Importance of dietary supplementation of soluble and insoluble fibers to sows subjected to high ambient temperatures during late gestation and effects on lactation performance.

Heat stress adversely affects sows' performance, which can be improved by applying proper nutritional strategies. This study was conducted to investigate the interactive effects of dietary fiber levels and sources on sows' reproductive performance, metabolic response during gestation, and the carry-over influence on litter performance in the lactation period during heat stress (average room temperature of 27.1 °C). Fifty-four multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire; initial body weight of 236.3 ± 16 kg; 2, 3 and 4 parities) at d 90 of gestation were assigned to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement (9 sows/treatment), involving 2 dietary fiber levels (4.5% and 6% crude fiber) and 3 dietary fiber sources (wheat bran [WB], palm kernel meal [PK], and beet pulp [BP]). Sows fed the BP diet had highest (P < 0.01) feed intake and constipation index and lowest (P < 0.01) farrowing duration. Piglet weight (P = 0.041) and litter weight (P < 0.01) at weaning were higher in sows in the BP treatment compared to PK treatment. Sows in the BP treatment showed the greatest (P < 0.01) digestibility of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber. The fecal concentration of acetate was the lowest (P < 0.01) in the PK treatment. Total short-chain fatty acid production was increased in the WB and BP treatments compared with the PK. Sows in the BP treatment showed the lowest (P = 0.036) hair cortisol. The blood insulin concentration of sows was higher (P = 0.026) in the high fiber (6%) treatment compared with the low fiber (4.5%) treatment at 90 min and 120 min after the meal. The concentration of phthalic acid, succinic acid, phenylethylamine, hydrocinnamic acid, iron, linoleic acid, glycerol, ketone, and formamide were increased (P < 0.05) in the BP treatment compared with the WB. The BP treatment with high soluble fiber content improved the constipation index, farrowing duration, and litter performance, while high insoluble fibers increased sows comfort and reduced stress factors including respiratory rate and rectal temperature. Therefore, both soluble and insoluble sources of fiber are necessary to be added to the diet of gestating sows.

Effect of dietary inclusion of Bacillus-based probiotics on performance, egg quality, and the faecal microbiota of laying hen.

OBJECTIVE: Our study examined the impact of propriety blends of Bacillus strain probiotics on the performance, egg quality, and faecal microflora of laying hens. METHODS: A total of 183 Institut de selection Animale (ISA) brown laying hens aged 23 weeks with an average body weight of 1,894±72 g were randomly allocated into 3 groups as control (corn-soybean meal based diet, CON), 0.5 g/kg Enterosure probiotics (ET1, 3×108 colony-forming unit [CFU]/kg feed), and 5 g/kg Enterosure probiotics (ET2, 3×109 CFU/kg feed) administered in mashed form. At the completion of each phase hen day egg production (HDEP), average egg weight (AEW), feed intake, and faecal microbiota were evaluated. RESULTS: HDEP and AEW were higher (p<0.05) in the ET2-supplemented diet in phase 3 (week 9 to 12) compared with CON. Egg mass (EM) was higher (p<0.05) in phase 2 at ET2, and also higher (p<0.05) in phase 3 at the ET1 and ET2-supplemented diets compared with CON. Feed conversion ratio was lower (p<0.05) in phase 3 at the ET1 and ET2-supplemented diets, with ET2 being the lowest compared with ET1 and CON. Yolk colour was higher (p<0.05) in the ET-supplemented diets at phase 3 compared with CON. Bifidobacterium spp. was higher (p<0.05) in the ET2- supplemented diet compared with CON in phase 2, while in In phase 3, Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. were higher (p<0.05) in the ET-supplemented diets compared with CON. Coliforms were lower (p<0.05) in the ETsupplemented diets compared with CON in phase 3. CONCLUSION: The propriety blends of Bacillus strain probiotics supplements at 0.5 g/kg and 5 g/kg could improve the production and quality of eggs with more significance at 5 g/kg for HDEP, AEW and EM, which was achieved via the increase of beneficial microbiomes such as Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., and the decrease of pathogenic microbiomes like Escherichia coli and Coliforms which was speculated to improve gut barrier function and the reproductive hormone.

Improvement of weanling pigs immune status and metabolic condition using ultraweak light.

Weaning stress is the most common issue in swine farms, which increases mortality and morbidity. The use of artificial light is an option for modifying the immune system and metabolic pathways. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of ultraweak light (Photonia) on growth performance, immune system and metabolism of weanling pigs, and the carry-over effect on the growth performance in postweanling growing stages. A total of 30 weaned pigs with an average initial body weight of 7.06 ± 0.11 kg (age: 21 days) were allotted two treatments (Control and Photonia) with 15 replicates. The pelleted form diets were prepared for pigs in three phases including phase 1 (Days 0-14), phase 2 (Days 15-28) and phase 3 (Days 29-48). The gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) of pigs was significantly greater in the Photonia treatment. On Day 28, a higher concentration of immunoglobin A (IgA) (p < 0.01) and IgG (p < 0.01) was observed in the Photonia pigs. On Day 48, the Photonia treatment showed a greater serum IgA (p < 0.01) and IgG (p < 0.05). The concentration of interleukin (IL)-6 was decreased (p < 0.05) in the Photonia treatment. At Day 48, the concentrations of tumour necrotic factor-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 in serum were decreased (p < 0.05) in pigs in the Photonia treatment. Metabolic pathways analysis showed that the Photonia treatment increased the d-glutamine, d-glutamate, alanine, aspartate, glutamate and phenylalanine compared with the control treatment. In conclusion, the use of Photonia for weanling pigs is recommended due to improved G:F, immune status and activation of amino acids metabolic pathways including d-glutamine, d-glutamate, alanine, aspartate, glutamate and phenylalanine.

A metanalysis to evaluate the effects of substrate sources on the nutritional performance of black soldier fly larvae: implications for sustainable poultry feed.

This meta-analysis presents an evaluation of substrate sources and their impact on the growth performance of black soldier fly (BSF) larva. The database, compiled from Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct, focuses on data concerning substrate sources, environmental conditions, and the performance parameters of BSF. Seven types of substrates were analyzed, including Feed Waste, Manure, Fruits, Mix, Animal Source, Fermentation Residue, and Food Waste. The Feed Waste group demonstrated the highest DM content, while the highest CP content was found in the Animal Source group. Higher CP and DM content were found in larva meal from Fermentation Residues and Feed Waste diets, respectively. Higher survival rates were observed in BSF larvae fed on Feed Waste, Fermentation Residues, Food Waste, Fruits, Mix, and Manure substrates compared to Vegetable and Animal Source substrates. Fresh larval weight was lower when Manure was used as a feed substrate than in the Animal Source, Feed Waste, and Vegetable substrates. The prepupal Wet Weight was highest in BSF larvae fed on Animal Source, surpassing those fed on Fermentation Residue, Manure, and Vegetable substrates. Substrate CP content exhibited a positive relationship with fresh larva weight, prepupal wet weight, dry larval weight; larval length, mortality until prepupal, protein conversion, feed conversion ratio, food consumption, substrate reduction rate bioconversion ratio, waste reduction index, and efficiency conversion of digested feed in BSF larva. In conclusion, our findings underline that the source and composition of substrates are correlated to the nutritional composition and conversion efficiency of BSF larva meal.

Beet pulp as soluble fiber source and dietary energy levels for growing pigs under heat stress.

The study evaluated the effects of dietary fiber and energy levels administered during two growing periods (d 0-28 and d 29-56) for pigs exposed to a high temperature. A total of 96 growing pigs were used in six treatments as: Two treatments in thermoneutral temperature (21°C-24°C) with dietary energy of 3,300 and the inclusion of high or low fiber, two treatments in heat stress (30°C-34°C) with dietary energy of 3,300 and the inclusion of high or low fiber, and two treatments in heat stress with dietary energy of 3,450 and the inclusion of high or low fiber. Among standard energy level treatments, heat-stressed pigs showed lower average daily gain (ADG), feed intake, digestibility of dry matter, gross energy, crude protein, and crude fiber in phases 1 and 2. Moreover, higher concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) in feces were shown in pigs fed high fiber diets. There was a negative interaction between dietary fiber and energy for the fecal concentration of isobutyrate in phase 1 and valerate in phase 2. Pigs in heat stress treatments showed a higher rectal temperature, respiratory rate, hair cortisol, plasma zonulin, and fecal lipocalin-2. Among heat stress treatments, the overall ADG was increased in pigs fed high fiber. Pigs fed high dietary fiber showed a greater concentration of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total SCFA. High fiber treatments decreased plasma zonulin. In conclusion, the inclusion of beet pulp, soluble fiber, at the level of 4% looks necessary in pigs diet during heat stress.

Quality Characteristics of Black Soldier Flies Produced by Different Substrates.

Black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens) has a high capacity for amino acids and fatty acid accumulation. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of tofu by-products, food waste, and vegetables for BSF growth and conversion efficiency. BSFs under tofu by-product treatments showed the greatest weight at d 12 and the harvest period. Moreover, BSF larval weight was greater in the food waste treatment compared with the vegetable treatment at d 12 and harvest. The larva yield result was greater in the vegetable treatment compared with the tofu by-product. The bioconversion rate was higher in the tofu by-product treatment compared with the food waste and vegetable treatments. The protein conversion rate and lipid conversion rate were the highest in the vegetable treatment. The protein yield and lipid yield were greatest in the tofu by-product treatment. The lauric acid content was increased in BSFs fed tofu by-products compared with the food waste treatment. The concentration of C16:1 was the highest in the tofu by-product treatment. The content of oleic acid and α-linolenic acid was higher in BSFs fed tofu by-products compared with the vegetable treatment. In conclusion, the tofu by-products show benefits for larval growth and nutrient accumulation, which can improve larval quality for livestock feed ingredients.

Influence of dietary fiber intake and soluble to insoluble fiber ratio on reproductive performance of sows during late gestation under hot climatic conditions.

This study evaluated dietary fiber (DF) level and the ratio of soluble fiber (SF): insoluble fiber (ISF) impact on sows' reproductive performance under heat stress. Forty sows at day 90 of gestation were assigned to four treatments. HH diet had, 20% DF, 1:4, SF:ISF ratio; HL, 20% DF, 1:6, SF:ISF ratio; LH, 14% DF, 1:4, SF:ISF, LL, 14% DF, 1:6, SF:ISF. Results showed that; lactation back-fat loss was lower (P < 0.05) in HH . Feed intake was higher (P < 0.05) in HH and HL. Farrowing duration shorter (P < 0.05) in HH. Constipation index was higher (P < 0.05) in HH and LH. Weaning piglets' body weight was greater (P < 0.05) in HH than LH and LL. Hair cortisol was lower (P < 0.05) in HH than HL, and LL. Acetate, propionate, isovalerate, and butyrate was higher (P < 0.05) in HH and LH. Plasma zonulin, fecal lipocalin-2 were lower (P < 0.05) in HH, and HL. Superoxide dismutase tended to be higher (P = 0.056) and malondialdehyde tended to be lower (P = 0.069) in HH and HL. We opined that higher levels of dietary fiber and soluble fiber could ameliorate heat stress in gestating sows.

Effects of Scopoletin Supplementation and Stocking Density on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Activity, and Meat Quality of Korean Native Broiler Chickens.

Stocking density stress is one of the most common management stressors in the poultry industry. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of dietary Sophora koreensis (SK; 0 and 20 mg/kg diet) and stocking density (SD; 14 and 16 chickens/m2) on the antioxidant status, meat quality, and growth performance of native Korean chickens. There was a lower concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and a higher concentration of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity in the serum and leg muscle with the supplementation of SK. The concentration of MDA was increased and concentrations of SOD were decreased in the leg muscle of chickens in low SD treatments. The SK-supplemented treatments showed an increased 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate-reducing activity of leg muscles. The higher water holding capacity of breast muscle and a lower cooking loss and pH were shown in the SK-supplemented treatments. The addition of dietary SK resulted in a greater body weight gain and greater spleen and bursa Fabricius weight, as well as lower feed intake and abdominal fat. The low SD and supplementation of SK increased the concentrations of cholesterol. The concentration of glucose was increased in the low SD treatment. Corticosterone level was decreased in the SK-supplemented and low SD treatments. In conclusion, SK supplementation reduced the oxidative stress and increased meat quality and antioxidant status of chickens apart from the SD stress.