The Impact of Kohlrabi Sprouts on Various Thyroid Parameters in Iodine Deficiency- and Sulfadimethoxine-Induced Hypothyroid Rats

Brassica sprouts, as the rich source of dietary glucosinolates, may have a negative effect on thyroid function. In this study, kohlrabi sprouts diet, combined with two models of rat hypothyroidism, was tested. TSH, thyroid hormones and histopathology analysis were completed with the evaluation of immunological, biochemical, haematological parameters, cytosolic glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase in the thyroid, and plasma glutathione peroxidase. A thermographic analysis was also adapted to confirm thyroid dysfunction. The levels of TSH, fT3 and fT4, antioxidant enzyme (GPX) as well as histopathology parameters remained unchanged following kohlrabi sprouts ingestion, only TR activity significantly increased in response to the sprouts. In hypothyroid animals, sprouts diet did not prevent thyroid damage. In comparison with the rats with iodine deficiency, kohlrabi sprouts diet decreased TNF-α level. Neither addition of the sprouts to the diet, nor sulfadimethoxine and iodine deficiency, caused negative changes in red blood cell parameters, glucose and uric acid concentrations, or kidney function. However, such a dietary intervention resulted in reduced WBC levels, and adversely interfered with liver function in rats, most likely due to a higher dietary intake of glucosinolates. Moreover, the possible impact of the breed of the rats on the evaluated parameters was indicated.

Effects of Dietary Rapeseed Meal on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Serum Parameters, and Intestinal Development of Geese

The use of inexpensive nonconventional feed materials, such as rapeseed meal (RSM), could help alleviate the shortage of feed materials in the poultry industry. This study was to investigate the effects of dietary double-low RSM on growth performance, carcass traits, serum parameters, and intestinal development of geese. A total of 270 healthy 35-day-old male Jiangnan White geese were randomly divided into five treatments, with six replicate pens of nine geese each. The geese were fed five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets containing 0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, and 16% RSM replacing dietary soybean meal for 35 days. At 35, 49, and 70 d, the BW and feed intake were recorded. All Samples were collected at 70 d of age. The results showed that dietary RSM up to 16% did not affect the BW, ADFI, ADG, and feed/gain ratio (F/G) during 35 to 49 d, 49 to 70 d, and 35 to 70 d periods (p > 0.05). At 70 d, no difference was observed in carcass yield or serum biochemical parameters among groups (p > 0.05). Dietary 12% and 16% RSM significantly increased the concentration of serum GH compared with 0%, 4%, 8% groups (p < 0.01), but serum TSH, T3 and T4 were unaffected (p > 0.05). The relative weights of heart, liver, spleen, proventriculus, gizzard, and small intestine were similar among groups (p > 0.05). However, the geese fed dietary 16% RSM had greater bursa of Fabricius than geese in the 8% group (p < 0.05). Intestinal morphology was unaffected by treatments (p > 0.05). According to the findings, dietary RSM up to 16% can be used in geese diets without impact on production performance.

Mandated restrictions on the use of medically important antibiotics in broiler chicken production in Canada: implications, emerging challenges, and opportunities for bolstering gastrointestinal function and health– A review

Chicken Farmers of Canada has been progressively phasing out prophylactic use of antibiotics in broiler chicken production. Consequently, hatcheries, veterinarians, and nutritionists have been mandated to contend with less reliance on use of preventive antibiotics. A topical concern is the increased risk of proliferation of enteric pathogens leading to poor performance, increased mortality and compromised welfare. Moreover, the gut harbors several taxa such as Campylobacter and Salmonella capable of causing significant illnesses in humans via contaminated poultry products. This has created opportunity for research and development of dietary strategies designed to modulate gastrointestinal environment for enhanced performance and food safety. Albeit with inconsistent responses, literature data suggests that dietary strategies such as feed enzymes, probiotics/prebiotics and phytogenic feed additives can bolster gut health and function in broiler chickens. However, much of the efficacy data was generated at controlled research settings that vary significantly with the complex commercial broiler production operations due to variation in dietary, health and environmental conditions. This review will summarize implications of mandated restrictions on the preventative use of antibiotics and emerging Canadian broiler production programs to meet processor specifications. Challenges and opportunities for integrating alternative dietary strategies in commercial broiler production settings will be highlighted.

Phytotherapy and food applications from Brassica genus

Plants of the genus Brassica occupy the top place among vegetables in the world. This genus, which contains a group of six related species of a global economic significance, three of which are diploid: Brassica nigra (L.) K. Koch, Brassica oleracea L., and Brassica rapa L. and three are amphidiploid species: Brassica carinata A. Braun, Brassica juncea (L.) Czern., and Brassica napus L. These varieties are divided into oily, fodder, spice, and vegetable based on their morphological structure, chemical composition, and usefulness of plant organs. The present review provides information about habitat, phytochemical composition, and the bioactive potential of Brassica plants, mainly antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer activities, and clinical studies in human. Brassica vegetables are of great economic importance around the world. At present, Brassica plants are grown together with cereals and form the basis of global food supplies. They are distinguished by high nutritional properties from other vegetable plants, such as low fat and protein content and high value of vitamins, fibers along with minerals. In addition, they possess several phenolic compounds and have a unique type of compounds namely glucosinolates that differentiate these crops from other vegetables. These compounds are also responsible for numerous biological activities to the genus Brassica as described in this review.

Toxicity of Canola-Derived Glucosinolate Degradation Products in Pigs-A Review

Canola co-products are widely included in swine diets as sources of proteins. However, inclusion of canola co-products in diets for pigs is limited by toxicity of glucosinolate degradation products. Aliphatic and aromatic glucosinolates are two major classes of glucosinolates. Glucosinolate degradation products derived from aliphatic glucosinolates (progoitrin) include crambene, epithionitriles, and goitrin, whereas indole-3-acetonitrile, thiocyanate, and indole-3-carbinol are the major aromatic glucosinolates (glucobrassicin)-derived degradation products. At acidic pH (<5.7), progoitrin is degraded by myrosinases to crambene and epithionitriles in the presence of iron, regardless of the presence of epithiospecifier protein (ESP), whereas progoitrin is degraded by myrosinases to goitrin in the absence of ESP, regardless of the presence of iron at neutral pH (6.5). Indole-3-acetonitrile is the major degradation product derived from glucobrassicin in the absence of ESP, regardless of the presence of iron at acidic pH (<4.0), whereas thiocyanate and indole-3-carbinol are the major glucobrassicin-derived degradation products in the absence of ESP, regardless of the presence of iron at neutral pH (7.0). In conclusion, the composition of glucosinolate degradation products is affected by parent glucosinolate composition and hindgut pH. Thus, toxicity of canola co-product-derived glucosinolates can be potentially alleviated by modifying the hindgut pH of pigs.

Canola meal in nursery pig diets: growth performance and gut health

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of including canola meal (CM) in nursery pig diets on growth performance, immune response, fecal microbial composition, and gut integrity. A total of 200 nursery pigs (initial body weight = 7.00 kg) were obtained in two batches of 100 pigs each. Pigs in each batch were housed in 25 pens (four pigs per pen) and fed five diets in a randomized complete block design. The five diets were corn-soybean meal (SBM)-based basal diets with 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40% of CM. The diets were fed in three phases: phase 1: day 0 to 7, phase 2: day 7 to 21, and phase 3: day 21 to 42. Diets in each phase were formulated to similar net energy, Ca, and digestible P and amino acid contents. Feed intake and body weight were measured by phase. Immune response and gut integrity parameters were measured at the end of phases 1 and 2. Fecal microbial composition for diets with 0% or 20% CM was determined at the end of phase 2. Overall average daily gain (ADG) responded quadratically (P < 0.05) to increasing dietary level of CM such that ADG was increased by 17% due to an increase in the dietary level of CM from 0% to 20% and was reduced by 16% due to an increase in the dietary level of CM from 20% to 40%. Pigs fed diets with 0% or 40% CM did not differ in overall ADG. Dietary CM tended to quadratically decrease (P = 0.09) serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) level at the end of phase 2 such that serum IgA level tended to reduce with an increase in dietary CM from 0% to 20% and to increase with an increase in dietary CM from 20% to 40%. Dietary CM at 20% decreased (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes phylum and tended to increase (P = 0.07) the relative abundance of Firmicutes phylum. Dietary CM linearly increased (P < 0.05) the lactulose to mannitol ratio in the urine by 47% and 49% at the end of phases 1 and 2, respectively, and tended to linearly decrease (P < 0.10) ileal transepithelial electrical resistance at the end of phase 1 by 64%. In conclusion, CM fed in the current study could be included in corn-SBM-based diets for nursery pigs 20% to improve the growth performance and gut microbial composition and reduce immune response. Also, the CM used in the current study could be included in corn-SBM-based diets for nursery pigs at 30% or 40% without compromising growth performance. Dietary CM increased gut permeability, implying that dietary CM at 20% improves the growth performance of weaned pigs through mechanisms other than reducing gut permeability.

Standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids and apparent metabolizable energy in corn and soybean meal for organic broiler chicken production in Ontario

Standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) in samples of organic corn and soybean meal (SBM) were determined. Conventional corn (CC) and SBM (CSBM) samples were tested for comparison. A total of 560, fourteen-day-old male broiler chickens (Cobb 500) were weighed, placed in cages (10 birds per cage), and allocated to seven (n = 8) semi-purified wheat-starch-based diets. Diets were (1) CC, (2) imported organic corn, (3) local organic corn, (4) CSBM, (5) imported organic SBM (OSBMI), (6) local organic SBM (OSBML), and (7) nitrogen-free wheat starch. Only few differences were observed on SID of AA; SID of lysine was lower (P = 0.002) in organic corn samples relative to CC, and SID of methionine was lower (P = 0.002) in OSBML sample relative to CSBM and OSBMI samples. The AMEn of CC was higher (P < 0.01) than that of organic corn samples. The AMEn of OSBML was higher (P < 0.001) than for CSBM and OSBMI; however, the value for OSBMI was higher (P < 0.001) than for CSBM. In conclusion, utilization of AA in conventional and organic feedstuffs was comparable; however, differences in energy utilization warrant considerations in organic broiler feed formulation.

Growth performance, hemato-biochemical indices, thyroid activity, antioxidant status, and immune response of growing Japanese quail fed diet with full-fat canola seeds

Dietary supplementation of full-fat canola seeds (FFCS) can be part of the global solution to the problem of incessant raise in feed cost. Genetic improvement via plant breeding constantly introduces varieties of canola with higher content of unsaturated fatty acids and lower content of anti-nutritional factors. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the dietary inclusion effect of new mutant of FFCS on growth performance, carcass traits, blood metabolites, thyroid activity, antioxidant status, and immune response of growing Japanese quails. A total of 640 21-day-old quails were used in a completely randomize design with and equally allotted to four experimental groups and eight replicates each. The experimental groups fed diets supplemented with 0, 50, 100, and 150 g FFCS/kg diet from 21 to 49 days of age. All experimental diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. The inclusion level of FFCS did not affect body weight and body weight gain at all studied periods, while feed intake was reduced and feed conversion ratio was enhanced linearly under all experimental periods except the duration from 28 to 35 days of age. All carcass traits were not statistically affected with graded levels of FFCS. Hemoglobin, leucocytes, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and MCH concentration values were linearly increased. Serum protein fractions, liver enzymes activities, renal function biomarkers, and triiodothyronine concentration were not affected. However, serum lipid profile was significantly altered, where high-density lipoprotein was linearly increased while triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were linearly (and quadratically for LDL) decreased. Antioxidant and immune statuses were improved; significant increment in glutathione and glutathione peroxidase values and antibody titer against Newcastle disease virus were elevated in groups treated with 10% and 15% FFCS. In conclusion, studied levels of FFCS, however, were not able to promote the growth rate of growing Japanese quails; they were more effective in boosting their antioxidant status and humoral immune response.

Animals in Iodine Deficiency or Sulfadimethoxine Models of Thyroid Damage Are Differently Affected by the Consumption of Brassica Sprouts

The study was primarily aimed at investigating the effect of brassica sprout consumption, namely rutabaga (Brassica napus L. var. napobrassica) sprouts (R) generally recognized as antithyroid agent due to its goitrogenic substance content, on hematological, biochemical, and immunological parameters in rats. Sprouts were tested alone and in a combination with other antithyroid factors, such as iodine deficiency (RDI) and sulfadimethoxine (RS). The expression of the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene in the thyroid as a stress-inducible protein was determined. The thermographic analysis was also estimated. The intake of rutabaga sprouts by healthy rats did not reveal any significant, harmful effect on the thyroid function. Both body temperature and expression of HO-1 remained unchanged in response to the consumed sprouts. In animals with hypothyroidism, rutabaga sprouts enhanced the negative effect of iodine deficiency or sulfadimethoxine ingestion on the organism by increasing the WBC (RDI), TNF-α (RS), creatinine (RS), and triglyceride (RDI and RS) levels, as well as decreasing PLT (RS) level. Moreover, rutabaga sprout consumption by rats with iodine deficiency and sulfadimethoxine decreased their body temperature. Additionally, the concomitant administration of sprouts and iodine depletion significantly reduced the expression of HO-1 in the thyroid. The results may prove useful in confirming rutabaga sprout consumption to be safe, though the seeds of this vegetable provide a well-known antithyroid agent. Our results have shown that rutabaga sprout consumption may be also a factor that enhances the negative clinical features only when combined with iodine deficiency and sulfadimethoxine ingestion.

Partial replacement of soybean products with canola meal in indigenous chicken diets: size of internal organs, carcass characteristics and breast meat quality

While the use of canola meal (CM) as an alternative to soybean meal in broiler diets is well-documented, there is no information on the utility of this valuable by-product for slow-growing indigenous chickens. This study was, therefore, conducted to evaluate the effects of partially replacing soybean products in a chicken grower diet with graded levels of CM on carcass characteristics, relative organ sizes and meat quality in Potchefstroom Koekoek (PK) cockerels. A total of 175 PK cockerels (342.6 ± 15.2 g body weight, 5 wk old) were randomly allocated to 25 pens. Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic grower diets containing 0, 3.75, 6.25, 8.75, and 17.5% of CM were then randomly allocated to the pens (experimental units). After 12 wk of feeding, chickens were slaughtered to measure carcass traits, size of internal organs and meat quality traits. There were no effects of graded levels of CM on carcass weights. Wing weight increased quadratically [y = 6.27(±0.23) + 0.23 (±0.063) x-0.009 (±0.0003) x2; R2 = 0.28] in response to incremental levels of dietary CM. Drumstick, vertebrae, liver, and small intestine weights linearly increased (P < 0.05) in response to incremental levels of dietary CM. Redness (a*), initial meat pH (pHo), and shear force linearly increased (P < 0.05) but lightness (L*) and water holding capacity decreased with an increase in CM inclusion levels. However, there were no significant linear and quadratic trends for yellowness (b*), ultimate pH (pHu), drip loss, and cooking loss in response to incremental levels of CM. There were also significant quadratic trends for mineral contents of the meat with the exception of iron (Fe). It can be concluded that inclusion of CM in place of soybean products had no negative impact on carcass traits, organ size and meat quality traits of indigenous PK chickens.

Meat quality, fatty acid profile, and sensory attributes of spent laying hens fed expeller press canola meal or a conventional diet

This study evaluated the effects of feeding an expeller press canola meal (EPCM) supplement (20%) on the carcass, meat, and sensory quality characteristics of spent laying hens. Thirty EPCM-based and thirty conventionally (soybean based) fed Lohmann Brown-Elite spent laying hens were obtained from a commercial egg farm. Carcass, portions, physical quality, proximate composition, fatty acids, and sensory quality were determined. EPCM-fed hens had higher (P ≤ 0.05) drum yield, breast bone weights and percentages, but lower (P ≤ 0.05) thigh and breast meat yields. Conventionally fed hens had higher (P ≤ 0.05) thaw losses, skin yellowness (b*), Chroma values and breast fat content with lower (P ≤ 0.05) cooking losses, skin redness (a*) and hue angle values, as well as breast Warner-Bratzler shear force values (N) (15.43 ± 0.600 vs. 12.37 ± 0.411). Palmitic acid, stearic acid, heneicosanoic acid, palmitoleic acid, saturated fatty acids (SFA) (34.0 ± 0.56 vs. 38.7 ± 0.71), n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) ratio (5.5 ± 0.13 vs. 7.2 ± 0.28), atherogenic index, thrombogenic index, delta-5 desaturase, elongase index, and thiosterase index were lower (P ≤ 0.05) for EPCM-fed hen breast meat. Myristic acid, lignoceric acid, nervonic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), PUFA:SFA ratio (0.7 ± 0.05 vs. 0.9 ± 0.02), n-3 PUFA (3.4 ± 0.31 vs. 5.1 ± 0.17), hypocholesterolemic:Hypercholesterolaemic, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 16, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 18 were higher (P ≤ 0.05) for EPCM-fed hen breast meat. Metallic flavor was decreased (P ≤ 0.05) for EPCM-fed hen breast meat. Generally, effects of EPCM supplementation were observed to have an effect on the carcass, physical quality, proximate composition, fatty acids, and health indices. The sensory profiles did not differ between EPCM and conventionally fed spent laying hen breast meat (except for metallic flavor). The EPCM improved the nutritional profile of spent laying hen meat with low intramuscular fat, low n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio, and favorable lipid health indices.

Effects of dietary rapeseed meal inclusion levels on growth performance, organ weight, and serum biochemical parameters in Cherry Valley ducks

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the inclusion levels of different types of rapeseed meal (RSM) on performance, organ weight, and serum biochemical parameters in Cherry Valley ducks in the starter period and grower-finisher period. In Exp. 1, a total of 750 seven-day-old male ducklings were divided into 5 dietary treatments with 6 replicate pens of 25 birds per pen. The starter diets with the inclusion of 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20% of double-low RSM contained 0, 1.37, 2.15, 3.46, or 5.31 µmol glucosinolates (GLS)/g in the finished feed (from day 7 to 21). In Exp. 2, a total of 900 fifteen-day-old male ducklings were divided into 6 dietary treatments with 6 replicate pens of 25 birds per pen. The grower-finisher diets with the inclusion of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25% of Indian RSM contained 0, 7.67, 15.34, 24.66, 31.21, or 38.44 µmol GLS/g in the finished feed (from day 15 to 42). For ducklings in the starter period (Exp. 1), body weight gain and feed intake decreased linearly as the dietary double-low RSM inclusion level increased at day 7 to 14, while growth rate was not influenced by dietary double-low RSM inclusion levels at day 15 to 21 and day 7 to 21. For ducks in the grower-finisher period (Exp. 2), growth performance decreased linearly as the dietary RSM inclusion level increased from 5 to 20%. In addition, dietary RSM inclusion levels induced liver enlargement in ducklings at day 21 (5 to 20% double-low RSM with 1.37 to 5.31 µmol/g GLS) and thyroid enlargement accompanied by increased serum AST and ALP activities in ducks at day 42 (5 to 15% Indian RSM with 7.67 to 23.66 µmol/g GLS). Therefore, our results indicated that the upper limit of using RSM sources in feed formulation should consider the anti-nutritional factor of GLS content at different stages of duck growth.

Energy values of solvent-extracted canola meal and expeller-derived canola meal for broiler chickens and growing pigs determined using the regression method1

The energy values of solvent-extracted canola meal (SECM) and expeller-derived canola meal (EDCM) for broiler chickens and growing pigs were determined in 2 experiments using the regression method. Corn-soybean meal reference diet (RF) and 4 test diets were prepared. The test diets consisted of SECM or EDCM that partly replaced the energy sources in the RF at 100 or 200 g/kg, respectively. The ratios of all energy ingredients were kept similar across all experimental diets. In Exp. 1, a total of 300 birds were fed standard broiler starter diet from days 0 to 19 posthatching. On day 19, 240 birds (776 ± 79.3 g initial BW) were assigned into 5 experimental diets in a randomized complex block design with BW as a blocking factor. Excreta were collected from days 23 to 25 and ileal digesta were collected after birds were euthanized by CO2 asphyxiation on day 26. In Exp. 2, 40 barrows (28.4 ± 1.6 kg initial BW) were allotted to 5 experimental diets according to the randomized complete block design with BW as a blocking factor. After 5-d adaption period, the feces and urine samples were collected for 5 d by total collection method. The ileal digestible energy (IDE), apparent ME (AME), and nitrogen-corrected apparent ME (AMEn) in Exp. 1 and the DE, AME, and AMEn in Exp. 2 for experimental diets and canola meals were determined. In Exp. 1, the inclusion of canola meals to RF linearly decreased the IDE, AME, and AMEn for birds fed SECM diets (P < 0.01) and the AME and AMEn for birds fed EDCM diets (P < 0.01). Furthermore, quadratic effects were also found in the IDE, AME, and AMEn by the inclusion of EDCM to RF (P < 0.05). The IDE were 2,194 and 3,514 kcal/kg DM for SECM and EDCM in broiler chickens, respectively. The respective ME and MEn values were 1,919 and 1,695 kcal/kg DM for SECM and 3,134 and 2,937 kcal/kg DM for EDCM. In Exp. 2, the SECM or EDCM addition to RF linearly decreased the AME and AMEn for pigs (P < 0.01). The DE content was also decreased linearly with the increasing level of SECM (P < 0.01). The DE, ME, and MEn of SECM for pigs were 3,109, 2,891, and 2,655 kcal/kg DM, respectively. The EDCM contained 3,850 kcal of DE, 3,581 kcal of ME, and 3,491 kcal of MEn/kg DM for pigs. In conclusion, the energy values of EDCM are greater than those of SECM for broiler chickens and pigs, and pigs utilize more of the GE in SECM and EDCM than broiler chickens.

Avian Liver: The Forgotten Organ

Simple Summary

The liver is a multi-purpose organ, with involvement in bile secretion, and lipid, carbohydrate and protein metabolism, as well as a number of other metabolic functions. This organ can adapt easily to changes in feed and the environment. Being at the centre of a number of digestive, metabolic and productive activities, it is essential to have a better understanding of this organ and the factors affecting liver functionality.

Abstract

Despite having huge responsibilities in avian species, published reports on the influence of dietary factors and other possible constraints on the size, development and function of liver are limited. Consideration of the factors that could influence and alter liver function is therefore of critical relevance. In the current review, aspects of liver structure and function, and the influence of feed restriction, anti-nutritional factors, structural components and feed additives on liver are discussed. Effects of feed technology techniques such as thermal treatment and pelleting, feed particle size and whole grain feeding on the liver are also reviewed. A discussion of lipogenesis and lipid storage in poultry is presented to provide a better understanding and to differentiate the normal pathways of lipid metabolism from abnormal (i.e., disordered) pathways. The liver is the main site of fat synthesis in poultry, but under certain conditions, excessive fat can accumulate in the liver and cause problems. Factors contributing to the fatty liver syndrome are also examined.

Effect of pelleted total mixed rations with different levels of intact rapeseed on performance, carcass traits, serum biochemical indices and meat quality of Boer goats

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of intact rapeseed (IR) supplementation in goat total mixed ration (TMR) pellets on performance, carcass traits, serum biochemical indices and meat quality. Forty-eight healthy Boer goats with similar initial bodyweight (12.52 ± 1.48 kg) were randomly assigned to four treatment groups, dietary containing 0%, 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5% IR, respectively. The results showed that IR had no significant effect on weight gain and average daily feed intake, but 7.5% IR significantly decreased F/G (P&lt;0.05). There were no significant difference among all groups in carcass weight, dressing percentage, visceral fat, liver, kidney and rumen weight, but IR significantly increased the rumen index (P&lt;0.05). IR supplementation significantly increased serum total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and triglyceride level (P&lt;0.05), but had no effect on serum free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase level. In meat quality, IR had no significant influence on meat colour value, pH, water loss rate, cooked meat rate, crude protein, crude ash, total cholesterol content and amino acid composition, but could increase the meat fat content and the relative content of linolenic acid (C18:3, cis-9, 12, 15), eicosenoic acid (C20:1, cis-11) and decrease the relative content of palmitic acid (C16:0), margaric acid (C17:0) and heptadecenoic acid (C17:1, cis-10) (P&lt;0.05). In conclusion, when adding amount in TMR pellets reached 7.5%, IR had almost no adverse effects on growth performance, carcass traits, liver and thyroid function of Boer goats. Conversely, it could reduce F/G and improve ruminal development and the meat quality to some extent.

Growth performance, organ weights, and blood parameters of nursery pigs fed diets containing increasing levels of cold-pressed canola cake

Oilseed cakes have high oil content, and thus their inclusion in swine can lead to reduced dietary inclusion of oil, and hence reduced cost of feed. An experiment was conducted to determine effects of including Brassica napus-derived cold-pressed canola cake (CPCC) in diets for nursery pigs on growth performance, organ weights relative to live body weight (BW), and blood parameters. A total of 160 pigs (initial BW: 7.8 ± 0.9 kg), which had been weaned at 21 d of age were housed in 40 pens (4 pigs/pen) and fed 4 diets (10 pens/diet) in a randomized complete block design for 35 d. The 4 diets were corn-soybean meal (SBM)-based basal diet and the basal diet with corn and SBM replaced by 20, 30, or 40% of CPCC. The diets were fed in 2 phases, Phase 1 from day 0 to 14 and Phase 2 from day 14 to 35; and were formulated to meet NRC (2012) nutrient recommendations for nursery pigs and to have the same net energy, standardized ileal digestible amino acid, and digestible P contents. Increasing inclusion of CPCC in diets was achieved by partial replacement of corn, SBM, limestone, and mono-calcium phosphate. Growth performance was determined by phase. On day 35, 1 pig from each pen was euthanized for determining organ weights and blood parameters. The CPCC contained 7.63% moisture, and on a dry matter basis, it (CPCC) contained 39.6% crude protein, 2.32% Lys, 0.74% Met, 1.63% Thr, 0.50% Trp, 16.0% ether extract, 20.7% neutral detergent fiber, and 14.9 µmol/g of glucosinolates. Increasing dietary CPCC from 0 to 40% linearly reduced (P < 0.05) overall (day 0 to 35) average daily gain and average daily feed intake (0.440 to 0.288 kg/d and 0.739 to 0.522 kg/d, respectively). Increasing dietary CPCC from 0 to 40% resulted in a linear increase (P < 0.05) in liver weight by 0.1 g/kg of BW and in thyroid gland weight by 2.2 mg/kg of BW, but in a linear reduction (P < 0.05) in serum tetraiodothyronine (T4) level by 0.2 ng/mL for each 1% increase in CPCC at 35 d of age. No differences were observed in heart and kidney weights relative to live BW, and in serum triiodothyronine (T3) concentration. In conclusion, increasing dietary CPCC from 0 to 40% by reducing corn and SBM levels resulted in depressed growth performance, increased metabolic activity in liver and thyroid gland, and reduced serum T4 level of pigs. Thus, the amounts of CPCC included in nursery pig diets should be based on targeted growth performance and cost of other feedstuffs in relation to that of CPCC.

Effect of elevated dietary amino acid levels in high canola meal diets on productive traits and cecal microbiota population of broiler chickens in a pair-feeding study

A pair-feeding study was conducted to determine if reduced feed intake (FI) in broiler chickens fed high canola meal (CM) diets per se accounts for reduced growth performance and whether this lower growth rate can be mitigated by increasing dietary amino acid (AA) levels. Five experimental wheat-based diets were formulated as follows: soybean meal (SBM) diet, high CM diet with normal AA concentration, and high CM diets with 3, 6, or 9% additional AA concentration (Lys, Met+Cys, Thr, Ile, Arg, and Val). Another group of birds was pair-fed with SBM diet to the consumption levels of birds fed CM diet with normal AA. There were 6 replicates of 17 male 10-day-old Ross 308 chicks per treatment over grower and finisher periods. Birds fed the CM diets had reduced FI and BWG, but improved FCR (P < 0.01) compared to SBM ad libitum fed birds. The SBM pair-fed birds gained the same weight and exhibited similar FCR compared to CM fed birds. Additional 9% AA improved FCR (P < 0.01) compared to SBM and CM diets with normal AA. No significant differences were observed in ileal digestibility of DM, energy, crude protein, and AA between CM with normal AA and SBM diets. The additional 6 and 9% AA in CM diets increased digestibility of crude protein and some AA (P < 0.05). SBM ad libitum and CM + 6 and 9% AA fed birds had the highest and lowest relative weight of abdominal fat, respectively (P < 0.05). Addition of 6 and 9% AA in CM diets increased relative carcass and breast yields (P < 0.01). Serum triglyceride level was higher in SBM ad libitum fed birds (P < 0.05). The composition of microbiota in the ceca was not affected by treatments. This study showed that reduced growth of birds fed high CM diets is primarily mediated through reduced FI. This growth depression could partially be ameliorated by increasing dietary AA levels.

Performance, nutrient utilization, and energy partitioning in broiler chickens offered high canola meal diets supplemented with multicomponent carbohydrase and mono-component protease

Two broiler chicken experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of canola meal (CM) replacing soybean meal (SBM) in diets supplemented with carbohydrase and protease on performance and partitioning of energy. First, a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was employed to evaluate: protein meals (CM vs. SBM), carbohydrase (none or 300 mg/kg), protease (none or 200 mg/kg), and their interactions. Each treatment was fed to 6 replicated pens of 16 male broilers (Ross 308) from d 10 to 35. In the second experiment, 32 broiler chicks were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement to investigate CM and carbohydrase effects on energy partitioning. Birds were transferred into 16 closed-circuit calorimeter chambers (4 chambers/diet; 2 birds/chamber) to measure heat production (HP), metabolizable and net energy (NE) by gaseous exchange, and total excreta collection from d 25 to 28. There were no 3-way interactions among experimental factors for any of the performance parameters measured. Birds given CM diets consumed less feed, had lower BW, and exhibited higher FCR compared to the control birds (P < 0.01). Both enzymes, alone or in combination, improved final BW and FCR (P < 0.05). There was an interaction between carbohydrase and protease for FCR over the grower period (P < 0.01), in which the combination of the enzymes resulted in further improvement of FCR. Energy, DM, and crude protein digestibility values were higher in control birds (P < 0.05). There was an interaction of protein meal and carbohydrase for HP, respiratory quotient (P < 0.05), and NE:ME ratio of the diets (P = 0.06). Inclusion of CM without carbohydrase increased HP and decreased NE and NE:ME ratio of the diets (P < 0.05). Carbohydrase decreased HP and increased retained energy (P = 0.06) and NE and NE:ME ratio (P < 0.05). In conclusion, high CM in the diet negatively affects growth performance through reduction in feed consumption, nutrient digestibility, and NE of the diet, which could partly be restored by enzyme supplementation.

Investigations of the nutritive value of meals of double-low rapeseed and its influence on growth performance of broiler chickens

Four experiments were carried out to study the possible differences in metabolizable energy (ME) of meals (RSM) or expeller meals (RSE) from double-low rapeseed (Expt. 1), the influence of processing on ME (Expt. 2) and on relative phosphorus (P) bioavailability (Expt. 3) in RSM, and effect of RSM inclusion on growth performance of broilers (Expt. 4). For Expt. 1, diets with 300 g/kg RSM from 11 RSM and 4 RSE varieties were fed to broilers from d 14 to 21, with excreta collection on d 19 to 21. Each treatment had 8 replicates and 3 birds per replicate. Energy metabolizability of RSM of a specialized high glucosinolate variety (V275OL) was greater (P < 0.05) than all the other varieties. In Expt. 2, two RSM varieties were processed with mild or conventional processing condition. There were no variety effects on ME, but ME and MEn were greater (P < 0.01) for RSM processed by mild processing condition. In Expt. 3, P bioavailability of RSM was determined, relative to MSP, using growth performance and tibia ash as responses. Phosphorus relative bioavailability values were greater (P < 0.05) in RSM of DK Cabernet variety processed using the mild processing condition. In Expt. 4, two RSM varieties were added to wheat-soybean meal-based diet at the rates of 50, 100, 150, or 200 g/kg and fed to broilers from d 0 to 42. Inclusion of 150 and 200 g/kg of RSM resulted in reduced weight gain and increased feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared (P < 0.01) with the lower inclusion levels during the starter phase. For the entire trial (d 0 to 42), weight gain was greater (P < 0.01) for birds receiving diets with RSM from PR46W21 variety. It was concluded from the experiments that apart from the residual ether extract content, variety differences had no impact on ME of RSM, conventional processing reduced ME and relative bio-availability of P; and that the maximum level of RSM inclusion depends on maximum growth performance level desired.

Nutritional evaluation of conventional and increased-protein, reduced-fiber canola meal fed to broiler chickens

Experiments were conducted to evaluate conventional canola meal (Conv CM) and a new increased-protein reduced-fiber CM (Test CM). The Test CM contained higher levels of all digestible amino acids than the Conv CM as determined in 2 precision-fed rooster assays wherein Single Comb White Leghorn roosters were fasted for 24 h and then tube-fed 30 g of Conv CM or Test CM. Excreta were then quantitatively collected for 48 hours. All diets in 2 broiler experiments then were formulated to be equal in AMEn and digestible amino acids based on values from precision-fed rooster assays. In Experiment 1, diets were corn and soybean meal based and contained zero, 10, 20, 30 or 40% Conv CM from 2 to 21 d of age and zero, 10, 20 or 30% Conv CM from 21 to 37 d of age. In the starter phase of Experiment 1 (2 to 21 d), there was a significant negative effect (P < 0.05) on weight gain and feed intake for CM levels in excess of 10%. In Experiment 2, both Conv CM and the new Test CM were evaluated. For the starter phase (2 to 19 d), the diets contained no CM or 8% Test CM or 8% Conv CM. For the grower phase (20 to 44 d), the chicks were fed diets that contained either no CM or 8, 16, or 24% of Test CM (Diets 2 to 4) or the same levels of Conv CM (Diets 5 to 7). The Test CM diets contained less soybean meal and less added fat than the Conv CM diets. There were no significant differences among dietary treatments for growth performance for either phase of Experiment 2. These results indicate that the new Test CM has increased levels of digestible amino acids compared to Conv CM and that up to 24% of either type of CM could be fed to broiler chickens during the grower phase with no statistical differences (P < 0.05) in performance when diets were formulated to be equal in AMEn and digestible amino acids.

Growth performance, morphometric analysis of the intestinal mucosa and thyroid of broiler fed canola meal

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing soybean meal with canola meal in broiler diets on performance, liver histopathology, morphometry of the intestinal mucosa and thyroid. One-day-old Cobb chicks (n=300) were distributed in a completely randomized design, with increasing levels of replacement of soybean meal with canola meal (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) and 6 repetitions of 10 birds each. Weight gain decreased linearly (P< 0.05) with increasing levels of inclusion of canola meal, in all stages. Villus height in the duodenum and jejunum linearly decreased (P< 0.05). Follicle diameter and thyroid follicular epithelium height increased linearly with increasing levels of canola meal (P< 0.05). Similarly, there was an increase in relative weight of liver and heart, and liver steatosis in the highest levels of replacement. In conclusion, the replacement of soybean meal with canola meal can reduce performance, adversely affecting the thyroid, liver and the morphometric characteristics in the duodenum and jejunum.

Effect of broccoli sprouts on thyroid function, haematological, biochemical, and immunological parameters in rats with thyroid imbalance

Broccoli sprouts may exert a negative influence on thyroid function as they are a rich source of glucosinolates, in particular glucoraphanin. Under the study in a long-term experiment broccoli sprouts were tested as an element of rats diet, combined with deficient iodine, or sulfadimethoxine ingestion - two models of hypothyroidism. Evaluations were performed for serum TSH and thyroid hormones completed with analyzes of selected haematological, biochemical and immunological (IL-6, IL-10) parameters, as well as cytosolic glutathione peroxidase (GPX1), thioredoxin reductase (TR) in the thyroid, and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPX3). A thermographic analysis was conducted to provide auxiliary indicators for determining a potential thyroid dysfunction under the specific experimental conditions. The levels of TSH, fT3 and fT4 remained unchanged following broccoli sprouts ingestion, which was even found to have a protective effect against sulfadimethoxine induced thyroid damage. Moreover, TR activity significantly increased in response to sprouts ingestion. In animals with hypothyroidism, broccoli sprouts were found to exert a beneficial influence on the antioxidant balance of the thyroid gland. In comparison to the rats with iodine deficiency, broccoli sprouts addition to the diet was observed to decrease IL-6 level. No significant differences in IL-10 concentration were determined. Neither addition of broccoli sprouts to the diet, nor sulfadimethoxine and iodine deficiency, caused negative changes in red blood cell parameters, glucose and uric acid concentrations, or kidney function. However, such a dietary intervention resulted in reduced WBC and PLT levels, and it may adversely interfere with liver function in rats, most likely due to a higher dietary intake of glucosinolates.

Nutritive value and the maximum inclusion level of pennycress meal for broiler chickens

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the nutritive value and maximum safe level (MSL) of pennycress meal (PM) for broiler chicks. In experiment 1, a total of 480 chicks was fed either mash or crumbled diets containing zero, 5, 10, or 15% PM for 18 d (8 diets; 6 replications per diet). In experiment 2, a total of 660 chicks was fed mash diets containing zero, 3, 6, 9, 12, or 15% of either PM or canola meal (CM; a comparative reference) for 14 d (11 diets; 6 replications per diet). Analytical results show that PM is a good source of protein (∼31% CP) and it is very comparable to CM (∼36% CP). However, it contains higher erucic acid (∼1.68 vs. < 0.021%), glucosinolates (sinigrin) (∼63.5 vs. <0.163 μmol /g), and crude fiber (18.60 vs. 9.27%) compared to CM. In experiment 1, increasing PM from zero to 15% resulted in linear reductions (P < 0.05) in FI, BWG, and FCR at 10 days. Above 10%, performance responses were affected for FI and BWG at 18 d, respectively. An estimated MSL of 10% PM based on orthogonal contrast was optimal for satisfactory FI and BWG. The MSL as estimated by broken-line linear (BLL) and broken-line quadratic (BLQ) models was 9.12 ± 0.50 and 7.0 ± 1.27%, respectively. In experiment 2, growth performance at 14 d was reduced above 9% due to PM inclusion. CM inclusion did not affect growth performance at 14 d, suggesting 15% to be safe. The MSL for maximum growth performance varied depending on the statistical analysis as follows: 12% by orthogonal contrast and LSD, 15% by the Scheffé test, 10.84 ± 0.57 by BLL, and 8.61 ± 1.29 by BLQ. In conclusion, PM can be included in broiler starter diets as a protein source but its inclusion should be limited to no more than 8.5%. Different statistical procedures give different MSL and this should be considered when interpreting the data.

Effect of expeller extracted canola meal on growth performance, organ weights, and blood parameters of growing pigs

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of increasing levels of expeller extracted canola meal (EECM) in diets for growing pigs on performance, gastrointestinal tract weight, thyroid gland weights, blood plasma concentration of triiodothyronine and tetraiodothyronine, red blood cell count, hemoglobin content in blood, and hematocrit. Four diets were fed to 48 pigs (19.9 ± 1.60 kg initial BW) in 24 pens (6 pens per diet) for 4 wk in a completely randomized design. The diets were a control corn-soybean meal basal diet and 3 additional diets produced by replacing 33, 66, or 100% of soybean meal with EECM to achieve inclusion levels of 0, 10, 20, and 30%. Diets were formulated to be similar in NE and nutrient composition and to meet nutrient requirements for pigs. Pigs were allowed ad libitum access to feed and water for the duration of the study. Feed intake and BW of pigs were determined on a weekly basis, whereas organ weights and blood parameters were determined at the end of the study. Average daily feed intake linearly decreased ( = 0.001) whereas ADG tended to linearly decline ( = 0.084) with increasing levels of EECM in the diet. The G:F was not affected ( > 0.10) by the dietary level of EECM. Thyroid weight and serum triiodothyronine linearly increased ( = 0.031) whereas serum tetraiodothyronine was linearly reduced ( = 0.001) with increasing inclusion of EECM. Other blood parameters and organ weights were not affected by increasing inclusion of EECM. The analyzed concentration of glucosinolates in the EECM used in this study was 9.27 μmol/g, with values in the diets ranging from 1.02 to 2.75 μmol/g for the lowest to highest inclusion levels, respectively. The increased thyroid weight and changes in thyroid hormones indicate that glucosinolates present in EECM adversely affected performance of growing pigs.

Evaluation of Different Levels of Canola Meal on Performance, Organ Weights, Hepatic Deiodinase Gene Expression and Thyroid Morphology in Broiler Chickens

This study was carried out to determine the effects of dietary inclusion level of canola meal (CM) on performance, organ weights and hepatic type I deiodinase gene expression in broilers. A completely randomized design with 4 levels of CM (0, 10, 20 and 30%) as a substitute for soybean meal (SBM) was utilized with 5 replicates of 9 birds each. The results showed that body weight gain (1 to 42 d) decreased linearly (P<0.01) as the inclusion of CM increased. An increase in dietary level of CM also resulted in a linear (P<0.05) increase in feed conversion ratio (1 to 42 d). Proportion of thyroids (P<0.05) and liver (P<0.01) increased linearly with increased levels of CM. A significant linear increase in right ventricular weight: total ventricular weight ratio (P<0.01) and heart weight (P<0.05) were observed by substituting CM for SBM. The concentration of plasma triiodothyronine and triiodothyronine: tetraiodothyronine ratio decreased linearly (P<0.01) with increasing level of CM. Expression of hepatic type I deiodinase gene (D1) decreased linearly (P<0.01) as inclusion level of CM in diets increased. Moreover, increasing linear (P<0.01) and quadratic responses (P<0.05) were observed in follicles number and epithelial thickness in broilers thyroids followed by increased levels of CM. In addition, increases in dietary CM inclusion led to a linear (P<0.01) increase in thyroid follicles diameters. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that feeding increasing CM inclusions from 0 to 30% negatively affect growth performance of broiler chickens. From this study, it can also be concluded that substitution of CM for SBM adversely interferes with thyroid and liver functions and decrease D1 gene expression, likely because of higher dietary concentration of glucosinolates.

Diet structure, butyric acid, and fermentable carbohydrates influence growth performance, gut morphology, and cecal fermentation characteristics in broilers

An experiment with 288 male (Ross 308) 1-d-old broilers was conducted to test the hypothesis that a coarse diet supplemented with butyric acid (BA) and fermentable carbohydrates (FC) improves performance of broilers with a poorly digestible protein source. The interaction effects of diet structure (fine or coarse), FC supplementation (with or without), and BA supplementation (with or without) in a poorly digestible diet based on rapeseed meal (RSM) were tested in a factorial arrangement of 8 (2×2×2) dietary treatments. The coarseness of the diet affected feed intake (FI) (P<0.001), BW gain (P=0.001), and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P=0.001) positively. Broilers fed the coarse diets had, on average, 14% heavier gizzards and 11, 7, 5, and 6% lower relative empty weights of the crop, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, respectively, compared with those fed the fine diets. Dietary coarseness resulted in, on average, 6% greater ileal protein digestibility, 20% lower gizzard pH, 19% greater villus height, 18% lower crypt depth, and 23% reduced cecal branched chain fatty acids (BCFA) compared with chickens fed the fine diets. Broilers fed BA-supplemented diets had an improved FCR (P=0.004) and decreased crypt depth (P<0.001) compared with those fed diets without BA. Fermentable carbohydrate supplementation did not influence growth performance, gut development, or contents of total BCFA and total biogenic amines in the cecal digesta (P>0.05). Supplementation with FC, however, decreased the cecal concentration of spermine by approximately 31% compared with broilers fed diets without FC (P=0.002). In conclusion, feeding a coarse diet supplemented with BA improved performance of broilers fed a diet containing a poorly digestible protein source. The negative effects of a poorly digestible protein source can thus be partly counterbalanced by coarse grinding and BA supplementation in the diet.

Nonruminant Nutrition Symposium: Controlling feed cost by including alternative ingredients into pig diets: a review

Sustained price increases for traditional cereal grain and protein meal feed commodities have forced the pork industry to consider the dietary inclusion of alternative feedstuffs. Crop seed may serve as feedstuffs but their demand as feedstock for human food, biofuel, and bioindustrial products has increased. Together with these products, coproducts such as distillers dried grains with solubles, wheat millrun, and canola meal are produced. As omnivores, pigs are ideally suited to convert these non-human-edible coproducts into high-quality food animal protein. Therefore, coproducts and other low-cost alternative feedstuffs such as pulses and oilseeds can be included in pig diets to reduce feed cost per metric ton of feed. However, inclusion of alternative feedstuffs in pig diets does not necessarily reduce feed cost per kilogram of gain. Therefore, the use of novel and existing feedstuffs in pig diets must be optimized following their characterization for energy and AA profile. Alternative feedstuffs generally have a high content of at least 1 of the following antinutritional factors (ANF): fiber, tannins, glucosinolates, and heat-labile trypsin inhibitors. Several methods can optimize nutrient use of pigs fed alternative feedstuffs by reducing effects of their ANF. These methods include 1) particle size reduction to increase nutrient digestibility, 2) dehulling or scarification to reduce tannin and fiber content of pulses and oilseeds, 3) air classification to create fractions that have a greater content of nutrients and lower content of ANF than the feedstock, 4) heat treatments such as extrusion, toasting, roasting, and micronization to reduce heat-labile ANF, 5) dietary supplementation with fiber-degrading enzymes or predigestion of fibrous feedstuffs or diets with fiber-degrading enzymes to increase dietary nutrient availability, and 6) formulation of diets based on bioavailable AA coefficients. In conclusion, the feeding of alternative ingredients may reduce feed cost per unit of pork produced provided that their price per unit NE or digestible lysine is less than that of the traditional feedstuffs and that negative effects of their ANF are controlled.