1.9 kg)were randomly divided into four groups:thermal neutral group(NT,24±3°C),HT group(exposed to a high temperature at 35±2°C from 11:00 to 15:00),TRF group and HT+TRF group(HT and TRF co-treatment group,n=6 for each group).Pigs in TRF groups got access to feed within 5 h from 9:00 to14:00,while the others were fed at 6:00,11:30,and 16:00.All pigs received the same diet during the trail.The results showed that HT increased the drip loss,shear force,lightness,and malondialdehyde production in Longissimus thoracis et lumborum(LTL)muscle.TRF reversely reduced the shear force and drip loss,accompanied by decreased intramuscular fat and increased moisture content.Enhanced fiber transformation from type 1 to type 2b and down-regulated expression of muscle growth-related genes were observed by HT,while TRF suppressed the fiber transformation and expression of muscle atrophy-related genes.Furthermore,TRF restored the diminished protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in LTL muscle by chronic HT.Accumulation of HSP70 in muscle of HT group was reduced by treatment of TRF.HT declined the expression of vital genes involved in fatty acids poly-desaturation and the proportion of(polyunsaturated fatty acids)PUFAs,mainly omega-6 in LTL muscle,while TRF group promoted the expression of poly-desaturation pathway and displayed the highest proportion of PUFAs.These results demonstrated that TRF relieved the chronic high temperature affected meat quality by the restored expression of Nrf2/HO-1 anti-oxidative cascade,modified muscle fiber composition,and enriched PUFAs in LTL muscle.

hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism modifies the significance of the environmental risk factor for colon cancer

AIM:To determine the association of hOGG1 (8-oxoguanine glycosylase I,OGG1) polymorphism of Ser326Cys substitution with colon cancer risk and possible interaction with known environmental risk factors. METHODS:A case-control study with 125 colon cancer cases and 247 controls was conducted, RESULTS:There was no major difference in Ser326Cys genotype distribution between cases and controls.The meat intake tended to increase the odds ratio for colon cancer with an OR of 1.72 (95 % confidence interval;CI=1.12-2.76). Such tendency was more prominent in Cys/Cys carriers (OR=4.31,95 % CI=1.64-11.48),but meat intake was not a significant risk factor for colon cancer in Ser/Ser or Ser/ Cys carriers.The OR for colon cancer was elevated with marginal significance in smokers who were Cys/Cys carriers (OR=2.75,95 % CI=1.07-7.53) but not in Ser/Ser or Ser/ Cys carriers. CONCLUSION:These results suggest that the hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism is probably not a major contributor to individual colon cancer susceptibility overall,but the Cys/ Cys genotype may alter the impact of some environmental factors on colon cancer development.

Effect of Dietary Electrolyte Balance on Water Intake, Litter Moisture and Production of Broiler chicks at Pre-Starter and Starter Phases

Underestimating the negative impacts of ammonia produced in litters of poultry birds raised under high temperature-humidity index is dangerous, as broiler chickens (BC) are sensitive to high ammonia concentrations which can result in blindness and overall decrease in productive performance. Hence, it is ideal to maintain litter moisture by optimizing the utilization of water by broiler chicks. The balance of acid-base in broilers could be enhanced by supplementing diets or water of BC under heat stress with electrolytes. However, electrolytes increase water intake and might affect litter quality. Therefore, effect of varying dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) on water intake (WI), litter moisture (LM) and productive performance of BC were investigated at pre-starter and starter phases using a total of three hundred, 1-day-old Arbor Acre chicks that were randomly allotted to six dietary treatments [210 (T1), 240 (T2), 270 (T3), 300 (T4), 330 (T5) and 360 (T6)] mEq/Kg DEB, in a completely randomised design. Birds were reared at pre-starter phase (PSP) of 0 - 14 days and starter phase (SP) of 14 - 21 days, under the temperature-humidity index of 24.97 - 35.19. Water intake and litter moisture were monitored. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. Water intake was enhanced at PSP and SP in birds on 360 mEq/kg, but with increased litter moisture. However, a dietary electrolyte balance of 270 mEq/kg improved performances of broiler chicks at pre-starter and starter phases.