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Comparative Animal Nutrition and Metabolism

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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2024 | Viewed by 21337

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sylwia Szymańczyk

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Guest Editor

Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka St. 12, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Interests: growth and development; neonates; intestinal maturation; feed additives; gastrointestinal physiology; animal physiology

Dr. Marek Bienko

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Guest Editor

Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, ‎Akademicka St. 12, 20-950 Lublin, Poland‎
Interests: bone physiology; animal physiology; densitometry; toxicology; biomechanics; environmental ‎threats
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Radosław P. Radzki

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Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, ‎Akademicka St. 12, 20-950 Lublin, Poland‎
Interests: animal physiology; bone physiology; computed tomography; endocrinology; biomechanics; oxidative ‎stress; obesity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Animal nutrition is critically important for their health, growth, and development. The regulation of nutrition processes directly affects the functions of tissues and organs, contributing to changes in their molecular and cellular metabolism. The scientific advancements and innovative paradigms in the field of nutritional and metabolic adaptation in animals have created new challenges that require collaboration of scientists from the fields of biochemistry, physiology, endocrinology, immunology, microbiology, and pathology.

The areas of interest of our Special Issue encompass studies on the processes of providing and obtaining food, digestion and absorption of nutrients in metabolic terms in both domestic and wild animals, as well as nutrition in the context of counteracting diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, bone disease and neurodegenerative changes. We are highly interested in manuscripts regarding the interaction of nutrients with genes and gastrointestinal microflora. Moreover, in the Special Issue, we would like to include the recent news on a comparative approach in nutrient digestion, metabolism, with particular attention given to nutritional and metabolic idiosyncrasies among species.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome.

Dr. Sylwia Szymańczyk
Dr. Marek Bienko
Prof. Dr. Radosław P. Radzki
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

nutrition
gut
species differences
organ structure and function
microbiota
metabolic syndrome
hormonal factors
metabolism and development

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 6461 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of High Energy Low Protein Diet on Lipid Metabolism and Inflammation in the Liver and Abdominal Adipose Tissue of Laying Hens

by Xiaxia Du, Yinuo Wang, Felix Kwame Amevor, Zifan Ning, Xun Deng, Youhao Wu, Shuo Wei, Xueqing Cao, Dan Xu, Yaofu Tian, Lin Ye, Gang Shu and Xiaoling Zhao

Animals 2024, 14(8), 1199; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani14081199 - 17 Apr 2024

Viewed by 374

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a high-energy low-protein (HELP) diet on lipid metabolism and inflammation in the liver and abdominal adipose tissue (AAT) of laying hens. A total of 200 Roman laying hens (120 days old) were randomly divided into two experimental groups: negative control group (NC group) and HELP group, with 100 hens per group. The chickens in the NC group were fed with a basic diet, whereas those in the HELP group were given a HELP diet. Blood, liver, and AAT samples were collected from 20 chickens per group at each experimental time point (30, 60, and 90 d). The morphological and histological changes in the liver and AAT were observed, and the level of serum biochemical indicators and the relative expression abundance of key related genes were determined. The results showed that on day 90, the chickens in the HELP group developed hepatic steatosis and inflammation. However, the diameter of the adipocytes of AAT in the HELP group was significantly larger than that of the NC group. Furthermore, the results showed that the extension of the feeding time significantly increased the lipid contents, lipid deposition, inflammatory parameters, and peroxide levels in the HELP group compared with the NC group, whereas the antioxidant parameters decreased significantly. The mRNA expression levels of genes related to lipid synthesis such as fatty acid synthase (FASN), stearoyl-coA desaturase (SCD), fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) increased significantly in the liver and AAT of the HELP group, whereas genes related to lipid catabolism decreased significantly in the liver. In addition, the expression of genes related to lipid transport and adipokine synthesis decreased significantly in the AAT, whereas in the HELP group, the expression levels of pro-inflammatory parameters such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) increased significantly in the liver and AAT. Conversely, the expression level of the anti-inflammatory parameter interleukin-10 (IL-10) decreased significantly in the liver. The results indicated that the HELP diet induced lipid peroxidation and inflammation in the liver and AAT of the laying hens. Hence, these results suggest that chicken AAT may be involved in the development of fatty liver. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Animal Nutrition and Metabolism)

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17 pages, 1936 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Characterization of Pastures by Grazing Cycle and Evaluation of Supplementation with Agro-Industry Co-Products on the Performance of Buffaloes in the Humid Tropics

by Kelly Cavalcanti Conor de Oliveira, Cristian Faturi, Alexandre Rossetto Garcia, Maria Regina Sarkis Peixoto Joele, Benjamin de Souza Nahúm, Welligton Conceição da Silva, Thomaz Cyro Guimarães de Carvalho Rodrigues, Éder Bruno Rebelo da Silva and José de Brito Lourenço-Júnior

Animals 2024, 14(6), 879; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani14060879 - 13 Mar 2024

Viewed by 560

Abstract

The objective was to characterize the pastures by grazing cycle, as well as to evaluate the performance of buffaloes in intensive rotational grazing in a silvopastoral system in the eastern Amazon supplemented with agro-industry co-products in order to characterize the grazing cycles, the composition of the fractions, and the carcass yield. Fifteen non-castrated, crossbred water buffaloes (Murrah × Mediterranean) were used. All animals used in the study were clinically healthy and weighed approximately 458 kg. The animals were grazed in a single group, and supplementation (1% of live weight—LW/day) was divided into three treatments: control (control—conventional ingredients); Cocos nucifera coconut cake (Cocos nucifera) (coconut cake—70%); and palm kernel cake (Guinean elaeis) (palm kernel cake—70% palm kernel cake). The chemical composition of the forage is different in each part of the plant, with higher protein values in the leaves (11.40%) and higher acid detergent fiber (ADF) values in the stems (50.03%). Among the ingredients of the supplement, corn has the highest percentage of indigestible protein (35.57%), most of the protein in palm kernel cake is B3 (49.11%), and in Coco, B2 (51.52%). Mombasa grass has a higher percentage of B3 and B2 proteins; the indigestible fraction is lower in the leaves (17.16%). The leaf/stem ratio also varied between grazing cycles, being better in the second cycle (2.11%) and with an overall average of 1.71. Supplement consumption varied between cycles and was higher in the control treatment, with an overall mean of 4.74. There was no difference in daily weight gain and carcass yield, with an average of 1 kg/day and 49.23%, respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that including supplements based on by-products from the coconut and palm oil agro-industries promotes performance and carcass yields compatible with conventional supplements. Their use reduces production costs, optimizes the utilization of forage mass, enhances the sustainability of the production chain, and, therefore, is recommended. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Animal Nutrition and Metabolism)

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23 pages, 5798 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating the Impact of Varied Dietary Protein Levels on Litopenaeus vannamei: An Exploration of the Intestinal Microbiota and Transcriptome Responses

by Gongyu Li, Hang Yuan, Zhibin Fu, Xinghui Luo, Zhihao Xue and Shuang Zhang

Animals 2024, 14(3), 372; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani14030372 - 24 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1228

Abstract

This study explored the effects of dietary protein levels on Litopenaeus vannamei with its intestinal microbiota and transcriptome responses. Previous studies on the effects of dietary protein levels on L. vannamei have focused on growth performance, antioxidant indices, and digestive enzyme activity, but few studies have been conducted at the microbiological and molecular levels. In this study, five isolipid experimental diets with protein levels of 32% (P32), 36% (P36), 40% (P40), 44% (P44), and 48% (P48) were used in an L. vannamei (0.63 ± 0.02 g) feeding trial for 56 days. At the end of the feeding trial, the growth performance, immunity, intestinal health, and transcriptional responses of L. vannamei were determined. This study demonstrated that higher protein levels (P44) led to superior weight gain and growth rates for L. vannamei, with lower feed conversion ratios (FCR) observed in the P48 and P44 groups compared to the P32 and P36 groups (p ≤ 0.05). The P44 and P48 groups also showed a notably higher protein efficiency ratio (PER) compared to others (p ≤ 0.05), and there was no significant difference between them. Upon Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection, the P48 group exhibited a significantly lower survival rate (SR) within 48 h, while during 72 h of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection, the P44 group had a notably higher survival rate than the P32 group (p ≤ 0.05). Digestive enzyme activity and antioxidant levels in L. vannamei initially increased and then decreased as protein levels increased, usually peaking in the P40 or P44 groups. Lower dietary protein levels significantly reduced the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria and increased the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines of L. vannamei. Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that most differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were up-regulated and then down-regulated as dietary protein levels increased. Furthermore, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that several immune and metabolic pathways, including metabolic pathways, glutathione metabolism, cytochrome P450, and lysosome and pancreatic secretion, were significantly enriched. In summary, the optimal feed protein level for L. vannamei shrimp was 40–44%. Inappropriate feed protein levels reduced antioxidant levels and digestive enzyme activity and promoted pathogen settlement, deceasing factors in various metabolic pathways that respond to microorganisms through transcriptional regulation. This could lead to stunted growth in L. vannamei and compromise their immune function. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Animal Nutrition and Metabolism)

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13 pages, 869 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Glucose Levels on Inflammation and Amino Acid Utilization in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells

by Han Song, Zhiqi Lu, Kang Zhan, Osmond Datsomor, Xiaoyu Ma, Tianyu Yang, Yuhang Chen, Maocheng Jiang and Guoqi Zhao

Animals 2023, 13(22), 3494; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani13223494 - 13 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1133

Abstract

Glucose and amino acids are important sources of nutrients in the synthetic milk of dairy cows, and understanding the fate of amino acids is essential to optimize the utilization of amino acids in milk protein synthesis, thereby reducing nutrient inefficiencies during lactation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of LPS and different concentrations of glucose on (1) the expression of inflammatory factors and genes, (2) the glucose metabolism, and (3) amino acid utilization in BMECs. The results showed that there was an interaction (LPS × glucose, p < 0.05) between LPS and glucose content in the inflammatory cytokine genes (IL-6 and TNF-α) and the inflammatory regulatory genes (CXCL2, CXCL8, and CCL5). With the addition of LPS, the HG + LPS group caused downregulated (p < 0.05) expression of IL-6 and TNF-α, compared with the LG + LPS group. Interestingly, compared with the LG + LPS group, the HG + LPS group upregulated (p < 0.05) the expression of CXCL2, CXCL8, and CCL5. LPS supplementation increased (p = 0.056) the consumption of glucose and GLUT1 gene expression (p < 0.05) and tended to increase (p = 0.084) the LDHA gene expression of BMECs under conditions of different concentrations of glucose culture. High glucose content increased (p < 0.001) the consumption of glucose and enhanced (p < 0.05) the GLUT1, HK1, HK2, and LDHA gene expression of BMECs with or without LPS incubation, and there was an interaction (LPS × glucose, p < 0.05) between LPS and glucose concentrations in GLUT1 gene expression. In this study, LPS enhanced (p < 0.05) the consumption of amino acids such as tryptophan, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, valine, histidine, and glutamate, while high levels of glucose decreased (p < 0.01) consumption, except in the case of tyrosine. For histidine, leucine, isoleucine, and valine consumption, there was an interaction (LPS × glucose, p < 0.05) between LPS and glucose levels. Overall, these findings suggest that relatively high glucose concentrations may lessen the LPS-induced BMEC inflammatory response and reduce amino acid consumption, while low glucose concentrations may increase the demand for most amino acids through proinflammatory responses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Animal Nutrition and Metabolism)

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9 pages, 945 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Differences in Faecal Nutritional Components in Three Species of Saharan Gazelles on Standard Diets in Relation to Species, Age and Sex

by Stipan Čupić, Jorge Cassinello, Tomáš Kušta and Francisco Ceacero

Animals 2023, 13(21), 3408; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani13213408 - 02 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1053

Abstract

Various environmental, individual, and species-specific factors may affect digestive efficiency in wild ruminants. The study of faecal nutritional components is a commonly used technique to understand these effects, assuming that faecal nitrogen and fibre contents reflect the diet’s nutritional quality and digestibility. Recent studies have highlighted the relatively high influence of factors like sex, age, weight or body condition on digestive efficiency. This manuscript is focused on the inter-specific variability in faecal nutritional components under the same feeding regime, using three captive populations of closely related gazelles as model species. Faecal samples from 193 individuals were analysed through Near InfraRed Spectroscopy. Species, sex and age influence on faecal nitrogen and fibres (ADF and NDF) were investigated. We found inter-specific differences in the faecal content of the three studied nutritional components. Cuvier’s gazelle showed lower faecal nitrogen content, suggesting lower digestive efficiency than dorcas and dama gazelles. Sex and age also had a moderate effect, especially in faecal nitrogen, but these effects were not constant across the three studied species. On the contrary, faecal fibres were highly constant (i.e., dependent on diet quality). These results confirm that individual factors affecting faecal nutritional components are also species-specific. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Animal Nutrition and Metabolism)

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23 pages, 4429 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Supplementation with R-(+)-Limonene Improves Growth, Metabolism, Stress, and Antioxidant Responses of Silver Catfish Uninfected and Infected with Aeromonas hydrophila

by Elisia Gomes Da Silva, Isabela Andres Finamor, Caroline Azzolin Bressan, William Schoenau, Marina De Souza Vencato, Maria Amália Pavanato, Juliana Felipetto Cargnelutti, Sílvio Teixeira Da Costa, Alfredo Quites Antoniazzi and Bernardo Baldisserotto

Animals 2023, 13(21), 3307; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani13213307 - 24 Oct 2023

Viewed by 926

Abstract

R-(+)-limonene is a monoterpene from plants of the genus Citrus with diverse biological properties. This research evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with R-(+)-limonene on growth, metabolic parameters in plasma and liver, and the antioxidant and stress responses in silver catfish, Rhamdia quelen, challenged or not with Aeromonas hydrophila. Fish were fed for 67 days with different doses of R-(+)-limonene in the diet (control 0.0, L0.5, L1.0, and L2.0 mL/kg of diet). On the 60th day, a challenge with A. hydrophila was performed. R-(+)-limonene in the diet potentiated the productive performance of the fish. The metabolic and antioxidant responses indicate that R-(+)-limonene did not harm the health of the animals and made them more resistant to the bacterial challenge. Histological findings showed the hepatoprotective effect of dietary R-(+)-limonene against A. hydrophila. Igf1 mRNA levels were upregulated in the liver of fish fed with an L2.0 diet but downregulated with bacterial challenge. The expression levels of crh mRNA were higher in the brains of fish fed with the L2.0 diet. However, the L2.0 diet downregulated crh and hspa12a mRNA expression in the brains of infected fish. In conclusion, the results indicated that R-(+)-limonene can be considered a good dietary supplement for silver catfish. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Animal Nutrition and Metabolism)

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15 pages, 1167 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Different Proteases on Protein Digestion In Vitro and In Vivo and Growth Performance of Broilers Fed Corn–Soybean Meal Diets

by Mengli Zheng, Yan Bai, Yingxia Sun, Jing An, Qinghua Chen and Tieying Zhang

Animals 2023, 13(11), 1746; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani13111746 - 25 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2077

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different proteases alone or in combination on protein digestibility of broilers. In vitro, the properties of four proteases in broilers, including acidic protease (AcP), alkaline protease (AlP), neutral protease (NeP) and keratinase (Ker), on endogenous protease activity and their effects on protein digestibility of common ingredients in broiler diets were investigated using a gut-mimicking model. In vivo, 640 1-day-old male broilers were randomly divided into 8 groups of 10 with 8 replicates of 10 birds per replicate cage. Eight dietary treatments included a corn–soybean meal basal diet (control), and the basal diet with 1.6 U AcP/g, 0.8 U NeP/g, 0.8 U AlP/g, 0.4 U Ker/g, 1.6 U AcP/g + 0.8 U NeP/g, 1.6 U AcP/g + 0.8 U AlP/g, or 1.6 U AcP/g + 0.4 U Ker/g added. The experiment lasted for 31 days. The results showed that the optimum pH values of AcP, NeP, AlP and Ker were 3.0, 9.0, 11.0 and 11.0 in vitro, respectively. Ker recovery proportion was 37.68% at pH 3.3–6.2. AcP alone or in combination with NeP, AlP or Ker increased in vitro crude protein digestibility (IVCPD) and decreased ileal apparent digestibility of crude protein in 31-day-old broilers (p < 0.05). All protease supplementation reduced the ileal apparent digestibility of amino acids compared to the control (p < 0.05). Acidic protease had a positive effect on trypsin and chymotrypsin activities, while AlP and Ker showed a negative effect. In vivo, average daily gain and average daily feed intake were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in broiler diets supplemented with AcP compared to the control group. When adding exogenous proteases to broiler diets, their sensitivity to digestive pH and their negative effects on endogenous protease activity, dosage and combination effects should be taken into account. In addition, the properties and dosage of proteases and the protein level in the feed should be considered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Animal Nutrition and Metabolism)

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19 pages, 624 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Double-Fermented Soybean Meal Totally Replaces Soybean Meal in Broiler Rations with Favorable Impact on Performance, Digestibility, Amino Acids Transporters and Meat Nutritional Value

by Sherief M. Abdel-Raheem, El Said Yehia Mohammed, Rania Elsaid Mahmoud, Mahmoud Fathy El Gamal, Hend S. Nada, Waleed Rizk El-Ghareeb, Mohamed Marzok, Ahmed M. A. Meligy, Mohamad Abdulmohsen, Hesham Ismail, Doaa Ibrahim and Asmaa T. Y. Kishawy

Animals 2023, 13(6), 1030; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani13061030 - 11 Mar 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2597

Abstract

Inclusion of microbial fermented soybean meal in broiler feed has induced advantageous outcomes for their performance and gastrointestinal health via exhibiting probiotic effects. In this study, soybean meal (SBM) was subjected to double-stage microbial fermentation utilizing functional metabolites of fungi and bacteria. In broiler diet, DFSBM replaced SBM by 0, 25, 50 and 100%. DFSBM was reported to have higher protein content and total essential, nonessential and free amino acids (increased by 3.67%, 12.81%, 10.10% and 5.88-fold, respectively, compared to SBM). Notably, phytase activity and lactic acid bacteria increased, while fiber, lipid and trypsin inhibitor contents were decreased by 14.05%, 38.24% and 72.80%, respectively, in a diet containing 100% DFSBM, compared to SBM. Improved growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility, including phosphorus and calcium, and pancreatic digestive enzyme activities were observed in groups fed higher DFSBM levels. In addition, higher inclusion levels of DFSBM increased blood immune response (IgG, IgM, nitric oxide and lysozyme levels) and liver antioxidant status. Jejunal amino acids- and peptide transporter-encoding genes (LAT1, CAT-1, CAT-2, PepT-1 and PepT-2) were upregulated with increasing levels of DFSBM in the ration. Breast muscle crude protein, calcium and phosphorus retention were increased, especially at higher inclusion levels of DFSBM. Coliform bacteria load was significantly reduced, while lactic acid bacteria count in broiler intestines was increased with higher dietary levels of DFSBM. In conclusion, replacement of SBM with DFSBM positively impacted broiler chicken feed utilization and boosted chickens’ amino acid transportation, in addition to improving the nutritional value of their breast meat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Animal Nutrition and Metabolism)

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13 pages, 1042 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rumen-Protected Lysine and Methionine Supplementation Reduced Protein Requirement of Holstein Bulls by Altering Nitrogen Metabolism in Liver

by Songyan Zou, Shoukun Ji, Hongjian Xu, Mingya Wang, Beibei Li, Yizhao Shen, Yan Li, Yanxia Gao, Jianguo Li, Yufeng Cao and Qiufeng Li

Animals 2023, 13(5), 843; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani13050843 - 25 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1669

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low-protein diets supplemented with rumen-protected lysine (RPLys) and methionine (RPMet) on growth performance, rumen fermentation, blood biochemical parameters, nitrogen metabolism, and gene expression related to N metabolism in the liver of Holstein bulls. Thirty-six healthy and disease-free Holstein bulls with a similar body weight (BW) (424 ± 15 kg, 13 months old) were selected. According to their BW, they were randomly divided into three groups with 12 bulls in each group in a completely randomized design. The control group (D1) was fed with a high-protein basal diet (CP13%), while bulls in two low-protein groups were supplied a diet with 11% crude protein and RPLys 34 g/d·head + RPMet 2 g/d·head (low protein with low RPAA, T2) or RPLys 55 g/d·head + RPMet 9 g/d·head (low protein with high RPAA, T3). At the end of the experiment, the feces and urine of dairy bulls were collected for three consecutive days. Blood and rumen fluid were collected before morning feeding, and liver samples were collected after slaughtering. The results showed that the average daily gain (ADG) of bulls in the T3 group was higher than those in D1 (p < 0.05). Compared with D1, a significantly higher nitrogen utilization rate (p < 0.05) and serum IGF-1 content (p < 0.05) were observed in both T2 and T3 groups; however, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) content was significantly lower in the T2 and T3 groups (p < 0.05). The content of acetic acid in the rumen of the T3 group was significantly higher than that of the D1 group. No significant differences were observed among the different groups (p > 0.05) in relation to the alpha diversity. Compared with D1, the relative abundance of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group in T3 was higher (p < 0.05), while that of Prevotellaceae _YAB2003_group and Succinivibrio were lower (p < 0.05). Compared with D1 and T2 group, the T3 group showed an expression of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) that is associated with (CPS-1, ASS1, OTC, ARG) and (N-AGS, S6K1, eIF4B, mTORC1) in liver; moreover, the T3 group was significantly enhanced (p < 0.05). Overall, our results indicated that low dietary protein (11%) levels added with RPAA (RPLys 55 g/d +RPMet 9 g/d) can benefit the growth performance of Holstein bulls by reducing nitrogen excretion and enhancing nitrogen efficiency in the liver. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Animal Nutrition and Metabolism)

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15 pages, 810 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of an Innovative Zn Source on Feed Efficiency, Growth Performance, Skin and Bone Quality of Broilers Suffering Heat Stress

by Mojtaba Zaghari, Hossein Mehrvarz, Hosna Hajati and Hossein Moravej

Animals 2022, 12(23), 3272; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12233272 - 24 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1538

Abstract

One thousand two hundred male broilers were used to evaluate the effect of different dosages of HiZox^® on feed efficiency, growth performance and bone quality of broilers suffering from heat stress. A completely randomized design was used, with four treatments and ten replicates. Basal corn–soybean meal diets supplemented with 75, 100 and 125 mg/kg zinc from HiZox and 100 mg/kg zinc from regular ZnO were used to make four treatments. Heat stress was induced after the third week by keeping house temperature between 28–34 °C, from 1 pm until 5 pm. The body weights of the birds that received the diet supplemented with HiZox or ZnO showed no significant difference at 7 and 14 days. Body weight of heat stressed birds fed diets containing different levels of HiZox or ZnO were not different at 28 and 42 days of age. In comparison to the Ross 308 management guide, induced heat stress diminished body weight and feed intake by approximately 17 and 21%, respectively. At 28 days, chickens who received 125 mg/kg Zn from Hizox had better feed efficiency (p < 0.05). The mortality rate of heat-stressed male broiler chickens who received different dosages of HiZox was 2.85% less than that of the regular ZnO group (p < 0.06). The results showed that addition of HiZox to the diet of male broiler under heat stress doubled the skin resistance during feather plucking in the slaughter plant and improved carcass quality (p < 0.07). Tibia breaking strength, included elongation and extension were improved by consumption of a diet supplemented with 75 mg HiZox/kg (p < 0.09). The HiZox-75 fed broilers required higher amounts of energy (MJ) for tibia breaking at break and peak points at 42 days (p < 0.09; p < 0.07). Jejunum Zn concentrations reflected the quantity of ingested Zn (p < 0.0001). Gizzard Zn solubility was dependent on dietary treatment (p < 0.03). Solubility of Zn in the gizzard of chickens who received HiZox was higher (about 30%) than broilers fed regular ZnO. In conclusion, Zn from HiZox was more efficient in decreasing heat stress mortality, increasing skin resistance and bone breaking strength compared to a regular ZnO source. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Animal Nutrition and Metabolism)

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11 pages, 947 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Thyme and Oregano Essential Oils Dietary Supplementation on Broiler Health, Growth Performance, and Prevalence of Growth-Related Breast Muscle Abnormalities

by Ahmed Zaazaa, Samer Mudalal, Ibrahim Alzuheir, Maen Samara, Nasr Jalboush, Adnan Fayyad and Massimiliano Petracci

Animals 2022, 12(21), 3065; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12213065 - 07 Nov 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2902

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of thyme and oregano essential oils (as growth promotors), individually and in combination, on the health, growth performance, and prevalence of muscle abnormalities in broiler chickens. Six hundred day-old Cobb 500 hybrid chickens were randomized into four dietary treatment groups with three replicates each. Chicks in the control group (C) received a basal diet, while the experimental treatment groups received basal diets containing 350 mg/kg of thyme oil (T1), 350 mg/kg of oregano oil (T2), and 350 mg/kg of thyme and oregano oil (T3). Growth performance parameters were evaluated at 14, 28, and 42 days. The broilers in treatments T1 and T2 had significantly higher body weights than the control group. The feed conversion ratio was the lowest in chicks who received oregano oil, followed by those fed thyme oil. The overall prevalence of growth-related breast muscle abnormalities (including white striping and white striping combined with wooden breast) in groups receiving essential oils (T1, T2, and T3) was significantly higher than in the control group (C). The thyme and oregano oil diets showed no significant differences in antibody titers against Newcastle disease or interferon-γ (INF-γ) serum levels. In conclusion, thyme and oregano oils had a positive impact on the growth performance of broiler chickens but increased the incidence of growth-related breast muscle abnormalities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Animal Nutrition and Metabolism)

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12 pages, 3784 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Bile Salts and Pancreatin on Dog Food during Static In Vitro Simulation to Mimic In Vivo Digestion

by Kangmin Seo, Hyun-Woo Cho, Jung-Hwan Jeon, Chan Ho Kim, Sejin Lim, Sohee Jeong, Kihyun Kim and Ju Lan Chun

Animals 2022, 12(20), 2734; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12202734 - 11 Oct 2022

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Abstract

The addition of pancreatin and bile salts in different concentrations during in vitro digestion causes changes in the digestibility of crude protein (CP), fat, and dry matter (DM). The effects of bile salts and pancreatin on the digestibility of ether extract (EE), CP, and DM in developing a static in vitro digestion model for dogs were assessed using different concentrations of pancreatin (0, 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 g/L digestive solution) and bile salts (0, 2.5, 6.25, 12.5, and 25 g/L digestive solution). The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. Digestibility of EE increased with the addition of bile salts (p < 0.05), whereas that of CP decreased with ≤0.25 g (1.0 g/L digestive solution) pancreatin. The digestibility of DM decreased significantly in all groups supplemented with ≥3.125 g (12.5 g/L digestive solution) bile salts and 0.25–2.5 g (1–10 g/L digestive solution) pancreatin and was the lowest with 6.25 g (25 g/L digestive solution) of bile salts (p < 0.05). These findings could facilitate the development of effective static in vitro digestion models for dogs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Animal Nutrition and Metabolism)

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Evaluation of High Doses of Phytase in a Low-Phosphorus Diet in Comparison to a Phytate-Free Diet on Performance, Apparent Ileal Digestibility of Nutrients, Bone Mineralization, Intestinal Morphology, and Immune Traits in 21-Day-Old Broiler Chickens

by Beatriz Martínez-Vallespín, Klaus Männer, Peter Ader and Jürgen Zentek

Animals 2022, 12(15), 1955; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12151955 - 02 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1870

Abstract

The supplementation of feed with phytases enables broilers to utilize more efficiently phosphorus (P) from phytic acid (IP₆), the main storage form of P in plants. The current study evaluated the addition of 500, 1000, and 3000 FTU of phytase per kg to a phytate-containing diet with low P level (LP) fed to broilers from 1 to 21 days of age and compared it to a hypoallergenic phytate-free diet (HPF). There was a linear improvement in performance parameters with increasing levels of phytase in the LP diet (p < 0.001). Apparent ileal digestibility of crude protein, P, and some amino acids, increased with phytase. Crude ash, P, and the calcium content of tibia bones linearly increased with increasing levels of phytase (p < 0.001). Crypt depth (related to body weight) in the jejunum epithelium linearly decreased with phytase addition (p < 0.001). Cecal crypt depth decreased with phytase supplementation (p = 0.002). Cecum tissue showed lower counts of CD3-positive intraepithelial lymphocytes in broilers receiving the phytase in comparison to LP (p < 0.001), achieving similar counts to HPF-fed broilers. Although results from the current study seem to point out some mechanisms related to the immune response and mucosal morphology contributing to those overall beneficial effects, no clear differences between different phytase doses could be demonstrated in these specific parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Animal Nutrition and Metabolism)

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