[Effect of birth spacing on the pelvic floor type â and type â ¡ fiber muscle strength of postpartum women with parities of two in different delivery modes].

Objective: To speculate the effect of birth spacing on the pelvic floor type Ⅰ and Ⅱ fiber muscle strength of postpartum women with parities of two in different delivery modes. Methods: Totally 2 361 parturients who were investigated in Xuzhou Central Hospital from June 2016 to December 2020 were included in the questionnaire, clinical examination and pelvic floor surface electromyography assessment. According to the interval years between two parities and the pelvic floor typeⅠ and Ⅱ fiber muscle strength under different modes of delivery, curve fitting function equation was performed using curve regression method. The accuracy of the equation was verified by the receiver operating characteristic curve and the maximum area under the curve, and calculating the relative error rate. Results: A total of 2 357 parturients were included in the study and were divided into 4 groups based on delivery modes, women with both normal vaginal delivery were assigned to group A (589 cases); women with a first vaginal delivery and a second cesarean section were assigned to group B (480 cases); women with both cesarean deliveries were assigned to group C (1 273 cases); women with a first cesarean section and a second vaginal delivery were assigned to group D (15 cases). All of the curve fitting results were quadratic curves, and the appropriate interval years were selected when the muscle strength of type Ⅰ muscle fibers was>35 µV and that of type Ⅱ muscle fibers was>40 µV: 6-8 years in the group A, 5-10 years in the group B, and 1-11 years in the group C. The peak values of the quadratic curve were as follows: 7-8 years in the group A, 7-8 years in the group B, and 6 years in the group C. The maximum area under the curve of the function equations were all>0.6 (all P<0.05), the average relative error rate was 4.909%. Conclusions: The pelvic floor function of postpartum women with parities of two increases firstly and then decreases over time, showing a quadratic curve shape. In order to protect the pelvic floor function, the appropriate interval of birth spacing is 6-8 years.

Threonine supplementation reduces dietary protein and improves lipid metabolism in Pekin ducks.

1. This study was conducted to investigate the efficiency of threonine (Thr) supplementation on reducing dietary crude protein (CP) content and the effects of Thr on lipid metabolism in Pekin ducks. The effects of dietary CP concentration (160, 190 and 220 g/kg) and Thr supplemental concentration (0, 0.7, 1.4, 2.1 and 2.8 g/kg) on growth performance, carcass, liver lipid and plasma profiles were determined in Pekin ducks from 1-21 d of age. 2. A total of 720-d-old male Pekin ducks were randomly allotted to 1 of 15 dietary treatments with 6 replicate cages of 8 birds per cage for each treatment according to average body weight. 3. Dietary Thr supplementation improved growth performance and breast muscle percentage at all CP diets, and ducks fed Thr-supplemented diets had higher plasma concentrations of some plasma amino acids. Thr supplementation reduced the concentrations of total lipid, triglyceride, cholesterol in liver, and plasma low density lipoprotein cholesterin concentration at 160 and 190 g/kg CP, whereas it increased triglyceride concentration at 160 g/kg CP. 4. Thr requirements based on quadratic broken-line model estimation were 6.6 and 7.0 g/kg for optimal average daily gain (ADG), and 6.7 and 7.3 g/kg for breast muscle percentage of Pekin ducks from 1-21 d of age at 190 and 220 g/kg CP, respectively. The dietary Thr requirements and estimated ADG (55.18 vs. 55.86 g/d/bird) and breast muscle percentage (2.79% vs. 2.75%) of Pekin ducks did not differ between 190 and 220 g/kg CP according to the t-test results. 5. Dietary CP level could be reduced to 190 g/kg in Pekin ducks from 1-21 d of age with Thr supplementation to balance dietary amino acids, and Thr supplementation prevented excess liver lipid deposition in this instance.

Effects of dietary Lactobacillus plantarum B1 on growth performance, intestinal microbiota, and short chain fatty acid profiles in broiler chickens.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum B1 on broiler performance, cecal bacteria, and ileal and cecal short chain fatty acids (SCFA). The study also determined whether it was necessary to feed Lactobacillus throughout the entire growth period or if the beneficial effects could be obtained by supplementation during the starter or finisher period only. Experiment 1 was conducted with 72 broilers assigned to 2 treatments (N=6). One treatment was the basal diet (Con), and the other was the basal diet supplemented with 2×10(9) cfu/kg L. plantarum B1 (Wh). In experiment 2, 144 one-day-old broilers were assigned to 4 treatments (N=6) including a basal diet (Con), the basal diet supplemented with 2×10(9) cfu/kgL. plantarum B1 during d one to 21 only (St), the basal diet supplemented with L. plantarum B1 during d 22 to 42 only (Fn), and, finally, the basal diet supplemented with L. plantarum B1 from d one to 42 (Wh). Experiment 1 showed that L. plantarum B1 enhanced broiler average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). In experiment 2, during the starter period, broilers in the Wh and St treatments had higher ADG (P<0.05) than broilers in the Con and Fn, while during the finisher period, broilers in the Wh and Fn had higher ADG (P<0.01) and improved FCR (P<0.01) compared with broilers in the Con and St. On d 42, broilers in the Wh and Fn had decreased E. coli (P<0.05) and increased lactic acid bacteria (P<0.05) in their cecal digesta. L. plantarum B1 also increased (P<0.05) ileal mucosal sIgA as well as ileal and cecal SCFA. However, L. plantarum B1 had no effect on intestinal morphology. In conclusion,L. plantarum B1 plays a positive role in broilers. Supplementation during the finisher period or the entire growth period is superior to supplementation during the starter period only.

Branched-chain Amino Acids are Beneficial to Maintain Growth Performance and Intestinal Immune-related Function in Weaned Piglets Fed Protein Restricted Diet.

As a novel approach for disease control and prevention, nutritional modulation of the intestinal health has been proved. However, It is still unknown whether branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) is needed to maintain intestinal immune-related function. The objective of this study was to determine whether BCAA supplementation in protein restricted diet affects growth performance, intestinal barrier function and modulates post-weaning gut disorders. One hundred and eight weaned piglets (7.96±0.26 kg) were randomly fed one of the three diets including a control diet (21% crude protein [CP], CON), a protein restricted diet (17% CP, PR) and a BCAA diet (BCAA supplementation in the PR diet) for 14 d. The growth performance, plasma amino acid concentrations, small intestinal morphology and intestinal immunoglobulins were tested. First, average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.05) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p<0.05) of weaned pigs in PR group were lower, while gain:feed ratio was lower than the CON group (p<0.05). Compared with PR group, BCAA group improved ADG (p<0.05), ADFI (p<0.05) and feed:gain ratio (p<0.05) of piglets. The growth performance data between CON and BCAA groups was not different (p>0.05). The PR and BCAA treatments had a higher (p<0.05) plasma concentration of methionine and threonine than the CON treatment. The level of some essential and functional amino acids (such as arginine, phenylalanine, histidine, glutamine etc.) in plasma of the PR group was lower (p<0.05) than that of the CON group. Compared with CON group, BCAA supplementation significantly increased BCAA concentrations (p<0.01) and decreased urea concentration (p<0.01) in pig plasma indicating that the efficiency of dietary nitrogen utilization was increased. Compared with CON group, the small intestine of piglets fed PR diet showed villous atrophy, increasing of intra-epithelial lymphocytes (IELs) number (p<0.05) and declining of the immunoglobulin concentration, including jejunal immunoglobulin A (IgA) (p = 0.04), secreted IgA (sIgA) (p = 0.03) and immunoglobulin M (p = 0.08), and ileal IgA (p = 0.01) and immunoglobulin G (p = 0.08). The BCAA supplementation increased villous height in the duodenum (p<0.01), reversed the trend of an increasing IELs number. Notably, BCAA supplementation increased levels of jejunal and ileal immunoglobulin mentioned above. In conclusion, BCAA supplementation to protein restricted diet improved intestinal immune defense function by protecting villous morphology and by increasing levels of intestinal immunoglobulins in weaned piglets. Our finding has the important implication that BCAA may be used to reduce the negative effects of a protein restricted diet on growth performance and intestinal immunity in weaned piglets.

Superoxide dismutase recombinant Lactobacillus fermentum ameliorates intestinal oxidative stress through inhibiting NF-κB activation in a trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid-induced colitis mouse model.

AIMS: Superoxide dismutase (SOD) can prevent and cure inflammatory bowel diseases by decreasing the amount of reactive oxygen species. Unfortunately, short half-life of SOD in the gastrointestinal tract limited its application in the intestinal tract. This study aimed to investigate the treatment effects of recombinant SOD Lactobacillus fermentum in a colitis mouse model. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we expressed the sodA gene in Lact. fermentum I5007 to obtain the SOD recombinant strain. Then, we determined the therapeutic effects of this SOD recombinant strain in a trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis mouse model. We found that SOD activity in the recombinant Lact. fermentum was increased by almost eightfold compared with that in the wild type. Additionally, both the wild type and the recombinant Lact. fermentum increased the numbers of lactobacilli in the colon of mice (P < 0·05). Colitis mice treated with recombinant Lact. fermentum showed a higher survival rate and lower disease activity index (P < 0·05). Recombinant Lact. fermentum significantly decreased colonic mucosa histological scoring for infiltration of inflammatory cells, lipid peroxidation, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and myeloperoxidase (P < 0·05) and inhibited NF-κB activity in colitis mice (P < 0·05). CONCLUSIONS: SOD recombinant Lact. fermentum significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammation through inhibiting NF-κB activation in the TNBS-induced colitis model. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides insights into the anti-inflammatory effects of SOD recombinant Lact. fermentum, indicating the potential therapeutic effects in preventing and curing intestinal bowel diseases.

Fermentation conditions influence the fatty acid composition of the membranes of Lactobacillus reuteri I5007 and its survival following freeze-drying.

Lactobacillus reuteri I5007 has well-documented adhesion properties and health benefits. Future industrial use of Lact. reuteri I5007 will require the development of effective fermentation procedures and high bacterial survival following drying. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the impact of altering fermentation pH and temperature on the fatty acid composition of the bacterial membranes and subsequent survival of Lact. reuteri I5007 following freeze-drying. Initially, a response surface methodology was used to determine the optimal fermentation pH (5·7) and temperature (37°C), with regard to producing the maximum number of Lact. reuteti I5007 cells. However, when subjected to the optimal fermentation pH and temperature (control treatment), the subsequent survival of Lact. reuteri I5007 following freeze-drying was only 12·95%. Growth at a higher temperature (47°C) or at a neutral pH (pH 6·7) significantly increased the survival of Lact. reuteri I5007 following freeze-drying compared with the control. In contrast, an acidic pH (pH 4·7), or cold (27°C) and extremely cold (4°C) temperatures during fermentation significantly reduced Lact. reuteri I5007 survival following freeze-drying. The fatty acid composition of the membranes of Lact. reuteri I5007 was altered by the different fermentation conditions tested. An increase in the ratio of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) to saturated fatty acids (SFA) in the bacterial membrane was associated with higher survival of Lact. reuteri I5007. In conclusion, it appears that the use of a higher temperature (47°C) or neutral pH (6·7) during fermentation resulted in increased survival of Lact. reuteri I5007 following freeze-drying. Significance and impact of the study: In this study, we found that a higher fermentation temperature or a neutral pH, rather than cold or acidic conditions, leads to increased survival of Lact. reuteri I5007 during subsequent freeze-drying. This finding has important implications for the future industrial production of this probiotic strain.

Dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus fermentum I5007 improves the anti-oxidative activity of weanling piglets challenged with diquat.

AIMS: To determine the effects of Lactobacillus fermentum I5007 on the redox state of piglets oxidatively stressed with diquat. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-four, 28-day-old barrows were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design experiment with the main effects being Lact. fermentum supplementation and diquat challenge. Half of the pigs (n = 12) were orally administered with 20 ml of a solution containing 10(8 ) CFU ml(-1) of Lact. fermentum each morning of the 21-day trial, while the remainder received saline. On day 8, these two groups were further subdivided so that half of the pigs in each group (n = 6) were intraperitoneally injected with 10 mg kg(-1) BW diquat, while the remainder received saline. The diquat-injected pigs had significantly poorer performance and increased levels of plasma cortisol, adrenaline, carbonyl and malondialdehyde. Lactobacillus fermentum supplementation significantly increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione and increased the ability to inhibit superoxide anion production in liver and muscle. CONCLUSIONS: Lactobacillus fermentum improved the anti-oxidative defence system and alleviated damage caused by diquat. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Lactobacillus fermentum has the potential to alleviate oxidative stress and improve weaning pig performance.

Amino acids and gut function.

The intestine is not only critical for the absorption of nutrients, but also interacts with a complex external milieu. Most foreign antigens enter the body through the digestive tract. Dietary amino acids are major fuels for the small intestinal mucosa, as well as important substrates for syntheses of intestinal proteins, nitric oxide, polyamines, and other products with enormous biological importance. Recent studies support potential therapeutic roles for specific amino acids (including glutamine, glutamate, arginine, glycine, lysine, threonine, and sulfur-containing amino acids) in gut-related diseases. Results of these new lines of work indicate trophic and cytoprotective effects of amino acids on gut integrity, growth, and health in animals and humans.

Free radical scavenging activity of Lactobacillus fermentum in vitro and its antioxidative effect on growing-finishing pigs.

AIMS: To evaluate the free radical-scavenging capacity of Lactobacillus fermentum and its effects on antioxidant enzyme levels in finishing pigs. METHODS AND RESULTS: The free radical-scavenging activity of Lact. fermentum was analysed in vitro. The tested Lactobacillus showed a high scavenging ability against DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), superoxide and hydroxyl radicals which was dose dependent. Subsequently, 108 crossbred pigs weighing 20.67 BW, were allotted to dietary treatments including a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with either aureomycin or 10.2 x 10(7) Lact. fermentum CFU g(-1) diet. Supplementation of Lact. fermentum increased total antioxidant capacity (P < 0.01) in serum from 50 kg pigs, while serum superoxide dismutase (P = 0.01) and glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.01) increased, and malondialdehyde levels decreased (P < 0.01) in 90 kg pigs. Hepatic catalase (P = 0.04), muscle superoxide dismutase (P < 0.01) and copper-zinc-superoxide dismutase were enhanced (P = 0.01), whereas malondialdehyde levels were reduced (P = 0.05) by Lact. fermentum. CONCLUSIONS: The free radical-scavenging capacity of Lact. fermentum was dose dependent and its supplementation improved the antioxidant status of pigs. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Lactobacillus fermentum could be used to alleviate oxidative stress and increase pig performance and improve pork quality.

Determination of an economical medium for growth of Lactobacillus fermentum using response surface methodology.

AIM: Lactobacillus fermentum is a widely utilized probiotic compound fed as an alternative to antibiotics for growth promotion in a wide variety of livestock species. The objective of this research is to develop an economical and practical fermentation medium for the growth of Lact. fermentum using response surface methodology. METHODS AND RESULTS: A two-level Plackett-Burman design was used to determine which factors in the fermentation medium influence the growth of Lact. fermentum. Under our experimental conditions, peptone, urea and yeast extract were found to be major factors. Then, the steepest ascent method and the central composite design were applied to optimize the culture of Lact. fermentum. The following composition of the fermentation medium was estimated to be the most economical formula (per litre): 30 g corn syrup, 15 g glucose, 14.4 g peptone, 7 g (NH(4))(2)SO(4), 0.5 g urea, 3 g sodium acetate, 4 g sodium citrate, 0.1 g MnSO(4).4H(2)O, 0.5 g MgSO(4).7H(2)O, 7.3 g yeast extract, 0.5 g K(2)HPO(4). CONCLUSION: Based on 10 side-by-side comparisons, we found that the yield of Lact. fermentum using our fermentation medium was 64% greater than those using modified de Man, Rogosa and Sharp broth (MRS) medium (1.8 x 10(9) CFU ml(-1)vs 1.1 x 10(9) CFU ml(-1), respectively), while the cost was 89% lower than MRS. This research indicates that it is possible to increase bacterial yield by using inexpensive materials. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: It is more likely that the use of Lact. fermentum as a probiotic will increase. The low cost medium developed in this research can be used for large-scale, commercial application where economics are quite likely to be important.

The adhesion of putative probiotic lactobacilli to cultured epithelial cells and porcine intestinal mucus.

AIMS: To investigate the adhesion of lactobacilli and their subsequent competitive exclusion ability against pathogens. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four species of putative probiotic lactobacilli were studied for their adhesion abilities. First, the adhesion to Caco-2 cells was examined by light and electron microscopy. The four species were then labelled by [methyl-(3)H] thymidine and their adhesion to porcine intestinal mucus was determined by radioactivity. The tested lactobacilli showed best adhesion on ileal mucus compared with duodenal and jejunal mucus. Oxidative compound pre-treatment (NaIO(3) and NaIO(4)) dramatically decreased the adhesion of the lactobacilli to mucus. Pre-treating mucus with proteolytic enzymes (proteinase K and trypsin) resulted in the increase of adhesion in Lactobacillus serotype Reuteri I2021, but the results in the other species were variable. Lactobacillus serotype Fermentum I5007 showed greatest adhesion potential and exerted the best competitive exclusion against Salmonella and Escherichia. CONCLUSIONS: Adhesion ability in lactobacilli is species-specific. Lactobacilli with higher adhesion index have better competitive exclusion ability. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study suggests that there is a positive correlation between adhesion and competitive exclusion ability of lactobacilli. Additionally, the in vitro adhesion assay is a feasible way to screen unknown lactobacilli, potentially for future industrial applications.

Interactions of dietary protein and threonine on growth performance in Pekin ducklings from 1 to 14 days of age.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) on threonine requirements by determining the interactions of dietary CP levels (16.0, 17.5, 19.0, 20.5, and 22.0%) and supplemental threonine levels (0, 0.07, 0.14, 0.21, and 0.28%) on growth performance of Pekin ducks from 1 to 14 days of age. A total of 1,200 one-day-old male Pekin ducks was randomly allotted to 1 of 25 dietary treatments with 6 replicate pens of 8 birds per pen for each treatment. The results showed that dietary CP and threonine levels affected the average daily feed intake (ADFI, P < 0.0001), average daily gain (ADG, P < 0.0001), ratio of feed/gain (F/G, P < 0.0001) of Pekin ducks, and had an interactions on the ADFI, ADG, F/G (P < 0.0001). The ADG was increased linearly (P < 0.002) and then reached a plateau as the dietary threonine increased at all CP diets. According to the estimation of broken-line models, the dietary threonine requirements at 16.0, 17.5, 19.0, 20.5, and 22.0% CP diets for optimal ADG of ducks were 0.56, 0.61, 0.60, 0.63, and 0.67% when expressed as percentage of diet, or 44.22, 47.65, 47.50, 48.30, and 50.39% when expressed as percentage of dietary lysine, or 3.45, 3.44, 3.12, 3.27, and 2.98% when expressed as percentage of dietary CP, respectively. Threonine requirements of Pekin ducks from 1 to 14 days of age were affected by dietary CP levels according to the Student t test results, but had no difference among the moderate CP level diets (17.5, 19, and 20.5%) when expressed as a percentage of diet or dietary lysine. It was concluded that dietary CP levels affected the threonine requirements of Pekin ducks from 1 to 14 days of age, but threonine requirements were constant within the limiting CP level range (17.5 to 20.5%) with a good balance of dietary amino acid, and were approximately 0.60 to 0.63% of diet or 47.5 to 48.3% of dietary lysine.

Dietary supplemented antimicrobial peptide microcin J25 improves the growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility, fecal microbiota, and intestinal barrier function of weaned pigs.

Microcin J25 (MccJ25) is an antimicrobial peptide produced by a fecal strain of Escherichia coli containing 21 AA. This study was performed primarily to evaluate the effects of MccJ25 as a potential substitute for antibiotics (AB) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, and intestinal barrier function in weaned pigs. In the present study, 180 weaned pigs (7.98 ± 0.29 kg initial BW) were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatments, including a basal diet (CON) and CON supplemented with AB (20 mg/kg colistin sulfate; ABD) or 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25. On d 0 to 14, dietary supplementation with MccJ25 and ABD had positive effects on ADG, ADFI, diarrhea incidence, and G:F ( < 0.05). Pigs fed the 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 diet had greater ADG ( < 0.05) and marginally greater G:F ( < 0.10) compared with pigs fed the ABD diet. Compared with the CON diet, the 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 diet sharply improved ( < 0.05) ADG and G:F and decreased ( < 0.05) diarrhea incidence (d 15 to 28 and d 0 to 28). Apparent digestibility of nutrients in pigs fed 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 was improved ( < 0.05) compared with that of pigs fed CON and ABD. The serum cytokines IL-6 and IL-1ß and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in pigs fed MccJ25 were greater than in pigs fed CON ( < 0.05). Additionally, the IL-10 concentration in pigs fed MccJ25 was sharply increased ( < 0.05) compared with that of pigs fed CON. Pigs fed 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 diets had remarkably decreased lactate, diamine oxidase, and endotoxin concentrations and fecal numbers ( < 0.05) and improved fecal and numbers ( < 0.05). Compared with the ABD diet, the diet containing 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 did not increase lactate, diamine oxidase, and endotoxin (d 14) concentrations ( < 0.05) or decrease the and (d 28) numbers ( < 0.05). The diets containing 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 and ABD (d 28) improved lactate concentration and short-chain fatty acid concentrations, including acetate, propionate, and butyrate, in feces ( < 0.05). Moreover, the pigs fed 2.0 mg/kg MccJ25 had greater lactate, butyrate (d 14), and propionate concentrations than the pigs fed the ABD diet ( < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplemented MccJ25 effectively improved performance, attenuated diarrhea and systematic inflammation, enhanced intestinal barrier function, and improved fecal microbiota composition of weaned pigs. Therefore, MccJ25 could be a potential effective alternative to AB for weaned pigs.

Prevention of Escherichia coli infection in broiler chickens with Lactobacillus plantarum B1.

Two studies were performed to assess the efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum B1 in prevention of pathogenic Escherichia coli K88 gastrointestinal infection in broilers. In an in vitro study, L. plantarum B1 showed resistance to acid and bile and inhibited the growth of E. coli K88. Additionally, L. plantarum B1 exhibited high ability to adhere to broiler embryo ileal epithelium. In an animal trial, 240 broilers at 1 d of age were randomly assigned to one of 4 treatment arms: negative control (NC) broilers fed a basal diet and not challenged; positive control (PC) broilers fed a basal diet and challenged with E. coli K88; L. plantarum (LP) treatment broilers fed a basal diet containing 2 × 109 cfu/kg L. plantarum B1 and challenged with E. coli K88; and antibiotic treatment (Anti) broilers fed a basal diet supplemented with colistin sulfate (20 mg/kg) and challenged with E. coli K88. Broilers fed L. plantarum B1 had greater (P ≤ 0.05) BW than those in the PC treatment on d 14 and 28. Dietary L. plantarum B1 decreased (P < 0.05) E. coli counts in the cecal contents on d 10 and 14, and increased (P < 0.05) cecal lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on d 8, 10, 14, and 28 compared with the PC treatment. Dietary supplementation of L. plantarum B1 increased (P < 0.05) the ileal mucosal secretory IgA concentration and reduced (P < 0.05) IL-2, IL-4, IFN-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in the ileum. Overall, these results suggest dietary supplementation of L. plantarum B1 promotes growth performance, lowers cecal E. coli counts, and increases the population of cecal LAB, as well as improves intestinal mucosal immunity in E. coli K88-challenged broilers.

Effects of enzyme supplementation on performance, nutrient digestibility, gastrointestinal morphology, and volatile fatty acid profiles in the hindgut of broilers fed wheat-based diets.

A growth trial and a metabolism trial were conducted as 2 experiments to investigate the effects of dietary enzyme supplementation (primarily xylanase and beta-glucanase) on performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, digestive organ size, and volatile fatty acid profiles in the hindgut of broiler chickens fed wheat-based diets. The experimental diets in both trials consisted of a wheat-based control diet supplemented with 0, 200, 400, 600, 800, or 1,000 mg/kg enzyme. Diets were given to the birds from d 7 to 42 of age. In the growth trial, enzyme supplementation improved performance of the broilers; daily gain and feed conversion increased linearly (P < 0.01) with increasing levels of enzyme supplementation. Enzyme inclusion decreased the size of the digestive organs and the gastrointestinal tract to some extent. The relative length of each intestinal segment decreased linearly (P < 0.05). The relative weight of the anterior intestine on d 21 and ileum on d 42 also decreased linearly (P < 0.01). On d 21 and 42, there were negative linear (P < 0.05) relationships between increasing enzyme supplementation and the relative weight of the liver and pancreas, respectively. Furthermore, there was a linear (P < 0.01) increase in total volatile fatty acid content in ileum on d 21 and in the cecum on d 21 and 42. During each period of the metabolism trial, apparent crude protein digestibility increased linearly (P < 0.05), whereas no differences were detected (P > 0.05) in AME.

Estimation of the standardized ileal digestible valine to lysine ratio required for 25- to 120-kilogram pigs fed low crude protein diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids.

Four 28-d experiments were conducted to determine the standardized ileal digestible (SID) valine (Val) to lysine (Lys) ratio required for 26- to 46- (Exp. 1), 49- to 70- (Exp. 2), 71- to 92- (Exp. 3), and 94- to 119-kg (Exp. 4) pigs fed low CP diets supplemented with crystalline AA. The first 3 experiments utilized 150 pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Large White), while Exp. 4 utilized 90 finishing pigs. Pigs in all 4 experiments were randomly allocated to 1 of 5 diets with 6 pens per treatment (3 pens of barrows and 3 pens of gilts) and 5 pigs per pen for the first 3 experiments and 3 pigs per pen for Exp. 4. Diets for all experiments were formulated to contain SID Val to Lys ratios of 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, or 0.75. In Exp. 1 (26 to 46 kg), ADG increased (linear, = 0.039; quadratic, = 0.042) with an increasing dietary Val:Lys ratio. The SID Val:Lys ratio to maximize ADG was 0.62 using a linear broken-line model and 0.71 using a quadratic model. In Exp. 2 (49 to 70 kg), ADG increased (linear, = 0.021; quadratic, = 0.042) as the SID Val:Lys ratio increased. G:F improved (linear, = 0.039) and serum urea nitrogen (SUN) decreased (linear, = 0.021; quadratic, = 0.024) with an increased SID Val:Lys ratio. The SID Val:Lys ratios to maximize ADG as well as to minimize SUN levels were 0.67 and 0.65, respectively, using a linear broken-line model and 0.72 and 0.71, respectively, using a quadratic model. In Exp. 3 (71 to 92 kg), ADG increased (linear, = 0.007; quadratic, = 0.022) and SUN decreased (linear, = 0.011; quadratic, = 0.034) as the dietary SID Val:Lys ratio increased. The SID Val:Lys ratios to maximize ADG as well as to minimize SUN levels were 0.67 and 0.67, respectively, using a linear broken-line model and 0.72 and 0.74, respectively, using a quadratic model. In Exp. 4 (94 to 119 kg), ADG increased (linear, = 0.041) and G:F was improved (linear, = 0.004; quadratic, = 0.005) as the dietary SID Val:Lys ratio increased. The SID Val:Lys ratio to maximize G:F was 0.68 using a linear broken-line model and 0.72 using a quadratic model. Carcass traits and muscle quality were not influenced by SID Val:Lys ratio. In conclusion, the dietary SID Val:Lys ratios required for 26- to 46-, 49- to 70-, 71- to 92-, and 94- to 119-kg pigs were estimated to be 0.62, 0.66, 0.67, and 0.68, respectively, using a linear broken-line model and 0.71, 0.72, 0.73, and 0.72, respectively, using a quadratic model.

The antimicrobial peptide sublancin ameliorates necrotic enteritis induced by Clostridium perfringens in broilers.

Sublancin is an antimicrobial peptide produced by 168 containing 37 amino acids. The objective of this study was to investigate its inhibitory efficacy against both in vitro and in vivo. In the in vitro study, we determined that sublancin had a minimum inhibitory concentration of 8 µM against , which was much higher than the antibiotic lincomycin (0.281 µM). Scanning electron microscopy showed that sublancin damaged the morphology of . The in vivo study was conducted on broilers for a 28-d period using a completely randomized design. A total of 252 chickens at 1 d of age were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 treatments including an uninfected control; an infected control; 3 infected groups supplemented with sublancin at 2.88, 5.76, or 11.52 mg activity/L of water; and an infected group supplemented with lincomycin at 75 mg activity/L of water (positive control). Necrotic enteritis was induced in the broilers by oral inoculation of on d 15 through 21. Thereafter, the sublancin or lincomycin were administered fresh daily for a period of 7 days. The challenge resulted in a significant decrease in ADG ( < 0.05) and a remarkable deterioration in G:F ( < 0.05) during d 15 to 21 of the experiment. There was a sharp increase of numbers in the cecum ( < 0.05). The addition of sublancin or lincomycin reduced caecal counts ( < 0.05). The counts had a tendency to decrease in the lincomycin treatment ( = 0.051) but were the highest in the sublancin treatment (5.76 mg activity/L of water). A higher villus height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum and jejunum as well as a higher villus height in the duodenum were observed in broilers treated with sublancin or lincomycin ( < 0.05) compared with infected control broilers. It was observed that sublancin and lincomycin decreased IL-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels ( < 0.05) in the ileum compared with the infected control. In conclusion, although sublancin's minimum inhibitory concentration is much higher than lincomycin in vitro, less sublancin is needed to control necrotic enteritis induced by in vivo than lincomycin. These novel findings indicate that sublancin could be used as a potential antimicrobial agent to control necrotic enteritis.

The appropriate standardized ileal digestible tryptophan to lysine ratio improves pig performance and regulates hormones and muscular amino acid transporters in late finishing gilts fed low-protein diets.

This study investigated the effects of various standardized ileal digestible (SID) Trp to Lys ratios on the performance and carcass characteristics of late finishing gilts receiving low-CP (9.6%) diets supplemented with crystalline AA. Ninety gilts (89.1 ± 5.1 kg) were used in a dose-response study conducted for 35 d. Crystalline Trp (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6 g/kg) was added to a corn-wheat bran basal diet providing SID Trp to Lys ratios of 0.12, 0.15, 0.18, 0.21, or 0.24. Each diet was fed to 6 pens of pigs with 3 gilts per pen. At the end of the experiment, 30 gilts (1 pig per pen) were slaughtered to evaluate carcass traits and meat quality (BW = 121 kg). Increasing the SID Trp to Lys ratio increased ADG (linear and quadratic effect, < 0.05) and also improved G:F (linear and quadratic effect, < 0.05). Serum urea nitrogen (SUN) decreased as the SID Trp to Lys ratio increased (linear and quadratic effects, < 0.05). A quadratic effect of L* light and marbling in the longissimus dorsi was observed as the dietary SID Trp to Lys ratio increased ( < 0.05). Increasing the SID Trp to Lys ratio increased the level of serum GH (quadratic effect, < 0.05) and also increased the level of serum IGF-1 (linear and quadratic effect, < 0.05). Increasing the SID Trp to Lys ratio increased the protein abundance of the muscular AA transporter of sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 2 (SNAT2) in the longissimus dorsi muscle (linear and quadratic effect, < 0.05). The optimum SID Trp to Lys ratios to maximize ADG and G:F as well as to minimize SUN levels were 0.16, 0.17, and 0.16 using a linear-breakpoint model and 0.20, 0.20, and 0.20 using a quadratic model. Tryptophan could influence serum GH and IGF-1 secretion and protein abundance of the muscular AA transporter of SNAT2 in the longissimus dorsi muscle in late finishing gilts fed low-protein diets.

[Studies on the active polysaccharides from Lycium barbarum L].

AIM: To investigate the structures and immunomodulation activity of four homogeneous polysaccharides: LBP 1a-1, LBP 1a-2, LBP 3a-1 and LBP 3a-2 isolated from Lycium barbarum L. brought from Zhongning County, Ningxia Province. METHODS: Their molecular weights, sugar component (constituents) and their linkages were determined by gel permeation chromatography, acid hydrolysis, periodate oxidation and NMR spectrum. The activity of immunomodulation was evaluated with splenocyte proliferation by [3H]-TDR incorperation, in vitro. RESULTS: Four polysaccharides with molecular weights 11.5 x 10(4), 9.4 x 10(4), 10.3 x 10(4) and 8.2 x 10(4), were shown to enhance splenocyte proliferation induced by ConA. LBP 1a-1 and LBP 1a-2 were alpha-(1-->6)-D-glucans. LBP 3a-1 and LBP 3a-2 were found to be a-(1-->4)-D-polygalacturonans. CONCLUSION: The four polysaccharides were first isolated from this plant. Polysaccharides with main chain of alpha-(1-->4)-D-polygalacturonans showed stronger immunomodulation activity.

Butyrate promotes the recovering of intestinal wound healing through its positive effect on the tight junctions.

Postweaning diarrhea is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in weanling piglets. Feeding sodium butyrate to weanling piglets decreased the incidence of diarrhea, but the mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The present study was to evaluate the effect of sodium butyrate on diarrhea in relation to wound healing of intestinal barrier using IPEC-J2 cell model. Cultured cells were scratched to induce wound and then were treated with 4 mM sodium butyrate. The results showed that supplementation of the cells with sodium butyrate significantly promoted the process of wound healing, indicating the protective effects of butyrate on the intestinal mucosa. Butyrate treatment enhanced mRNA expression of the intestinal mucosal tight junction proteins occludin and zonula occluden protein-1 (P < 0.05), which suggested that the promotion of wound healing by butyrate is related to the maintenance of the function of the intestinal barrier. In addition, in the butyrate-treated group, intestinal total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.05), two of the main antioxidant enzymes, as well as glutathione (P < 0.05), one of the nonenzymatic antioxidant components, were enhanced whereas the malondialdehyde level, a marker of free radical mediated lipid peroxidation injury, was decreased (P < 0.05) compared with the control group. Collectively, these results indicate that dietary sodium butyrate might, at least partly, play an important role in recovering the intestinal tight junctions having a positive effect on maintaining the gut integrity.