Replacing corn with sorghum in the diet alters intestinal microbiota without altering chicken performance.

Sorghum grain can be used to replace corn in broiler diets. However, the effects related to an abrupt change between these grains are not yet clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and intestinal health of broilers fed diets containing corn and/or sorghum during different periods of rearing. To accomplish this aim, 2100 male chicks were fed the following experimental diets: C100% (corn-based diet); S100% (sorghum-based diet); C:S50% (diet based on corn and sorghum 1:1); PC-S (corn-based diet in the pre-starter phase and sorghum-based diet in subsequent phases); and PS-C (sorghum-based diet in the pre-starter phase and corn-based diet in subsequent phases). The study was conducted with two simultaneous trials in a randomized block design as follows: a performance trial up to 40 days occurred in floor pens (n = 8), and the metabolism trial occurred in cages (n = 10). Performance, jejunal morphometry, number of goblet cells, apparent metabolizable energy (AME), apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) and the coefficient of apparent metabolizability of dry matter (CMDM) of the diets, and the intestinal microbiota of small intestine and caeca at 10 and 21 days of age (16S gene sequencing) were evaluated. The different experimental diets did not affect performance, jejunal epithelium, AME, AMEn or CMDM. However, the experimental diets altered the percentages of the genera Clostridium, Weissella, Bacillus and Alkaliphilus in the small intestine. In addition, the genera Lactobacillus and Desulfotomaculum in the caeca were altered. The age also affected the microbiota of the intestinal segments. In conclusion, feeding sorghum in place of corn as well as the grain change after the pre-starter phase does not alter broiler performance. However, sorghum alters the intestinal microbiota, resulting in a lower percentage of Clostridium and a higher percentage of Lactobacillus in the small intestine and caeca, respectively.

Single stage incubators and Hypercapnia during incubation affect the vascularization of the chorioallantoic membrane in broiler embryos.

Incubation management can have direct effects on neonate health and consequently affect post-hatching development. The effects of incubation in multiple and single stage incubators with different concentrations of CO2 were evaluated in terms of the vessel density in the chorioallantoic membrane, hatching, heart morphology, and body development of the neonate up to the tenth day. A total of 2,520 fertile eggs were used and distributed in a completely randomized design with 4 levels of CO2 in 4 single-stage incubators (4,000; 6,000; 8,000; and 10,000 ppm) and a control treatment based on multiple-stage incubation, totaling 5 treatments. The levels of CO2 were used during the first 10 d of the incubation period, and after this period, all eggs were submitted to the same level of CO2 (4,000 ppm). Eggs that were incubated in multiple-stage incubators presented a lower percentage of vessels in the chorioallantoic membrane, lower yolk absorption by the embryo, wall depth of the right ventricle, and greater humidity losses in the eggs when compared to eggs in the single-stage incubators. The eggs submitted to hypercapnia, between 5,000 and 6,000 ppm of CO2, had a higher percentage of vessels in the chorioallantoic membrane; the embryos originating from these eggs had higher weight, with higher relative weight of the liver. However, the same levels reduced the yolk absorption. Single-stage incubation with moderate levels of hypercapnia is an efficient tool to be adopted by the hatcheries when attempting to improve chick quality.

Intestinal alkaline phosphatase and sodium butyrate may be beneficial in attenuating LPS-induced intestinal inflammation.

In this study, we evaluated the effect of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) and sodium butyrate (NaBu) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal inflammation. Intestinal alkaline phosphatase and RelA/p65 (NF-κB) gene expressions in porcine jejunum explants were evaluated following exposure to sodium butyrate (NaBu) and essential oil from Brazilian red pepper (EO), alone or in combination with NaBu, as well as exogenous IAP with or without LPS challenge. Five piglets weighing approximately 20 kg each were sacrificed, and their jejunum were extracted. The tissues were segmented into 10 parts, which were exposed to 10 treatments. Gene expressions of IAP and RelA/p65 (NF-κB) in jejunal explants were evaluated via RT-PCR. We found that EO, NaBu, and exogenous IAP were able to up-regulate endogenous IAP and enhance RelA/p65 (NF-κB) gene expression. However, only NaBu and exogenous IAP down-regulated LPS-induced inflammatory response via RelA/p65 (NF-κB). In conclusion, we demonstrated that exogenous IAP and NaBu may be beneficial in attenuating LPS-induced intestinal inflammation.

Performance of broilers submitted to high CO2 levels during incubation combined with temperature fluctuations at late post-hatch

Incubation represents around 1/3 of the life cycle of broilers of modern strains; therefore, the appropriate management of this period is crucial to ensure the quality of the neonate. An experiment evaluated the effect of carbon dioxide concentrations during incubation on the live performance, heart morphology, and differential leukocyte count in the blood of broilers submitted to fluctuating temperatures between 35 and 42 days of age. In total, 2,520 fertile eggs were distributed according to a completely randomized design with four CO2 concentrations (4,000; 6,000; 8,000 and 10,000 ppm) during the first ten days of incubation, after which all eggs were incubated at the same CO2 level (4,000 ppm). After hatching, male chicks were placed in the experimental broiler houses, and at 35 days of age, 25 birds from each level of CO2 were separated and placed in cages to study the effect of cyclic temperature variations up to 42 days of age on their live performance, heterophil:lymphocyte ratio, and heart morphology. At 42 days of age, blood was collected for hematology and two birds per replicate were sacrificed and evaluated for ascites score and heart and liver relative weights. Heart morphology was assessed by analyzing digital images. In this experiment, hypercapnia during incubation and fluctuating temperatures during the growout did not affect mortality, ascites score, heart and liver relative weights, or heart characteristics (p>0.05). However, heterophill:lymphocyte ratio increased (p 0.05) with increasing carbon dioxide concentrations during incubation. It was concluded that high CO2 levels during incubation did not influence the resistance of broilers to fluctuating temperatures during the last week of age.(AU)

Performance of broilers submitted to high CO2 levels during incubation combined with temperature fluctuations at late post-hatch

Incubation represents around 1/3 of the life cycle of broilers of modern strains; therefore, the appropriate management of this period is crucial to ensure the quality of the neonate. An experiment evaluated the effect of carbon dioxide concentrations during incubation on the live performance, heart morphology, and differential leukocyte count in the blood of broilers submitted to fluctuating temperatures between 35 and 42 days of age. In total, 2,520 fertile eggs were distributed according to a completely randomized design with four CO2 concentrations (4,000; 6,000; 8,000 and 10,000 ppm) during the first ten days of incubation, after which all eggs were incubated at the same CO2 level (4,000 ppm). After hatching, male chicks were placed in the experimental broiler houses, and at 35 days of age, 25 birds from each level of CO2 were separated and placed in cages to study the effect of cyclic temperature variations up to 42 days of age on their live performance, heterophil:lymphocyte ratio, and heart morphology. At 42 days of age, blood was collected for hematology and two birds per replicate were sacrificed and evaluated for ascites score and heart and liver relative weights. Heart morphology was assessed by analyzing digital images. In this experiment, hypercapnia during incubation and fluctuating temperatures during the growout did not affect mortality, ascites score, heart and liver relative weights, or heart characteristics (p>0.05). However, heterophill:lymphocyte ratio increased (p 0.05) with increasing carbon dioxide concentrations during incubation. It was concluded that high CO2 levels during incubation did not influence the resistance of broilers to fluctuating temperatures during the last week of age.

Performance of broilers submitted to high CO2 levels during incubation combined with temperature fluctuations at late post-hatch

Incubation represents around 1/3 of the life cycle of broilers of modern strains; therefore, the appropriate management of this period is crucial to ensure the quality of the neonate. An experiment evaluated the effect of carbon dioxide concentrations during incubation on the live performance, heart morphology, and differential leukocyte count in the blood of broilers submitted to fluctuating temperatures between 35 and 42 days of age. In total, 2,520 fertile eggs were distributed according to a completely randomized design with four CO2 concentrations (4,000; 6,000; 8,000 and 10,000 ppm) during the first ten days of incubation, after which all eggs were incubated at the same CO2 level (4,000 ppm). After hatching, male chicks were placed in the experimental broiler houses, and at 35 days of age, 25 birds from each level of CO2 were separated and placed in cages to study the effect of cyclic temperature variations up to 42 days of age on their live performance, heterophil:lymphocyte ratio, and heart morphology. At 42 days of age, blood was collected for hematology and two birds per replicate were sacrificed and evaluated for ascites score and heart and liver relative weights. Heart morphology was assessed by analyzing digital images. In this experiment, hypercapnia during incubation and fluctuating temperatures during the growout did not affect mortality, ascites score, heart and liver relative weights, or heart characteristics (p>0.05). However, heterophill:lymphocyte ratio increased (p 0.05) with increasing carbon dioxide concentrations during incubation. It was concluded that high CO2 levels during incubation did not influence the resistance of broilers to fluctuating temperatures during the last week of age.

Desempenho produtivo e reprodutivo de matrizes de frangos de corte com dietas suplementadas com vitamina E, óleo de soja e óleo de peixe / Productive and reproductive performance of broiler breeders with diets supplemented with vitamin E and soybean and fish oil

No experimento, foram avaliados duas fontes de óleo (soja e peixe) e quatro níveis suplementares de vitamina E (0, 150, 250 e 350 mg/kg de ração) em dietas de matrizes de frangos de corte da linhagem Ross, entre a 42ª e a 56ª semana de idade. A adição de óleo de soja teve efeito no peso de ovos, quando não houve inclusão de vitamina E. A suplementação de 215,96 mg de vitamina E/kg de dieta em dietas com óleo de soja aumentou o percentual de postura. A adição de níveis crescentes de vitamina E acima das exigências, independentemente da fonte de óleo utilizada, melhorou a fertilidade. Não houve efeito para peso dos pintos, eclodibilidade, mortalidade e número de espermatozoides na membrana vitelínica ou em valores métricos de testículos.

Two sources of oil (soybean and fish) and four supplemental levels of vitamin E (0, 150, 250 and 350 mg/kg diet) in diets of Ross broilers breeders, between the 42 and 56 weeks of age, were evaluated. The addition of soybean oil had an effect on egg weight, when there was no inclusion of vitamin E. Supplementation of 215.96 mg vitamin E/kg diet in diets with soybean oil increased the laying percentage. The increasing levels of vitamin E above requirements, regardless of source of oil used, improved fertility. There was no effect on chick weight, hatchability, mortality and number of spermatozoidsin the vitelline membrane or metric values of testicles.

Desempenho produtivo e reprodutivo de matrizes de frangos de corte com dietas suplementadas com vitamina E, óleo de soja e óleo de peixe / Productive and reproductive performance of broiler breeders with diets supplemented with vitamin E and soybean and fish oil

No experimento, foram avaliados duas fontes de óleo (soja e peixe) e quatro níveis suplementares de vitamina E (0, 150, 250 e 350 mg/kg de ração) em dietas de matrizes de frangos de corte da linhagem Ross, entre a 42ª e a 56ª semana de idade. A adição de óleo de soja teve efeito no peso de ovos, quando não houve inclusão de vitamina E. A suplementação de 215,96 mg de vitamina E/kg de dieta em dietas com óleo de soja aumentou o percentual de postura. A adição de níveis crescentes de vitamina E acima das exigências, independentemente da fonte de óleo utilizada, melhorou a fertilidade. Não houve efeito para peso dos pintos, eclodibilidade, mortalidade e número de espermatozoides na membrana vitelínica ou em valores métricos de testículos.(AU)

Two sources of oil (soybean and fish) and four supplemental levels of vitamin E (0, 150, 250 and 350 mg/kg diet) in diets of Ross broilers breeders, between the 42 and 56 weeks of age, were evaluated. The addition of soybean oil had an effect on egg weight, when there was no inclusion of vitamin E. Supplementation of 215.96 mg vitamin E/kg diet in diets with soybean oil increased the laying percentage. The increasing levels of vitamin E above requirements, regardless of source of oil used, improved fertility. There was no effect on chick weight, hatchability, mortality and number of spermatozoidsin the vitelline membrane or metric values of testicles.(AU)