Effect of a high-fat diet and chromium on hormones level and Cr retention in rats.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to determine how the administration of a high-fat diet supplemented with various forms of chromium to rats affects accumulation of this element in the tissues and levels of leptin, ghrelin, insulin, glucagon, serotonin, noradrenaline and histamine, as well as selected mineral elements. METHODS: The experiment was conducted on 56 male Wistar rats, which were divided into 8 experimental groups. The rats received standard diet or high fat diet (HFD) with addition of 0.3 mg/kg body weight of chromium(III) picolinate (Cr-Pic), chromium(III)-methioninate (Cr-Met), or chromium nanoparticles (Cr-NP). RESULTS: Chromium in organic forms was found to be better retained in the body of rats than Cr in nanoparticles form. However, Cr-Pic was the only form that increased the insulin level, which indicates its beneficial effect on carbohydrate metabolism. In blood plasma of rats fed a high-fat diet noted an increased level of serotonin and a reduced level of noradrenaline. The addition of Cr to the diet, irrespective of its form, also increased the serotonin level, which should be considered a beneficial effect. Rats fed a high-fat diet had an unfavourable reduction in the plasma concentrations of Ca, P, Mg and Zn. The reduction of P in the plasma induced by supplementation with Cr in the form of Cr-Pic or Cr-NP may exacerbate the adverse effect of a high-fat diet on the level of this element. CONCLUSION: A high-fat diet was shown to negatively affect the level of hormones regulating carbohydrate metabolism (increasing leptin levels and decreasing levels of ghrelin and insulin).

The effects of whey and soy proteins on growth performance, gastrointestinal digestion, and selected physiological responses in rats.

The objective of this work was to identify the nutritional and physiological effects of commercial soy and whey protein preparations. Wistar rats were fed with soy (S), whey (W), or casein (C) preparations as the sole dietary protein source. The nitrogen balance, body composition, changes in caecal microbiota, mucosal and bacterial enzyme activities, and allergenic potential of the preparations were analysed. The whey diet elicited greater skeletal muscle anabolism than the soy diet. Rats from the S group had the lowest values of body weight, fat, and lean mass gain. Compared to casein, soy and whey preparations decreased the protein efficiency ratio, increased N in the urine, and triggered the reduction of ammonia levels in the caecum. Changes in ß-glucuronidase and ß-galactosidase activities in the small intestine, caecum, and colon between experimental groups were observed. Significant differences were noted in the total counts of anaerobic bacteria and sulphite reducing bacteria during soy and whey treatments. This probably affected the short chain fatty acid level in caecal digesta resulting in the lowest propionic acid and total putrefactive short chain fatty acid levels during S treatment. Generally, whey preparations are a good choice for rapid bodybuilding (skeletal muscles), whereas soy preparations are more helpful during mass reduction.

The effect of dietary faba bean and non-starch polysaccharide degrading enzymes on the growth performance and gut physiology of young turkeys.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary replacement of soya bean meal (SBM) with faba bean (FB) and a blend of non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) degrading enzymes on the gastrointestinal function, growth performance and welfare of young turkeys (1 to 56 days of age). An experiment with a 2×2 factorial design was performed to compare the efficacy of four diets: a SBM-based diet and a diet containing FB, with and without enzyme supplementation (C, FB, CE and FBE, respectively). In comparison with groups C, higher dry matter content and lower viscosity of the small intestinal digesta were noted in groups FB. The content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the small intestinal digesta was higher in groups FB, but SCFA concentrations in the caecal digesta were comparable in groups C and FB. In comparison with control groups, similar BW gains, higher feed conversion ratio (FCR), higher dry matter content of excreta and milder symptoms of footpad dermatitis (FPD) were noted in groups FB. Enzyme supplementation increased the concentrations of acetate, butyrate and total SCFAs, but it did not increase the SCFA pool in the caecal digesta. The enzymatic preparation significantly improved FCR, reduced excreta hydration and the severity of FPD in turkeys. It can be concluded that in comparison with the SBM-based diet, the diet containing 30% of FB enables to achieve comparable BW gains accompanied by lower feed efficiency during the first 8 weeks of rearing. Non-starch polysaccharide-degrading enzymes can be used to improve the nutritional value of diets for young turkeys, but more desirable results of enzyme supplementation were noted in the SBM-based diet than in the FB-based diet.

The effect of DL-, L-isomers and DL-hydroxy analog administered at 2 levels as dietary sources of methionine on the metabolic and antioxidant parameters and growth performance of turkeys.

A hypothesis was verified that dietary methionine (Met) improves the growth and antioxidant status of turkeys, and that its effects depend on dietary inclusion levels and sources. A total of 816 female Hybrid Converter turkeys was fed wheat-soybean meal-based diets supplemented with 3 sources of Met: DL-, L-isomers and DL-hydroxy analog (DLM, LM, and MHA, respectively). In 4 4-week periods (from one to 16 wk of age), dietary Met content corresponded to NRC (1994) recommendations or was increased by approximately 50% (in one to 8 wk by 44 to 46% and in 9 to 16 wk by 55 to 56% vs. the NRC guidelines) to match the recommendations of some breeding companies. Increased Met content resulted in higher final body weights of turkeys (P = 0.002), an improved feed conversion ratio (P = 0.049), increased total glutathione concentration and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) values, and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration (all P < 0.001) in the blood plasma of turkeys. In comparison with DLM, LM and MHA contributed to an increase in plasma glutathione concentration (P = 0.001), a decrease in plasma triacylglycerol (P = 0.003) and uric acid (P = 0.001) concentrations, and a decrease in liver MDA (P = 0.001) levels. A decrease in plasma MDA (vs. DLM) and lipid peroxides (LOOH) (vs. DLM and LM) concentrations as well as a decrease in plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (vs. DLM and LM) also were noted in the MHA treatment (P = 0.016, P = 0.001 and P = 0.011, respectively). In conclusion, the results of the study indicate that the antioxidant status of turkeys could be affected by dietary Met levels and sources. The dietary Met content increased by 50% relative to NRC recommendations, improved the growth performance of turkeys, and strengthened their antioxidant defense system. In comparison with DLM, LM and MHA could be considered positive nutritional factors as manifested by a beneficial decrease in plasma and hepatic MDA concentrations as well as an increase in plasma glutathione levels, and the effect of MHA was more pronounced.

Influence of the Form of Administration of Chlorogenic Acids on Oxidative Stress Induced by High fat Diet in Rats.

Green coffee is one of health-promoting supplements of the diet, applied in the form of either preparations or enriched food products. Its positive impact is manifested by mitigation of the development of certain tumors, e.g., in the colon and liver, and type 2 diabetes. Many studies proved that chlorogenic acids are the main active substances in green coffee. The bioavailability of these compounds depends among others on their interactions with other components of the diet, mainly proteins. When they are used as food ingredients, their bioavailability is additionally decreased because of the decomposition or interactions with other ingredients during food processing. The undesirable changes may be limited among others by microencapsulation, for example with ß-cyclodextrin. In this study, rats were fed the pro-oxidative high fat diet, which was supplemented with chlorogenic acids from green coffee that were used in four forms such as: a purified extract, complexes of chlorogenic acids and ß-cyclodextrin, and bread supplemented with either the extract or the ß-cyclodextrin inclusion complex. Chlorogenic acids added to bread because of the reduced absorption from the crumb in the small intestine and increased passage to the colon, contributed to the beneficial modification of enzymatic activities of intestinal microbiota. When added directly to the diet, they contributed to the improved antioxidant status in the liver and kidneys, lowered glucose level and increased HDL level. A high ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione in the liver and a high concentration of antioxidants in the blood serum were observed after administration of chlorogenic acids in the form of inclusion complexes with ß-cyclodextrin, indicating that microencapsulation increased their bioaccessibility due to the limited interactions with other components of the diet.

Effect of different dietary methionine levels on the growth performance and tissue redox parameters of turkeys.

A total of 630 8-week-old female Hybrid Converter turkeys were divided (based on their body weights) into 6 groups, with 7 replicates per group and 15 birds per replicate. All birds were fed identical isocaloric and isonitrogenous wheat-soybean meal-based diets without (group 1) or with (groups 2 to 6) increasing levels of supplemental methionine (Met). The total content of Met in diets 1 to 6 was as follows (%): 0.29, 0.32, 0.40, 0.47, 0.56, and 0.61 at 9 to 12 wk of age and 0.24, 0.28, 0.34, 0.42, 0.47, and 0.55 at 13 to 16 wk of age. In both feeding phases, dietary Met levels in group 3 corresponded to those recommended by the National Research Council (NRC) (1994). Different dietary Met concentrations had no influence on feed intake, the final body weights of turkeys or carcass dressing percentage. Only in the first experimental feeding period (9 to 12 wk), the lowest dietary Met content significantly deteriorated the feed conversion ratio (FCR), whereas the highest Met content led to a significant improvement in FCR. After 8 wk of experimental feeding, dietary treatment 1 contributed to a significant increase in the activity of catalase (CAT) (blood and breast muscles) and superoxide dismutase (liver), an increase in lipid peroxides concentrations (blood, breast muscle) and a decrease in total glutathione (GSH+GSSG) content (breast muscles), in comparison to treatment 3 which is comparable to NRC recommendations. The highest level of dietary Met significantly increased blood total antioxidant potential (FRAP) values and glutathione content in the liver. To sum up, in the final feeding period between 9 and 16 wk of age, the growth performance of female turkeys was not deteriorated by dietary Met deficiency or excess (-30% and up to +50% relative to NRC recommendations, respectively). The total antioxidant potential can be effectively increased by dietary Met supplementation, but the highest Met level may lead to unbalanced oxidative changes in the body as indicated by lower FRAP values and a lower GSH/GSSG ratio in the liver.

Antioxidant status of blood and liver of turkeys fed diets enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids and fruit pomaces as a source of polyphenols.

It was hypothesized that dietary polyphenol-rich fruit pomaces can improve the antioxidant status of both diets and the tissues of turkeys fed such diets. Turkeys were fed diets containing a cellulose preparation (C) or 5% dried apple pomace (AP), blackcurrant pomace (BCP), strawberry pomace (SP) and seedless strawberry pomace (SSP). Blood and liver biochemical parameters were determined in 7 birds from each experimental group slaughtered at 15 weeks of age, after 5 weeks of feeding diets containing soybean oil and linseed oil (approx. 1:1 ratio). Dietary linseed oil added to diets at 2.5% lowered the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio from approx. 7:1 to below 2:1, thus reducing the antioxidant properties of diets measured using DPPH, ABTS and photo-chemiluminescence assays, compared with diets containing only soybean oil and administered to birds in the first phase of feeding. Fruit pomaces, in particular SSP with the highest polyphenol content (32.81 g/kg) and the highest antioxidant activity (256.4 µM Trolox/g), increased the antioxidant capacity of turkey diets. In comparison with the control group, the dietary treatments with fruit pomaces improved blood antioxidant parameters, including catalase activity (groups AP and BCP), the total antioxidant capacity of hydrophilic (group AP) and lipophilic (groups AP, SP, and SSP) compounds, peroxide levels (groups AP and SSP) and antioxidant capacity measured by the FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power of plasma) assay (groups AP, BCP and SSP). Significantly lower concentrations of both vitamin E and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were noted in the livers of turkeys fed all diets with dried fruit pomaces.

The effects of dietary dried fruit pomaces on growth performance and gastrointestinal biochemistry of turkey poults.

One-day-old female turkeys were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments and were fed for 15 weeks diets containing 5% of cellulose (control, C) or 5% of dried fruit pomaces (apple, black currant, strawberry, seedless strawberry; AP, BCP, SP, SSP respectively). In weeks 11-15 of feeding, all diets were supplemented with 2.5% of linseed oil. The crude fibre content of fruit pomaces ranged from 56.5% in AP to 62.9% in SP. In comparison with AP, berry fruit pomaces (BCP, SP and SSP) were characterised by a higher content of neutral detergent fibre - NDF (41.2% vs. 52.7-59.3%) and lignin (13.24% vs. 21.80-25.56%). A monomer analysis revealed that cellulose was the main non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) in fruit pomaces, whereas their pectin content was low. Polyphenol content was determined at below 6 g/kg in AP, at approximately 12 g/kg in BCP and SP, and at 32.8 g/kg in SSP. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in final body weight of birds. After 15 weeks of feeding fruit pomaces to turkeys, the relative weight of the small intestine with digesta was higher in group AP, and lower in group SSP, as compared to controls. Dietary fruit pomaces decreased the dry matter (DM) concentration and lowered the pH of the small intestinal digesta, except the AP and SSP treatments respectively. In the caeca, significantly reduced concentrations of ammonia or putrefactive short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) upon dietary fruit pomaces were observed. Fruit pomaces did not influence the concentrations or the total pool of short-chain fatty acids, but led to a significant increase in butyric proportion in the SCFA profile at the expense propionate.

Protective effects of polyphenol-rich blackcurrant preparation on biochemical and metabolic biomarkers of rats fed a diet high in fructose.

The purpose of the study was to compare in vivo effects of dietary supplementation with blackcurrant pomaces containing variable level of phenolic compounds on blood and internal organ parameters in rats. Forty-eight growing Wistar rats were allocated to six treatment groups in which they were fed ad libitum for 4 weeks the following diets: standard chow (group S), high-fructose diet (group F), standard chow supplemented with 7.7% of either rich in polyphenols unprocessed blackcurrant pomace (UB) or polyphenol-deprived processed pomace (PB) (groups SUB and SPB respectively), and high-fructose diet with 7.7% of either UB or PB (groups FUB and FPB respectively). Blackcurrant pomace, irrespective of its phenolic content, selectively modulated the enzymatic activity of the colon microflora, reducing the activity of enzymes with potentially harmful properties and promoting activities of enzymes that might increase the use of carbohydrates that escaped digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Although both pomaces increased antioxidant status of the liver and blood serum, the unprocessed pomace showed a greater ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation in heart and kidney than the pomace that was less abundant in polyphenols. Both of the examined pomaces had a positive influence on serum lipid profile, but better hypocholesterolemic effect was observed after supplementation of the diet with unprocessed preparation. The biochemical action of unprocessed pomace in the normalization of fructose-induced disturbances was more distinct than those of pomace remaining after extraction.

The effect of different dietary levels of vitamin E and selenium on antioxidant status and immunological markers in serum of laying hens.

The effect of different dietary levels of selenium (Se) and vitamin E on egg production, the antioxidant status and the immune system response of hens was investigated in the current study. A total of 32 Lohman Brown hens were divided into four groups and were fed diets with 5% of soybean oil and two levels of Se (0.15 and 0.30 mg/kg) and vitamin E (30 and 60 mg/kg). During 10 weeks of experimental feeding, the body weights of hens and egg production were similar in all dietary treatments, but a higher Se content of diets contributed to a significant increase in egg weight. A higher vitamin E level significantly increased alpha-tocopherol concentrations (2.71 vs. 2.05 microg/mL, p = 0.001), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (43.3 vs. 39.9 U/mL, p = 0.049) and the ferric reducing ability of serum (FRAP) (123.0 vs. 105.7 micromol/L, p = 0.029). A higher Se content increased the concentrations of ascorbic acid (0.309 vs. 0.073 microg/L, p = 0.001), retinol (1.48 vs. 1.15 microg/mL, p = 0.001) and alpha-tocopherol (2.86 vs. 1.90 microg/mL, p = 0.001), the activity levels of catalase (3.40 vs. 2.98 U/L,p = 0.010) and SOD (43.4 vs. 30.8 U/mL, p = 0.040) as well as the total antioxidant status (TAS) of serum (0.38 vs. 0.28 mmol/L, p = 0.026). There were no significant differences in the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) between treatments, while a higher vitamin E content of diets increased serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentrations (370.6 vs. 321.3 microg/mL, p = 0.026). Higher dietary levels of vitamin E and Se increased the serum concentrations of retinol (1.66 vs. 2.20 microg/mL, p = 0.013) and a-tocopherol (3.33 vs. 1.71, p = 0.014), but they had no effect on the other physiological parameters. It is recommended that the levels of both supplements, Se and vitamin E, be increased in laying hen diets as they have a beneficial effect on the serum concentrations of retinol and alpha-tocopherol.

Gastrointestinal morphology and function in turkeys fed diets diluted with whole grain wheat.

The aim of this study was to verify the hypothesis that moderate dilution of turkey diets with whole grain wheat (up to 22.5%) improves gastrointestinal function, thus contributing to sustained growth performance. A total of 900 male turkeys were allocated to 5 dietary treatments: basal diet (BD), BD diluted with low levels of ground and pelleted wheat or whole wheat, and BD diluted with high levels of ground and pelleted wheat or whole wheat (GH and WH, respectively). At successive stages of the experiment, diets containing 5 and 15%, 7.5 and 17.5%, 10 and 20%, 12.5 and 22.5% of wheat in different physical form were fed to turkeys aged 5 to 8, 9 to 12, 13 to 16, and 17 to 18 wk, divided into subgroups with low and high dietary levels of wheat, respectively. Dietary dilution with different levels of wheat did not reduce the BW gain of turkeys and did not deteriorate feed conversion despite a decrease in the amino acid content of diets. In comparison with BD, diet GH increased the thickness of the muscularis externa and the depth of cecal crypts (P < 0.05), increased Bacteria domain, and decreased Salmonella counts (P < 0.001), increased butyric acid concentrations, and decreased the levels of putrefactive compounds in the cecal digesta (P < 0.001). In comparison with BD, diet WH improved feed efficiency (P = 0.002) and contributed to significant (P < 0.01) changes in the parameters of gastrointestinal function, including lower pH of gizzard digesta, increased depth of jejunal crypts, lower ammonia concentrations, and lower pH of intestinal digesta, increased Bacteria and Bifidobacterium counts, decreased Salmonella counts, and higher concentrations of butyric acid and total short-chain fatty acids. In comparison with diet GH, diet WH enhanced the activity of bacterial α-glucosidase and ß-glucosidase as well as α-galactosidase, reduced the activity of ß-glucuronidase, and increased total fatty acid concentrations, mainly acetic acid levels, in the cecal digesta (P < 0.01). The observed changes indicate that diet supplementation with wheat grain enhances gastrointestinal function, thus improving feed conversion in turkeys.

Influence of diets to Wistar rats supplemented with soya, flaxseed and lupine products treated by lactofermentation to improve their gut health.

The present study proposes the contribution of lactic acid bacteria and plants rich in bioactive substances and high-quality proteins as alternative products for human diets in improving the gut environment as potential against pathogenic bacteria. The effect of diets supplemented with soya, flaxseed and lupine flours fermented with a Pediococcus acidilactici KTU05-7 probiotic strain in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of Wistar rats were analyzed. In vivo experiments showed a positive effect of long time lactofermentation of plant material on the body weight of rats. Diets with fermented yellow lupine resulted in enhanced activities of α-glucosidase, ß-galactosidases, as well as high levels of lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria and enterococci in the GIT were determined. Lactofermentation of analyzed plant products had a significantly lowering effect on Escherichia coli compared with the control group. The dominant flora of large intestines like Bifidobacterium and anaerobic cocci were found in high levels after diets with fermented lupine.

The effect of different dietary sodium levels on blood mineral concentrations and tibia mineralization in turkeys.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different dietary levels of sodium in diets with and without sodium chloride on mineral metabolism, including blood electrolyte levels and tibia mineralization parameters, in young turkeys (to six weeks of age). The influence of diets with a low (L), medium (M) and high (H) sodium content, at 0.34, 1.34 and 2.82 g/kg respectively, was compared. The content of chloride and potassium in turkey diets (1.7 - 5.9 and 11 g/kg, respectively) was above the recommended levels. The sodium-deficient diet L decreased the serum concentrations of sodium, chloride and phosphorus, and it increased the serum levels of calcium and magnesium in turkeys, compared with groups M and H. Relative to group L, different dietary sodium levels in groups M and H contributed to a similar increase in the body weights of birds (1.06 vs. 1.46 and 1.44 kg, p < 0.001) and in the absolute (4.60 vs. 6.83 and 6.62 g, p < 0.001) and relative tibia weight (0.42 vs. 0.46 and 0.46% body weight, p = 0.031). No significant differences were found between groups with respect to the content of ash, calcium and phosphorus in tibia dry matter. Supplemental sodium increased the bone density index (from 50.6 to 68.4 and 66.3 mg/mm in groups L, M and H, respectively, p < 0.001), the maximum bending moment (from 5.27 to 7.40 and 7.33 N/mm, p = 0.002) and the minimum breaking strength of tibia (from 0.136 to 0.191 and 0.189, p = 0.002). In conclusion, our study indicates that the applied dietary treatment with a moderate sodium level (1.34 g/kg) resulted in a rate of bird growth and tibia mineralization similar to those observed with the treatment with much higher Na content (2.82 g/kg).

The effect of different dietary levels of rapeseed meal on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality in turkeys.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different dietary levels of low-glucosinolate rapeseed meal (RSM) on growth performance, blood thyroid hormone concentration, carcass traits, and chemical composition, physicochemical properties, and fatty acid profile of breast meat in growing turkeys. The experiment lasted for 21 wk. Large White BIG-6 turkeys were fed isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets containing 0, 60, 120, and 180 g/kg of RSM. Each experimental group was comprised of 7 replicates/pen of 28 birds each. There was no effect of graded levels of RSM on final BW. An increase in the inclusion rate of RSM was followed by a linear increase in feed conversion ratio, which was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the group fed 180 g/kg of RSM. The blood levels of free triiodothyronine decreased significantly (P < 0.05) regardless of the dietary level of RSM. No significant changes in the carcass dressing percentage or the meat fat content were observed. Significant differences were found in the fatty acid composition and physicochemical properties of breast meat. The concentrations of margaroleic acid and saturated fatty acids, including myristic and palmitic acid, in meat from male turkeys fed 120 and 180 g/kg of RSM decreased linearly; whereas the levels of oleic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acids, including linoleic and linolenic acid (an n-3 fatty acid), increased linearly. An increase in RSM content of the diets was accompanied by the unfavorable changes in selected functional properties of meat, including a significant increase in drip loss in groups fed 120 g/kg of RSM (from 1.85 to 2.38%) and 180 g/kg of RSM (from 1.85 to 3.02%) and a decrease in Warner-Bratzler shear force values in turkeys fed 180 g/kg of RSM (from 19.1 to 15.8 N). The results suggest that the quality of turkey meat could be affected by impaired triiodothyronine secretion caused by dietary RSM.

The effect of partial replacement of soyabean meal with sunflower meal on ileal adaptation, nutrient utilisation and growth performance of young turkeys.

1. A 4 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used to investigate the effect of graded levels of sunflower meal (SFM; 0, 70, 140 and 210 g/kg) and enzyme supplementation on gut morphology, nutrient utilisation and growth performance of young turkeys from 0 to 8 weeks of age. The enzyme supplement used in the study contained non-starch polysaccharide (NSP)-degrading activities and supplied 500 U pectinase, 40 U cellulase, 1600 U xylanase, 800 U glucanase, 200 U mannanase, 20 U galactanase per kg diet. 2. The use of SFM resulted in an increase in the height and width of intestinal villi, and a linear decrease in crypt depth. Dry matter digestibility and energy metabolisability decreased in groups fed diets with a moderate (140 g/kg) and high (210 g/kg) SFM content. 3. A decrease in dry matter digestibility and energy metabolisability was most likely the reason for a reduction in body weights of 8-week-old turkeys fed on diets containing 140 g/kg (from 4 x 17 to 4 x 01 kg) and 210 g/kg (from 4 x 17 to 3 x 93?kg) of SFM. 4. The addition of enzyme resulted in a slight increase in villus height, a significant increase in the number of goblet cells and an increase in digestibility coefficients for crude fat. 5. The results of this study demonstrate that turkey diets can be effectively supplemented with high-quality sunflower meal at a concentration of approximately 70 g/kg. It should be noted, however, that at 8 weeks of age the body weight of turkeys fed on diets containing 140 and 210 g/kg of SFM could be lower by 4 and 6%, respectively, than in those receiving the soyabean meal-based diets.

Effects of dietary addition of Macleaya cordata alkaloid extract on growth performance, caecal indices and breast meat fatty acids profile in male broilers.

The aim of this experiment was to investigate whether a low-dietary application (15 mg/kg) of an alkaloid preparation containing quaternary benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids and obtained from Macleaya cordata (Sangrovit) influenced caecal metabolism, growth performance and long-chain fatty acid composition of breast meat. One-day-old broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were fed a diet without supplement or with a 15 mg/kg dose of Sangrovit (C and A groups respectively) for 5 weeks. Although the A treatment was not accompanied by an enhanced final body weight of broilers, the intake of a diet with Sangrovit influenced the caecal microflora activity. The addition of Sangrovit to a diet decreased potentially harmful ß-glucuronidase and ß-glucosidase activities (p<0.05 and p=0.075 respectively), and at the same time led to a significant increase in activities of bacterial glycolytic enzymes α-glucosidase, α-galactosidase, ß-galactosidase in comparison to the control group. The concentration of total short-chain fatty acids in the caecal digesta was increased in the A treatment contributing to the tendency towards lower caecal pH (p=0.078). The analysis of breast meat fatty acids showed that the dietary application of Sangrovit evoked some changes in contents of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) contents. The applied dosage of Sangrovit caused an increase in the sum of MUFA and the tendency towards lower PUFA sum (p<0.05 and p=0.062 respectively) as in relation with the C group. Although the nutritionally relevant n-6/n-3 PUFA and the (PUFA+MUFA)/saturated fatty acids ratios remained similar in both groups, further research is postulated to establish the effect of this preparation on meat quality. To sum up, despite of a lack of the improvement in final body weight, a low dose of dietary Sangrovit was found to exert positive effects on the caecal metabolism of the broilers.

Application of soybean meal, soy protein concentrate and isolate differing in α-galactosides content to low- and high-fibre diets in growing turkeys.

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the physiological and growth response of young turkeys (up to 8 weeks of age) to dietary replacement of soybean meal (SBM) by soy protein concentrate (PC) or protein isolate (PI). This replacement resulted in a differentiated dietary concentration of α-galactosides of over 2.5% in the SBM diet, approximately 2% with a mixture SBM and PC, 1% with a PC diet and 0.1% with a PI diet. Each treatment was applied in two ways: with lower (3.5%) or higher (5.3%) dietary crude fibre content, made by supplementation with soybean hulls. The highest and lowest body weight of turkeys was recorded both after the first and second 4-week half of the study in the PC and PI-type diets respectively. A gradual withdrawal of α-galactosides from a diet was accompanied by a decline in ileal tissue mass, ileal viscosity and activity of endogenous maltase (the latter was found to be significant at 4 weeks of age). At the same time, two-way anova revealed that an elevated level of crude fibre (HF treatment) caused an increase in ileal tissue mass (p < 0.05 after 4 weeks of feeding) as well as a decrease in activity level of intestinal sucrase and maltase. The presence of raffinose family oligosaccharides in a diet, in contrast to dietary crude fibre level, significantly affected the caecal metabolism. The rate of bacterial production of short-chain fatty acids in the caeca was distinctly diminished by dietary withdrawal of α-galactosides. In conclusion, the soy protein concentrate, in contrast to the protein isolate preparation, exerted positive effects on the turkeys' growth and gastrointestinal tract physiology and should be considered as an effective SBM substitute.

The effect of diets containing soybean meal, soybean protein concentrate, and soybean protein isolate of different oligosaccharide content on growth performance and gut function of young turkeys.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of diets containing soybean meal (SBM), soybean protein concentrate (SPC), and soybean protein isolate (SPI) on growth performance and gut function of the young turkey. A total of 812 one-day-old male turkey poults were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments, with 7 pens per treatment and 29 birds per pen. The 4 experimental diets contained SBM, SBM-SPC, SPC, and SPI and were fed throughout the two 4-wk experimental periods. In each period, the diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric and contained similar amounts of total and water-soluble nonstarch polysaccharides. The content of oligosaccharides differed among the diets and averaged 2.4, 1.9, 0.9, and 0.1% for SBM, SBM-SPC, SPC, and SPI, respectively. When compared with SBM, birds consuming the SBM-SPC and SPC diets had higher (P<0.05) final BW (4.32 vs. 4.45 and 4.46 kg, respectively). Incorporation of SPI as a substitute for SBM resulted in improved (P<0.05) feed utilization (from 1.76 to 1.67) but did not affect the final BW. Significant changes in cecal concentrations of short-chain fatty acids were observed and averaged 130, 103, and 89 micromol/g of digesta for the SBM, SBM-SPC, and SPC diets, respectively. This coincided with the proportional decrease in dietary oligosaccharide content (from 2.4 to 0.9%) and was further substantiated by a significant decrease in ileum weights. Feeding the SPI diet resulted in the lowest ileal and cecal tissue weights as well as the lowest cecal short-chain fatty acids concentration. There was no effect of diet on digesta pH, viscosity, and mucosal sucrase and maltase activities. Bacterial beta-glucuronidase activity was decreased (P=0.08) in the cecum (from 0.98 to 0.60 U/g) with decreased dietary oligosaccharide content. In conclusion, partial or almost complete substitution of SBM with SPC suppressed the fermentation processes in the ceca but enhanced the growth rate. Substitution of SBM with SPI significantly improved feed utilization but decreased BW of 4-wk-old turkeys with no effect on growth rate of older 8-wk-old birds.

Effect of diets with different contents of soybean alpha-galactosides and crude fibre on modification of duodenal microstructure and selected parameters of nutrient utilization in young turkeys.

The aim of the present study was to assess the physiological response of growing turkeys' duodenal surface to dietary replacement of a common dietary component--soybean meal (SBM) with a soy protein isolate (SPI), as this treatment was associated with almost complete removal of alpha-galactosides from the diet (from 2.44 to 0.15%). Additionally, the utilization of selected dietary ingredients upon dietary treatments was recorded. Effects of raffinose-family oligosaccharides were assessed as well in low- and high-fibre dietary environment (3.5 and 5.3% of crude fibre, respectively). This study revealed that the duodenal morphological parameters were differently affected by dietary treatments at different production stages, i.e. at 4 and 8 weeks of life. Although villus height/crypt depth ratio (VCR) was insignificantly decreased by high-alpha-galactoside treatment in younger 4-week birds, the presence of these oligosaccharides in the diet positively influenced the VCR index in 8-week turkeys. A similar tendency was observed when calcium retention was considered. Different contents of dietary crude fibre affected the physiological action of alpha-galactosides, including duodenal crypts depth and phosphorus retention in the 4-week birds, as well as duodenal goblet cells number and nitrogen utilization in the older turkeys. A high content of alpha-galactosides in the diet resulted in increased hydration of intestinal contents, but without a significant decline in the dry matter digestibility and utilization of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus. Having in mind the development and physiology of the GIT, it may preliminary be concluded that in later production stages, total withdrawal of soybean alpha-galactosides from turkeys' diets does not seem to be nutritionally advisable.

Metabolic response of the gastrointestinal tract and serum parameters of rabbits to diets containing chicory flour rich in inulin.

A 36-day experiment carried out on 54-day-old rabbits addressed the analysis of physiological properties of diets supplemented with chicory roots flour. Twenty-four rabbits were allocated in individual cages to three treatments, in which they were fed each diet with the chicory flour at 0, 25 and 50 g/kg (control, ChF(2.5) and ChF(5) groups respectively). The chicory preparation administered at a higher dose, lowered ileal pH and viscosity, and evoked increased hydration of ileal and caecal digesta, compared to the control treatment (p