Effects of indoor and outdoor rearing system on geese biochemical parameters and cecal microbial composition

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of indoor and outdoor rearing systems on the biochemistry and microbial composition of White Roman geese, with a particular focus on the gut microbiome. Our results showed that geese reared in an outdoor system had significantly lower serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) compared to those reared indoors, but lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Moreover, the cecal microbiota of geese reared outdoors exhibited higher species evenness and increased alpha diversity, with a significant alteration in the F/B ratios. The bacterial taxonomy composition also differed between the 2 rearing systems, with higher relative abundances of the Firmicutes and Actinobacteria and lower relative abundances of the Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria in the outdoor system. These findings suggest that rearing systems may play a critical role in shaping the gut microbiome and overall health of geese. Notably, our data demonstrated that indoor rearing was associated with a higher abundance of pathogenic genera and a lower abundance of commensal genera compared to outdoor rearing. Our study supports the hypothesis that rearing systems may alter the physiological functions and microbial composition of geese, and highlights the need for further research to confirm and expand upon these findings. In summary, our study underscores the importance of considering the impact of rearing systems on the gut microbiome and health of geese.

The Effect of Different Dietary Levels of Defatted Rice Bran on Growth Performance, Slaughter Performance, Serum Biochemical Parameters, and Relative Weights of the Viscera in Geese

Simple Summary

Geese production is becoming more specialized and widespread in China. Feed constitutes approximately 70% of the cost of poultry production. Defatted rice bran (DFRB) is currently used in poultry feed as a cheaper alternative option compared to corn and soybean meal. China is the largest rice producer in the world. When rice is processed into white rice, byproducts are produced. One of the most important byproducts is DFRB. It was found that a high level of DFRB had negative effects on the growth performance in geese (up to 20%).

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of different dietary levels of defatted rice bran (DFRB) on growth performance, slaughter performance, and relative weights of the viscera in geese. A total of 300 28-day-old healthy male Yangzhou goslings with similar body weights were randomly divided into five groups, with six replicates per group and 10 geese per replicate. The geese were fed diets containing 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40% DFRB for 42 days. Over the 29-d to 70-d trial period, no significant difference was observed in the average daily feed intake in geese (p > 0.05). However, 30% and 40% DFRB reduced body weights of geese at 70 d (p < 0.01) and average daily gain from 28 d to 70 d (p < 0.05) were observed, and 20%, 30%, and 40% DFRB increased feed-to-gain ratios from 28 d to 70 d (p < 0.01). Birds in the 30% and 40% DFRB groups had reduced breast yields (p < 0.05), and birds in the 40% DFRB group had increased thigh yields (p < 0.05). Birds in the 20%, 30%, and 40% DFRB groups had increased proventriculus weights (p < 0.01). The results suggested that a high level of DFRB affected growth performance, slaughter performance, and visceral development. Under the experimental conditions, we recommend that the dietary level of DFRB should not exceed 20% to avoid negative effects on geese.

Effects of dietary supplementation of microencapsulated Enterococcus fecalis and the extract of Camellia oleifera seed on laying performance, egg quality, serum biochemical parameters, and cecal microflora diversity in laying hens

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of microencapsulted Enterococcus faecalis (MEF) and the extract of Camellia oleifera seed (ECOS) on laying performance, serum biochemical parameters, and cecal microflora diversity in laying hens. A total of 180 Hy-Line Brown laying hens, 26-wk-old, were randomly allocated to 6 treatments with 10 replicates and 3 hens per replicate. Dietary treatments were as follows: (A) control group, basal diet; (B) basal diet + 100 mg MEF/kg diet (1 × 1010 cfu/g MEF); (C) basal diet + 300 mg ECOS/kg diet; (D) basal diet + 100 mg MEF/kg diet + 300 mg ECOS/kg diet; (E) basal diet + 500 mg ECOS/kg diet; (F) basal diet + 100 mg MEF/kg diet + 500 mg ECOS/kg diet. The results showed that diets supplemented with MEF and ECOS had no significant effects on laying rate, average egg size, average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, eggshell thickness, albumen height, and yolk color (P > 0.05), but had significant effects on egg shape index, eggshell strength, and Haugh unit (P < 0.05) during whole feeding phases. Compared to the control group, the serum IgA and IgG levels of birds in Group F significantly increased (P < 0.05). The serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total triglyceride, and blood urea nitrogen levels of birds in Group D and Group F significantly reduced (P < 0.05), and the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of birds in Group D and Group F significantly increased (P < 0.05). At the phylum level, Firmicutes decreased (P < 0.05) and Bacteroidetes increased (P < 0.05) in the birds of Group D. Ruminococcus and Bacteroides were significantly affected by dietary treatments (P < 0.05), and Bacteroides in the birds of Group D significantly increased at the genus level. Therefore, diet supplemented with MEF and ECOS can significantly improve serum biochemical parameters and increase cecal microflora diversity.

Days-in-Milk and Parity Affected Serum Biochemical Parameters and Hormone Profiles in Mid-Lactation Holstein Cows

It is well known that serum biochemical parameters and hormones contribute greatly to the physiological and metabolic status of dairy cows. However, few studies have focused on the variation of these serum parameters in multiparous mid-lactation cows without the interference of diet and management. A total of 287 Holstein dairy cows fed the same diet and maintained under the same management regime were selected from a commercial dairy farm to evaluate the effects of days-in-milk (DIM) and parity on serum biochemical parameters and hormone profiles. Milk yield and milk protein content were affected by DIM and parity (p < 0.05). Milk protein yield showed a numerically decreasing trend with parity, and it was relatively constant in cows with parities between 2 and 4 but lower in cows with parity 6 (p = 0.020). Ten and five serum biochemical parameters related to protein status, energy metabolism, liver and kidney function, and oxidative stress were affected by DIM and parity, respectively (p < 0.05). Glucagon, insulin-like growth factor 1 concentration, and the revised quantitative insulin sensitivity check index were significantly different (p < 0.05) among cows with different DIM. Parity had no effect on hormone concentrations. An interaction between DIM and parity effect was only detected for glucagon concentration (p = 0.015), which showed a significantly increasing trend with DIM and overall decreasing trend with parity. In summary, DIM and parity played an important role in affecting the serum biochemical parameters and/or hormones of dairy cows, with serum parameters affected more by DIM than parity.

Effects of dietary fiber on growth performance, slaughter performance, serum biochemical parameters, and nutrient utilization in geese

We investigated the effects of dietary fiber on growth performance, slaughter performance, serum biochemical parameters, and nutrient utilization in geese. A total of 468 one-day-old healthy male Yangzhou goslings with similar body weight were randomly divided into 3 groups with 6 replicates per group and 26 geese per replicate. The geese were then raised for 70 days on diets with a dietary fiber level of 2.5% (Group I), 6.1% (Group III), or 4.3% for d one to 28 and 6.1% for d 29 to 70 (Group II). The geese in Groups II and III had higher body weight, higher average daily gain, and lower ratio of feed to gain compared with those in Group I (P < 0.05 for each comparison). The geese in Groups II and III had greater body-size measurements (half-diving length, body length, keel length, and shank circumference), heavier viscera (heart, gizzard, proventriculus, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and cecum), greater slaughter yield (semi-eviscerated carcass yield, eviscerated carcass yield, and breast yield), lower serum levels of alanine transaminase, uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen, and higher serum levels of glucose and high-density lipoprotein compared with those in Group I (P < 0.05 for each comparison). The geese in Groups II and III exhibited greater utilization of energy and crude protein compared with those in Group I (P < 0.05). Taken together, the results suggest that the low-fiber diet had negative effects on growth performance, slaughter performance, serum biochemical parameters, and nutrient utilization. As herbivorous poultry, geese depend on dietary fiber for normal performance. Dietary fiber is thus an essential nutrient for geese.

Food consumption and serum nutritional status of people living in the Kathmandu valley in Nepal

OBJECTIVE

The food consumption and serum nutritional status of people living in the Kathmandu valley, Nepal, were examined to obtain actual data for comparison with our previous findings.

METHODS

A dietary survey of 45 males and 60 females was carried out in March 1997 by the 24-hr dietary recall method and nutrient intake was calculated from food tables of India and Japan. Fasting venous blood samples were obtained and serum biochemical parameters were measured using clinical kits.

RESULTS

The mean body mass index values was at about the same level in both sexes, although the mean percentage body fat of females was higher than that of males, and vice versa for packed red cell volume. The main foods consumed by both sexes, were rice, potatoes, meats, milk & dairy products and vegetables, with a difference in the amounts consumed. Females did not drink alcoholic beverages. The mean daily intakes of energy, protein, lipids, iron and vitamin B group for the males were higher than those for the females, while those of vitamins A and C for the males were lower than those for the females. The mean values of serum biochemical parameters for both sexes were generally at the normal levels, but those of ALT and TG were at the higher end of the normal range. Differences of correlation between food groups and between serum parameters were observed depending on the sex, however, no clear relationship between food and nutrient intake and serum biochemical parameters were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The present food intake study revealed that the amounts of food consumption for both sexes, especially for the females, were mostly insufficient although the serum parameters were at the normal levels. The energy intake of both sexes was lower than that of estimated requirements and those in Terai region. The relatively high serum TG level of the subjects may be due to the consumption of large amounts of cereals containing much carbohydrate. Our findings suggested a marked influence on food consumption by food price and income in spite of the easier food availability in the city, and also lack of knowledge about nutrients and health, thus there is need for improvement of the nutritional status of this group of people.