Benzoic Acid Combined with Essential Oils Can Be an Alternative to the Use of Antibiotic Growth Promoters for Piglets Challenged with E. coli F4.

Benzoic acid (BA) and essential oils (EOs) (thymol, 2-methoxyphenol, eugenol, piperine, and curcumin) are being studied to minimize the impairment of gastrointestinal functions in weanling piglets. This study evaluates the effects of combining BA and EO on the performance and intestinal health of piglets challenged with E. coli F4 (1 mL, 106 CFU/mL). In total, 270 weaned piglets were used in a randomized block design with six treatments: positive control, with 40 mg/kg colistin (PC); negative control, without the growth promoter (NC); negative control +5 g/kg benzoic acid (BA); negative control +2 g/kg combination of BA+EO (BA+EO2); negative control +3 g/kg combination of BA+EO (BA+EO3); negative control +4 g/kg combination of BA+EO (BA+EO4). BA+EO3 presented a greater average daily gain (ADG) (p = 0.0013) and better feed-to-gain ratio (p = 0.0138), compared to NC, from 21 to 35 days age. For the total period, BA, BA+EO3, and BA+EO4 were similar to PC and superior to NC for ADG (p = 0.0002) and final body weight (BW) (p = 0.0002). No difference (p > 0.05) was verified for diarrhea, microbial population, production of volatile fatty acids, pH, weight of organs, cellular proliferation, and cholecystokinin count. NC and BA+EO4 resulted in a higher villus height in the jejunum (p = 0.0120) compared to BA+EO3. The use of BA or the combination of BA and EO at 3 g/kg provides improved performance, aside from being an economically viable alternative to replace colistin.

L-arginine supplementation during the final third of gestation improves litter uniformity and physical characteristics of neonatal piglet thermoregulation.

The study assessed the effects of dietary L-arginine supplementation from days 85 to 115 of gestation on sow performance, litter quality, piglet physiology and survival variables in the first 24 hr of life. Twenty multiparous sows, with a history of hyperprolificacy (more than 14 piglets per litter), were used. A completely randomized experimental design was used, consisting of two treatments: feed supplemented or not with 1% L-arginine from days 85 to 115 of gestation. The experimental unit consisted of the sow and its respective litter, using 10 replicates per treatment. The sows were distributed into the treatments based on body condition and parity. Supplementation with L-arginine reduced the within-litter standard deviation and the within-litter coefficient of variation of piglet weight at 24 hr by 54 g and 4.14 percentage points respectively (p = .029; p = .035). Supplementation with 1.0% L-arginine decreased the percentages of piglets weighing less than 800 g by 5.60 and 5.08 points at birth and at 24 hr of life respectively. Piglets from sows supplemented with L-arginine had higher (p = .088) average rectal temperatures at birth and lower (p = .030) rectal temperature at 24 hr of life in comparison with control piglets. No significant differences in placental weight or estimated colostrum production and intake were observed in the first 24 hr of life. At 24 hr of life, piglets weighing less than 1,000 g and from supplemented sows had lower (p = .048) surface/mass ratios and higher body mass index (p = .070). Piglets from supplemented sows and who weighed 1601 to 1,800 g had lower body mass index and ponderal index (p = .002; p = .003). Supplementation with L-arginine during the final third of gestation reduces the incidence of unviable piglets (<800 g) and improved litter uniformity and piglets' body conformation within the first 24 hr of life.

Variability of piglet birth weights: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of litter size and supplementation of functional amino acids on the piglet birth weight variability through of a systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus and SciELO are the main used databases and were searched in January 2019 by using the following keywords and their combinations: within-litter birth, weight variability, piglets, litter size, sow, amino acids, gestation, uniformity, CV and/or SD. Of the 64 pre-selected articles, only articles presenting the coefficients of variation and/or standard deviations according to the litter size and different levels of amino acid supplementation in the sow diets during gestation were selected. The average birth weights of total and live piglets were 43% lower in litters from sows with high prolificacy than those from sows with low prolificacy. The weight variability was affected by high prolificacy sows, with increases of 4.04% and 4.54% in the coefficients of variation of total and born alive piglets respectively (p = .074; p = .009). The standard deviation increased by 180 g in born alive piglets to high prolificacy sows. The coefficients of variation of total and live piglets born from high prolificacy sows showed an increase of 4.04% and 4.54% respectively (p = .07; p < .05). There was a tendency for reduced weight variability with amino acids supplementation when considering the standard deviation of total born (p = .072). However, reproductive performance was not significantly influenced (p > .05). In conclusion, the average litter weight and the number of piglets born influence weight variability. Amino acids supplementation may reduce the birth weight variability between piglets. However, this effect depends on the amino acid used, the levels of supplementation and on other factors not completely addressed in this study. Thus, more research is necessary to fully elucidate this topic.

Effectiveness of citrulline and N-carbamoyl glutamate as arginine precursors on reproductive performance in mammals: A systematic review.

The use of functional nutrients has been proposed to reduce the occurrence of intrauterine growth retardation in animals at birth in several mammalian species. The objective of this study was to verify the effectiveness of citrulline and N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) dietary supplementation as arginine precursors for mammalian species, and the effects on fetal development through a systematic review. The search for studies was performed during August 2018 in the PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Science Direct, and Scopus databases. The literature search was conducted using "arginine precursor", "citrulline", or "N-carbamylglutamate" as keywords, combined with "gestation", "pregnancy", "fetus", "newborn", or "reproduction". Studies in which arginine precursors were evaluated in gestating mammals and their effects on parameters related to the intrauterine development of the conceptus were selected. Of 1,379 articles, 18 were selected, primarily based on the title and the abstract. Supplementation with NCG (0.5 g to 2 g/kg of feed) increased maternal plasma arginine concentrations in all studies that evaluated this variable. Fetal number increased in 55.56% of the studies that evaluated it, and fetal weight increased in the majority (62.5%) of the studies evaluating this variable. By supplementing citrulline, only fetal weight was improved, with an increase in maternal plasma arginine in 40% of the studies. In conclusion, N-carbamoyl glutamate seems to be an arginine precursor more effective than L-citrulline during gestation; however, both precursors, beside L-Arginine, should be evaluated in similar conditions to confirm the existence of specific particularities such as periods and levels of supplementation, which need to be considered for different species of animals. The supplementation of NCG increases arginine concentrations in maternal plasma, thus improving mammalian reproductive efficiency and fetal development, mainly by promoting higher birth weight.

Desempenho e resposta imune de frangos de corte alimentados com dietas suplementadas com cromo na forma orgânica / Immune response and performance by broiler chickens dietary supplemented with chromium in organic form

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da suplementação de cromo-orgânico, sobre o desempenho, biometria dos órgãos digestivos e linfoides, histomoformetria da bolsa cloacal e rendimento de carcaça e cortes nobres de frangos de corte de 1 a 41 dias de idade, naturalmente submetidos a estresse por calor cíclico. Foram utilizados 400 pintos de corte da linhagem Cobb, em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos: 0; 350; 700; 1050 e 1400 ppb de cromo na ração. Os valores do índice de temperatura de globo e umidade foram, respectivamente, 83,39 e 80, para fase de crescimento e terminação. A suplementação do cromo orgânico influenciou (P<0,01) de forma quadrática a conversão alimentar dos animais segundo a equação Y=1,67-0,00016x+0,00000012x² (r² 0,976), na fase de 1 a 21 dias de idade. Os níveis de suplementação do cromo orgânico proporcionaram melhor índice de eficiência produtiva e maior percentual de parênquima cortical nas aves aos 21 dias. Na fase de 1 a 41 dias de idade, verificou-se que o peso de penas foi influenciado positivamente com os níveis de cromo orgânico e que não houve efeito para o desempenho dos frangos. Conclui-se que a suplementação da ração com cromo orgânico melhora desempenho e a resposta imune de frangos de corte frente a condições de estresse por calor.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of adding organic chromium dietary supplementation on performance, digestive and lymphoid organs biometry and histomorphometry of the clocal bursa and on carcass and prime cuts performance of broilers from 1 to 41 days old, naturally stressed by heat cyclic. We used 400 chicks Cobb, the experimental design adopted was a completely randomized, with five treatments: 0; 350; 700; 1050 and 1400 ppb chromium in diet. The supplementation with organic chromium influenced (p<0,01) quadratic form on alimentary conversion the animals according to the equation Y = 1.67 to 0.00016 x 0.00000012 x ² (r ² 0.976) in the period 1 to 21. The levels of supplementation of organic chromium improvement productive efficiency and percentage of cortical parenchyma of broilers to 21 days. In phase to 1 from 41 days old, it was observed improvement the feathers weight with levels of organic chromium, and there wasn't influence on performance of broilers. The chromium in the organic form improves the performance of broiler chickens and immune response by broiler chickens in cyclic heat stress.

Net energy for 60- to 120-kg pigs fed low-crude protein diets / Energia líquida para suínos dos 60 aos 120kg recebendo dietas com redução de proteína

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of dietary net energy content (NE) on performance and carcass traits of finishing barrows fed low-crude protein (CP) diets. Pigs (60.0±1.05kg, Exp. 1, 93.0±1.56kg, Exp. 2) were allotted in a randomized block design to 3 dietary treatments. Exp. 1 had 6 pens treatment-1 and Exp. 2 had 8 pens treatment-1 and all pens had 2 pigs. The treatments were: 199g kg-1 CP and 2566kcal kg-1 NE, 155g kg-1 CP and 2631kcal kg-1 NE, 155gk g-1 CP and 2566kcal kg-1 NE in Exp. 1, and 180g kg-1 CP and 2588kcal kg-1 NE, 145g kg-1 CP and 2638kcal kg-1 NE, 145g kg-1 CP and 2588kcal kg-1 NE, in Exp. 2. In Ep.1, except for average daily gain (ADG) there was no effect of dietary CP or NE on any other parameter evaluated. The diet with 155g kg-1 CP and 2566kcal kg-1 NE resulted in greatest ADG. In Exp. 2, the greatest results of ADFI and ADG were obtained with 145g kg-1 CP and 2588kcal kg-1 of NE. Pigs fed the diet with 180g kg-1 CP and 2588kcal kg-1 NE had less carcass meat. There was no effect of dietary CP or NE on backfat. The CP diet containing 2566kcal kg-1 NE resulted in greatest ADG of 60- to 95-kg barrows. For 95- to 120-kg barrows the diet with 145gk g-1 CP and 2588kcal kg-1 of NE resulted in greatest ADG and carcass meat.

Dois experimentos foram conduzidos para determinar os efeitos da energia líquida (EL) da ração no desempenho e nas características de carcaça de suínos, recebendo dietas com proteína bruta reduzida (PB). Os suínos (60,0±1,05kg, Exp. 1, 93,0±1,56kg, Exp. 2) foram distribuídos em delineamento de blocos casualizados, com três tratamentos. O Exp. 1 teve seis baias/tratamento e o Exp. 2 teve 8 baias/tratamento e todas as baias tiveram 2 animais. Os tratamentos foram: 199g kg-1 PB e 2566kcal kg-1 NE, 155g kg-1 PB e 2.631kcal kg-1 NE, 155g kg-1 PB e 2.566kcal kg-1 NE no Exp. 1, e 180g kg-1 PB e 2588kcal kg-1 NE, 145g kg-1 PB e 2638kcal kg-1 NE, 145g kg-1 de PB e 2588kcal kg-1 NE, no Exp. 2. No Exp.1, a ração com 155g kg-1 PB e 2566kcal kg-1 EL resultou em maior GPD. Não houve efeito dos níveis PB ou EL sobre os demais parâmetros. No Exp. 2, os melhores resultados de CRD e GDP foram obtidos com 145g kg-1 PB e 2588kcal kg-1 EL. Os suínos alimentados com a dieta com 180g kg-1 PB e 2.588kcal kg-1 NE apresentaram menor quantidade de carne na carcaça. Não houve efeito do conteúdo de PB ou EL da ração na espessura de toucinho. A ração contendo 155g kg-1 PB e 2.566kcal kg-1 NE resultou em maior GPD de suínos dos 60 aos 95kg. Dos 95 aos 120kg, a dieta com 145g kg PB e 2588kcal kg-1 EL resultou em maior GPD e carne na carcaça.

Desempenho e resposta imune de frangos de corte alimentados com dietas suplementadas com cromo na forma orgânica / Immune response and performance by broiler chickens dietarysupplemented with chromium in organic form

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da suplementação de cromo-orgânico, sobre o desempenho, biometria dos órgãos digestivos e linfoides, histomoformetria da bolsa cloacal e rendimento de carcaça e cortes nobres de frangos de corte de 1 a 41 dias de idade, naturalmente submetidos a estresse por calor cíclico. Foram utilizados 400 pintos de corte da linhagem Cobb, em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos: 0; 350; 700; 1050 e 1400 ppb de cromo na ração. Os valores do índice de temperatura de globo e umidade foram respectivamente, 83,39 e 80, para fase de crescimento e terminação. A suplementação do cromo orgânico influenciou (P 0,01) de forma quadrática a conversão alimentar dos animais segundo a equação Y=1,67-0,00016x+0,00000012x² (r² 0,976), na fase de 1 a 21 dias de idade. Os níveis de suplementação do cromo orgânico proporcionaram melhor índice de eficiência produtiva e maior percentual de parênquima cortical nas aves aos 21 dias. Na fase de 1 a 41 dias de idade, verificou-se que o peso de penas foi influenciado positivamente com os níveis de cromo orgânico e que não houve efeito para o desempenho dos frangos. Conclui-se que a suplementação da ração com cromo orgânico melhora desempenho e a resposta imune de frangos de corte frente a condições de estresse por calor.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of adding organic chromium dietary supplementation on performance, digestiveand lymphoid organs biometry and histomorphometry of the clocal bursa and on carcass and prime cuts performance of broilersfrom 1 to 41 days old, naturally stressed by heat cyclic. We used 400 chicks Cobb, the experimental design adopted was acompletely randomized, with five treatments: 0; 350; 700; 1050 and 1400 ppb chromium in diet. The supplementation withorganic chromium influenced (p<0,01) quadratic form on alimentary conversion the animals according to the equation Y = 1.67to 0.00016 x 0.00000012 x ² (r ² 0.976) in the period 1 to 21. The levels of supplementation of organic chromium improvementproductive efficiency and percentage of cortical parenchyma of broilers to 21 days. In phase to 1 from 41 days old, it was observedimprovement the feathers weight with levels of organic chromium, and there wasn’t influence on performance of broilers. Thechromium in the organic form improves the performance of broiler chickens and immune response by broiler chickens in cyclic heat stress.

Ichthyometry and electrical bioimpedance analysis to estimate the body composition of tambatinga / Ictiometria e bioimpedância elétrica para estimativa da composição corporal do tambatinga

Body composition analysis is relevant to characterize the nutritional requirements and finishing phase of fish. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between ichthyometric (weight, total and standard length, density and yields), bromatological (fat, protein, ash and water content) and bioelectrical-impedance-analysis (BIA) (resistance, reactance, phase angle and composition indexes) variables in the hybrid tambatinga (Colossoma macropomum × Piaractus brachypomus). In a non-fertilized vivarium, 520 juveniles were housed and fed commercial rations. Then, 136 days after hatching (DAH), 15 fish with an average weight of 37.69 g and average total length of 12.96 cm were randomly chosen, anesthetized (eugenol) and subjected to the first of fourteen fortnightly assessments (BIA and biometry). After euthanasia, the following parts were weighed: whole carcass with the head, fillet, and skin (WC); fillet with skin (FS); and the remainder of the carcass with the head (CH). Together, FS and CH were ground and homogenized for the bromatological analyses. Estimates of the body composition and yields of tambatinga, with models including ichthyometric and BIA variables, showed correlation coefficients ranging from 0.81 (for the FS yield) to 1,00 (for the total ash). Similarly, models that included only BIA variables had correlation coefficients ranging from 0.81 (FS and CH yields) to 0.98 (for the total ash). Therefore, in tambatinga, the BIA technique allows the estimation of the yield of the fillet with skin and the body composition (water content, fat, ash, and protein). The best models combine ichthyometric and BIA variables.

Analisar composição corporal é relevante para caracterizar necessidades nutricionais e fase de terminação de peixes. Objetivou-se estudar a relação entre variáveis ictiométricas (peso, comprimentos total e padrão, densidade e rendimentos), bromatológicas (gordura, proteína, cinza e umidade) e aquelas da análise por bioimpedância ou BIA (resistência, reatância, ângulo de fase e índices de composição), no híbrido tambatinga (Colossoma macropomum x Piaractus brachypomus). Em um viveiro não fertilizado, 520 juvenis foram cultivados com ração comercial. Com idade de 136 dias após a eclosão dos ovos, 37,69 g de peso, 12,96 cm de comprimento total, 15 peixes, colhidos ao acaso, foram anestesiados (eugenol) e submetidos à primeira de quatorze avaliações quinzenais (BIA e biometria). Após eutanásia foram dissecados e pesados: carcaça inteira com cabeça, filé e pele (CICFP), filé com pele (FCP) e resto da carcaça com cabeça (CCC). Juntos, FCP e CCC foram moídos e homogeneizados para análise bromatológica. Estimativas da composição corporal e de rendimentos do tambatinga, com modelos incluindo variáveis ictiométricas e da BIA, apresentaram coeficientes de correlação entre 0,81 (para o rendimento do FCP) e 1,00 (para cinzas totais). Analogamente, modelos com a inclusão apenas de variáveis da BIA mostram coeficientes de correlação entre 0,81 (rendimento do FCP e do CCC) e 0,98 (para cinzas totais). Portanto, no tambatinga, a técnica da BIA possibilita a estimativa do rendimento de filé com pele e composição corporal (umidade, gordura, cinza e proteína). Os melhores modelos agregam variáveis ictiométricas e da BIA.