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Growth Promoters Used in Animal Feed: Minimizing Their Presence in Animal’s Production Systems and Environment

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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: closed (31 March 2022) | Viewed by 21275

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Marta I. Miranda Castañón

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Guest Editor

Departamento de Anatomía, Producción Animal y Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus Terra, Lugo, Spain
Interests: cattle; toxic and trace elements; organic farming; conventional farming; cattle medicine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez

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Guest Editor

School of Agriculture, Policy and Development. University of Reading, UK
Interests: quality of dairy products and sensory analysis; processing and preservation of animal-origin products
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Manuel Gonzalez-Ronquillo

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Guest Editor

Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Instituto Literario 100, Toluca 50000, CP, Mexico
Interests: small ruminants; microbial crude protein; dairy science; curve lactation; animal nutrition; meta-analyses
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Exogenous enzymes, probiotics or plant extracts supplemented in animal diets is an alternative that replaces the use of antibiotics and synthetic growth promoters and that improves the productive performance of the livestock production, at a lower production cost. The use of these alternatives in animal’s diets create profitability in food with environmental, economic sustainability and human health.

Specific themes contribute:

Antimicrobial Growth Promoters used in Animal Feed;
Antibiotic and growth promoter’s regulation: Minimizing environmental and health effects;
Feed alternatives as growth promoters in animal feeding (i.e. enzymes, probiotics, secondary compounds, plant extracts, seaweeds).

Prof. Marta I. Miranda Castañón
Dr. Einar Vargas-Bello Perez
Dr. Manuel Gonzalez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

Enzymes
Plant extracts
Seaweeds
Probiotics
Growth Promoters
Feed alternatives
Secondary compounds
Antibiotics
Livestock production
Antimicrobial resistance

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 718 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Eucommia ulmoides Extract Alleviates the Effect of Cold Stress on Chick Growth Performance, Antioxidant and Immune Ability

by Ting Hu, Yue Lei, Minxue Li, Qin Liu, Li Song and Degang Zhao

Animals 2021, 11(11), 3008; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11113008 - 20 Oct 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2119

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the protective value of Eucommia ulmoides extract (EUE) on chicks under cold stress. A total of 21 compounds were identified in EUE using mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Ninety chicks were divided into a control group (CS) fed a basal diet and an experimental group supplemented with EUE, exposed to 10 ± 1 °C for 8 h per day. Results showed, compared with the CS group, the body weights (BW) (p < 0.01) and average daily gains ADG (p < 0.05) of the EUE group were increased throughout the study period. Chicks fed EUE had higher AFI (0–7 d, p < 0.001) and lower feed-to-gain ratios (F/G) (0–15 d, p < 0.001). EUE increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (15 d, p < 0.05) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (7 d, p < 0.05), whereas it decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) (15 d, p < 0.01). The contents of IgA (7 d, p < 0.05), IgG (7 d; 15 d, p < 0.01), and IgM (15 d, p < 0. 001) were higher in the EUE group. Dietary EUE could also reduce chick organ damage. Overall, EUE as a natural feed additive can improve the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immune level, and reduce the organ damage of cold-stressed chicks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Growth Promoters Used in Animal Feed: Minimizing Their Presence in Animal’s Production Systems and Environment)

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16 pages, 522 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Blend of Essential Oils Supplemented Alone or Combined with Exogenous Amylase Compared with Virginiamycin Supplementation on Finishing Lambs: Performance, Dietary Energetics, Carcass Traits, and Nutrient Digestion

by Alfredo Estrada-Angulo, Yesica J. Arteaga-Wences, Beatriz I. Castro-Pérez, Jesús D. Urías-Estrada, Soila Gaxiola-Camacho, Claudio Angulo-Montoya, Elizama Ponce-Barraza, Alberto Barreras, Luis Corona, Richard A. Zinn, José B. Leyva-Morales, Xiomara P. Perea-Domínguez and Alejandro Plascencia

Animals 2021, 11(8), 2390; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11082390 - 13 Aug 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3011

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to compare a supplemental blend of essential oils alone (EO) or combined with enzymes (EO + ENZ) versus virginiamycin (VM), on characteristics of growth performance (Exp. 1) and digestion (Exp. 2) in finishing lambs. Lambs were fed a high-energy finishing diet supplemented with: (1) no supplement (control); (2) 150 mg supplemental EO; (3) 150 mg supplemental EO plus 560 mg alpha-amylase (EO + ENZ); and 4) 25 mg VM. Compared with the control, growth performance response to EO and VM were similar, enhancing (5.7%, p < 0.05) feed efficiency and observed dietary net energy. Compared with control, supplementation with EO + ENZ tended (p = 0.09) to increase dry matter intake (6.8%), improving (p < 0.05) weight gain and feed efficiency (10.4 and 4.4%, respectively). Dietary energy utilization was greater (2.7%, p < 0.05) for EO and VM than EO + ENZ. Treatment effects on the carcass and visceral mass were small, but additive supplementation decreased (p ≤ 0.03) the relative weight of the intestines. There were no treatment effects on measures of digestion nor digestible energy of the diet. Supplemental EO may be an effective alternative to VM in high-energy finishing diets for feedlot lambs. Combination EO + ENZ may further enhance dry matter intake, promoting increased weight gain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Growth Promoters Used in Animal Feed: Minimizing Their Presence in Animal’s Production Systems and Environment)

14 pages, 1443 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Dietary Inclusion of Dry Hydrastis canadensis on Laying Performance, Egg Quality, Serum Biochemical Parameters and Cecal Microbiota in Laying Hens

by Tzuen-Rong J Tzeng, Tzu-Yu Liu, Chiao-Wei Lin, Pei-En Chang, Pei-Xin Liao, Wen-Yuan Yang, Chih-Yuan Cheng, Pei-Chun Liao, Wen-Dee Chiang, Shih-Torng Ding and Yuan-Yu Lin

Animals 2021, 11(5), 1381; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051381 - 13 May 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2533

Abstract

Alternative growth promoters are able to not only effectively replace the traditional use of antibiotics but also provide additional health benefits for livestock and reduce food safety concerns. This study investigated the effects of dry Hydrastis canadensis on the laying performance and fecal microbial community of laying hens. Twenty-four Lohmann (LSL, white layer strain) hens were reared from 40 to 48 weeks of age and randomly allotted to four dietary treatments (six birds/treatment). The dietary treatments comprised a basal diet with no treatment as control, a basal diet plus 0.6% powder of dry Hydrastis canadensis roots (R) or leaves (L), and a basal diet plus 0.6% powder of a mixture of dry Hydrastis canadensis roots and leaves (1:1, LR). No mortality was observed in the whole experimental period. The results indicated that albumen height in the LR group was significantly greater than that in the control group. The diet supplemented with Hydrastis canadensis had no significant effects on egg production rate, egg weight, eggshell strength, eggshell thickness, Haugh unit, or yolk height during the whole experimental phase. However, principal coordinate analysis, comparative heat map analysis, and cluster dendrogram analysis of cecal microbiota showed distinct clusters among the groups treated with Hydrastis canadensis and the control group. Regarding blood biochemical parameters, serum cholesterol levels were significantly lower in all Hydrastis canadensis-treated groups compared with those in the control group. Moreover, serum low-density lipoprotein levels were lower in hens supplemented with the leaf of Hydrastis canadensis. The abundances of the phyla Fusobacteria and Kiritimatiellaeota were increased (p < 0.05) in laying hens fed with 0.6% Hydrastis canadensis leaves, whereas the abundance of the phylum Firmicutes in cecum digesta decreased in response to treatment with Hydrastis canadensis roots and leaves. The relative abundance of the Fusobacterium genus was higher in the LR group compared with that in the control. On the contrary, we found a different trend in the Synergistes genus. The potential influences of these microbiota on the performance of laying hens were discussed. The results demonstrate that Hydrastis canadensis can improve the egg albumen height and modulate the cecum digesta microbiota composition of laying hens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Growth Promoters Used in Animal Feed: Minimizing Their Presence in Animal’s Production Systems and Environment)

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15 pages, 579 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Blood Metabolites of Lambs Supplemented with a Polyherbal Mixture

by José Felipe Orzuna-Orzuna, Griselda Dorantes-Iturbide, Alejandro Lara-Bueno, Germán David Mendoza-Martínez, Luis Alberto Miranda-Romero and Pedro Abel Hernández-García

Animals 2021, 11(4), 955; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11040955 - 30 Mar 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2687

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the supplementation of a polyherbal mixture (HM) on the productive performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and the profile of blood metabolites of lambs fed a high-concentrate diet. Thirty-six male Pelibuey lambs (25.21 ± 0.96 kg BW) were housed in individual pens during a 56-day feeding period and were randomly assigned to four treatments: (1) Control (CON): Basal diet without HM; (2) HM1: CON + 1 g of HM kg⁻¹ dry matter (DM); (3) HM2: CON + 2 g of HM kg⁻¹ DM; and (4) HM3: CON + 3 g of HM kg⁻¹ DM. Data were analyzed using the GLM (General Linear Model) procedure of statistical analysis system (SAS), and linear and quadratic effects were tested to evaluate the effects of the HM level. A quadratic increase was observed in the dry matter intake and in daily weight gain (p < 0.05) of lambs fed with HM2 and HM1, respectively. However, final body weight, body condition, carcass characteristics, and meat quality were similar among treatments (p > 0.05). It was observed a linear increase (p < 0.05) in the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. Lymphocytes in blood from lambs supplemented with the HM1 diet increased and segmented neutrophils decreased compared to lambs receiving the CON treatment (p < 0.05). The concentration of uric acid in the blood had a linear increase (p < 0.05) and the serum creatinine level decreased (p < 0.05) as the HM dietary dose increased. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of 2 and 1 g of HM kg⁻¹ of DM improves feed consumption and daily weight gain, respectively, without affecting carcass characteristics, meat quality, and health status on finishing lambs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Growth Promoters Used in Animal Feed: Minimizing Their Presence in Animal’s Production Systems and Environment)

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22 pages, 995 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparison Study of the Caecum Microbial Profiles, Productivity and Production Quality of Broiler Chickens Fed Supplements Based on Medium Chain Fatty and Organic Acids

by Agila Dauksiene, Modestas Ruzauskas, Romas Gruzauskas, Paulina Zavistanaviciute, Vytaute Starkute, Vita Lele, Dovile Klupsaite, Jolita Klementaviciute and Elena Bartkiene

Animals 2021, 11(3), 610; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11030610 - 26 Feb 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2921

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and organic acids (OAs) supplements on the caecum microbial profiles, productivity and production quality characteristics of broiler chickens (BCs). BC (900 chicks) were attributed to three groups: (i) control; (ii) MCFAs group (BCs fed with feed supplemented with MCFAs); (iii) OAs group (BCs fed with feed supplemented with OAs). Broilers were slaughtered at the end of the trial (42 days old), and the caecum microbial profiles, productivity and production quality characteristics were analysed. Supplementation with OAs resulted in a more appropriate environment in the caecum for beneficial microorganisms than with a diet supplemented with MCFAs. This was supported by data on the presence of higher amounts and an increased species variety of probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) in the caecum of birds. The above-mentioned changes of the caecum microbiota led to significantly higher villus height (p = 0.003) of the OAs broiler group and significantly lower crypt depth (p = 0.037). Notwithstanding the significant increase of acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, and valeric acids that were established in caecum samples from the MCFAs group, better parameters of broiler production performance (higher body weight and lower mortality) and carcass traits (higher both thigh and shin muscles with skin and bone weight; both shin muscles without skin and bone weight; abdominal fat yield) were found in the OAs-treated group. For chemical, physical and technological characteristics of breast meat samples, increased yellowness and water holding capacity by 14.7% and 2.3%, respectively, were found in MCFAs group samples. A more appropriate environment in the caecum for beneficial microorganisms could be obtained when BCs were fed with OAs supplement, comparing to MCFAs, and these positive changes were associated with higher efficiency of poultry production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Growth Promoters Used in Animal Feed: Minimizing Their Presence in Animal’s Production Systems and Environment)

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20 pages, 5618 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Worldwide Traceability of Antibiotic Residues from Livestock in Wastewater and Soil: A Systematic Review

by Lizbeth E. Robles-Jimenez, Edgar Aranda-Aguirre, Octavio A. Castelan-Ortega, Beatriz S. Shettino-Bermudez, Rutilio Ortiz-Salinas, Marta Miranda, Xunde Li, Juan C. Angeles-Hernandez, Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez and Manuel Gonzalez-Ronquillo

Animals 2022, 12(1), 60; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12010060 - 28 Dec 2021

Cited by 49 | Viewed by 5923

Abstract

The use of antibiotics in animal production are widely used for disease treatment, health protection, and as growth promoters. Common antibiotics used in veterinary medicine are excreted and eliminated through the sewage system, contaminating water and soil with negative effects on agricultural activities. This systematic review focuses on the trend of research works on antibiotic residues, evaluating antibiotics used in livestock production and their excretion in animal products and in environmental matrices such as water and soil. Our database was composed of 165 articles, reporting the concentration of antibiotic residues found in the environment, livestock (cow, sheep, pig, horse, chicken, rabbit, goat), aquatic and terrestrial animal tissues, animal products (milk and eggs), wastewater, and soil. The documents were obtained from Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, and Oceania. A descriptive analysis of antibiotic residues found worldwide was analyzed according to each of the variables used such as antibiotic family, name, concentration (% and mg/kg or ppm), and country and continent where the residue was found. The descriptive analysis was carried out using the “describe” function of psych package and pirate plots were drawn. According to our study, the main antibiotics used worldwide in animal production are sulfonamides, tetracyclines, quinolones, penicillin, and cephalosporins. At present, despite the trends of increased regulations on the use of antibiotics worldwide, antibiotics are still utilized in food animal production, and are present in water and soil, then, there is still the misuse of antibiotics in many countries. We need to become aware that antibiotic contamination is a global problem, and we are challenged to reduce and improve their use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Growth Promoters Used in Animal Feed: Minimizing Their Presence in Animal’s Production Systems and Environment)

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