Does broodstock nutritional history affect the response of progeny to different first-feeding diets? A whole-body transcriptomic study of rainbow trout alevins.

The whole-body transcriptome of trout alevins was characterised to investigate the effects of long-term feeding of rainbow trout broodstock females a diet free of fishmeal and fish oil on the metabolic capacities of progeny. Effects were studied before first feeding and after 3 weeks of feeding diets containing different proportions of marine and plant ingredients. Feeding alevins plant-based diets resulted in lower fish body weight, irrespective of maternal nutritional history. No differences in whole-body lipids were found between treatments, and the tissue fatty acid profile strongly reflected that of the respective broodstock or first-feeding diets. We showed that the maternal diet history did not significantly affect expressions of any genes before the first feeding. Interestingly, we found an effect of maternal nutritional history on gene expression in alevins after 3 weeks of feeding. The major differences in the transcriptome of alevins from plant-based diet-fed females compared with those from commercial-fed females were as follows: (i) down-regulation of genes involved in muscle growth/contraction and (ii) up-regulation of genes involved in carbohydrate and energy metabolism related to the delay in growth/development observed with plant-based diets. Our findings also showed an effect of the first-feeding diets, irrespective of maternal nutritional history. Specifically, the introduction of plant ingredients resulted in the up-regulation of genes involved in amino acid/protein and cholesterol metabolism and in differences in the expressions of genes related to carbohydrate metabolism. Information gained through this study opens up avenues for further reduction of marine ingredients in trout diets, including the whole rearing cycle.

Apparent total tract macronutrient and energy digestibility of 1- to- 3-day-old whole chicks, adult ground chicken, and extruded and canned chicken-based diets in African wildcats (Felis silvestris lybica).

Our objectives were to evaluate the composition of whole 1- to- 3-day-old chicks (Whole), ground adult chicken (Ground), chicken-based canned diet (Canned), and chicken-based extruded diet (Extruded); and evaluate apparent total tract energy and macronutrient digestibility of these diets by four captive African wildcats (Felis silvestrus lybica) utilizing a Latin Square design. We analyzed diets for macronutrient and mineral (Ca, P, K, Na, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, and S) composition, and screened for potentially pathogenic bacteria. Canned and Extruded diets tested negative for all microbes and met macronutrient and mineral recommendations for domestic cat foods [AAFCO (2012). Official publication. Oxford, IN: AAFCO]. Whole prey diets (Ground and Whole) met macronutrient requirements for domestic cats; however, they were below recommendations in some minerals [Mn, Cu, K, and Na; AAFCO (2012). Official publication. Oxford, IN: AAFCO], and tested positive for potentially pathogenic microorganisms (Salmonella, E. coli spp.). For all diets, apparent total tract organic matter digestibility was high (>85%). Organic matter digestibility was higher (P ≤ 0.05) for cats fed Ground (94%) compared to those fed Canned, Extruded, or Whole (87, 86, and 85%, respectively). Apparent total tract crude protein digestibility was lower than expected (i.e., <85%) for cats fed Extruded (81%) and fat digestibility was lower than expected (i.e., <90%) for cats fed Whole (82%). Cats fed whole prey items tested herein adequately maintained BW short-term; however, long-term studies are needed. These data indicate that there may be a need to monitor whole prey composition and when necessary, adjust the diet to account for potential deficiencies.

Effect of dietary supplementation of duckweed on growth performance, carcass and non-carcass traits of horro rams fed on a commercial-based diet.

The study was aimed at evaluating growth performance, carcass, and non-carcass traits of Horro rams fed on commercial feed (CO) supplemented with different proportions of duckweed (DW). For the study, twenty-four yearling Horro rams initially weighing on average 17.73 ± 0.30 kg were used with a 15-day adaptation period (none-study period) and a 90-day study period. Each animal was randomly assigned to three treatments; T1 (100% CO), T2 (25% DW + 75% CO), and T3 (50% DW + 50% CO) with two replications each containing four animals. All diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous and formulated according to the nutrient requirements of sheep. The data were analyzed using SAS. Results indicated that dry matter intake in T3 (914.37 g. d-1) was higher (P < 0.001) than in T1 (849.12 g. d-1) and T2 (870.50 g. d-1). Average daily body weight gain in T3 (77 g. d-1) was higher (P < 0.001) than in T1 (48.60 g. d-1) and T2 (58.50 g. d-1). Feed conversion efficiency was higher (P < 0.001) for T3 (0.08) followed by T2 (0.07) and T1 (0.05). Final body weight (24.56 kg), empty body weight (20.40 kg), hot carcass weight (10.27 kg), dressing percentage (42.01) and rib-eye muscle area (9.11 cm2) were higher (P < 0.001) for T3 than for others. Therefore, increasing the inclusion level of supplementary duckweed up to 50% improves growth performance, carcass quality, and yield of Horro ram.

Diet-induced changes in fecal microbiota composition and diversity in dogs (Canis lupus familiaris): A comparative study of BARF-type and commercial diets.

BACKGROUND: Diet is known to strongly modulate the composition of the gut microbiota, thereby affecting health conditions and disease. Natural BARF-type and commercial diets have been used for feeding pets (e.g. dogs and cats) promoting changes in the canine microbiota in terms of abundance, richness, and diversity that may favor certain metabolic processes and resistance to certain infectious agents. Therefore, the present study sought to identify microbiota changes in dogs fed with a BARF-type diet versus dogs fed with a commercial diet by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. METHODS: The microbiota of dogs fed with the BARF-diet (n = 20) and commercial-diet (n = 26) was studied using fecal samples. A metabarcoding strategy was employed by sequencing the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene using the Illumina HiSeq platform. DADA2 was used to assess the quality profile of the reads and to determine the core sample inference algorithm of the reads to infer amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). The taxonomic assignment was performed using sequences from the Silva v138 formatted reference database. The microbial diversity analysis was performed using the R package Phyloseq, which was used to calculate diversity and abundance indices and construct the respective graphs. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size analysis (LEfSe) was used to identify the differentially abundant taxa in the BARF group versus the commercial-diet group. RESULTS: The diet causes changes in fecal microbiota composition and diversity, with richness and diversity being higher in BARF-fed dogs. Beta diversity analyses confirmed that diet is directly related to microbiota composition regardless of breed or sex. Differentially enriched taxa were identified in each of the diets as Fusobacterium, Bacteroides, and Clostridium perfringens in BARF-fed dogs and Prevotella, Turicibacter, Faecalibacterium, and Peptacetobacter (Clostridium) hiranonis, mostly relevant in carbohydrate metabolism, in commercial-fed dogs. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first one carried out in dogs from Colombia that seeks to identify changes in the intestinal microbiota concerning natural BARF type diet and commercial diet using a metabarcoding approach. Important differences were identified in terms of richness, diversity, and differentially enriched bacteria in each of the diets. The microbiota of dogs fed the BARF diet was characterized by higher richness and diversity compared to the commercial diet. However, it was identified that BARF-fed dogs can potentially acquire more opportunistic infections by pathogens of importance such as C. perfringens. Most of the taxa enriched in commercial diet-fed dogs are linked to carbohydrate metabolism, which may be directly related to diet composition.

Comparison and Analysis of Dieting Practices Using Big Data from 2010 and 2015 / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare and analyse dieting practices and tendencies in 2010 and 2015 using big data. METHODS: Keywords related to diet were collected from the portal site Naver from January 1, 2010 until December 31, 2010 for 2010 data and from January 1, 2015 until December 31, 2015 for 2015 data. Collected data were analyzed by simple frequency analysis, N-gram analysis, keyword network analysis, and seasonality analysis. RESULTS: The results show that exercise had the highest frequency in simple frequency analysis in both years. However, weight reduction in 2010 and diet menu in 2015 appeared most frequently in N-gram analysis. In addition, keyword network analysis was categorized into three groups in 2010 (diet group, exercise group, and commercial weight control group) and four groups in 2015 (diet group, exercise group, commercial program for weight control group, and commercial food for weight control group). Analysis of seasonality showed that subjects' interests in diets increased steadily from February to July, although subjects were most interested in diets in July in both years. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the number of data in 2015 steadily increased compared with 2010, and diet grouping could be further subdivided. In addition, it can be confirmed that a similar pattern appeared over a one-year cycle in 2010 and 2015. Therefore, dietary method is reflected in society, and it changes according to trends.

Comparison and Analysis of Dieting Practices Using Big Data from 2010 and 2015 / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare and analyse dieting practices and tendencies in 2010 and 2015 using big data. METHODS: Keywords related to diet were collected from the portal site Naver from January 1, 2010 until December 31, 2010 for 2010 data and from January 1, 2015 until December 31, 2015 for 2015 data. Collected data were analyzed by simple frequency analysis, N-gram analysis, keyword network analysis, and seasonality analysis. RESULTS: The results show that exercise had the highest frequency in simple frequency analysis in both years. However, weight reduction in 2010 and diet menu in 2015 appeared most frequently in N-gram analysis. In addition, keyword network analysis was categorized into three groups in 2010 (diet group, exercise group, and commercial weight control group) and four groups in 2015 (diet group, exercise group, commercial program for weight control group, and commercial food for weight control group). Analysis of seasonality showed that subjects' interests in diets increased steadily from February to July, although subjects were most interested in diets in July in both years. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the number of data in 2015 steadily increased compared with 2010, and diet grouping could be further subdivided. In addition, it can be confirmed that a similar pattern appeared over a one-year cycle in 2010 and 2015. Therefore, dietary method is reflected in society, and it changes according to trends.

The effects of stocking density, prey concentration and feeding on Rhinelepis aspera (Spix & Agassiz, 1829) (Pisces: Loricariidae) larviculture / Efeitos da densidade de estocagem, concentração de presas e alimentação na larvicultura de Rhinelepis aspera (Spix & Agassiz, 1829) (Pisces: Loricariidae)

The aim of this study was to evaluate three stocking densities (20, 40 and 60 larvae L- 1), and two daily prey concentrations (400 and 700 Artemia nauplii larvae-1) during the first seven days of active feeding (first phase). In the second phase was evaluate the effect of the different feeding regimes: fasting, dry diet (55% crude protein), Artemia sp. and mixed feeding (Artemia sp. plus dry diet), after 17 days of active feeding on Rhinelepis aspera larviculture. In the first phase, growth was affected only by prey concentration. In the second phase, the dry diet induced higher growth rates than fasting, but lower growth rates than the other treatments. The acceptance of the dry diet was evidenced by an increase in the growth rate from 4.6% day-1 in the first five days to 10.7% day-1 in the following five days of feeding. Survival was similar among dry diet, mixed feeding and Artemia nauplii treatments. R. aspera larvae can be reared during the first seven days of active feeding at a density of 60 larvae L-1, after which they can be fed with a commercial dry diet.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar três diferentes densidades de estocagem (20, 40 e 60 larvas L-1), e duas concentrações diárias de presa (400 e 700 náuplios de Artemia larva-1) durante os primeiros sete dias de alimentação (primeira fase). Na segunda fase foi avaliado o efeito de diferentes regimes alimentares: jejum, dieta comercial (55% proteína bruta), Artemia sp., e alimentação conjunta (Artemia sp. mais dieta comercial), após 17 dias de alimentação, na larvicultura de Rhinelepis aspera. Na primeira fase, o crescimento foi afetado somente pela concentração de presas. Na segunda fase, o uso da dieta comercial proporcionou melhor crescimento comparado ao jejum e menor comparado aos demais tratamentos. A aceitação da dieta comercial ficou evidente pela taxa de crescimento específica que aumentou de 4,6% dia-1 nos primeiros cinco dias para 10,7% dia-1 nos cinco dias seguintes de alimentação. A sobrevivência foi similar para o uso de dieta comercial, náuplios de Artemia e alimentação conjunta. Larvas de R. aspera podem ser cultivadas durante os primeiros sete dias de alimentação em densidades de 60 larvas L-1, e após este período inicial podem ser alimentadas com dieta comercial.

Efeitos do extrato da parede de levedura na digestibilidade, no escore fecal e na palatabilidade de dietas para gatos / Effects of spray-dried yeast cell wall on digestibility, score of feces, and palatability of diets for cats

Para avaliar o efeito do extrato seco da parede de levedura (EPL) sobre a digestibilidade, o escore fecal e a palatabilidade de dietas para gatos, foram realizados três ensaios experimentais. No primeiro, 20 animais adultos foram distribuídos ao acaso em quatro tratamentos: dieta comercial úmida (controle) e dieta-controle + 0,2, ou dieta-controle + 0,4 ou dieta-controle + 0,6 por cento de EPL na matéria seca. No segundo, utilizaram-se alimento seco e as mesmas proporções com o mesmo delineamento do primeiro experimento. No ensaio 3, de palatabilidade, 20 gatos adultos receberam simultaneamente dieta comercial úmida sem e com a inclusão de 0,4 por cento de EPL. No experimento 1, não foram observadas diferenças quanto à digestibilidade da matéria seca, proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, matéria orgânica e energia bruta, assim como no escore fecal; no segundo, houve aumento linear (P<0,46) no coeficiente de digestibilidade da matéria seca, e, no terceiro, observou-se efeito negativo da inclusão de 0,4 por cento sobre a palatabilidade da dieta (P<0,004). Conclui-se que a inclusão de EPL em dietas úmidas não influi na digestibilidade, mas pode comprometer a palatabilidade, e que em dietas secas há melhora da digestibilidade da matéria seca.

The effects of spray-dried yeast cell wall (YCW) were evaluated on digestibility, score of feces, and palatability of diets for cats were evaluated. Three trials were carried out. In the first, 20 adult cats were randomly allotted in four treatments: wet commercial diet (control) and control plus 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6 percent of YCW in dry matter. In the second, a commercial dry diet was tested in an equal arrangement concerning concentration of YCW and number of animals of the first trial. In the third, 20 adult cats were fed at the same time a wet diet with or without 0.4 percent YCW. In the first trial, no differences among treatments for dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, organic matter, gross energy digestibility, and faecal score were observed. In second trial, positive linear effect on dry matter digestibility (P=0.046) was observed. In the third, negative effect of 0.4 percent YCW inclusion (P=0.004) on palatability of diet was observed. It was concluded that YCW inclusion in wet diet did not effectively alter the nutrients digestibilities but it decrease the palatability. However, the YCW inclusion in dry diets can be important to improve dry matter digestibility.