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Liu M, Geng S, Wang Q, Mi J, Zhao L, Zhang J, Ji C, Wang H, Ma Q, Huang S. Using low-protein diet in egg production for win-win of productivity and environmental benefits should be prudent: Evidence from pilot test. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169148. [PMID: 38092206 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
A shortage of feed protein resources restricts poultry productivity. Key strategies to alleviate this problem include improvements to the structure of the gut microbiota by the appropriate intake of high-quality protein, improvements to the comprehensive protein utilization rate, and reducing the consumption of protein raw materials. In addition, damage to the environment caused by nitrogen emissions needs to be reduced. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of dietary protein levels on laying performance, host metabolism, ovarian health, nitrogen emissions, and the gut microbial structure and function of laying hens. In total, 360 hens at the age of 38 weeks were randomly allotted four treatments. Each of the groups consisted of nine replicates, with 10 birds per replicate, used for 12 weeks of study. Dietary protein levels of the four groups were 13.85 %, 14.41 %, 15.63 %, and 16.30 %. Results revealed that, compared with the 13.85 % crude protein (CP) group, the 15.63 % CP group experienced significantly enhanced final body weight, average daily gain, egg production, and egg mass. Compared with the 16.30 % CP group, the other groups' serum concentrations of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) were significantly reduced. Compared with the 16.30 % CP group, the 13.85 % and 15.63 % groups had increased CP utilization rates but reduced nitrogen emission rate, and daily per egg and per kilogram egg nitrogen emissions rose with increased dietary protein levels. Compared to the 13.85 % and 14.41 % CP groups, the 16.30 % CP group exhibited a significant increase in the expression of genes related to amino acids and carbohydrate metabolic pathways. According to the linear discriminant analysis effect size diagram, the predominant bacteria in the 15.63 % CP group (e.g., Subdoligranulum, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-013) were significantly related to CP utilization. The results of this study emphasize that production performance is significantly reduced when protein levels are too low, whereas too high protein levels lead to gut microbiota imbalance and a reduction in the utilization efficiency of nutrients. Therefore, on the premise of ensuring the health of hens, the structure of the gut microbiota can be improved by appropriately reducing protein levels, which helps to balance the relationships among host health, productivity, resources, and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiling Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Feed Safety and Healthy Livestock, Beijing Jingwa Agricultural Innovation Center, Beijing 101206, China
| | - Shunju Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Feed Safety and Healthy Livestock, Beijing Jingwa Agricultural Innovation Center, Beijing 101206, China
| | - Qingfeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Feed Safety and Healthy Livestock, Beijing Jingwa Agricultural Innovation Center, Beijing 101206, China
| | - Jinqiu Mi
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Feed Safety and Healthy Livestock, Beijing Jingwa Agricultural Innovation Center, Beijing 101206, China
| | - Lihong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Feed Safety and Healthy Livestock, Beijing Jingwa Agricultural Innovation Center, Beijing 101206, China
| | - Jianyun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Feed Safety and Healthy Livestock, Beijing Jingwa Agricultural Innovation Center, Beijing 101206, China
| | - Cheng Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Feed Safety and Healthy Livestock, Beijing Jingwa Agricultural Innovation Center, Beijing 101206, China
| | - Hongliang Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development; Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qiugang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Feed Safety and Healthy Livestock, Beijing Jingwa Agricultural Innovation Center, Beijing 101206, China.
| | - Shimeng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Feed Safety and Healthy Livestock, Beijing Jingwa Agricultural Innovation Center, Beijing 101206, China.
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Zhao Y, Liu M, Jiang L, Guan L. Could natural phytochemicals be used to reduce nitrogen excretion and excreta-derived N 2O emissions from ruminants? J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2023; 14:140. [PMID: 37941085 PMCID: PMC10634152 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-023-00942-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Ruminants play a critical role in our food system by converting plant biomass that humans cannot or choose not to consume into edible high-quality food. However, ruminant excreta is a significant source of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas with a long-term global warming potential 298 times that of carbon dioxide. Natural phytochemicals or forages containing phytochemicals have shown the potential to improve the efficiency of nitrogen (N) utilization and decrease N2O emissions from the excreta of ruminants. Dietary inclusion of tannins can shift more of the excreted N to the feces, alter the urinary N composition and consequently reduce N2O emissions from excreta. Essential oils or saponins could inhibit rumen ammonia production and decrease urinary N excretion. In grazed pastures, large amounts of glucosinolates or aucubin can be introduced into pasture soils when animals consume plants rich in these compounds and then excrete them or their metabolites in the urine or feces. If inhibitory compounds are excreted in the urine, they would be directly applied to the urine patch to reduce nitrification and subsequent N2O emissions. The phytochemicals' role in sustainable ruminant production is undeniable, but much uncertainty remains. Inconsistency, transient effects, and adverse effects limit the effectiveness of these phytochemicals for reducing N losses. In this review, we will identify some current phytochemicals found in feed that have the potential to manipulate ruminant N excretion or mitigate N2O production and deliberate the challenges and opportunities associated with using phytochemicals or forages rich in phytochemicals as dietary strategies for reducing N excretion and excreta-derived N2O emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchao Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Dairy Cow Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Dairy Cow Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Linshu Jiang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Dairy Cow Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China.
| | - Leluo Guan
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R3, Canada
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Effects of Dietary Tannins’ Supplementation on Growth Performance, Rumen Fermentation, and Enteric Methane Emissions in Beef Cattle: A Meta-Analysis. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13137410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The environmental sustainability of beef production is a significant concern within the food production system. Tannins (TANs) can be used to minimize the environmental impact of ruminant production because they can improve ruminal fermentation and ruminants’ lifetime performances and mitigate methane (CH4) emissions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with TANs as sustainable natural alternative to reduce the environmental impact on growth performance, rumen fermentation, enteric CH4 emissions, and nitrogen (N) use efficiency of beef cattle through a meta-analysis. A comprehensive search of studies published in scientific journals that investigated the effects of TANs’ supplementation on the variables of interest was performed using the Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases. The data analyzed were extracted from 32 peer-reviewed publications. The effects of TANs were assessed using random-effects statistical models to examine the standardized mean difference (SMD) between TANs’ treatments and control (non-TANs). The heterogeneity was explored by meta-regression and subgroup analysis was performed for the covariates that were significant. TANs’ supplementation did not affect weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, or N use efficiency (p > 0.05). However, it reduced the concentration of ammonia nitrogen in rumen (SMD = −0.508, p < 0.001), CH4 emissions per day (SMD = −0.474, p < 0.01) and per unit dry matter intake (SMD = −0.408, p < 0.01), urinary N excretion (SMD = −0.338, p < 0.05), and dry matter digestibility (SMD = −0.589, p < 0.001). Ruminal propionate (SMD = 0.250) and butyrate (SMD = 0.198) concentrations and fecal N excretion (SMD = 0.860) improved in response to TANs’ supplementation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, it is possible to use TANs as a CH4 mitigation strategy without affecting cattle growth rate. In addition, the shift from urinary to fecal N may be beneficial for environment preservation, as urinary N induces more harmful emissions than fecal N. Therefore, the addition of tannins in the diet of beef cattle could be used as a sustainable natural alternative to reduce the environmental impact of beef production.
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