β-glucan administration improves growth performance and gut health in New Zealand White and APRI rabbits with different breed responses

Sow-Offspring Diets Supplemented with Probiotics and Synbiotics Are Associated with Offspring's Growth Performance and Meat Quality

Probiotics and synbiotics supplementation have been shown to play potential roles in animal production. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary probiotics and synbiotics supplementation to sows during gestation and lactation and to offspring pigs (sow-offspring) on offspring pigs' growth performance and meat quality. Sixty-four healthy Bama mini-pigs were selected and randomly allocated into four groups after mating: the control, antibiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics groups. After weaning, two offspring pigs per litter were selected, and four offspring pigs from two litters were merged into one pen. The offspring pigs were fed a basal diet and the same feed additive according to their corresponding sows, representing the control group (Con group), sow-offspring antibiotics group (S-OA group), sow-offspring probiotics group (S-OP group), and sow-offspring synbiotics group (S-OS group). Eight pigs per group were euthanized and sampled at 65, 95, and 125 d old for further analyses. Our findings showed that probiotics supplementation in sow-offspring diets promoted growth and feed intake of offspring pigs during 95-125 d old. Moreover, sow-offspring diets supplemented with probiotics and synbiotics altered meat quality (meat color, pH_45min, pH_24h, drip loss, cooking yield, and shear force), plasma UN and AMM levels, and gene expressions associated with muscle-fiber types (MyHCI, MyHCIIa, MyHCIIx, and MyHCIIb) and muscle growth and development (Myf5, Myf6, MyoD, and MyoG). This study provides a theoretical basis for the maternal-offspring integration regulation of meat quality by dietary probiotics and synbiotics supplementation.

Modulating gut microbiota and metabolites with dietary fiber oat β-glucan interventions to improve growth performance and intestinal function in weaned rabbits

The effect of oat β-glucan on intestinal function and growth performance of weaned rabbits were explored by multi-omics integrative analyses in the present study. New Zealand White rabbits fed oat β-glucan [200 mg/kg body weight (BW)] for 4 weeks, and serum markers, colon histological alterations, colonic microbiome, colonic metabolome, and serum metabolome were measured. The results revealed that oat β-glucan increased BW, average daily gain (ADG), average daily food intake (ADFI), and decreased serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contents, but did not affect colonic microstructure. Microbiota community analysis showed oat β-glucan modulated gut microbial composition and structure, increased the abundances of beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus, Prevotellaceae_UCG-001, Pediococcus, Bacillus, etc. Oat β-glucan also increased intestinal propionic acid, valeric acid, and butyric acid concentrations, decreased lysine and aromatic amino acid (AAA) derivative contents. Serum metabolite analysis revealed that oat β-glucan altered host carbohydrate, lipid, and amino acid metabolism. These results suggested that oat β-glucan could inhibit systemic inflammation and protect intestinal function by regulating gut microbiota and related metabolites, which further helps to improve growth performance in weaned rabbits.

Beta-Glucan Alters Gut Microbiota and Plasma Metabolites in Pre-Weaning Dairy Calves

The present study aims to evaluate the alterations in gut microbiome and plasma metabolites of dairy calves with β-glucan (BG) supplementation. Fourteen healthy newborn dairy calves with similar body weight were randomly divided into control (n = 7) and BG (n = 7) groups. All the calves were fed on the basal diet, while calves in the BG group were supplemented with oat BG on d 8 for 14 days. Serum markers, fecal microbiome, and plasma metabolites at d 21 were analyzed. The calves were weaned on d 60 and weighed. The mean weaning weight of the BG group was 4.29 kg heavier than that of the control group. Compared with the control group, the levels of serum globulin, albumin, and superoxide dismutase were increased in the BG group. Oat BG intake increased the gut microbiota richness and decreased the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio. Changes in serum markers were found to be correlated with the plasma metabolites, including sphingosine, trehalose, and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol sulfate, and gut microbiota such as Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214, Alistipes, and Bacteroides. Overall, these results suggest that the BG promotes growth and health of pre-weaning dairy calves by affecting the interaction between the host and gut microbiota.

Fructooligosaccharide Supplementation Boosts Growth Performance, Antioxidant Status, and Cecal Microbiota Differently in Two Rabbit Breeds

Simple Summary

Rapidly rising incomes are dependent on animal protein production and the worldwide demand for livestock. It is expected that moving towards more intensive production systems to sustain this increased demand will depend on growth promoters. Some growth promoters, such as prebiotics, might be considered alternative non-antibiotic feed supplementation as they enhance performance without any side effects on the consumer’s health. The present study inspected the influence of supplementation of β-fructan^® (a commercial fructooligosaccharide; FOS) in the drinking water of growing rabbits on growth performance, carcass traits, hematological and biochemical indices, antioxidant status, and cecal microbiota of the NZW- and APRI-line rabbits (Animal Production Research Institute Line). FOS supplementation in rabbits enhanced growth carcass characteristics, significantly improving hematological parameters and antioxidant status, and minimized pathogenic Escherichia coli bacteria (from 3.45 in control groups to 2.89 and 2.24 (Log10 CFU g⁻¹) in 0.5 mL and 1 mL FOS-treated rabbits, respectively.

Abstract

The present study examined the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) supplementation in drinking water on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, hematological and biochemical parameters, antioxidant status, and cecal microbiota of New Zealand White (NZW) and APRI rabbits. A total of 180 male NZW and APRI rabbits (aged five weeks; average live body weight 700 ± 39 g) were divided into six groups (30 rabbits/group; 5 replicates/group) in a two × three factorial arrangement. Rabbits of each breed were randomly assigned to one of three treatments of FOS (control; 0.00, FOS-0.5, and FOS-1.0). Results showed that rabbits’ final body weight, FBWG, and carcass traits were considerably enhanced compared to those in the control group. The interaction effect of the supplement with the rabbit breed increased the growth, carcass traits, and hematobiochemical and antioxidant parameters with increasing FOS levels. In the cecum of both rabbit breeds, the total bacterial count and Escherichiacoli population were considerably low, with a substantial increase in the number of Lactobacilli supplemented by FOS. In conclusion, FOS supplementation enhanced growth and carcass traits by improving the hematobiochemical parameters and antioxidant status and reducing cecal pathogenic bacteria in both breeds.

Effect of β-Glucan Supplementation on Growth Performance and Intestinal Epithelium Functions in Weaned Pigs Challenged by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Background: To examine the effect of β-glucan (BGL) supplementation on growth performance and intestinal epithelium functions in weaned pigs upon Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) challenge. Methods: Thirty-two weaned pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) were assigned into four groups. Pigs fed with a basal diet or basal diet containing 500 mg/kg BGL were orally infused with ETEC or culture medium. Results: Results showed BGL tended to increase the average daily gain (ADG) in ETEC-challenged pigs (0.05 < p < 0.1). Dietary BGL supplementation had no significant influence on nutrient digestibility (p > 0.05). However, BGL improved the serum concentrations of immunoglobulin (Ig) A and IgG, and was beneficial to relieve the increasement of the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines such as the TNF-α and IL-6 upon ETEC-challenge (p < 0.05). Interestingly, BGL significantly increased the duodenal, jejunal and ileal villus height, and increased the jejunal ratio of villus height to crypt depth (V/C) upon ETEC challenge (p < 0.05). BGL also increased the activities of mucosal, sucrase and maltase in the ETEC-challenged pigs (p < 0.05). Moreover, BGL elevated the abundance of Lactobacillus and the concentration of propanoic acid in colon in the ETEC-challenged pigs (p < 0.05). Importantly, BGL elevated the expression levels of zonula occludins-1 (ZO-1) and mucin-2 (MUC-2) in the small intestinal mucosa upon ETEC challenge (p < 0.05). BGL also upregulated the expressions of functional genes such as the claudin-1, cationic amino acid transporter-1 (CAT-1), LAT-1, L amino acid transporter-1 (LAT1), fatty acid transport proteins (FATP1), FATP4, and sodium/glucose cotransporter-1 (SGLT-1) in the duodenum, and the occludin-1 and CAT-1 in the jejunum upon ETEC challenge (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These results suggested that BGL can attenuate intestinal damage in weaned pigs upon ETEC challenge, which was connected with the suppressed secretion of inflammatory cytokines and enhanced serum immunoglobulins, as well as improved intestinal epithelium functions and microbiota.

Recent advances of cereal β-glucan on immunity with gut microbiota regulation functions and its intelligent gelling application

β-glucan from cereals such as wheat, barley, oats and rye are a water-soluble dietary fiber, which are composed of repeating (1→4)-β-bond β-D-glucopyranosyl units and a single (1→3)-β-D-bond separated unit. β-glucan has a series of physicochemical properties (such as viscosity, gelling properties, solubility, etc.), which can be used as a food gel and fat substitute. Its structure endows the healthy functions, including anti-oxidative stress, lowering blood glucose and serum cholesterol, regulating metabolic syndrome and exerting gut immunity via gut microbiota. Due to their unique structural properties and efficacy, cereal β-glucan are not only applied in food substrates in the food industry, but also in food coatings and packaging. This article reviewed the applications of cereal β-glucan in hydrogels, aerogels, intelligent packaging systems and targeted delivery carriers in recent years. Cereal β-glucan in edible film and gel packaging applications are becoming more diversified and intelligent in recent years. Those advances provide a potential solution based on cereal β-glucan as biodegradable substances for immune regulation delivery system and intelligent gelling material in the biomedicine field.

The Influence of Chicken Egg Lysozyme or Zinc-Bacitracin Antibiotic on the Growth Performance, Antibacterial Capacity, Blood Profiles, and Antioxidative Status of Rabbits: A Comparative Study

Simple Summary

Despite the beneficial role of antibiotics in reducing bacterial infection in rabbits, there is an indirect harmful influence on human health. Thus, replacing antibiotics with friendly alternatives is a suitable strategy to protect the performance and welfare of rabbits. This study aimed at comparing the effects of including dietary egg lysozyme and zinc bacitracin antibiotic (ZnB) on the productivity and health conditions of rabbits. The results show a marked enhancement of the growth performance, antibacterial capacity, blood health, and antioxidative status in rabbits treated with egg lysozyme compared with those treated with ZnB. Thus, using egg lysozyme is recommended to replace the usage of ZnB in rabbit production.

Abstract

Dietary egg lysozyme has beneficial roles in the growth performance and health conditions of animals. The study was performed using 90 multicolored rabbits in three groups (each replicate with thirty rabbits). In the control group, rabbits were fed a diet without zinc bacitracin (ZnB) or egg lysozyme, while the second and third groups were treated with ZnB and lysozyme additive at 100 mg/kg, respectively. After eight weeks, the final weight and body weight gain (BWG) of rabbits fed dietary egg lysozyme and ZnB additives were meaningfully increased (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was markedly decreased by dietary egg lysozyme and ZnB (p < 0.05). Interestingly, dietary egg lysozyme resulted in higher final weight and BWG and lower FCR than rabbits treated with ZnB (p < 0.05). Rabbits treated with egg lysozyme and ZnB additives had markedly lower populations of Clostridium spp. and Escherichia coli (p < 0.05) compared with the control. However, the counts of Lactobacillus and total bacteria were meaningfully increased in the the intestines of rabbits treated with egg lysozyme and ZnB (p < 0.05). The blood total protein and globulin of rabbits fed dietary egg lysozyme and ZnB additives were meaningfully increased (p < 0.05). Blood creatinine was significantly lowered by dietary egg lysozyme compared with the control and ZnB-treated rabbits (p < 0.05). The levels of blood urea, ALT, and AST were markedly lowered (p < 0.05) by dietary egg lysozyme and ZnB. The gene expressions of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in the liver of rabbits fed dietary egg lysozyme and ZnB additives were markedly upregulated (p < 0.05) compared with the control. Dietary egg lysozyme resulted in higher expression of SOD1 and GPX genes than rabbits treated with ZnB (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the inclusion of egg lysozyme could replace the inclusion of ZnB in the diets of rabbits.