Dietary organic acids ameliorate high stocking density stress-induced intestinal inflammation through the restoration of intestinal microbiota in broilers

Background:High stocking density(HSD)stress has detrimental effects on growth performance,intestinal barrier function,and intestinal microbiota in intensive animal production.Organic acids(OA)are widely used as feed addi-tives for their ability to improve growth performance and intestinal health in poultry.However,whether dietary OA can ameliorate HSD stress-induced impaired intestinal barrier in broilers remains elusive.In this study,a total of 528 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allocated into 3 treatments with 12 replicates per treatment including 10 birds for normal stocking density and 17 birds for HSD.The dietary treatments were as follows:1)Normal stocking density+basal diet;2)HSD+basal diets;3)HSD+OA.Results:HSD stress can induce increased levels of serum corticosterone,lipopolysaccharides,interleukin-1β,tumor necrosis factor-α,and down-regulated mRNA expression of ZO-1,resulting in compromised growth performance of broilers(P<0.05).Dietary OA could significantly reduce levels of serum corticosterone,lipopolysaccharides,interleukin-1β,and tumor necrosis factor-α,which were accompanied by up-regulated interleukin-10,mRNA expres-sion of ZO-1,and growth performance(P<0.05).Moreover,OA could down-regulate the mRNA expression of TLR4 and MyD88 to inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway(P<0.05).Additionally,HSD stress significantly decreased the abundance of Bacteroidetes and disturbed the balance of microbial ecosystems,whereas OA significantly increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes and restored the disordered gut microbiota by reducing competitive and exploita-tive interactions in microbial communities(P<0.05).Meanwhile,OA significantly increased the content of acetic and butyric acids,which showed significant correlations with intestinal inflammation indicators(P<0.05).Conclusions:Dietary OA ameliorated intestinal inflammation and growth performance of broilers through restor-ing the disordered gut microbial compositions and interactions induced by HSD and elevating short-chain fatty acid production to inhibit the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.These findings demonstrated the critical role of intestinal microbiota in mediating the HSD-induced inflammatory responses,contributing to exploring nutritional strategies to alleviate HSD-induced stress in animals.

Optimization of Stocking Density for the Sea Cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus Selenka, Under Feed-Supplement and Non-Feed-Supplement Regimes in Pond Culture

Optimal stocking densities were investigated for the sea cucumber Apostichopusjaponicus Selenka under feed-supplement and non-feed-supplement regimes in net enclosures for 333 d. Substantial weight loss occurred during the aestivation phase （AE）. Decreased growth rates were also observed during the winter phase （WT）. In contrast, sea cucumbers showed rapid growth during the spring （SP） and autumn （AU） phases. Feeding regimes considerably influenced the growtb performance, i.e., sea cucumbers grew faster under feed-supplement regime than under non-feed-supplement regime （P 〈 0.05）. The average survival rates of sea cucumbers under feed-supplement regime were higher than those under non-feed-supplement regime for both the autumn phase and spring phase, but the differences were only significant for the latter phase （P〈 0.05）. The fitted B-N curves showed that the optimal stocking densities, in terms of net production, were 22.3 ind. m^-2 for feed-supplement regime and 14.1 ind. m^-2 for non-feed-supplement regime.

Influence of stocking density on growth, body composition and energy budget of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. in recirculating aquaculture systems

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar were reared at four stocking densities--high density D1 （final density -39 kg/m^3）, medium densities DE （-29 kg/m^3） and D3 （~19 kg/m^3）, and low density D4 （-12 kg/m^3）- for 40 days to investigate the effect of stocking density on their growth performance, body composition and energy budgets. Stocking density did not significantly affect specific growth rate in terms of weight （SGRw） but did affect specific growth rate in terms of energy （SGRe）. Stocking density significantly influenced the ration level （RLw and RLe）, feed conversion ratio （FCRw and FCRe） and apparent digestibility rate （ADR）. Ration level and FCRw tended to increase with increasing density. Fish at the highest density D~ and lowest density D4 showed lower FCRe and higher ADR than at medium densities. Stocking density significantly affected protein and energy contents of the body but did not affect its moisture, lipid, or ash contents. The expenditure of energy for metabolism in the low-density and high-density groups was lower than that in the medium-density groups. Stocking density affected energy utilization from the feces but had no effect on excretion rate. The greater energy allocation to growth at high density and low density may be attributed to reduced metabolic rate and increased apparent digestibility rate. These findings provide information that will assist selection of suitable stocking densities in the Atlantic-salmon-farming industry.

Effect of stocking density on performances of juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) in recirculating aquaculture systems

Limited information has been available about the influence of loading density on the performances of Scophthalmus maximus, especially in recirculating aquaculture systems （RAS）. In this study, turbot （13.84±2.74 g; average weigh±SD） were reared at four different initial densities （low 0.66, medium 1.26, sub-high 2.56, high 4.00 kg/m^2） for 10 weeks in RAS at 23±1℃ Final densities were 4.67, 7.25, 14.16, and 17.47 kg/m^2, respectively, which translate to 82, 108, 214, and 282 percent coverage of the tank bottom. Density had both negative and independent impacts on growth. The final mean weight, specific growth rate （SGR）, and voluntary feed intake significantly decreased and the coefficient of variation （CV） of final body weight increased with increase in stocking density. The medium and sub-high density groups did not differ significantly in SGR, mean weight, CV, food conversion rate （FCR）, feed intake, blood parameters, and digestive enzymes. The protease activities of the digestive tract at pH 7, 8.5, 9, and 10 were significantly higher for the highest density group, but tended to be lower （not significantly） at pH 4 and 8.5 for the lowest density group. The intensity of protease activity was inversely related to feed intake at the different densities. Catalase activity was higher （but not significantly） at the highest density, perhaps because high density started to induce an oxidative effect in turbot. In conclusion, turbot can be cultured in RAS at a density of less than 17.47 kg/m^2. With good water quality and no feed limitation, initial density between 1.26 and 2.56 kg/m^2 （final： 7.25 and 14.16 kg/m^2） would not negatively affect the turbot cultured in RAS. For culture at higher density, multi-level feeding devices are suggested to ease feeding competition.

Effects of dietary tryptophan and stocking density on the performance,meat quality,and metabolic status of broilers

Background： Highly automated cage-rearing systems are becoming increasingly popular in China. However, a high stocking density can cause oxidative stress and decrease broiler performance. The tryptophan （TRP） derivative 5-hydroxytryptophan （5-HT） has been shown to preserve membrane fluidity in birds suffering from oxidative stress Therefore, this experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietan/TRP supplementation on performance, breast meat quality and oxidative stress in broilers reared in cages with a high or low stocking density. Methods： Female Arbor Acres broilers （25-d-old, n = 144） were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatments. The birds were fed a diet based on corn, soybean meal, cottonseed meal and corn gluten meal containing either 0.18 or 0.27% TRP and were housed with stocking densities of 11 or 15.4 birds/m2 in a 2 x 2 factorial experiment. Broiler performance was evaluated from d 25 to 42. Eight birds from each treatment were slaughtered on d 42 and plasma and breast muscle samples were collected to measure biochemical indices. Results： A higher stocking density tended to be associated with reduced weight gain （P 〈 0.10）, and significantly increased plasma glutamic-pyruvic transaminase （GPT） activity （P 〈 0.001）. Increased dietary TRP significantly reduced the activities of lactic dehydrogenase and GPT while increasing total cholesterol in the plasma （P 〈 0.01）, reducing drip loss of breast muscle （P 〈 0.10） and improving feed efficiency （P 〈 0.10）. Conclusions： An increase in dietary TRP, ].S-fold higher than the standard supplementation level, can alleviate oxidative stress as well as improve welfare and feed efficiency in broilers reared in cages with a high stocking density.

REDUCED GROWTH IN HYBRID TILAPIA (OREOCHROMIS MOSSAMBICUS×O. NILOTICUS) AT INTERMEDIATE STOCKING DENSITY

Hybrid tilapia were reared at densities of 1, 5 or 10 fish per tank for four weeks. Mortality was 0 at 1 and 10 fish per tank, but was 25% at 5 fish per tank. Specific growth rate was highest at 1 fish per tank, and lowest at 5 fish per tank. The lower growth rate at the intermediate stocking density was associated with reduced feed efficiency, but there was no reduction in feed intake or digestibility. The results suggested increased metabolic cost caused by aggressive behaviour at intermediate stocking density, which can be suppressed by a further increase in density.

Stocking density affects the growth performance and metabolism of Amur sturgeon by regulating expression of genes in the GH/IGF axis

The effects of stocking density on the growth and metabolism of Amur sturgeon were assessed. Amur sturgeon were grown for 70 days at three dif ferent stocking densities(low stocking density, LSD: 5.5 kg/m^3; medium stocking density, MSD: 8.0 kg/m^3; and high stocking density, HSD: 11.0 kg/m^3), and the biometric index, muscle composition, and serum biochemical parameters were evaluated. In addition, pituitary, liver, and muscle samples were collected for gene cloning and expression analyses. After 70 days of growth, the fish maintained at HSD had significantly lower fi nal body weight and specifi c growth rate, and a higher feed conversion ratio than those of the fish in the MSD and LSD groups. The HSD group had the lowest lipid and protein concentrations in serum and muscle. The serum cortisol concentration increased significantly in the HSD group, indicating that the stress-response system was activated in these fish. There was no change in the concentration of serum insulin-like growth factor 2(IGF-2), while the concentrations of serum growth hormone(GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1) decreased in the HSD group. The full-length cDNAs of G H and IGF-2 genes(995-bp and 1 207-bp long, respectively), were cloned and analyzed. In the HSD group, the expressions of GH in the pituitary and growth hormone receptor( GHR) and IGF-1 in the liver were down-regulated at the end of the 70-day experiment. In the HSD group, the transcript level of IGF-2 significantly decreased in the liver, but did not change in muscle. Overall, our results indicated that a HSD negatively af fects the growth performance and leads to changes in lipid and protein metabolism in Amur sturgeon. The down-regulated expression of genes related to the GH/IGF axis may be responsible for the poor growth performance of Amur sturgeon under crowding stress.

Research Progress on Effects of Stocking Density on Performance, Health and Welfare of Duck

Stocking density is an important factor for animal production performance.It appears particularly urgent and important to research systematically on stocking density for the dual restriction of environmental protection and animal welfare.This review dealt with the influence of stocking density on ducks'productivity and health through production performance,animal behavior and animal welfare,and analyzed the possible mechanism of high stocking density reducing production performance,resulting in abnormal behavior and stress,causing welfare and health problems.We consider that it might be associated with heat stress,more spatial competition(to gather the food,drinking water,sports area,etc.),as well as the quality deterioration of litter and house air caused by high stocking density.Finally,we put forward some suggestions on the study of stocking density's effects on ducks,and proposed the future work that need to be studied and problems that need to be solved imminently.

Stocking density effects on growth and stress response of juvenile turbot(Scophthalmus maximus) reared in land-based recirculating aquaculture system

Stocking density is widely recognized as a critical factor in aquaculture and a potential source of long-term stress.The influence of stocking density on growth and stress response of juvenile turbot（Scophthalmus maximus, ~3–75g, initial to final weight） was examined in fish held under low（LD, ~0.21–5.31 kg/m^2, initial to final density）,medium（MD, ~0.42–10.81 kg/m^2） and high stocking density（HD, ~0.63–14.27 kg/m^2） for 120 days in a recirculating aquaculture system（RAS）. In this trial, the growth curve for weight of juvenile turbot in RAS, all fitted by the Schnute model. No significant difference was found in growth performance among the three densities until at the final sampling（Day 120）. The final weight and body weight increase（BWI） in the HD group were significantly lower than in other groups（P〈0.05, weight：（75.83±2.49） g,（75.39±2.08） g,（65.72±2.86） g and BWI：（2 436.12±28.10）%,（2 421.29±4.64）%,（2 097.88±20.99）% in LD, MD and HD groups, respectively）. Similarly, the specific growth rate（SGR）, feed conversion ratio（FCR） and coefficient of variation for weight（CV_w） were adversely affected by high stocking density（P〈0.05）. However, there was no difference in survival and Fulton＇s condition factor（K） of turbot among the different groups. Physiological analyses demonstrated a clear increase in the plasma cortisol level and an obvious decrease in growth hormone（GH） concentration in the HD group on Day120（P〈0.05）. There was no significant effect of stocking density on plasma glucose, Cl– and protein levels. All these findings would provide a reference for selecting the optimal stocking density of juvenile turbot in RAS.

Effects of Temperature,Salinity and Stocking Density on Larval Survival and Growth of Reciprocal Crosses Between Two Strains of Pacific Oysters,Crassostrea gigas

The Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas is one of the most widely cultivated aquaculture species and contributes signifi-cantly to total seafood production for human beings.However,mass mortality occurred frequently,and in some regions almost all oysters died during seed production and grow-out stage.In order to explore whether hybridization breeding can improve its growth and survival,a complete diallel cross between a selected strain‘Haida No.1’(S)and an orange shell variant(O)of C.gigas was carried out.The larval growth and survival were compared among hybrids and purebred strains at temperatures of 16,20,24,28 and 32℃;salinities of 15,20,25,30 and 35;and stocking densities of 0.5,1,2,4 and 8 larvae mL−1.Under different environments,the hybridization between two strains of C.gigas showed the heterosis of growth and survival.The mean shell height and survival rate of the two reciprocal crosses(OS,SO)were significantly higher than those of the two purebred strains(SS,OO)under all environ-mental conditions.In particular,OS showed greater heterosis than the purebred strains and SO progeny.The results showed that the productive traits of the‘Haida No.1’could be improved by crossing with the orange shell line.Meanwhile,the results from this study also indicated that hybridization between the two strains of C.gigas may be a promising way for breeding new variety with high survival rate.

Effects of feeding and stocking density on digestion of cultured Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L.

The combined effects of feeding rate(0.8%,1.0%,and 1.2%initial body weight/day),feeding frequency(two,three,and four times/day) and stocking density(10,15,and 20 kg/m3) in recirculating aquaculture systems(RAS) on growth performance,digestion and waste generation of Atlantic salmon(Salmo salar L.) were investigated in an 8-week orthogonal experiment(L9(3)3) with a constant daily water renewal at 7.50%of total volume.No mortality occurred during the experimental period.Feed conversion ratio(FCR) varied from 0.90 to 1.13 and specific growth rate(SGR) ranged from 0.48%to 0.69%/day.SGR,thermal growth coefficient(TGC) and FCR were not significantly(P>0.05) affected by the three factors,while net protein utilization(NPU) was significantly(P<0.05) affected.Apparent digestibility coefficients(ADC) of dry matter in the present study were in the range 66.12%-73.55%.ADC in protein,lipid and energy were statistically different among all treatments and in the range of 90.07%-93.67%,81.54%-89.15%,and67.55%-71.87%,respectively.The proportion of mean total ammonia nitrogen excreted ranged from 1.37%to 1.64%of feed nitrogen at steady state,and the concentration of nitrogenous and phosphorus compounds were differently correlated to the three factors.The results will provide valuable reference data for culture management decisions in the Atlantic salmon farming industry.

Turbot Scophthalmus maximus: stocking density on growth, pigmentation and feed conversion

Juvenile turbot （Scophthalmus maximus） the initial stock densities at 0.28, 0.87, 1.12, 1.16, 2.75 were reared in five different experiment groups in kg/m^2 respectively for the study of the density effect on growth, pigmentation and feed coefficient rate. The experiment lasted for 60 days with final stock densities at 1.91, 6.31, 8.86, 11.97, 17.67 kg/m^2 respectively. Result showed that, in the same experiment condition, the stocking density has a positive effect on growth in low density and negative in high density. The SGR （special growth rate） was 3.189, 3.304, 3.447, 3.341, and 3.087 respectively. The uniformity of weight distributing among experiment groups decreased with increasing density. The stocking density had positive effect on feed coefficient rate. Group 1 had the least feed coefficient rate 0.96, and highest at 1.25 in Group 5, the highest density group. High stocking density inhibited the growth and increased the feed coefficient rate. The stocking density had negative relationship to pigmentation improvement for whitened fish.

Effect of Alum-Amended Litter and Stocking Density on Ammonia Release and Footpad and Hock Dermatitis of Broilers

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of alum on ammonia emission,live performance,and health of broilers.In experiment 1,the effect of alum （0,2,and 4%） supplementation on the emission of ammonia was measured.The effects of alum-treated litter and stocking density （12,16,and 20 birds m-2） on the live performance and incidence of footpad and hock dermatitis were investigated in experiment 2.Alum supplementation in chicken excreta significantly decreased pH from 8.06 to 5.27 and 3.62 by 2 and 4% alum treatments,respectively.Ammonia emission rate was reduced 73.0 and 75.8% by 2 and 4% alum treatments,respectively.The suppressed litter urease activity was detected in 4% alum treatment.Alum-amended litter （1 kg m-2） decreased atmosphere ammonia concentrations by 30% in broiler house.Alum-amended litter maintained a lower pH until 35 d of age.Body weight （BW） gain was decreased by alum treatment in the period of 4-7 wk of age.Higher stocking density （20 birds m-2） increased BW gain in the first 3 wk of age but decreased BW gain during the period of 4-7 wk of age.Neither alum nor stocking density treatments had a significant effect on feed intake and feed efficiency.Alum-treated litter had no detrimental effect on the development of footpad and hock burns.In contrast,high stocking density （20 bird m-2） increased the incidence of footpad and hock lesion.The result suggests that the decreased litter pH and suppressed bacterial urease activity by alum treatment is responsible for the decreased ammonia emission.At high stocking density,the increased litter moisture content should be responsible,at least partially,for the development of footpad and hock lesions.

Effects of osmotic pressure, temperature and stocking density on survival and sexual reproduction of Craspedacusta sowerbii

The effects of osmotic pressure, temperature and stocking density on medusae survival of Craspedacusta sowerbii were examined. The medusae were shown to be sensitive to the variations of osmotic pressure. And the survival time was 〈90 h at 34 mOsm/L and it declined rapidly with rising osmotic pressure. The peak survival time of 〉200 h was recorded at 0.2 mOsm/L. Comparing with 27℃ and 32 ℃ treatments, 23 ℃ treatment yielded lower activities at a range of 8-13/min. However, there was a longer survival time. A non-linear relationship existed between survival time and stocking density. Lower density resulted in larger body size. And sexual reproduction resumed after breeding for 〉22 days. Newly-formed polyps and medusae appeared subsequently but only in the higher-density groups of 10, 14 and 18 ind./L. It suggested that the number of newly-formed polyps and medusae was highly dependent on stocking density. That is, a higher stocking density produced more organisms. However, newly-formed medusae died within one month and none grew a diameter of 〉5 mm.

Effects of Stocking Density on Water Quality,Growth and Economic Benefits of Chinese Softshelled Turtle Pelodiscus sinensis in Ponds

The Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis is a high-valued freshwater species cultured in China.This study investigated the effects of stocking density on water quality,growth performance and economic return of Pelodiscus sinensis cultured in ponds.P.sinensis were stocked at densities of 1 ind./m^2(LD:low stocking density) and 2 ind./m^2(HD:high stocking density) in 3 000-m^2 ponds,with three replicate ponds for each density.P.sinensis juveniles were fed with a commercial dry pellet feed of 46% crude protein and minced fillet of silver carp ans cultured for 122 days.The results showed that the levels of total nitrogen(TN),total phosphorous(TP),Chlorophyll-a(Chl.a) and turbidity in LD treatment were significantly lower than those in HD treatment(P<0.05).The mean TN and TP concentration in LD treatment was 29.3% and 35.7% lower compared to the HD treatment at the end of the experiment,respectively.Mean survival rates,final weight,average growth rates and PER were significantly higher in LD treatment compared with the HD treatment(P<0.05),respectively.Production was significantly affected by stocking density,which was higher in HD treatment,but the net income was higher in LD treatment.The results suggest that turtles with mean weight 55.6 g rearing at a low stocking density(1 ind./m^2) in ponds had a positive effect on overall economic return and was effective at improving turtle growth performance and water quality.

The Effect of Stocking Density on the Behaviour and Welfare Indexes of Broiler Chickens

The effect of three stocking densities, ranging from 30 to 44 kg product per m2 on the performance, behaviour and welfare indexes in broiler chicken was investigated. Scan sampling for comparative behavior in all groups was carried out at 2 min intervals during 2-20 min periods for five days each week. It was found that the most common behaviour in all densities was lying （resting）, lying and standing behaviour was tended to increase in H than L group of all experimental period. Pecking behaviour was not constantly changed by stocking density. Locomotion was not only reduced with increasing age but increase stocking density of all experimental period and all groups. Body weight gain and feed efficient were, tend to increase in L than H group of 2 to 3 weeks ages, higher in L than H group （P 〈 0.05） of 4 to 5 weeks ages and all experimental period. Other behaviours （dustbathing, preening, eating or drinking） were not influenced （P 〉 0.05） by stocking density. It seems that gait, foot pad and hock burn score were improved in L than H group of 35 days age （P 〈 0.05）. The claw length of 21 days age was not affected by stocking density, but it was significantly different by stocking density of 35 days age （P 〈 0.05）. The duration of tonic immobility （TI-reaction） was tended to decreased age of 21 than 35 days, but not effected by stocking density. These data indicate that stocking density can influence broiler behaviour and welfare indexes.

Evaluating a Three-Fold Continuum of Fry Stocking Density for Rearing Walleye in Lined Ponds

Fry stocking density can affect harvest metrics for fingerling walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) reared in drainable ponds, but few studies have examined these relationships with the use of elevated walleye fry stocking densities in lined ponds. Correlation and regression analyses were used to assess how a three-fold change in walleye fry stocking density (234,375 to 703,125 per hectare) relates to harvest metrics and length of the culture period, as well as the tradeoff experienced between walleye size (grams) and harvest density in 0.32-hectare lined ponds over a nine-year period at Blue Dog State Fish Hatchery, South Dakota. As fry stocking density increased, so did harvest metrics for both number (r = 0.85, P < 0.01) and yield (r = 0.81, P < 0.01). Length of the culture period varied between 24 and 35 days and was negatively related to stocking density (r = -0.66, P The linear relationship between harvest density and yield was highly correlated (r = 0.95, P < 0.01) with highest values measuring 617,625 walleye and 173 kilograms per hectare. Harvest density explained 61% of the variation in walleye size (P 0.01) and exhibited a decreasing curvilinear relationship such that continued increases in harvest density resulted in smaller reductions in fish size. Increasing fry stocking density from 234,375 to 703,125 per hectare in lined ponds coincided with increased rearing efficiencies for number and yield, as well as a reduced culture period. Minimal reduction in walleye size occurred once harvest density exceeded 300,000 per hectare.

Effects of stocking density on growth performance, blood parameters and immunity of growing pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different stocking densities on growth performance,blood parameters,intestinal morphology and intestinal immunity of growing pigs.A total of288 male pigs(44.35±0.50 kg)were randomly assigned to groups with stocking densities of 2.46,1.23 and 0.82 m2/pig for a month.The results showed that there was no significant difference on growth performance among groups.Pigs in the stocking density of 0.82 m2/pig had the lowest backfat thickness and spleen weight index among groups(P<0.05).With increasing stocking density,the serum concentrations of blood urea nitrogen(BUN),transglutaminase(TGG),alkaline phosphatase(AKP)and immunoglobulin A(Ig A)were increased,and albumin(ALB),albumin-to-globulin ratio(ALB:GLO),insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1)and immunoglobulin(Ig M)were decreased(P<0.05),and cortisol tended to increase and glucose tended to decrease(0.05<P<0.1).Compared with the stocking density of 2.46 m2/pig,the ileal villus height and jejunal villus width decreased in stocking densities of 1.23 and 0.82 m2/pig(P<0.05).The duodenal villus height and ileal villus width in the stocking density of 0.82 m2/pig were the lowest among 3 groups(P<0.05).The content of immunoglobulin A in duodenum,jejunum and ileum mucosa increased along with increasing density(P<0.05).The contents of interleukin(IL)-2 in the spleen or liver and IL-10 in the spleen were higher in the stocking density of 0.82 m2/pig than in other 2 groups.These results showed that stocking density could affect the metabolism,intestinal morphology,and immunity of growing pigs and 1.23 m2/pig may be the suitable stocking density for the growing pigs in the present study.

Role of dietary gamma-aminobutyric acid in broiler chickens raised under high stocking density

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)in broiler chickens raised in high stocking density(HSD)on performance and physiological responses.A total of 900 male broiler chicks(Ross 308)at 1 d old were assigned in a 2×2 factorial arrangement to 4 treatments(10 replicates per treatment)with stocking density,7.5 birds/m^2(low stocking density;LSD)or 15 birds/m^2(HSD),and dietary GABA,0 or 100 mg/kg.Chickens raised in HSD exhibited a decrease in body weight gain in all phases(P<0.05)and feed intake in starter and whole phases(P<0.01),and an increase in feed conversion ratio in the finisher phase(P<0.01)compared with LSD-raised chickens.However,dietary GABA did not affect growth performance nor interacted with stocking density on production variables.The HSD vs.LSD increased relative liver weight on d 35 whereas dietary GABA increased relative liver weight and decreased relative bursa weight on d 21.Both stocking density and dietary GABA affected yield and quality of breast and leg muscles.Dietary GABA increased(P<0.05)width of tibia on d 35 and interacted(P=0.054)with stocking density on breaking stocking density on d 35.The HSD vs.LSD group lowered(P<0.05)feather coverage scores.Significant interaction between stocking density and GABA on surface temperature of shank on d 21 was noted(P=0.024).Dietary GABA exhibited an opposite effect on the concentrations of cecal short-chain fatty acids depending on stocking density leading to a moderate to significant interaction.Stocking density decreased alpha-1-acid glycoprotein whereas dietary GABA decreased heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and corticosterone in blood or serum samples.Serum biochemical parameters were altered by stocking density or dietary GABA.It is concluded that dietary GABA alleviated stress indices including corticosterone and heterophilto-lymphocyte ratio,but failed to reverse stocking density-induced growth depression.

Effect of stocking density on growth performance of monosex Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in the aquaponic system integrated with lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

Aquaponics is a fish-plant recirculating system where nutrients received from the fish culture are absorbed by the plants for growth.The technology is relatively new for fish culture in Kenya,and the principles and operations remain largely untested for many fish species.This study determined how stocking density affects the growth performance and water quality in a Nile tilapia-lettuce(Lactuca sativa)aquaponics system.The experimental design included five replicates for each of the aquaponic systems stocked at densities of 150,300,and 450 fish/m^(3) for a rearing period of 56 days.Each treatment had a planting density of 16 lettuce/m2.The water quality parameters ranges during the rearing period were 3.83-5.35 mg/L for dissolved oxygen,7.44 to 7.6 for pH,0.014 mg/L to 0.032 mg/L for total ammonium nitrate(TAN),1.11-1.34 mg/L for nitrate,and 0.01-0.08 mg/L for nitrite,and all decreased with increasing stocking density.The final weight of fingerlings was 25.2±4.2 g,32.0±3.8 g and 42.6±3.1 g for 450,300,and 150 fish/m^(3) respectively.Specific growth rate(SGR)was reduced with increasing stocking density whereas food conversion ratio(FCR)increased with stocking density.Aquaponic systems with the lowest stocking densities performed better than 300 and 450 fish/m^(3) respectively.