Organic selenium and vitamin E for gilts and sows bred in equatorial climate.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary supplementation of organic selenium (Se) and vitamin E for sows from 1st and 2nd parity order, without adiabatic cooling on physiological parameters, reproductive performance, milk composition, litter performance and blood concentrations of antioxidant enzymes. A total of 96 sows were allotted in a 4 × 2 completely factorial design, with 4 experimental groups and 2 parity orders (1st and 2nd). The experimental groups consisted of: ACCon-sows receiving adiabatic cooling and no dietary supplementation of organic Se and vitamin E; WACCon-sows without adiabatic cooling and no dietary supplementation of organic Se and vitamin E; WACSe-sows without adiabatic cooling with dietary supplementation of 0.3 mg/kg organic Se; WACSeE-sows without adiabatic cooling with dietary supplementation of 0.3 mg/kg organic Se and 90 UI of vitamin E. ACCon Sows had lower respiratory rate, rectal temperature and body surface temperature when compared to the others sows (p < 0.05). Sows without evaporative cooling had lower daily milk production and weaned litters with lower weight and average daily gain when compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). ACCon sows presented higher weaned piglets to WACSeE sows. WACSeE Sows had higher concentrations of GSH-Px when compared to other experimental groups and higher levels of SOD than sows from ACCon and WACSe. Piglets of sows from WACSeE group presented higher levels of GSH-Px and SOD when compared to the other experimental groups. ACCon sows have higher milk yield and higher litter weight than others groups. Under equatorial climate conditions, dietary supplementation of organic Se and vitamin E from first and second parity order sows does not respond efficiently on thermoregulatory physiology and performance compared to adiabatic cooling, but modulates the enzymatic antioxidant balance of sows and piglets.

Beta-Carotene Supplementation for Sows: Reproductive Parameters and Productive Performance of Piglets.

The rapid fetal development and the increased demand for milk result in a catabolic state and oxidative stress in hyperprolific sows. Despite animal defense mechanisms, the dietary supplementation of antioxidants is being evaluated to reduce the impacts of excess free radicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of beta-carotene supplementation for sows on the reproductive response and performance of suckling piglets. A total of 120 sows were distributed in a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement of three supplementation levels (B0-no supplementation, B200-200 mg beta-carotene/day and B400-400 mg beta-carotene/day) and four groups of parity order (1st, 2nd, 3rd, above 4th). Beta-carotene supplementation during lactation resulted in a higher litter weight at weaning. A higher average weight of piglets and litter weight at birth were observed, as well as a greater number of piglets weaned and litter weight at weaning in sows supplemented with 400 mg of beta-carotene during gestation and lactation periods. Supplementation with 200 and 400 mg of beta-carotene resulted in a greater weight at weaning and daily weight gain in piglets. Daily supplementation with 400 mg of beta-carotene in the prepartum and lactation phases provides a greater litter weight at weaning and, when supplemented in the pre-gestation and gestation periods, results in a greater litter weight at birth and at weaning.

Sunflower cake associated with crude glycerin in white laying hens diets: Performance and quality, antioxidant activity and lipid oxidation of eggs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sunflower cake inclusion and its association with crude glycerin in the diet of laying hens. A total of 320 laying hens with 39 weeks of age were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme with 5 replications of 8 birds. The studied factors were 4 inclusion levels of sunflower cake and 2 levels of crude glycerin. The inclusion of 210 g/kg of sunflower cake reduced egg mass and worsened feed conversion, and after the level 70 g/kg there was reduction in yolk coloration and specific density of eggs with or without the addition of glycerin in the diet. The addition of 70 g/kg of crude glycerin reduced the specific density of eggs in all levels of sunflower cake. There was increase in phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity and antioxidant activity in eggs and reduction in lipid oxidation of yolks from fresh and stored eggs, with the inclusion of sunflower cake. The addition of crude glycerin increased the lipid oxidation of egg yolks. Therefore, it is possible to include up to 140 g/kg sunflower cake in the diet of laying hens, with or without crude glycerin, without impairing performance and egg quality, obtaining higher antioxidant capacity of eggs and lower lipid oxidation in yolks from fresh and stored eggs. The inclusion of 70 g/kg crude glycerin does not affect laying hens performance, however, it worsens shell quality and increases lipid oxidation in the liver and egg yolks.

Effects of mango peel ethanolic extract as antioxidant in quail diets on performance, carcass traits, and meat lipid stability.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of mango peel ethanolic extract (MPEE) as antioxidant in quail diets containing two lipid sources, on performance, carcass characteristics, and lipid stability of in natura and frozen meat. A total of 432 meat quails were used, males and females, from 7 to 42 days of age, distributed in a completely randomized design in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement, with 3 levels of MPEE (0, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) and 2 lipid sources (soybean and sunflower oil), totaling 6 treatments with 6 replications of 12 birds. In order to evaluate the meat lipid stability, carcass samples were used in a 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, with 2 levels of MPEE (0 and 1000 mg/kg), 2 lipid sources (soybean and sunflower oil), 2 types of packaging (conventional and vacuum), and 3 storage times (0, 60, and 120 days), totaling 16 treatments with 6 replications. There was no effect of interaction (P > 0.05) between the factors on the performance variables and carcass characteristics. Oil types and MPEE levels did not influence (P > 0.05) performance. For carcass characteristics, it was found to be increased (P < 0.05) in breast meat yield due to the inclusion of MPEE. For the meat lipid stability, there was only an effect of interaction (P < 0.05) between type of packaging and storage time. The inclusion of 1000 mg/kg of MPEE provided greater meat lipid stability, enabling the use of common packaging for the storage of quail meat for up to 120 days.

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii CNCM I-1079 on performance, colostrum and milk composition, and litter performance of mixed-parity sows in a tropical humid climate.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii (SB) for sows on their productive performance, colostrum and milk composition, and litter performance, in tropical humid climatic conditions. A total of 105 sows (Topigs Norsvin®) were allotted to a 5 × 3 completely randomized factorial design, with five diets (control diet; SBGL4 and SBGL8: 0.04 and 0.08% SB supplementation from the 90th day of gestation until 24th day of lactation; SBL4 and SBL8: 0.04 and 0.08% SB supplementation during lactation) and three parity order groups (PO: 1st and 2nd; 3rd and 4th; 5th to 7th), considering each sow and their litter as experimental unit. Sows above the 5th PO that fed control diet had a lower daily milk production (DMP), number of weaned piglets (NWP), and daily weight gain of litter (DWGL) than sows from 1st to 4th PO that fed the same diet (P < 0.05). Dietary supply of SBGL4 and SBGL8 to older sows provided a higher DMP, NWP, and DWGL when compared to sows of same PO that fed the control diet (P < 0.05). Dietary supply of SBGL4, SBGL8, SBL4, and SBL8 provided a higher dry matter and protein contents in sows' milk of 1st and 2nd PO when compared to sows from same PO that fed control diet (P < 0.05). Dietary supply of SB enhances milk yield of older sows and their litter performance, as well as the dry matter and protein content of younger sows' milk in tropical humid climatic conditions.

Organic zinc and manganese and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol improves eggshell thickness in late-phase laying hens.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of organic micromineral zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol supplementation in late-phase laying hens' diets on performance, egg quality, lipid stability of fresh and stored eggs, and bone quality. The treatments were a basal diet and diets supplemented with 32 mg Zn-Met/kg diet; 26 mg Mn-Met/kg diet; 32 mg Zn-Met/kg diet and 26 mg Mn-Met/kg diet; 1500 IU 25-hydroxycholecalciferol/kg diet; 32 mg Zn-Met/kg diet; 26 mg Mn-Met/kg diet; and 1500 IU 25-hydroxycholecalciferol/kg diet. On performance, the birds supplemented with organic manganese had the lowest feed intake. Regarding egg quality, the birds supplemented with Zn-Met and Mn-Met, with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol alone, and with Zn-Met, Mn-Met and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol presented a greater eggshell thickness than those receiving the basal diet. Lipid stability of the yolk varied only according to storage time. No effect of supplementation was observed on bone quality. Supplementation with Zn-Met and Mn-Met, or associated with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, or 25-hydroxycholecalciferol alone, improved eggshell thickness in aged white layers. However, the associated or isolated supplementation with these nutrients did not influence performance, lipid stability of fresh and stored egg yolk or bone quality.

Effect of dietary ethanol extracts of mango (Mangifera indica L.) on lipid oxidation and the color of chicken meat during frozen storage.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary effect of mango extracts on lipid stability and the coloring of broiler chicken breast meat during frozen storage. The treatments consisted of broiler chicken diet without antioxidants (control) and diets containing antioxidants: 200 ppm of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), 200 ppm of mango peel extract (MPE), 400 ppm of MPE, 200 ppm of mango seed extract (MSE), and 400 ppm of MSE. The broiler breasts were stored for 90 days and analysis of lipid oxidation and color was performed every 30 days. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values increased during storage and at 90 days, but the 400 ppm MSE treatment yielded lower values, indicating greater antioxidant activity. During storage, the lightness values decreased and the redness increased. Additions of 200 ppm BHT and 400 ppm MPE increased yellowness at 60 days of storage. Thus, mango peel and seed extracts added to broiler chicken diets reduce lipid oxidation and maintain color in breast meat during frozen storage, with mango seed extract at 400 ppm being the most effective.