Influence of dietary fermented Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth performance, oxidative stress parameters, and immune response of cultured Oreochromis niloticus.

Our trial was performed to investigate the effect of fully fermented yeast Sacharomyces cerevisiae (Hilyses, ICC Company, Brazil) on the growth performance and immune response of Oreochromis niloticus. In this study, a total of 270 O. niloticus (50.7 ± 0.8 g) were randomly divided into 3 groups in triplicates. The control group was fed on the basal diet while the other two groups were fed on a basal diet supplemented with 0.2% and 0.4% of Hilyses. The trial period extended for 2 months. At the end of the feeding trial, oxidant and antioxidant parameters (MDA, catalase, and glutathione reductase), some innate immunological parameters and immune-related gene expression were measured. Histological examination of liver, spleen, kidney, and intestine was performed. Further, fish groups were challenged against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria; A. hydrophila and L. garvieae. The results revealed significant improvement (p < 0.05) in growth performance and feed utilization in Hilyses-treated groups versus the control group. Blood parameters and liver and kidney functions of Hilyses-supplemented groups were similar to those of the control group. The histological findings of treated groups showed normal tissue structure with multiple focal lymphoid aggregations in the spleen, kidney, and intestine. Both levels of Hilyses successfully enhanced phagocytic activity/index, lysozyme activity, and gene expression of TNF-α, and IL-1ß. Fish group fed on 0.4% Hilyses exhibited the highest expression of IL-1ß and the least mortality percentages post challenges. Thus, dietary supplementation of Hilyses could promote the growth performance and immunity and increase the resistance of O. niloticus against diseases.

Glycosaminoglycans and vitamin C affect broiler bone parameters.

The purpose of this study was to determine if in ovo feeding and rearing with glycosaminoglycans and vitamin C could influence bone and cartilage macroscopy, mineral composition, mineral density and surface area, bone breaking strength, and bone histology in broilers. Fertile eggs from breeders (Cobb) were either uninjected or injected with 4 µg of additive/100 µL water on day 4 of incubation. Every 100 g of in ovo additive contained 30 g of chondroitin sulfate, 30 g of glucosamine, and 5 g of vitamin C. After hatching, the chicks from both incubation treatments were submitted to additional treatments during the growth phase from 1 to 42 D of age (diet without and with 0.74 g of additive/kg of feed). Every 100 kg of feed contained 30 g of glucosamine sulfate, 24 g of chondroitin sulfate, and 20 g of vitamin C. A completely randomized factorial design (2 × 2) was applied. The data were submitted to variance analysis using the general linear model procedure of SAS (SAS Institute). In ovo feeding with 4 µg of additive plus dietary supplementation with 0.74 g of additive/kg of feed resulted in the highest cartilage weight of the femur proximal epiphysis in birds (P = 0.0098). The highest ash, phosphorus and calcium percentage, mineral density and mineral composition were identified for femur and tibia in the following treatments: in ovo feeding plus diet without additive during rearing, or uninjected eggs plus dietary supplementation during rearing. In ovo feeding with 4 µg of the additive reduced (P = 0.0008) the number of chondrocytes in the proximal epiphysis of the tibia cartilage and increased (P < 0.0001) the number of osteocytes in the tibia diaphysis of broilers. We conclude that in ovo feeding or dietary supplementation during broiler rearing with glycosaminoglycans (chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate) and vitamin C benefits the development of bird bones and cartilage, and may represent a solution to bone problems in broilers.

Effect of the addition of glycosaminoglycans on bone and cartilaginous development of broiler chickens.

Locomotion issues in broiler production may decrease performance (carcass yield and traits) and lead to high financial losses. This study evaluates the addition of glucosaminoglycans in broiler diets to minimize the lack of proper bone development and joint weakening. The experiment was conducted using 2,160 broilers randomly distributed in a factorial pattern (3 × 3) using 3 levels of glucosamine sulfate (0, 0.12, and 0.24%) and 3 levels of chondroitin sulfate addition (0, 0.08, and 0.16%). Eight repetitions were used for each treatment, distributed in 72 pens with 30 broilers each. There was a quadratic effect on feed conversion for broilers from 1 to 42 d old (P = 0.0123) for the addition of chondroitin, and better feed conversion was obtained by adding 0.08% of chondroitin. The relative tibia weight, the width of the proximal epiphysis and diaphysis presented a linear increased effect in broilers at 42 d old. An interaction was found between the amount of chondroitin × glucosamine and the number of chondrocytes in the proximal cartilage of the tibia (P = 0.0072). There was a quadratic effect of glucosamine levels (P = 0.0107) in the birds that had received the 0.16% addition of chondroitin, and the presence of 0.18% glucosamine increased the number chondrocytes in the cartilage of broilers. These results provide the first evidence that broilers may benefit from increased dietary chondroitin sulfate. These results indicate that the addition of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates in broiler feed rations might alleviate leg conditions and decrease financial losses in the broiler industry.