Growth performance, digestive function, thyroid activity, and immunity of growing rabbits fed olive cake with or without Saccharomyces cerevisiae or citric acid

Effects of cold-pressed wheat germ oil and Bacillus subtilis on growth performance, digestibility, immune status, intestinal microbial enumeration, and gene expression of broilers under heat stress

This study evaluated the effect of wheat germ oil (WGO), Bacillus subtilis, and their combination on growth performance, immune response, nutrient digestibility, intestinal microbial, oxidative status, and gene expression in heat-stressed broilers. Four hundred one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were distributed into five pens (20 birds/pen) in four experimental groups: a control (CON) without additives, WGO group fed diet with WGO at 200 mg.kg-1, BS group fed diet with B. subtilis at 500 mg.kg-1 containing 5 × 108 CFU.g-1, and CWB group received both WGO and B. subtilis. Heat stress exposure adversely affected broiler growth performance, carcass traits, immune response, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and mucin2 (MUC2) mRNA expression. However, the CWB group showed a lower FCR, reduced mortality rate, and increased BWG compared to the other groups. Nutrient digestion was also improved, with a higher digestibility of ether extract, dry matter, and crude protein. By day 35, stress biomarkers like corticosterone and glucose levels were reduced, while triiodothyronine levels increased in the BS and CWB groups. The CWB group also showed lower malondialdehyde and interleukin-6 levels, with higher superoxide dismutase activity, and increased levels of IgA, IgG, and interleukin-10. Additionally, the CWB group had higher HDL levels and lower cholesterol and LDL levels (P < 0.05). Notably, CWB supplements modified the structure of the cecal microbial community by increasing Lactobacillus counts and decreasing E. coli and C. perfringens counts. Furthermore, the expressions of intestinal MUC2 and hepatic IGF-1 were up-regulated (P < 0.05) in the CWB group. This study provides evidence that supplementing heat-stressed broiler diets with a mixture of WGO and B. subtilis enhances antioxidant capacity, immune response, growth performance, and gut integrity via modulating the microbial community and regulating gene expression.

Dietary incorporation of biological curcumin nanoparticles improved growth performance, ileal architecture, antioxidative status, serum lipid profile, and humoral immune response of heat-stressed broiler chickens

Heat stress greatly impairs poultry productivity, underscoring the urgent need for effective strategies to mitigate these adverse effects and improve overall poultry health. This study assessed the impact of dietary curcumin nanoparticles (CurNPs) on blood metabolites, immunity, redox status, ileal histomorphometry, and growth of broilers subjected to heat stress. A total of 400 one-day-old Ross-308 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into five groups, each consisting of eight replicates with ten birds per replicate. The chicks were fed a basal diet containing CurNPs at concentrations of 0, 100, 200, 300, or 400 mg/kg feed, designated as 0CurNPs, 100CurNPs, 200CurNPs, 300CurNPs, and 400CurNPs, respectively. Dietary CurNPs supplementation linearly (P > 0.001) improved weight gain, feed conversion ratio and European production efficiency index, while feed intake decreased linearly (P > 0.001) with increasing CurNPs supplementation. Carcass traits and serum renal and hepatic function biomarkers remained unaffected by the treatment. Serum cholesterol and LDL levels exhibited linear and quadratic (P > 0.05) reduction in all treated groups, although triglycerides and VLDL levels reduced linearly (P > 0.05) only in the 300CurNPs group. The inclusion of CurNPs resulted in a linear and quadratic increase (P > 0.05) in ileal villi height and a linear elevation (P > 0.05) in the villi height-to-crypt depth ratio. The redox status was improved with CurNPs supplementation, as serum MDA levels showed a linear decrease (P > 0.05) in the 300CurNPs and 400CurNPs groups, while SOD levels increased linearly and quadratically (P > 0.05) across all treated groups. Furthermore, dietary CurNPs exhibited linear (P > 0.001) increases in serum levels of IgM, IgG, and IgA, though antibody titres against NDV and AIV were unaffected. In conclusion, CurNPs proved to be an effective growth promoter, enhancing growth, intestinal architecture, redox status, and humoral immunity in heat-stressed broilers.

Effects of a Diet of Allium Extract on Growth, Biochemistry, Metabolism, and Gut Microbiota of Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

The rabbit farming industry is growing due to the rising demand for healthy, sustainable meat. Rabbit meat's nutritional benefits and low environmental impact appeal to health-conscious consumers. To enhance economic sustainability, efforts focus on reducing disease susceptibility and antibiotic use through improved biosecurity and natural additives, such as organosulphur compounds from Allium plants, which have shown promise in studies for boosting productivity and health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PTSO supplementation on farm rabbits. Over and after a 76-day period, various parameters were assessed to measure the impacts on rabbit growth, health, biochemical parameters, muscle metabolism, and intestinal microbiota. The rabbit groups received either a control diet or a diet supplemented with Allium extract. The results showed significant improvements in growth performance for rabbits fed with Allium extract, including higher final weights, increased average daily gain (ADG), and lower mortality rates. A biochemical analysis revealed normal values for the parameters measured in the treated group. A muscle analysis evidenced the presence of a few metabolites of PTSO. A gut microbiota analysis indicated distinct differences between the control and treated groups, increasing the presence of some strains that can influence positively the growth of rabbits. This study highlights the potential benefits of PTSO supplementation for improving growth performance, health parameters, and gut microbiota composition in farm rabbits, suggesting its efficacy as a dietary additive.

Dietary inclusion of olive cake alone or in combination with Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Black goat kids: Implications for performance and health

Background and Aim

To address the problems associated with the availability and prices of conventional feeds, researchers have started to include alternative feeds to reduce the cost of diets and increase profitability. This study examined the influences of olive cake (OC), either alone or in combination with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC), in the diet of black kids.

Materials and Methods

Thirty kids were distributed into three treatments: A free OC diet (control [CON]), OC (20% OC), and OCSC (20% OC with 1 g SC head/d). While penned individually, the kids were fed daily and allowed to acclimate to their diets and pens for 7 days. After acclimation, the kids were fed the prescribed diets for 63 days. Five kids were chosen from each group on day 50 of the feeding period and moved to the metabolic cages to evaluate nutrient digestibility and N balance. At the end of the study, all kids were slaughtered to evaluate carcass characteristics and meat quality.

Results

Feeding the OCSC diet increased (p = 0.035) DM intake for kids compared with the OC and CON. The CP intake was higher (p = 0.021) in the OCSC group than in the CON group. Growth performance parameters were higher (p ≤ 0.031) in the OCSC group than in the CON diet. Feed conversion efficiency was improved (p = 0.052) by incorporating OCSC compared with the CON diet. Consequently, economic return was enhanced (p = 0.003) by feeding the OC and OCSC groups. Kids fed the OCSC had a higher cold carcass weight (p = 0.054) than those fed the CON diet. The OCSC group also showed increased (p ≤ 0.027) loin cut and intermuscular fat weights compared with the OC and CON groups. All measured serum metabolites were similar in CON and groups incorporating OCs or OCSCs.

Conclusion

The results showed that adding 20% OC combined with SC to the diet of growing kids improved some growth and carcass characteristic parameters without affecting their health status. Notably, using OC along with SC could be an option for feed cost reduction in kids' diets.

The impact of dietary supplementation of polysaccharide derived from Polygonatum sibiricum on growth, antioxidant capacity, meat quality, digestive physiology, and gut microbiota in broiler chickens

Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide (PSP) has demonstrated diverse medicinal properties, extensively researched for human applications. Nonetheless, there is a lack of studies investigating the potential advantages of PSP in poultry farming. The present study investigated the impact of incorporating PSP into broiler diets on their growth performance, meat quality, blood metabolites, antioxidative status, and ileal histomorphology. Two hundred and forty-one-day-old male Ross-308 broiler chicks (44.98 ± 0.79 g) were randomly assigned to 3 experimental groups, with 8 replicates of 10 birds each. The birds were fed diets supplemented with PSP at 0, 400, and 800 mg/kg (control, PSP400, and PSP800, respectively). The results revealed a linear (P > 0.05) improvement in body weight gain, European production efficiency index, and feed conversion ratio during the grower (22-35 d) and overall periods (1-35 d). The pH levels in the ingluvies, ileum, and cecum exhibited a linear reduction (P > 0.05) in the PSP800 group at d 21 and d 35, respectively. Villus height and crypt depth were increased in the PSP400 and PSP800 groups compared to the control group. PSP400 and PSP800 groups exhibited decreased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels and increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) at 21 d, while at 35 d, TAC and sulfhydryl concentrations were elevated, and H2O2 was reduced only in the PSP800 group compared to the untreated one. No significant variations between the groups at the phylum and genus levels were observed, with Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes being the dominant phyla. However, PSP supplementation notably augmented Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobiota while reducing Euryarchaeota and Proteobacteria. At the genus level, there was an increase in Akkermansia, Alistipes, CHKCI001, Erysipelatoclostridium, and a decrease in Methanobrevibacter. Conclusively, incorporating PSP into broiler diets, particularly at a dosage of 800 mg/kg, improved growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal architecture and resulted in alterations in cecal microbiota without discernible impacts on digestive function and meat quality criteria.

Efficacy of supplementing Aspergillus awamori in enhancing growth performance, gut microbiota, digestibility, immunity, and antioxidant activity of heat-stressed broiler chickens fed diets containing olive pulp

BACKGROUND

Gut microbes play a significant role in digestion, developing immunity, and intestinal health. Therefore, direct-fed microbials are used to modify gut microbiota, maintain a healthy digestive system, enhance immunity, and promote the broilers' performance. In addition, it has a role in improving the utilization of unconventional feed ingredients (olive pulp, OP). This study provides the potential role of Aspergillus awamori in enhancing gut microbial content, nutrient utilization, growth performance, and antioxidative status in heat-stressed broiler chickens fed diets containing olive pulp.

METHODS

Three hundred chicks (Ross 308; one day old) were divided into four treatment groups (75 chick/ group) randomly, as follows; CON: chicks fed a basal diet based on corn and soybean meal, OP10: chicks fed a diet containing 10% OP, OA1: chicks fed a diet containing OP with A. awamori at 100 mg per kg, OA2: chicks fed a diet containing OP with A. awamori at 200 mg per kg.

RESULTS

Adding A. awamori to the broiler diet that contains OP had a positive effect on productive performance via enhancing nutrition digestibility, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and carcass characteristics. A. awamori supplementation had a positive impact on immune responses by increasing serum immunoglobulin G and the relative weight of bursa of Fabricius (P < 0.05) compared to the other groups. Chickens fed A. awamori showed a noticeable improvement in the oxidative status through the increase in the level of serum superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, and the decrease in the level of malondialdehyde. Feeding A. awamori also modified the intestinal microbial content by increasing the population of Lactobacillus (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicated that adding 200 mg A. awamori reduced the negative effect of heat stress by modifying the microbial content of the intestine, immune response, and enhancing feed utilization, thus improving broiler performance, as well as, improving the nutritional value of the olive pulp. Therefore, adding A. awamori to the OP diet can be effectively used in heat-stressed broiler diets.

Impacts of enzymes and probiotic in improving the utilization of sieved olive pulp meal in growing rabbit diets

Objective

This research assesses the utilization of sieved olive pulp (SOP) in the diet of growing rabbits through the use of an exogenous enzyme or dry yeast as a pretreatment.

Materials and Methods

One hundred sixty-eight male V-Line rabbits aged 5 weeks (weighing 550 ± 25 gm) were randomly divided into seven groups with eight replicates each as follows: the control group was fed a basal diet without supplementation; while the other six groups were fed basal diets containing 20% and 25% of SOP and supplemented with 0.1 gm/kg Econase (E), 0.5 gm/kg dry yeast (Y), and a combination of both. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks.

Results

The results indicated that supplementation of E, Y, and EY into rabbit diets containing SOP improved live body weight, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and nutrient digestibility. A higher dressing percentage was observed in the groups fed a 20% and 25% SOP diet supplemented with EY (p < 0.05). The treated groups showed an increase in total protein, albumin, globulin, A/G ratio, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase (p < 0.05), while there was a significant decrease in triglycerides, total cholesterol, and malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.05) compared to the control. Rabbit groups fed an SOP diet supplemented with E, Y, or EY demonstrated higher (p < 0.05) economic efficiency compared to the control.

Conclusion

Supplementing the diet of rabbits containing SOP with exogenous enzymes and/or dry yeast enhances the nutritional value of SOP while improving rabbit performance, nutrient digestibility, and antioxidant status.