Draft Genome Sequences of Two Clostridium Isolates from the Poultry Gastrointestinal Tract.

Here, we announce the draft genome sequences of two Clostridium strains, C8-1-8 and C2-6-12, isolated from the cecal contents of commercial broiler chickens (in Athens, GA). These strains may represent potentially novel species within the genus Clostridium, and these draft genomes allow further investigation into potential probiotics for poultry.

Correction: Ghoreyshi, S.M.; et al. Effects of Dietary Supplementation of L-Carnitine and Excess Lysine-Methionine on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Immunity Markers of Broiler Chicken.

L-carnitine as well as lysine and methionine are amino acids of important nutritional and nutraceutical interest and are used in nutritional strategies as dietary supplements to improve feed quality characteristics in animals and broiler chicken in particular. This study investigated the effect of different levels of L-carnitine and extra levels of lysine-methionine on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and some immune system markers. Two hundred seventy male Ross 308 broilers were a fed control diet (C) and eight different diets supplemented with an excess of amino acids. In the experimental diets, identified as D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, and D8, extra L-carnitine, lysine, and methionine were added in excess with respect to the American National Research Council (NRC) recommendations: L-carnitine equal to NRC (D1), control diet supplemented with lysine at 30% in excess of NRC, methionine at 30% in excess of NRC, and L-carnitine equal to NRC (D2), control diet supplemented with lysine equal to NRC, methionine equal to NRC, and L-carnitine at 15% in excess of NRC (D3), control diet supplemented control diet supplemented with lysine at 15% in excess of NRC, methionine at 15% in excess of NRC, and L-carnitine at 15% in excess of NRC (D4), control diet supplemented lysine at 30% in excess of NRC, methionine at 30% in excess of NRC, and L-carnitine at 15% in excess of NRC (D5), control diet supplemented with lysine equal to NRC recommendations, methionine equal to NRC recommendations, and L-carnitine at 75% in excess of NRC (D6), control diet supplemented with lysine at 15% in excess of NRC, methionine at 15% in excess of NRC, and L-carnitine at 75% in excess of NRC (D7); and control diet supplemented with lysine at 30% in excess of NRC, methionine at 30% in excess of NRC, and L-carnitine at 75% in excess of NRC (D8). During the starter and growth phases, feed intake was not affected by dietary treatment (p > 0.05). By contrast, body weight and FCR were both affected (p < 0.01) during the starter period. During the finisher phase, feed consumption was affected (p < 0.05) by dietary treatment. Feed intake of broilers fed on C, D3, D6, and D7 were statistically similar (p > 0.05) (1851.90, 1862.00, 1945.10, and 1872.80 g/pen/day, respectively) and were higher (p < 0.05) than 1564.40 g/pen/day (D5). With the exception of drumsticks, neck, back thoracic vertebrae, and proventriculus weights, the economical carcass segments were not affected (p > 0.05) by the dietary supplementation of amino acids. Duodenum and ileum weights and lengths decreased with amino acid supplementation (p < 0.05). IgT and IgG titers against Sheep Red Blood Cells (SRBC) for both primary and secondary responses were not affected by dietary treatments (p > 0.05). Dietary amino acids supplementation did not affect IgM titer after the secondary challenge (p > 0.05) and had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on serum antibody titers in broilers vaccinated against Newcastle disease (NCD) and Gumboro 's disease at the 27th and 30th days, respectively.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of L-Carnitine and Excess Lysine-Methionine on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Immunity Markers of Broiler Chicken.

L-carnitine as well as lysine and methionine are amino acids of important nutritional and nutraceutical interest and are used in nutritional strategies as diet supplements to improve feed quality characteristics in animals and broiler chicken in particular. This study investigated the effect of different levels of L-carnitine and extra levels of lysine-methionine on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and some immune system markers. Two hundred seventy male Ross 308 broilers were a fed control diet (C) and eight different diets supplemented with an excess of amino acids. In the experimental diets, identified as D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, and D8, extra L-carnitine, lysine, and methionine were added in excess with respect to the American National Research Council (NRC) recommendations: L-carnitine equal to NRC (D1); control diet supplemented with lysine at 30% in excess of NRC, methionine at 30% in excess of NRC, and L-carnitine equal to NRC (D2); control diet supplemented with lysine equal to NRC, methionine equal to NRC, and L-carnitine at 15% in excess of NRC (D3); control diet supplemented control diet supplemented with lysine at 15% in excess of NRC, methionine at 15% in excess of NRC, and L-carnitine at 15% in excess of NRC (D4); control diet supplemented lysine at 30% in excess of NRC, methionine at 30% in excess of NRC, and L-carnitine at 15% in excess of NRC (D5); control diet supplemented with lysine equal to NRC recommendations, methionine equal to NRC recommendations, and L-carnitine at 75% in excess of NRC (D6); control diet supplemented with lysine at 15% in excess of NRC, methionine at 15% in excess of NRC, and L-carnitine at 75% in excess of NRC (D7); and control diet supplemented with lysine at 30% in excess of NRC, methionine at 30% in excess of NRC, and L-carnitine at 75% in excess of NRC (D8). During the starter and growth phases, feed intake was not affected by dietary treatment (p > 0.05). By contrast, body weight and FCR were both affected (p < 0.001) during the starter period. During the finisher phase, feed consumption was affected (p < 0.05) by dietary treatment. Feed intake of broilers fed on C, D3, D6, and D7 were statistically similar (p > 0.05) (1851.90, 1862.00, 1945.10, and 1872.80 g/pen/day, respectively) and were higher (p < 0.05) than 1564.40 g/pen/day (D5). With the exception of drumsticks, neck, back thoracic vertebrae, and proventriculus weights, economical carcass segments were not affected (p > 0.05) by the dietary supplementation of amino acids. Duodenum and ileum weights and lengths decreased with amino acid supplementation (p < 0.05). IgT and IgG titers against Sheep Red Blood Cells (SRBC) for both primary and secondary responses were not affected by dietary treatments (p > 0.05). Dietary amino acids supplementation did not affect IgM titer after the secondary challenge (p > 0.05) and had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on serum antibody titers in broilers vaccinated against Newcastle disease (NCD) and Gumboro 's disease at the 27th and 30th days, respectively.

Effect of Dietary Incorporation of Linseed Alone or Together with Tomato-Red Pepper Mix on Laying Hens' Egg Yolk Fatty Acids Profile and Health Lipid Indexes.

This study evaluated the effect of linseed incorporation in laying hens' feed (alone or along with a tomato-red pepper mix) on laying hens' egg yolk fatty acids profile, as well as on their atherogenic (IA) and thrombogenic (IT) health lipid indexes, and the ratio between the hypocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic fatty acids (HH). Sixty 27 weeks-old Novogen White laying hens were divided into three groups and given 100 g/hen/day of a standard diet (Control, C) containing 4.5% of ground linseed (Linseed diet, L), containing 1% of dried tomato paste and 1% sweet red pepper (Lineseeds-Tomato-Pepper, LTP). The linseed dietary inclusion significantly reduced the egg yolk content of palmitic acid from 25.41% (C) to 23.43% (L) and that of stearic acid from 14.75% (C) to 12.52% (L). Feeding 4.5% ground linseed did not affect the egg yolk content of α-Linolenic acid but significantly increased the egg yolk concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from 0.011% (C) to 0.047% (L) and that of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from 1.94% (C) to 2.73% (L). The IA and the HH were not affected (p > 0.05) by the dietary addition of linseed, whereas the IT decreased (p < 0.05) from 1.16 (C) to 0.86 (L). Adding tomato-sweet red pepper mix to the linseed-supplemented feed did not affect the measured parameters as compared to the linseed dietary treatment.

Effect of dietary addition of unprocessed, autoclaved, or pre-germinated fenugreek seeds on laying hens' performance and egg quality / Efecto de la adición de semillas de alholva no tratadas, tratadas en autoclave o pre-germinadas en dietas de gallinas ponedoras sobre el rendimiento y la calidad de los huevos / Efeito da adição de sementes de feno-grego não tratados, autoclavados ou pre-germinadas em rações de poedeiras no rendimento e na qualidade dos ovos

Abstract Background: previous studies have shown that fenugreek seed given at 6 g/hen/d in an attempt to reduce yolk cholesterol tended to reduce laying performance and that autoclaving and pre-germination improved its in vitro nutritional values. Objective: to evaluate the effect of dietary addition of unprocessed (UPFS), autoclaved (AFS) or pre-germinated (PGFS) fenugreek seeds on laying hens' performance, egg physical characteristics and chemical composition. Methods: forty-eight 31 week-old Novogen white laying hens were divided into four groups and given 100 g/hen/d of a basal diet containing 0 (control) or 5.7 g of UPFS, AFS, or PGFS during nine weeks. Repeated and non-repeated data were analyzed using the Mixed and GLM procedures, respectively. Results: diet, week on diet and their interaction affected consumption (p<0.05). Laying rate was not affected (p>0.05) by week on diet but was reduced (p<0.05) by UPFS-diet. Moreover, UPFS-diet reduced (p<0.05) daily egg mass production. Feed conversion ratio was not affected (p>0.05) by dietary treatment or by week on diet. Egg, yolk, albumen and shell weights were affected (p<0.05) by week on diet but not by diet nor diet-week interaction. Dietary inclusion of fenugreek seeds did not affect total egg crude protein, yolk lipids, and triglyceride nor yolk cholesterol contents. Conclusion: unprocessed fenugreek reduced laying rate and daily egg mass production, but these effects were removed by autoclaving or pre-germination. Further investigations are needed to evaluate the impact of fenugreek seeds dietary supplementation on fatty acids profile and lipid peroxidation.

Resumen Antecedentes: estudios anteriores sugirieron que el suministro de 6 g/gallina/día de semillas de alholva utilizadas con el fin de bajar el contenido en colesterol en la yema, tendió a reducir el rendimiento en gallinas ponedoras y que el tratamiento en autoclave y la pre-germinación mejoraron su valor nutritivo in vitro. Objetivo: evaluar los efectos de la adición de semillas de alholva no tratadas (UPFS), tratadas en autoclave (AFS) o pregerminadas (PGFS) en dietas de gallinas ponedoras sobre la producción, la composición química y la calidad física del huevo. Métodos: cuarenta y ocho gallinas ponedoras blancas de 31 semanas de edad de la línea Novogen white fueron divididas en cuatro grupos, a las cuales se les suministró 100 g/gallina/día de una dieta base que contenía 0 (control) o 5,7 g de UPFS, AFS o PGFS durante nueve semanas. Los datos con o sin repeticiones fueron analizados mediante los modelos mixtos y GLM, respectivamente. Resultados: la dieta, la semana en la dieta y su interacción afectaron el consumo (p<0,05). El porcentaje de puesta no varió (p>0,05) por la semana en las dietas, sin embargo, fue reducida (p<0,05) solamente por la dieta UPFS. Además, la dieta UPFS disminuyó (p<0,05) la producción diaria de masa de huevo. El índice de conversión alimenticio no varió (p>0,05) ni por la dieta ni por la semana en la dieta. Los pesos del huevo, de la yema, de la albúmina y de la cáscara fueron afectados (p<0,05) por la semana en la dieta, pero no por la dieta ni su interacción. La inclusión de semillas del alholva en la dieta no influyó (p<0,05) en la concentración total de proteína bruta del huevo, de lípidos, triglicéridos ni en los contenidos de colesterol en la yema. Conclusión: las semillas de alholva no tratadas redujeron el porcentaje de puesta y la producción diaria de masa de huevo, pero estos efectos fueron removidos por el autoclavado o la pregerminación. Se necesitan más investigaciones para evaluar el impacto de la incorporación dietética de las semillas de la alholva sobre el perfil de los ácidos grasos y la peroxidación lipídica.

Resumo Antecedentes: estudos anteriores mostraram que as sementes de feno-grego dado em 6 g/galinha/dia na tentativa de reduzir o colesterol na gema tendiam a reduzir o desempenho e que a autoclavagem e pré- germinação melhorou os valores nutricionais in vitro. Objetivo: avaliar os efeitos da adição de sementes de feno-grego não tratadas (UPFS), autoclavadas (AFS) ou pré-germinadas (PGFS) em dietas em galinhas poedeiras no desempenho, características físicas dos ovos e composição química. Métodos: quarenta e oito galinhas poedeiras Novogen white de 31 semanas de idade foram divididas em quatro grupos e fornecidos 100 g/galinha/dia de uma dieta basal contendo 0 (controle) ou 5,7 g de UPFS, AFS ou PGFS durante nove semanas. Os dados repetidos e não-repetidos foram analisados utilizando os procedimentos mistos e GLM, respectivamente. Resultados: a dieta, a semana sobre a dieta e a sua interação afetaram o consumo (p<0,05). A taxa de postura não foi afetada (p>0,05) por semana na dieta, mas foi reduzida (p<0,05) apenas por a dieta UPFS. Além disso, a dieta UPFS reduziu (p<0,05) a produção diária de massa de ovos. A taxa de conversão de alimentação não foi afetada (p>0,05) nem pela dieta nem pela semana na dieta. Os pesos do ovo, da gema, da albumina e da casca foram afetados (p<0,05) pela semana na dieta mas não pela dieta ou a interação. A inclusão de sementes de feno-grego na dieta não afetou (p>0,05) o conteúdo de proteína bruta total dos ovos, dos lipídios, triglicérides nem do conteúdo de colesterol da gema. Conclusão: sementes de feno-grego não tratadas reduziu a taxa de postura e a produção diária de massa de ovos, mas estes efeitos foram removidos pela autoclavagem e pré-germinação. São necessárias novas investigações para avaliar o impacto da suplementação alimentar sobre a semente de feno-grego no perfil de ácidos graxos e peroxidação lipídica.

Effects of pre-germinated fenugreek seeds inclusion in low-fiber diets on post-weaned rabbits' health status, growth performances, carcass characteristics, and meat chemical composition.

Newly weaned rabbits frequently suffer from digestive disorders particularly when fed low-fiber diets. Fenugreek seeds are rich in dietary fiber and would be suited to moderate such disorders. This study investigated the effect of pre-germinated fenugreek seeds (PGFS) on rabbits' health, digestibility, growth performance, and carcass parameters. Fourteen weaned rabbits were fed one of the following diets: (1) low fiber as negative control (NC), (2) low fiber containing 5% PGFS (F5), (3) low fiber containing 10% PGFS (F10), and (4) adequate fiber as positive control (PC). Each rabbit was reared in an individual cage for 7 weeks. Morbidity and sanitary risk indexes were not different (P > 0.05) between the four diets. Only 20% of the rabbits had a detectable caecal Escherichia Coli (E. coli) count (<105 cfu/g), and all rabbits did not show Eimeria oocysts in their feces. Compared to NC, PC gave a lower (P < 0.05) weight gain and a higher (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR). It was associated with a lighter (P < 0.05) chilled carcass weight, and its meat had slightly more moisture and ether extract with less protein. Inclusion of PGFS decreased (P < 0.05) feed intake at the 10% level and, consequently, tended to improve FCR, while no effect was detected on carcass characteristics and meat composition. This study suggested that (1) the low-fiber diet was adequate for both health and growth aspects of post-weaned rabbits, and (2) the inclusion of PGFS was without consequence on rabbits' health status and growth performance.

Adhesion and growth inhibitory effect of chicken egg yolk antibody (IgY) on Salmonella enterica serovars Enteritidis and Typhimurium in vitro.

The protective effects of powder preparation of egg yolk immunoglobulin Y (IgY), specific to Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium outer membrane proteins (OMP), against these two Salmonella sp. serovars were investigated in vitro in two different assays: adhesion-prevention and growth-inhibition. The adhesion-prevention assay was conducted using polarized monolayers of the human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cell line. First, the conditions of Salmonella adherence to Caco-2 cells were optimized, and interferences of bacteria with the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) of fully differentiated Caco-2 cell monolayers and the lactate dehydrogenase release upon exposure of the cells to Salmonella were evaluated. Both Salmonella sp. serovars were able to adhere to Caco-2 cells and decreased TER. Results from the adhesion-prevention assay demonstrated that specific IgY reduced the decrease in TER of the infected Caco-2 cell monolayers and blocked the Salmonella sp. adhesion in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Nonspecific IgY also exhibited an inhibitory effect on these two parameters, but to a lesser extent than that of the specific IgY (p < 0.05). The protective effect of nonspecific IgY could be attributed to the low-density lipoprotein component of the water-soluble fraction of egg yolks that may not have been eliminated during ultrafiltration. The growth-inhibition assay revealed that specific IgY had an inhibitory effect on the bacterial growth, markedly during the late exponential phase, whereas nonspecific IgY failed to do so. Taken together, these results suggest that the in vitro growth inhibitory effect of specific IgY on Salmonella spp. resulted from the specific binding activity of these IgY to Salmonella sp. OMP. Passive immunization with Salmonella sp. OMP-specific IgY could thus be useful to prevent Salmonella colonization in broiler chickens and the subsequent carcass contamination during processing.