Chitosan oligosaccharide improves intestinal function by promoting intestinal development, alleviating intestinal inflammatory response, and enhancing antioxidant capacity in broilers aged d 1 to 14.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) supplementation on intestinal development and functions, inflammatory response, antioxidant capacity and the related signaling pathways in broilers aged d 1 to 14. A total of 240 one-day old male Arbor Acres broilers (40.47 ± 0.30 g) were randomly allotted to 4 groups, and each group consisted of 6 replicate pens with 10 broilers per replicate. Broilers fed a basal diet supplementation with COS at 0 (CON group), 200 (COS200 group), 400 (COS400 group), and 800 mg/kg (COS800 group) for 14 d, respectively. Broilers in the COS supplementation groups had no significant effects on growth performance. Compared to the CON group, dietary COS supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the relative weight of duodenum, jejunal lipase activity, duodenal and ileal villus surface area, and lower (P < 0.05) ileal amylase and alkaline phosphatase activity, and crypt depth. The expression level of duodenal glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), Na+-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1), peptide transporter 1 (PepT1), occludin, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and interleukin-10 (IL-10), jejunal SGLT1, PepT1, occludin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and ileal SGLT1, PepT1, and fatty acid binding protein 1 (FABP1) was upregulated by COS. However, the expression level of duodenal FABP1 and TNF-α, jejunal GLUT1, ZO-1, TLR4, MyD88, nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κB p65), and IL-1ß, and ileal GLUT1, NF-κB p65, and IL-1ß was downregulated by COS. Furthermore, dietary COS supplementation increased duodenal catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity, jejunal CAT and T-SOD activity, upregulated the expression level of duodenal nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), CAT, glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), and copper and zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD), jejunal CAT, and ileal Nrf2, CAT, and GPX1. These results suggested that COS could promote intestinal development and functions in broilers aged d 1 to 14, which might be mediated by alleviating intestinal inflammatory response and enhancing antioxidant capacity.

Dietary chitosan oligosaccharides alleviate heat stress-induced intestinal oxidative stress and inflammatory response in yellow-feather broilers.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) on intestinal permeability, morphology, antioxidant status, and inflammatory response in heat-stressed broilers. A total of 108 thirty-five-day-old Chinese yellow-feather broilers (body weight 470.31 ± 13.15 g) were randomly allocated to 3 dietary treatments as follows: CON group, basal diet and raised under normal temperature (24°C); HS group, basal diet and raised under cycle heat stress (34°C from 10:00-18:00 and 24°C for the rest time); HSC group, basal diet with 200 mg/kg COS supplementation and raised under cycle heat stress. Each treatment had 6 replication pens and 6 broilers per pen. Compared with the CON group, heat stress decreased (P < 0.05) the relative weight of duodenum and jejunum; the relative length and villus height (VH) of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum; the ileum VH to crypt depth ratio; duodenum mucosal catalase (CAT) activity; and jejunum mucosal glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and CAT activity, whereas it increased (P < 0.05) serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activity and D-lactate acid (D-LA) content, duodenum and jejunum mucosal malondialdehyde (MDA) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) content, and ileum mucosal tumor necrosis factor-α content. Compared to the HS group, dietary COS supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the relative length of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum; the VH of jejunum and ileum; and duodenum and jejunum mucosal GSH-Px activity, whereas it decreased (P < 0.05) serum DAO activity and D-LA concentration and duodenum and jejunum mucosal MDA and IL-1ß content. These results suggested that dietary COS supplementation had beneficial effects on intestinal morphology by increasing jejunum and ileum VH; permeability by decreasing serum DAO activity and D-LA content; antioxidant capacity by decreasing duodenum and jejunum mucosal MDA content and by increasing duodenum and jejunum GSH-Px activity; and inflammatory response by decreasing duodenum and jejunum mucosal IL-1ß content.

Sodium butyrate as an effective feed additive to improve performance, liver function, and meat quality in broilers under hot climatic conditions.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary sodium butyrate (SB) supplementation on growth performance, liver function, antioxidant capacity, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in broilers under hot climatic conditions. A total of 288 one-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments as follow: CON, control diet without SB; T1, control diet with 300 mg/kg SB; T2, control diet with 600 mg/kg SB; and T3, control diet with 1,200 mg/kg SB. Each treatment had 6 replication pens and 12 broilers per pen. The results indicated that the BW on day 35; ADG from day 1 to 21, day 22 to 35, and day 1 to 35; and ADFI from day 22 to 35 linearly (P < 0.05) increased with SB supplementation. Interestingly, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase content in serum were linearly (P < 0.05) decreased by SB supplementation. There was linear (P < 0.05) improvement in activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the liver, whereas the content of malondialdehyde was linearly (P < 0.05) decreased with the inclusion of SB. Increasing SB level linearly (P < 0.05) increased CP composition and decreased drip loss percentage on day 1 and 3 of breast muscle. Furthermore, there was linear (P < 0.05) improvement in activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, whereas the content of malondialdehyde showed decreasing trend (P < 0.10) with the inclusion of SB in breast muscle. In conclusion, SB can be used as an effective feed additive to improve growth performance, liver function, and meat quality of broilers under hot climatic conditions.

Chitosan oligosaccharide as an effective feed additive to maintain growth performance, meat quality, muscle glycolytic metabolism, and oxidative status in yellow-feather broilers under heat stress.

This study investigated the effects of dietary chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) supplementation on growth performance; corticosterone, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration; relative organ weight; liver function; meat quality; muscle glycolytic metabolism; and oxidative status in yellow-feather broilers under heat stress. A total of 108 35-day-old Chinese yellow-feather broilers (BW, 470.31 ± 13.15 g) was randomly allocated to 3 dietary treatments as follow: control group, basal diet and raised under normal temperature (24°C); HS group, basal diet and raised under cycle heat stress (34°C from 10:00 to 18:00 and 24°C for the rest time); and HSC group, basal diet with 200 mg/kg COS supplementation and raised under cycle heat stress. Each treatment had 6 replication pens and 6 broilers per pen. Results indicated that heat stress decreased ADG, ADFI, gain:feed ratio, the relative weight of thymus, bursa of Fabricius, pancreas, proventriculus, gizzard, and liver, growth hormone concentration, pH24h, muscle glycogen content, muscle superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity, as well as increased corticosterone, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase level, cooking loss, muscle lactate and malondialdehyde content. Compared with the HS group, broilers in the HSC group had higher ADG, the relative weight of thymus, bursa of Fabricius, and liver, growth hormone concentration, pH24h, muscle glycogen content, muscle superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity, and lower serum corticosterone, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase level, cooking loss, and muscle lactate and malondialdehyde content. In conclusion, the results suggested that COS could be used as an effective feed additive to maintain growth performance, liver function, meat quality, muscle glycolytic metabolism, and oxidative status of yellow-feather broilers under heat stress. The improved meat quality is possibly through reducing muscle glycolysis metabolism and improving muscle oxidative status by dietary COS supplementation in broilers under heat stress.

Enterococcus faecium supplementation in sows during gestation and lactation improves the performance of sucking piglets.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Enterococcus faecium DSM 7,134 supplementation on the performance of sows and their litters. A total of 15 primiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly divided into three treatments with five replicates. Dietary treatments were: CON, basal diet; E1, CON + 0.025% E. faecium; E2, CON + 0.05% E. faecium. No significant differences were observed on body weight and feed intake of lactating sows with E. faecium supplementation, but linearly increased the sow apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and gross energy (GE; p < .05), and decreased piglets pre-weaning mortality (p < .05). Piglets from E. faecium-supplemented sows linearly increased weaning weight, average daily gain (ADG) and gain:feed ratio (p < .05), as well as linearly decreased diarrhoea score (p < .05) in the first weaning week. Piglets from E. faecium-supplemented sows linearly increased faecal Lactobacillus and Enterococci counts (p < .05), while linearly decreased faecal Escherichia coli counts (p < .05) after weaning. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of E. faecium improved the ATTD of DM, N and GE in lactating sows, as well as improved body weight, ADG and shifted faecal microbiota in their litters.

Effect of dietary curcumin on the antioxidant status of laying hens under high- temperature condition.

Heat stress induces oxidative stress, and reduces antioxidant defenses of birds, which may affect poultry-production performance. Dietary antioxidants may protect against heat stress. We evaluated the effect of increasing concentrations of dietary curcumin on antioxidant parameters of hens under high-temperature conditions for nine weeks. Roman laying hens (n = 336, 22 weeks old, 1420 g weight) were divided into three treatment groups. The first group served as a thermo-neutral control (kept at 25 ±â€¯1 °C). The second group was exposed to high temperatures (32 ±â€¯1 °C, 6 h/day), and fed a basal diet. The third group was further divided into five groups, and all were exposed to high temperatures (32 ±â€¯1 °C, 6 h/day) and provided a basal diet supplemented with 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 mg/kg curcumin (H1, H2, H3, H4, H5). All treatments included four replicates of 12 hens. Total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly higher in H2 and H3 groups, and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was higher in H2, H3, and H5 groups. Catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were significantly higher in the H3 group. Malondialdehyde concentrations were lower in curcumin supplemented hens compared to control groups hens. Hens in all curcumin treatment groups had slightly (but non-significantly) higher activities of CAT, SOD, GSH-Px, and T-AOC in liver, heart, and lung tissues, compared to heat stressed control group. It is concluded that dietary curcumin given to laying hens under heat stress may enhance their antioxidant status, and ameliorate stressful environmental conditions.

Yupingfeng polysaccharides enhances growth performance in Qingyuan partridge chicken by up-regulating the mRNA expression of SGLT1, GLUT2 and GLUT5.

The ban on the use of antibiotic in feed encouraged nutritionists to using alternatives to maintain growth performance and intestinal function of broilers. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Yupingfeng polysaccharides (YP) supplementation on growth performance and expression of SGLT1, GLUT2 and GLUT5 in Qingyuan partridge chicken. Experiment 1: a total of 540 chickens were randomly allocated to five groups with six replication. Dietary treatments were: (1) CON (control group), basal diet; (2) T1, CON + 0.5 g kg-1 YP; (3) T2, CON + 1 g kg-1 YP; (4) T3, CON + 2 g kg-1 YP; (5) T4, CON + 4 g kg-1 YP. Experiment 2, a total of 162 were randomly allocated to three groups with three replication. Dietary treatments were: (1) CON, basal diet; (2) T1, CON + 0.5 g kg-1 YP; (3) T2, CON + 1 g kg-1 YP. From days 1 to 14 and overall, chicken fed T1 diet had higher ADG. On day 42, there was increased villus height of jejunum in T1 group. On days 14 and 28, there was decreased villus height of duodenum and jejunum in T2 group. In duodenum, the expression of SGLT1 (days 21, 35 and 42), GLUT2 (days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42) and GLUT5 (days 7, 14, 21 and 28) was increased with YP supplementation. In jejunum, the expression of SGLT1 (days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35), GLUT2 (days 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42) and GLUT5 (days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42) was increased with YP supplementation. In ileum, the expression of SGLT1 (days 7, 21, 35 and 42), GLUT2 (days 7, 14, 21 and 42) and GLUT5 (days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42) was increased with YP supplementation. Dietary YP supplementation improves growth performance and expression of SGLT1, GLUT2 and GLUT5 in intestine.

Effects of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis complex on growth performance and faecal noxious gas emissions in growing-finishing pigs.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics have been used to address antibiotic alternatives and environmental concerns. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis complex supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal microflora and faecal noxious gas emissions in growing-finishing pigs. RESULTS: Dietary B. licheniformis and B. subtilis complex (B. licheniformis and B. subtilis in a 1:1 ratio) supplementation showed a linear increase (P < 0.05) in digestibility of dry matter at weeks 6, 12 and 15, a linear increase (P < 0.05) in digestibility of nitrogen at week 12, a linear increase (P < 0.05) in faecal Lactobacillus counts at weeks 6 and 12, a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in ammonia (NH3 ) emission at weeks 6 and 12 and a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in total mercaptan emission at weeks 3, 9 and 15. CONCLUSION: Dietary B. licheniformis and B. subtilis complex supplementation increased digestibility and faecal Lactobacillus counts and decreased faecal NH3 and total mercaptan emissions in growing-finishing pigs. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of organic acid and medium chain fatty acid blends on the performance of sows and their piglets.

This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of organic acid (OA) and medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) blends on production performance of sows and their litters. A total of 36 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire, average parity is 3.3, SE = 0.2) were randomly allocated to three treatments with 12 replicates. Dietary treatments were as follows: CON, basal diet; MC1, CON + 0.1% OA, and MCFA blends; MC2, CON + 0.2% OA, and MCFA blends. During lactation, no differences were observed in body weight (BW) loss, average daily feed intake, backfat thickness, digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, or energy of sows. There were linear increase (p < 0.05) in BW and average daily gain of sucking piglets. On parturition and weaning day, there was a linear increase (p < 0.05) in fecal Lactobacillus counts, as well as a linear decrease (p < 0.05) in fecal Escherichia coli counts of sows on weaning day. The sucking piglets also had a linear increase (p < 0.05) in fecal Lactobacillus counts and a linear decrease (p < 0.05) in fecal E. coli counts. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of OA and MCFA blends in sows exerts beneficial effects to sows shifted fecal microbiota by increasing Lactobacillus and decreased E. coli counts. It also improved the performance of piglets.

Effects of xylanase supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, fecal microbiota, fecal score and fecal noxious gas emission of weaning pigs fed corn-soybean meal-based diet.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of xylanase supplementation on nutrient digestibility, growth performance, blood parameters, fecal microflora shedding, fecal score and fecal noxious gas emission of weaning pigs fed corn-soybean meal based diet. A total of 150 weaning pigs with an average initial body weight (BW) of 7.85 ± 0.93 kg were randomly allocated to three treatments based on BW and sex (10 replicate pens with five pigs, two gilts and three barrows) were used in this 42-day trial. Dietary treatments were: (1) CON, basal diet; (2) X1, basal diet +0.005% xylanase; (2) X2, basal diet +0.01% xylanase. The xylanase supplementation linearly increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG), and gain : feed ratio (G:F) from days 29 to 42 and the in overall period, dry matter, nitrogen and energy digestibility, and fecal Lactobacilli counts, and linearly decreased (P < 0.05) blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration, fecal NH3 and H2 S emission. Additionally, at weeks 5 and 6, there was a linear decrease in fecal score with xylanase supplementation. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of xylanase improved growth performance, nutrient digestibility, shifted microbiota by increasing fecal Lactobacillus counts, decreased BUN concentration, fecal score, and fecal NH3 and H2 S emission in weaning pigs.

Effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial and noxious gas emission in weaning pigs.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics used as growth promoters in livestock have been banned in the European Union since 2006. Antibiotics alternatives have focused on probiotics, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus. The concentration of L. acidophilus is considered crucial for obtaining the desired effects. However, limited studies have been conducted to test the dose-dependent effects of L. acidophilus. Therefore, the present study aimed to test the dose-dependent effects of L. acidophilus on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial flora and fecal noxious gas emission in weaning pigs. RESULTS: Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain, average daily feed intake, apparent nutrient digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and gross energy, and Lactobacillus counts compared to the basal diet treatment, and a linear effect (P < 0.05) was observed on those criteria. Escherichia coli counts and NH3 emission were decreased (P < 0.05) by L. acidophilus supplementation, and a linear effect (P < 0.05) was observed on E. coli counts. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that L. acidophilus could be used as an antibiotic alternative by improving growth performance, nutrient digestibility and gut balance (i.e. increased Lactobacillus counts and decreased E. coli counts), and decreasing NH3 emission, of weaning pigs. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.