Field evaluation of feeding spray-dried plasma in the starter period on final performance and overall health of broilers

Effects of spray-dried plasma on performance, carcass parameters, tibia quality and Newcastle disease vaccine efficacy in broiler chicken fed corn-soy diets with two varying levels of digestible amino acids and AMEn density

This study aimed to determine the effects of spray dried plasma (SDP) on growth performance, carcass traits, tibia quality, and hemagglutination inhibition titers in broilers fed two nutritional strategies with high or low nutrient density. In the study, 816 one-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chickens were divided into a 2 × 2 factorial arrangements consisting of four treatment groups with 12 replicates (17 birds/replicate) based on diets with high nutrient density (HND) or low nutrient density (LND) from d 0 to 42 and receiving either control or 1% SDP diets during d 0 to 10. The results showed that feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG) were increased (P < 0.05) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly reduced (P = 0.003) for broilers fed HND diets from d 0 to 42. The inclusion of SDP increased the BWG (P < 0.001), FI (P < 0.001), and FCR (P < 0.05) during d 0 to 10 of broiler life but not effect of SDP was observed for the whole 0-42 d period. Carcass yield increased with HND (P < 0.001) and dietary SDP (P = 0.002). However, HND feeding significantly decreased liver (P < 0.001), bursa of Fabricius (P = 0.002), abdominal fat (P < 0.001), proventriculus (P < 0.001) and gizzard weight (P < 0.001), but increased heart weight (P = 0.013), although spleen weight remained unaffected (P > 0.05) on d 42. Tibial bone morphometric and mechanical properties improved (P < 0.05) with SDP supplementation, and bone ash, Ca, and P remained unaffected (P > 0.05) on d 14. With the exception at d 28 (P = 0.037), the antibody titer to ND virus was similar among all treatment groups (P > 0.05) at d 0, 14, and 42. In conclusion, HND diets improve performance of broilers during the whole period and SDP supplementation during starter phase improve performance at this period, but also increased carcass yield, and tibial quality. Therefore, inclusion of SDP in the starter diet could be a beneficial nutritional strategy to improve the health and production of broilers provided feeding strategies using various nutrient densities.

Comparative Analysis of Spray-Dried Porcine Plasma and Hydrolyzed Porcine Protein as Animal-Blood-Derived Protein Ingredients for Pet Nutrition

Spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) and hydrolyzed porcine protein (HPP) are promising animal protein ingredients sourced from healthy animal blood that are rich in biomolecules, including immunoglobulins, and can be an appropriate and valuable animal protein ingredient to supply the growing need for ingredients that meet the natural needs of carnivorous pets. The aim of this preliminary study was to analyze the chemical composition and mineral profile of a novel HPP compared with results for SDPP. The basic composition analysis followed AOAC guidelines, and the elemental analysis utilized atomic absorption spectrometry. Statistical comparisons employed an independent Student's t-test (p < 0.05). Both SDPP and HPP are low in moisture (<4.3%) and rich in protein, with SDPP significantly exceeding HPP (75.4% vs. 71.4%). They boast mineral richness indicated by crude ash content (12.7% and 12.5%), featuring Na, K, P, and the trace elements Mo, Fe, and Zn. Notably, SDPP contains elevated molybdenum levels (51.39 mg/100 g vs. 10.93 mg/100 g in HPP), an essential element for diverse animal functions. Quantifying these elements in raw materials aids in achieving optimal nutrient levels in the final product. The study underscores SDPP as an excellent protein source, confirming that its nutritional value is similar to or better than other protein components in pet food.

Applying different morphometric intestinal mucosa methods and the correlation with broilers performance under Eimeria challenge

The intestinal wall has on its surface, protrusions called villi that are responsible for the absorption of nutrients. Commonly, these structures have their dimensions measured to related more area surface with better absorption. However, the measurement of these villi neglects the inflammation and the presence of immature cells that increase the surface area but affect negatively the absorption and compromise the animal performance. The measurements of villi/crypt are traditional tools in animal research; however, they may overlook alterations that impact the mucosal functionality. This study aimed to compare the morphometry of the intestinal villi/crypt with the I See Inside (ISI) scoring methodology, exploring their correlation with zootechnical performance. Therefore, broilers were grouped as nonchallenged (NC) and challenged with Eimeria (CH) and jejunum samples were collected at 22 d for histological analysis. The same villi were submitted to the ISI methodology, which is based on the scoring of 8 parameters related to the inflammatory process, and the measurements of villus height (VH), villus width (VW), crypt depth (CD), crypt width (CW), VH:CD ratio and villi absorptive surface (VAS). The CH group presented higher ISI total score, VW, CD, CW and lower VH, VH:CD, and VAS in comparison to the NC group. While the villi/crypt morphometry did not exhibit correlations with performance, the presence of Eimeria oocysts and the ISI total score was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with the feed conversion ratio (FCR), demonstrating a statistical interaction between high ISI scores and worse performance. In conclusion, a larger villus is not related to better intestinal functionality when this enlargement is unleashed by the immune processes occurring inside. The scoring system that evaluates the type of alteration observed has a direct impact on the animal's zootechnical performance which is not observed with the single metric surface evaluation.

Chemical Composition and Functional Properties of Spray-Dried Animal Plasma and Its Contributions to Livestock and Pet Health: A Review

Spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) is a functional ingredient derived from healthy animal blood, used as a nutritional additive in livestock and pet nutrition. SDAP is rich in macronutrients, micronutrients, and bioactive compounds such as immunoglobulins, albumin, growth factors, peptides, transferrin, and enzymes. This review focuses on the chemical composition of SDAP from porcine, bovine, and poultry sources, including protein quality and mineral profile. SDAP enhances performance and health in monogastric farm animals, aquaculture, and pets. It promotes growth rates and feed intake due to its high digestibility and superior amino acid profile compared to other protein sources. In pigs, SDAP's positive effects stem from tissue-specific actions in the gastrointestinal tract, impacting digestion, immunity, and barrier function. For poultry, SDAP shows promise as a substitute for antibiotic growth promoters, particularly in chick starter diets. SDAP contains functional proteins that regulate immune response, enhance intestinal health, and aid in stress conditions. It is also used as a binder in pet food, providing high protein content and other desirable properties. SDAP meets the dietary requirements of carnivorous pets, appealing to owners seeking animal-derived protein sources. Additionally, SDAP may help prevent cognitive impairment in senior dogs and cats.

Toxicity of chronic waterborne zinc exposure in the hepatopancreas of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

Zinc (Zn) is necessary for the survival of aquatic organisms; nevertheless, the accumulation of Zn in excessive amounts may have toxic consequences. Few studies focusing on the biochemical, morphological, and transcriptional effects of aqueous Zn in Litopenaeus vannamei have been reported, and the underlying toxic mechanism remains largely unknown. The present study was performed to investigate the growth performance, morphological alterations, physiological changes, and transcriptional responses after Zn exposure at 0 (control), 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/L concentrations for 30 days in white shrimp L. vannamei hepatopancreas. The results found that survival rate (SR) and growth performance were significantly reduced in 1 mg/L Zn group. Significant structural damage and significant Zn accumulation in hepatopancreas were observed. The activities of trypsin and amylase (AMS), and the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were attenuated, while the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were significantly increased after Zn exposure. Many differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained after Zn exposure, and the majority of these DEGs were downregulated. Ten DEGs involved in oxidative stress, immunological response, apoptosis, and other processes were selected for qRT-PCR validation and the expression profiles of these DEGs kept well consistent with the transcriptome data, which confirmed the accuracy and reliability of the transcriptome results. Subsequently, we screened 12 genes to examine the changes of expression in different concentrations in more detail. All the results implying that Zn exposure caused severe histopathological changes and increased Zn accumulation in hepatopancreas, altered immune, antioxidant and detoxifying response by regulating the gene expressions of related genes, and eventually might trigger apoptosis. These findings provide valuable information and a new perspective on the molecular toxicity of crustaceans in response to environmental heavy metal exposure.

Morphological Assessment and Biomarkers of Low-Grade, Chronic Intestinal Inflammation in Production Animals

Simple Summary

Production animals are continuously exposed to environmental and dietary factors that might induce a state of low-grade, chronic intestinal inflammation. This condition compromises the productive performance and well-fare of these animals, requiring studies to understand what causes it and to develop control strategies. An intestinal inflammatory process is generally associated with alterations in the structure and functionality of its wall, resulting in the release of cellular components into the blood and/or feces. These components can act as biomarkers, i.e., they are measured to identify and quantify an inflammatory process without requiring invasive methods. In this review we discuss the mechanisms of low-grade inflammation, its effects on animal production and sustainability, and the identification of biomarkers that could provide early diagnosis of this process and support studies of useful interventional strategies.

Abstract

The complex interaction between the intestinal mucosa, the gut microbiota, and the diet balances the host physiological homeostasis and is fundamental for the maximal genetic potential of production animals. However, factors such as chemical and physical characteristics of the diet and/or environmental stressors can continuously affect this balance, potentially inducing a state of chronic low-grade inflammation in the gut, where inflammatory parameters are present and demanding energy, but not in enough intensity to provoke clinical manifestations. It’s vital to expand the understanding of inflammation dynamics and of how they compromise the function activity and microscopic morphology of the intestinal mucosa. These morphometric alterations are associated with the release of structural and functional cellular components into the feces and the blood stream creating measurable biomarkers to track this condition. Moreover, the identification of novel, immunometabolic biomarkers can provide dynamic and predictors of low-grade chronic inflammation, but also provide indicators of successful nutritional or feed additive intervention strategies. The objective of this paper is to review the mechanisms of low-grade inflammation, its effects on animal production and sustainability, and the biomarkers that could provide early diagnosis of this process and support studies of useful interventional strategies.

Mitigation Strategies of Air Pollutants for Mechanical Ventilated Livestock and Poultry Housing—A Review

The fast development of large-scale intensive animal husbandry has led to an increased proportion of atmospheric pollution arising from livestock and poultry housing. Atmospheric pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), ammonia (NH3), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and greenhouse gases (GHG), as well as other hazardous materials (e.g., gases, bacteria, fungi and viruses), have significant influences upon the local atmospheric environment and the health of animals and nearby residents. Therefore, it is imperative to develop livestock and poultry housing mitigation strategies targeting atmospheric pollution, to reduce its negative effects on the ambient atmosphere and to promote sustainable agricultural production. In this paper, we summarize the various strategies applied for reducing outlet air pollutants and purifying inlet air from mechanical ventilated livestock and poultry housing. This review highlights the current state of knowledge on the removal of various atmospheric pollutants and their relative performance. The potential optimization of processes and operational design, material selection, and other technologies, such as electrostatic spinning, are discussed in detail. The study provides a timely critical analysis to fill the main research gaps or needs in this domain by using practical and stakeholder-oriented evaluation criteria.