Feeding strategy and prebiotic supplementation: Effects on immune responses and gut health in the early life stage of broiler chickens.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of early or late feeding strategies and prebiotic, on immune responses and gut health during the early life stage of broiler chickens. A total of 240 day-old male broiler chicks were used in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments that comprised 2 feeding strategies (early or late) and 3 levels of prebiotic (0, recommended dosage or three times the recommended dosage) in a completely randomized design with 4 pen replicates and 10 broilers per each. Compared to broiler chickens that had early access to feed, delayed access to feed resulted in an increased population of Escherichia coli and a decreased population of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. in the ileum (P < 0.05). Additionally, delayed access to feed led to a decrease in villus height, crypt depth, villus height: villus width ratio, goblet cell density, and mucin 2 gene expression in the ileum (P < 0.05). The supplementation of prebiotics in both the late and early feeding strategy groups resulted in increased villus height, crypt depth, goblet cell density, mucin 2 gene expression, and antibodies against Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD). Additionally, it led to an improvement in the foot web thickness index (P < 0.05). Furthermore, it resulted in a significant decrease in the population of Escherichia coli, while the populations of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. in the ileum were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Therefore, this study suggests that incorporating prebiotics in the starter diet can effectively enhance immune responses and promote gut health, regardless of the feeding strategy (early or late). In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential benefits of incorporating prebiotics into poultry diets to alleviate the detrimental effects of delayed access to feed and improve gut health during the early life stage of broiler chickens.

Eicosapentaenoic acid- and docosahexaenoic acid-rich fish oil in sow and piglet diets modifies blood oxylipins and immune indicators in both, sows and suckling piglets.

Over the last decades, genetic selection has increased sows' litter size. Consequently, there is a high proportion of piglets born with low weight which are vulnerable. Their viability may potentially be enhanced through early nutrition. The aim of the current study was to evaluate whether including a fish oil rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the diets of the sow and piglets was able to increase concentrations of anti-inflammatory molecules in their blood. Thirty-six sows, in four consecutive batches, were randomly assigned to either a control diet with animal fat (15 g/kg in gestation and 30 g/kg in lactation) or an n-3 long-chain fatty acid (n-3 LCFA) diet from insemination until the end of lactation. From day 11 of lactation, piglets were also offered a diet containing 30 g/kg of animal fat or n-3 LCFA. To prepare the n-3 LCFA diet, 15 g/kg or 30 g/kg of animal fat in the control diet were replaced by an equivalent amount of solid fish oil for sows and piglets, respectively. All the sows were sampled for serum and plasma at day 108 of gestation and at weaning. Additionally, only for the first batch of sows, blood samples were also obtained at weaning from the two lightest (>800 g) and the two heaviest birth weight piglets in each litter. Serum fatty acids (FAs) were quantified by gas chromatography, plasma oxylipins by ultra-HPLC-MS and plasma immunoglobulins (Ig) and cytokines by ELISA. The n-3 LCFA diet increased the concentrations of n-3 FAs in gestating and lactating sows and in piglets (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P = 0.011, respectively), particularly EPA (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively) and DHA (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively), and also their oxygenated derivatives. In addition, fish oil increased plasma IgM in gestating and lactating sows (P = 0.014 and P = 0.008, respectively), interleukin (IL) 6 in sows at weaning (P = 0.012), and IL1ß in piglets (P = 0.018). Birth BW of piglets, regardless of diet, slightly influenced some of the n-6-derived oxylipins. In conclusion, fish oil addition in diets increased the blood concentrations of n-3 FAs and their oxygenated derivatives, some of which have anti-inflammatory activity, in gestating and lactating sows and piglets, IgM in gestating and lactating sows, IL6 in lactating sows and IL1ß in piglets.

Supplemental Herbal Choline Increases 5-hmC DNA on Whole Blood from Pregnant Ewes and Offspring.

Herbal formulas during pregnancy have been used in developing countries. Despite that, the potential effects on the mother and offspring and whether those supplements elicit epigenetic modifications is still unknown. Therefore, our objectives were to determine the effects of supplemental herbal choline source (BCho) on the percentage of 5-hmC in whole blood from gestating ewes and their offspring, as well as determining the milk quality and growth of the offspring. Thirty-five gestating Rambouillet ewes were randomly assigned to five treatments: T1, supplementation of 4 g per day (gd-1) of BCho during the first third of gestation; T2, supplementation of 4 gd-1 of BCho during the second third of gestation; T3, supplementation of 4 gd-1 of BCho during the last third of gestation; T4, supplementation of 4 gd-1 of BCho throughout gestation; and T5, no BCho supplementation (control). For the 5-hmC DNA analysis, whole blood from ewes was sampled before pregnancy and at each third of gestation (50 days). Whole blood from lambs was sampled five weeks after birth. The evaluation of the nutritional programming effects was conducted through the percentages of 5-hmC in the lambs. Compared with other treatments, the whole blood from ewes supplemented during T1 and T4 had the greatest 5-hmC percentages (p < 0.05). However, only ewes fed BCho throughout gestation (T4) maintained the greatest percentages of 5-hmC (p < 0.05). The lamb growth performance indicated that the BCho maternal supplementation did not affect the nutritional programming. However, the lambs born from ewes supplemented during T2 had the greatest 5-hmC percentages (p < 0.05). Our data suggest that ewes supplemented during T4 with BCho increase and maintain the percentages of 5-hmC in whole blood, and the offspring born from ewes supplemented with BCho during T2 maintained the greatest percentages of 5-hmC 35 d after they were born.

In-hospital formula supplementation and breastfeeding initiation in infants born to women with pregestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the rate of in-hospital supplementation as it relates to early breastfeeding (BF) and early formula feeding (FF) and its effects on BF (exclusive and partial) at the time of discharge for infants born to women with pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM). METHODS: Retrospective cohort investigation of 282 women with PGDM who intended to BF and their asymptomatic infants admitted to the newborn nursery for blood glucose monitoring and routine care. Early feeding was defined by the initial feeding if given within four hours of birth. RESULTS: Of the 282 mother-infant dyads, for 134 (48%) early feeding was BF and for 148 (52%) early feeding was FF. Times from birth to BF and FF (median 1 hr, 0.3-6) were similar, while the time to first BF for those who FF and supplemented was longer (median 6 hr., 1-24). Ninety-seven infants (72%) who first BF also supplemented. Of these, 22 (23%) BF exclusively, 67 (69%) BF partially and 8 (8%) FF at discharge. One hundred seventeen (79%) who first FF also supplemented. Of these, 21 (18%) BF exclusively, 76 (65%) BF partially and 20 (17%) FF at discharge. CONCLUSION: Regardless of the type of first feeding, the majority of infants born to women with PGDM require supplementation. Even when medically indicated, in-hospital supplementation is an obstacle, albeit not absolute, to exclusive BF at discharge. Parents should be reminded that occasional supplementation should not deter resumption and continuation of BF.

Use of some nutritional supplements in drinking water of growing turkeys during 1st month of age and their effect on performance, meat quality, blood profile and antioxidant status.

The management practices implemented by the poultry sector as using some nutritional additives in the early stage of a bird's life can potentially detect other challenges to production development in the poultry farms. Many potential supplements can be included in the early feeding as which are added to drinking water. In this study, 180 1-day-old chicks were randomly distributed into six groups to investigate the use of some nutritional supplements in drinking water of growing turkeys during 1st month of age and their effect on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, leg problems, blood profile and oxidative status. Birds that were supplied with tap water were considered the control group (C), whereas the birds that received the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th treatments (T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively) were supplied with drinking water containing 10% sugar syrup, molasses, lemon juice, skim milk and fresh egg albumin respectively. The different water additives significantly (p < 0.05) affected the body weight (BW) and body weight gain (BWG) at all studied ages except for the BW at 4 weeks old and BWG at 0-4 weeks old and 8-12 weeks old. Significant effects of the treatments on the feed consumption (FC) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not observed during the experiment, and the treatments did not cause significant differences (p < 0.05) in the carcass cut-up traits, bone measurements, body temperature, plumage conditions, mortality rates and blood parameters except for IgA (p = 0.043). The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was improved in the treatment groups with 10% molasses and lemon juice respectively. The total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and catalase (CAT) activities were enhanced in the treatments compared with the control group. The plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were decreased with the sugar syrup, molasses and lemon juice treatments compared with those in the control and other groups. Supplementation of molasses or lemon juice to drinking water of turkeys during the 1st month of age resulted in a higher profit margin in comparison with the control group. The results showed that birds supplied with water containing 10% molasses or lemon juice during the growing period presented an improved growth performance, immune response, antioxidant status and economic efficiency.

Effects of early feeding and dietary interventions on development of lymphoid organs and immune competence in neonatal chickens: A review.

With the ongoing intensification of the poultry industry and the continuous need to control pathogens, there is a critical need to extend our understanding of the avian immune system and the role of nutritional interventions on development of immune competence in neonatal chicks. In this review, we will focus on the ontogeny of the lymphoid organs during embryonic life and the first 2 weeks post-hatch, and how early feeding practices improve heath and modulate the development and function of the immune system in young chicks. The evidence for the positive impact of the nutrition of breeder hens on embryonic development and on the survival and immunity of their chicks will also be outlined. Additionally, we will discuss the vital role of supplemental feeding either in ovo or immediately post-hatch in chick health and immunity and the importance of these approaches in ameliorating immune system functions of heat-stressed chicks. To conclude, we provide some perspectives on a number of key issues, concerning the mechanisms of nutritional modulation of immunity, that need to be addressed. A thorough investigation of these mechanisms may assist in the formulation of diets to improve the immunity and general health status.

Prospects of in ovo feeding and nutrient supplementation for poultry: the science and commercial applications--a review.

In ovo supplementation of poultry embryos was first reported several decades ago, but it is only recently that concerted research has been directed at developing the technology for this process to be routinely used by the poultry industry. Although the technology of in ovo feeding was patented more than 10 years ago, it has not been widely adopted by the poultry industry. This review examines the early development of the enteric system of the poultry embryo; defines and distinguishes between in ovo feeding and in ovo nutrient administration; highlights the importance of early feeding of the chick; and discusses the development of in ovo feeding technology and its effects on hatchability, growth, gut health and immune response of chicks. The range of possible nutrients that can be administered is also explored. The limitations associated with embryo development and nutrient metabolism are highlighted, leading to the prediction of the future role of in ovo feeding in the poultry industry.