Betaine aids in the osmoregulation of duodenal epithelium of broiler chicks, and affects the movement of water across the small intestinal epithelium in vitro.

In Experiment 1, the water holding capacity of broiler chick intestinal tissue was studied in vitro. The chicks were fed with corn-based diets with or without a 0.2% betaine supplementation in the drinking water. Slices from duodenum and jejunum were incubated in iso-osmotic (300 mM) or hyperosmotic saline (600 mM) with or without 10 mM betaine. The water volume of tissue slices was studied by adding tritiated water in the incubation medium while [14C]inulin was used to correct for the adherent water. After 30 min of incubation, by which time the steady-state of tritium influx had been achieved, the 3H and 14C-activities of the tissue slices were measured. The ileal and duodenal tissues incubated in the hyperosmotic saline accumulated less tritium than those incubated in iso-osmotic saline. Duodenal slices incubated in hyperosmotic saline with the presence of betaine showed a tritium content similar to slices incubated in iso-osmotic saline. The data suggest that the presence of betaine helped the duodenal, but not jejunal, epithelium to maintain water balance in hyperosmotic conditions. The dietary betaine supplementation diminished the differences between the incubation treatments in duodenal, but not in ileal tissue. In Experiment 2, the same double labeling method, but with shorter incubation times, was used to assess the rate of water flux from the incubation medium to duodenal or jejunal slices. The dietary treatments (as in Experiment 1) had little effect on the results. Betaine in the hyperosmotic saline significantly decreased the rate of tritium accumulation into the tissue slices, indicating that betaine slowed down the influx of water to the epithelium. We suggest that betaine affects the movement of water across the intestinal epithelium and has a role in the osmoregulation of small intestine of broiler chicks.     

Effects of dietary lipids and Clostridium butyricum on the performance and the digestive tract of broiler chickens

The effects of two sources of dietary lipids and supplementation of Clostridium butyricum on performance and intestinal metabolism of broilers were investigated. In a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement, 168 one-day-old broiler chicks were divided into four treatment groups, and fed four diets with two lipid sources (soya bean oil or fish oil, at 25 g/kg and 30 g/kg in starter and grower diets respectively), and without or with supplementation of C. butyricum (1 x 10(9) colony forming units per kg diet). C. butyricum had no effect on broiler performance. At 20 and 40 d of age, the pH of caecal digesta and the relative length of caecum were decreased after supplementation of C. butyricum (p < 0.05). After this treatment, the activity of alkaline phosphatase was increased in jejunal mucosa at 40 d of age (p < 0.01). Furthermore, there were increases in populations of lactic acid bacteria and the concentrations of acetic acid, n-butyric acid, n-valeric acid and total short chain fatty acids in caecal digesta of birds fed C. butyricum (p < 0.05). A significant interaction between lipid source and C. butyricum was found in the pH of caecal digesta at 20 d of age (p < 0.01). The results of the present study indicated that dietary supplementation of C. butyricum maybe a benefit for gut health of broiler chickens.     

Efficacy of dietary supplemental insoluble fibrous materials in ameliorating adverse effects of coccidial challenge in broiler chickens

ABSTRACT

The current experiment was designed to examine effects of dietary supplemental sunflower hulls (SH) and rice hulls (RH) on growth performance, carcass traits, intestinal morphology, lesion score and oocyst shedding in broiler chickens exposed to coccidial challenge. A total of 540 broiler chickens (Ross 308) were assigned to six dietary treatments based on a factorial arrangement (2 × 3) across 1–14, 14–28 and 28-42-d periods. Experimental treatments consisted of broiler chickens without or with coccidial challenge each offered with three different diets: a basal diet or basal diet supplemented with either RH or SH at 40 g/kg diet, respectively. Infection with Eimeria impaired daily weight gain (DWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broiler chickens during growing period (p < 0.05) while supplementation of SH or RH reduced the adverse effect of coccidiosis so that birds had similar DWG to those fed the basal diet without infection. However, only dietary SH improved the FCR of broilers challenged with coccidiosis. Regardless of coccidial challenge, dietary access to insoluble fibre improved performance of broilers across the growing period (p < 0.05); however, this effect was not observed during the entire rearing period. Relative weights of liver and pancreas were increased in birds subjected to coccidial challenge on d 21 of age (p < 0.05). Moreover, relative weights of the intestinal segments were enhanced (p < 0.05). Furthermore, gizzard weights were higher in birds receiving diets added with fibre (p < 0.05). Infection with coccidiosis decreased villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in duodenum of broilers which received the basal diet compared with those fed the same feed without coccidial challenge (p < 0.05). However, supplemental SH could decrease the negative effect of infection on the noted intestinal morphometric attributes. Similarly, a marked reduction was observed for lesion score and faecal oocyst excretion of challenged broilers fed on dietary supplemental fibre (p < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of insoluble fibre could ameliorate negative effects of coccidial challenge on DWG of broiler chickens and inclusion of SH in diet of birds exposed to Eimeria infection could be recommended.     

Intestinal uptake of betaine in vitro and the distribution of methyl groups from betaine, choline, and methionine in the body of broiler chicks

The efficiency of betaine absorption into small intestinal slices of broiler chicks was studied in vitro with 14C-labeled betaine. The relative proportion of Na+-coupled betaine uptake, as well as the total uptake capacity was larger in the duodenum than in the jejunum. Dietary betaine increased the Na+-coupled uptake in the duodenum. In in vivo-experiments, methyl-14C-labeled betaine, methionine, or choline was fed to broiler chicks. Betaine appeared in the blood more rapidly, and reached a higher total concentration than choline or methionine. The data suggest that choline and methionine were associated with plasma lipoproteins whereas betaine remained free in the plasma. The label distribution in liver, kidney, and intestinal tissues was studied 24 h after label ingestion. Most of the label from betaine was found in the aquaeous phase in the muscle, while in the liver and jejunum the label from betaine was distributed more evenly between the aquaeous, lipid, and protein phases. Label from choline accumulated in the lipid fraction, particularly so in the liver, whereas label from methionine showed a more variable distribution pattern. The distribution results are interpreted in terms of specific roles of betaine, choline, and methionine in methyl group metabolism.     

Cysteine supplementation decreases plasma homocysteine concentration in rats fed on a low-casein diet in rats

The effect of dietary supplementation with cysteine on the plasma homocysteine concentration was investigated in rats fed on 10% casein (10C) and 30% casein (30C) diets. The 10C diet significantly increased the plasma homocysteine concentration as compared with the 30C diet. The hyperhomocysteinemia induced by the 10C diet was significantly suppressed by cysteine supplementation even at a 0.3% level, whereas cysteine did not decrease the plasma homocysteine concentration when added to the 30C diet. In contrast, 0.3% methionine supplementation of the 10C diet tended to increase the plasma homocysteine concentration. Cysteine supplementation to rats fed on the 10C diet did not alter the plasma cysteine concentration and the hepatic activities of cystathionine beta-synthase and betaine:homocysteine S-methyltransferase, whereas it significantly decreased the hepatic concentrations of S-adenosylmethionine and betaine. These results suggest that cysteine supplementation might be effective for suppressing the hyperhomocysteinemia induced by a low-protein diet.     

Effects of sodium butyrate and salinomycin upon intestinal microbiota,mucosal morphology and performance of broiler chickens

The effect of dietary sodium butyrate (SB) or salinomycin (SAL) or both additives on performance, small intestinal morphology and microbial ecology of broiler chickens was studied. A growth trial was conducted with 96 Ross 308 female broilers from 1 to 30 days of age. Four treatment groups were fed with a non-supplemented control diet or three experimental diets supplemented with i) 300 mg SB (Adimix 30 coated) per kg, ii) 60 mg SAL (Sacox) per kg or iii) both additives in combination. Feed intake and body-weight gain decreased and gain-to-feed ratio increased due to SAL supplementation, while addition of SB did not affect performance in comparison with the control diet but positively affected feed intake and body-weight gain in comparison with birds fed the SAL-supplemented diet. Villus height in jejunum decreased, while crypt depth increased due to SAL supplementation. Addition of SB increased crypt depth in jejunum. No significant effect of either additive was observed in ileum morphology. Total short-chain organic acids concentration in ileal digesta decreased with SAL supplementation, mainly due to lower lactic acid concentration, but no effects were observed in the caeca. The SAL supplementation was accompanied by a pH increase in ileum and a pH decrease in caecum. No significant effect of SB addition was observed for these parameters. Total bacterial numbers and Lactobacillus [lactic acid bacteria (LAB)] counts in ileal and caecal contents were lower in birds fed with SAL-supplemented diet in comparison with birds fed with control or SB diet. DNA fingerprints revealed SAL supplementation to affect the microbial population by suppressing dominating LAB, potentially L. aviarius. The presented results show that dietary SAL, supplemented alone or in combination with SB, suppressed the microbial activity and altered the microbial community structure mainly in ileum. SAL alone negatively affected feed intake and body-weight gain; however, the effect was ameliorated by SB supplementation.     

Effects of sodium butyrate and salinomycin upon intestinal microbiota, mucosal morphology and performance of broiler chickens

The effect of dietary sodium butyrate (SB) or salinomycin (SAL) or both additives on performance, small intestinal morphology and microbial ecology of broiler chickens was studied. A growth trial was conducted with 96 Ross 308 female broilers from 1 to 30 days of age. Four treatment groups were fed with a non-supplemented control diet or three experimental diets supplemented with i) 300 mg SB (Adimix 30 coated) per kg, ii) 60 mg SAL (Sacox) per kg or iii) both additives in combination. Feed intake and body-weight gain decreased and gain-to-feed ratio increased due to SAL supplementation, while addition of SB did not affect performance in comparison with the control diet but positively affected feed intake and body-weight gain in comparison with birds fed the SAL-supplemented diet. Villus height in jejunum decreased, while crypt depth increased due to SAL supplementation. Addition of SB increased crypt depth in jejunum. No significant effect of either additive was observed in ileum morphology. Total short-chain organic acids concentration in ileal digesta decreased with SAL supplementation, mainly due to lower lactic acid concentration, but no effects were observed in the caeca. The SAL supplementation was accompanied by a pH increase in ileum and a pH decrease in caecum. No significant effect of SB addition was observed for these parameters. Total bacterial numbers and Lactobacillus [lactic acid bacteria (LAB)] counts in ileal and caecal contents were lower in birds fed with SAL-supplemented diet in comparison with birds fed with control or SB diet. DNA fingerprints revealed SAL supplementation to affect the microbial population by suppressing dominating LAB, potentially L. aviarius. The presented results show that dietary SAL, supplemented alone or in combination with SB, suppressed the microbial activity and altered the microbial community structure mainly in ileum. SAL alone negatively affected feed intake and body-weight gain; however, the effect was ameliorated by SB supplementation.     

Preliminary Investigation on the Effect of Dietary Supplemental Biotin and Palm Kernel Oil on Blood,Liver and Kidney Lipids in Chicks

Abstract

A total of 480 day-old broiler chicks were used in two trials conducted to investigate the performance and lipid contents of blood, liver and kidneys of birds when fed varying levels of palm kernel oil (0% and 2%) and biotin (40, 80, 120, 160, 200 and 240 mcg/kg feed) in a 2 × 6 factorial experimental design. The results showed that blood, liver and kidney lipid concentrations were significantly affected by dietary biotin treatments. While total lipid, free fatty acid, triglyceride and cholesterol contents were negatively correlated with dietary biotin level, phospholipid concentrations were positively correlated. Biotin-deficient chicks had significantly higher total lipid, free fatty acid, triglyceride and cholesterol but lower phospholipid contents in their blood and the two organs. Supplementation of the diet with 2% palm kernel oil significantly elevated blood phospholipid concentration, but depressed the accumulation of the other lipid fractions in both organs and the blood of birds. Blood, liver and kidney cholesterol concentrations were not affected by 2% fat supplementation. Observation on the lipid parameters coupled with the results on feed utilisation appeared to suggest that a minimum of 120 mcg of the vitamin per kilograme of diet was required by broiler chicks for optimum performance.     

Betaine analogues alter homocysteine metabolism in rats

Glycine betaine supplementation lowers homocysteine levels in homocystinuria and in chronic renal failure patients through methylation catalysed by betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of glycine betaine analogues on homocysteine metabolism in Lewis rats. Glycine betaine, proline betaine, trigonelline, dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) or dimethylthetin (1.5 mmoles) was subcutaneously administered to rats fed a low betaine diet. The effect of each betaine on total plasma homocysteine and urinary and plasma betaine concentrations was monitored for 24h following administration. Baseline plasma homocysteine was 8.5 +/- micromol/l (S.E.M., n=44) and compared to controls concentrations decreased following glycine betaine (0.8+/-0.4 micromol/l, P = 0.064), DMSP (1.0+/-0.5 micromol/l, P = 0.041) and dimethylthetin (1.5 +/- 0.7micromol/l, P = 0.033) treatment, while concentrations increased following proline betaine (2.24 +/-0.7micromol/l, P = 0.002) and trigonelline (1.6 +/-0.3 micromol/l, P < 0.001) treatment. The effect of glycine betaine, DMSP and dimethylthetin on circulating homocysteine concentrations was thought to be mediated by BHMT in vivo. This hypothesis was supported by the finding that circulating glycine betaine concentrations increased following DMSP and dimethylthetin treatment. Proline betaine and trigonelline appeared to be poor BHMT substrates, being largely excreted in the urine unchanged, yet increased circulating homocysteine levels. This suggests they are inhibitors of BHMT. Urinary excretion of glycine betaine increased following treatment with all betaines, suggesting that the resorption of glycine betaine in the kidney was inhibited. The study shows that glycine betaine analogues have multiple effects on homocysteine metabolism (250).     

Effect of Eimeria acervulina infection on chick (Gallus domesticus) high density lipoprotein composition

1. Plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL), the principal carotenoid carrier in broiler chicks, was analyzed at zero time and 3, 5 and 7 days after inoculation of chicks with the intestinal coccidial parasite, Eimeria acervulina. 2. Infection caused significant decreases in total HDL mass from 3 through 7 post-inoculation (PI), and decreases in relative percents of protein and carotenoids, and relative increases in phospholipid and cholesterol esters by 7 days PI. 3. Carotenoid content correlated best with protein content (principally apolipoprotein A-I) throughout the experiment. 4. Findings emphasize the importance of the small intestinal mucosa as a source of plasma HDL in the broiler chick, and suggest that apolipoprotein A-I is the binding site for HDL carotenoids.     

Hyperhomocysteinemia induced by guanidinoacetic acid is effectively suppressed by choline and betaine in rats

Rats were fed 25% casein (25C) diets differing in choline levels (0-0.5%) with and without 0.5% guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) or 0.75% L-methionine for 7 d to determine the effects of dietary choline level on experimental hyperhomocysteinemia. The effects of dietary choline (0.30%) and betaine (0.34%) on GAA- and methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinemia were also compared. Dietary choline suppressed hyperhomocysteinemia induced by GAA, but not by methionine, in a dose-dependent manner. GAA-induced enhancement of the plasma homocysteine concentration was suppressed by choline and betaine to the same degree, but the effects of these compounds were relatively small on methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinemia. Dietary supplementation with choline and betaine significantly increased the hepatic betaine concentration in rats fed a GAA diet, but not in rats fed a methionine diet. These results indicate that choline and betaine are effective at relatively low levels in reducing plasma homocysteine, especially under the condition of betaine deficiency without a loading of homocysteine precursor.     

Effects of supplementation with vitamin E on the performance and the tissue peroxidation of broiler chicks and the stability of thigh meat against oxidative deterioration

Two experiments were conducted: Expt 1 determined the optimal allowance of vitamin E in the diet for broiler chicks aged 0–3 weeks; Expt 2 investigated the effects of different dietary levels of vitamin E (α-tocopherol) on the performance and the oxidative stability of thigh meat of broiler chicks during storage. In Expt 1, 1-day-old 900 broiler chicks were allocated to five treatments, each with six replicates (cages) of 22 as-hatched chicks for performance evaluation, and another cage of 45 male chicks for determining plasma and hepatic α-tocopherol and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentration in blood and liver. The basal dietary α-tocopherol concentration was 13 mg/kg, and the five α-tocopherol acetate supplementation levels were 0, 5, 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg. For 0–3-week-old broiler chicks fed with maize–soya bean meal–soya oil type diet, supplementation of vitamin E did not influence the feed intake, but tended to improve growth and feed utilization, however there was no significant correlation between performance and vitamin E supplementation level. Significant positive correlations existed between dietary supplemental vitamin E level and plasma or hepatic α-tocopherol concentrations (P<0.05), and a negative correlation with hepatic TBARS levels no matter at what age (11, 16 and 21 days). In Expt 2, 2200 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to five treatments with four replicates (pens) in each. Chicks were fed ad libitum five pellet diets supplemented with vitamin E at 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 mg/kg of diet, respectively. The basal dietary α-tocopherol level of grower and finisher diets were 7 and 6 mg/kg, respectively. Supplementation of vitamin E tended to improve growth and feed utilization of birds during 0–3 weeks of age, but the performance from 0 to 6 weeks of age were not influenced. The hepatic α-tocopherol concentrations of 6-week-old chicks linearly increased with the dietary vitamin E levels (R²=0.98, P<0.001). The content of TBARS in the thigh meat over 4 days of storage under 4°C was significantly decreased by increasing dietary vitamin E level (P<0.05). There was a significant inverse relationship between TBARS value in the thigh meat and the dietary vitamin E level (R²=0.93, P<0.01). Supplementation of vitamin E significantly improved the meat quality stability substantially against oxidative deterioration. Comparing the hepatic α-tocopherol levels of chicks in Expts 1 and 2, total allowance of dietary α-tocopherol of 20–30 mg/kg could sustain relatively constant hepatic α-tocopherol level at round about 2–2.5 μg/kg.     

Effect of hatching system and prophylactic antibiotic use on serum levels of intestinal health biomarker diamine oxidase in broilers at an early age

To overcome some of the disadvantages of conventional hatcheries, a new concept is being explored in the broiler industry: on-farm hatching. In on-farm hatching systems, broiler eggs are transported to the broiler house on day 18 of incubation. On-farm hatched chicks hatch in a low dust environment, are immediately exposed to light, and have instant access to nutrients and water. Previous studies reported that on-farm hatching systems provide birds with an improved intestinal health and a lower feed conversion rate; resulting in a reduced use of antibiotics. Although it is generally agreed that the intestinal health of on-farm hatched chicks is better, the causative factors remain largely unknown. To explore the effect of hatching system on intestinal development, a full factorial in vivo experiment was designed, taking into account commercial age (minus two days, D-1, D1 and D2) and hatching condition (hatchery-born, hatchery-born with Spectoliphen 100 (SL) treatment, and on-farm hatched using the NestBorn-system) as factors. To assess intestinal development, diamine oxidase (DAO) serum levels were measured. DAO, a highly active intracellular enzyme that is synthesised mainly by the intestinal mucosal cells, is generally used as an indicator for intestinal maturation and intestinal permeability (IP) in mammals and birds. Analysis of serum samples showed that serum DAO levels in hatchery-born chicks were significantly lower compared to their on-farm hatched counterparts on all four days, suggesting that the intestinal development in the latter took place earlier. However, the long-term effect was not explored in this study. An additional comparison between the hatching systems was made, not according to commercial age, but in reference to time of access to feed. In this comparison, no differences between the two groups were observed. Interestingly, in the hatchery-born chicks, no compensatory development of the intestines took place within the time span of this experiment. The effect of SL during the first days on intestinal development and IP of chicks remains poorly understood and requires further investigation.     

Dietary Nisin Modulates the Gastrointestinal Microbial Ecology and Enhances Growth Performance of the Broiler Chickens

Due to antimicrobial properties, nisin is one of the most commonly used and investigated bacteriocins for food preservation. Surprisingly, nisin has had limited use in animal feed as well as there are only few reports on its influence on microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The present study therefore aimed at investigating effects of dietary nisin on broiler chicken GIT microbial ecology and performance in comparison to salinomycin, the widely used ionophore coccidiostat. In total, 720 one-day-old male Ross 308 chicks were randomly distributed to six experimental groups. The positive control (PC) diet was supplemented with salinomycin (60 mg/kg). The nisin (NI) diets were supplemented with increasing levels (100, 300, 900 and 2700 IU nisin/g, respectively) of the bacteriocin. The negative control (NC) diet contained no additives. At slaughter (35 days of age), activity of specific bacterial enzymes (α- and β-glucosidases, α-galactosidases and β-glucuronidase) in crop, ileum and caeca were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the NC group, and nisin supplementation decreased the enzyme activities to levels observed for the PC group. A similar inhibitory influence on bacterial activity was reflected in the levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and putrefactive SCFA (PSCFA) in digesta from crop and ileum; no effect was observed in caeca. Counts of Bacteroides and Enterobacteriacae in ileum digesta were significantly (P<0.001) decreased by nisin and salinomycin, but no effects were observed on the counts of Clostridium perfringens, Lactobacillus/Enterococcus and total bacteria. Like salinomycin, nisin supplementation improved broiler growth performance in a dose-dependent manner; compared to the NC group, the body weight gain of the NI₉₀₀ and NI₂₇₀₀ groups was improved by 4.7 and 8.7%, respectively. Our findings suggest that dietary nisin exerts a mode of action similar to salinomycin and could be considered as a dietary supplement for broiler chickens.     

Seaweed extracts and galacto-oligosaccharides improve intestinal health in pigs following Salmonella Typhimurium challenge

Pork and pork products are recognised as vehicles of SalmonellaTyphimurium infection in humans. Seaweed-derived polysaccharides (SWE) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) have shown to exhibit antimicrobial, prebiotic and immunomodulatory activity. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of dietary GOS and SWE supplementation on reducing S.Typhimurium numbers and intestinal inflammation in vivo. In total, 30 pigs (n=10/treatment, BW 30.9 kg) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: (1) basal diet; (2) basal diet+2.5 g GOS/kg diet; (3) basal diet+SWE (containing 180 mg laminarin/kg diet+340 mg fucoidan/kg diet). Following an 11-day dietary adaptation period, pigs were orally challenged with 10⁸colony-forming units/ml S.Typhimurium (day 0). Pigs remained on their diets for a further 17 days and were then sacrificed for sample collection. The SWE supplementation did not affect S.Typhimurium numbers on days 2 and 4 post-challenge but reduced S.Typhimurium numbers in faecal samples collected day 7 post-challenge (−0.80 log gene copy numbers (GCN)/g faeces) and in caecal and colonic digesta (−0.62 and −0.98 log GCN/g digesta, respectively; P<0.05) compared with the control treatment. Lactobacillusnumbers were increased in caecal and colonic digesta after GOS supplementation (+0.70 and +0.35 log GCN/g digesta, respectively; P<0.05). In colonic tissue, both GOS and SWE supplementation resulted in reduced messenger RNA expression levels of interleukin(IL)-6, IL-22, tumour necrosis factor-αand regenerating islet-derived protein 3-γ(P<0.05). It can be concluded that dietary supplementation of SWE reduced faecal and intestinal S.Typhimurium numbers compared with the basal diet, whereas dietary GOS supplementation increased Lactobacillusnumbers in caecal and colonic digesta but did not affect S.Typhimurium numbers. Supplementation of GOS and SWE reduced the gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in colonic tissue of pigs after the experimental S. Typhimurium challenge.     

Single and Combined Effects of Deoxynivalenol Mycotoxin and a Microbial Feed Additive on Lymphocyte DNA Damage and Oxidative Stress in Broiler Chickens

The immune and intestinal epithelial cells are particularly sensitive to the toxic effects of deoxynivalenol (DON). The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of DON and/or a microbial feed additive on the DNA damage of blood lymphocytes and on the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) as an indicator of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in broilers. A total of forty 1-d-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments (10 birds per group) for 5 wk. The dietary treatments were 1) basal diet; 2) basal diet contaminated with 10 mg DON/kg feed; 3) basal diet contaminated with 10 mg DON/kg feed and supplemented with 2.5 kg/ton of feed of Mycofix Select; 4) basal diet supplemented with Mycofix Select (2.5 kg/ton of feed). At the end of the feeding trial, blood were collected for measuring the level of lymphocyte DNA damage of blood and the TBARS level was measured in plasma, heart, kidney, duodenum and jejunum. The dietary exposure of DON caused a significant increase (P = 0.001) of DNA damage in blood lymphocytes (31.99±0.89%) as indicated in the tail of comet assay. Interestingly addition of Mycofix Select to DON contaminated diet decreased (P = 0.001) the DNA damage (19.82±1.75%) induced by DON. In order to clarify the involvement of lipid peroxidation in the DNA damage of DON, TBARS levels was measured. A significant increase (P = 0.001) in the level of TBARS (23±2 nmol/mg) was observed in the jejunal tissue suggesting that the lipid peroxidation might be involved in the DNA damage. The results indicate that DON is cytotoxic and genotoxic to the chicken intestinal and immune cells and the feed additive have potential ability to prevent DNA damage induced by DON.     

Influence of Dietary Selenomethionine Supplementation on Performance and Selenium Status of Broiler Breeders and Their Subsequent Progeny

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary maternal selenomethionine or sodium selenite supplementation on performance and selenium status of broiler breeders and their next generation. Two hundred and forty 39-week-old Lingnan yellow broiler breeders were allocated randomly into two treatments, each of which included three replicates of 40 birds. Pretreatment period was 2 weeks, and the experiment lasted 8 weeks. The groups were fed the same basal diet supplemented with 0.30 mg selenium/kg of sodium selenite or selenomethionine. After incubation, 180 chicks from the same parental treatment group were randomly divided into three replicates, with 60 birds per replicate. All the offspring were fed the same diet containing 0.04 mg selenium/kg, and the experiment also lasted 8 weeks. Birth rate was greater (p < 0.05) in hens fed with selenomethionine than that in hens fed with sodium selenite. The selenium concentration in serum, liver, kidney, and breast muscle of broiler breeders, selenium deposition in the yolk, and albumen and tissues' (liver, kidney, breast muscle) selenium concentrations of 1-day-old chicks were significantly (p < 0.01) increased by maternal selenomethionine supplementation compared with maternal sodium selenite supplementation. The antioxidant status of 1-day-old chicks was greatly improved by maternal selenomethionine intake in comparison with maternal sodium selenite intake and was evidenced by the increased glutathione peroxidase activity in breast muscle (p < 0.05), superoxide dismutase activity in breast muscle and kidney (p < 0.05), glutathione concentration in kidney (p < 0.01), total antioxidant capability in breast muscle and liver (p < 0.05), and decreased malondialdehyde concentration in liver and pancreas (p < 0.05) of 1-day-old chicks. Feed utilization was better (p < 0.05), and mortality was lower (p < 0.05) in the progeny from hens fed with selenomethionine throughout the 8-week growing period compared with those from hens fed with sodium selenite. In summary, we concluded that maternal selenomethionine supplementation increased birth rate and Se deposition in serum and tissues of broiler breeders as well as in egg yolk and egg albumen more than maternal sodium selenite supplementation. Furthermore, maternal selenomethionine intake was also superior to maternal sodium selenite intake in improving the tissues Se deposition and antioxidant status of 1-day-old chicks and increasing the performance of the progeny during 8 weeks of post-hatch life.     

Amino acids modulates the intestinal proteome associated with immune and stress response in weaning pig

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of free amino acids supplementation to protein restricted diet on the intestinal morphology and proteome composition in weaning pigs. Weanling piglets were randomly fed one of the three diets including a corn-soybean based control diet and two lower protein diets with or without free amino acids supplementation for 2 weeks. The jejunum samples of piglets were collected for morphology and proteome analysis. Compared with the control diet, the protein restricted diet had a significant lower average daily gain and higher feed conversion rate. Free amino acids supplementation to the protein restricted diet significantly improved average daily gain and higher feed conversion rate, compared with the protein restricted diet. The villous height in pigs fed the protein restricted diet was lower than that of the control and free amino acids diet. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, we identified 16 differentially expressed protein spots in the jejunum of the weaning piglet. These proteins were related to stress and immune response, the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, and tissue structure. Based on the proteome and ELISA analysis, free amino acids diet significantly down-regulated the jejunal expression of stress protein heat shock 60 kDa protein. Our results indicated that amino acids supplementation to the protein restricted diet could enhance weight gain and feed efficiency in weanling pigs through improving intestinal nutrient absorption and transportation, gut health, and mucosal immunity.     

The effect of cereal type and enzyme supplementation on carcass characteristics, volatile fatty acids and intestinal microflora and boar taint in entire male pigs

A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of cereal type (barley v. oat) and exogenous enzyme supplementation (with or without) on intestinal fermentation, and on indole and skatole levels in the intestinal content and the adipose tissue in finisher boars. The experimental treatments were as follows: (i) barley-based diet, (ii) barley-based diet with enzyme supplement, (iii) oat-based diet and (iv) oat-based diet with enzyme supplement. The enzyme supplement contained endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.6) and endo-1,4-β-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8). The animals were fed ad libitum for 45 days from 76.0 to 113.6 kg live weight. Feeding barley-based diets led to higher (P < 0.05) total volatile fatty acids concentrations in the large intestine. Proportions of propionic- and butyric-acids were higher and that of acetic acid lower in digesta from barley-based in comparison to oat-based diets (P < 0.001). Consequently, pH in the large intestine was higher after feeding oat-based in comparison to barley-based diets. Animals fed unsupplemented oat-based diet had higher (P < 0.01) indole concentrations in the digesta from the proximal colon than those fed barley-based diets. Feeding oat-based diets led to lower (P < 0.01) skatole and higher (P < 0.001) indole concentrations in the digesta from the terminal colon than barley-based diets. skatole concentrations in the adipose tissue did not differ (P > 0.05) between the experimental treatments. Pigs offered the barley-based diets had lower (P < 0.001) indole concentrations in the adipose tissue compared with those fed the oat-based diet. In conclusion, barley-based diets were more efficient than oat-based diets in limiting concentrations of indole in the adipose tissue.     

Interaction between live vaccines for coccidiosis and phytogenic compounds in the diet of broilers

This study aimed to determine whether live vaccines alone or associated with phytogenic compounds supplied via feed could improve performance, intestinal health, serum biochemistry, and coccidiostatic action in broilers up to 42 days of age, challenged with Eimeria spp., compared with a traditional anticoccidial program. We used 800 birds divided into five treatments of eight repetitions each (n = 20): NC – Negative control (absence of additives in the feed and without coccidian challenge); PC – Positive control (absence of additives and with coccidian challenge at 21 days); AAP – Anticoccidial additives program, including salinomycin and nicarbazine, with coccidian challenge at 21 days of life; VAC – Vaccination on day 1 of life (Hipracox HIPRA®) against coccidiosis and subsequent coccidian challenge at 21 days; VAC + BPC - Vaccination (day 1 of life), the addition of 200 ppm of blend phytogenic compound (BPC) based on carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde to the diet, with coccidian challenge at 21 days of life. The birds in the AAP group more significant weight gain and greater body weight at 21 days than the NC and 42 days of age than the NC and VAC + BPC groups. The excretion of Eimeria oocysts in the excreta of birds was higher in PC than in NC, and in the litter, PC had higher counts than NC, AAP, and VAC + BPC. A higher mean score of intestinal lesions for Eimeria acervulina was observed in VAC and VAC + BPC birds, while for Eimeria maxima, the highest score was found in PC. Higher serum levels of total protein due to the increase in globulins were observed in birds of AAP and VAC than NC. Our findings suggest that vaccination for coccidiosis shortly after the birth of chicks allows performance similar to the conventional coccidiosis control program via diet.