Dietary administration of resistant starch improved caecal barrier function by enhancing intestinal morphology and modulating microbiota composition in meat duck.

Resistant starch (RS) was recently approved to exert a powerful influence on gut health, but the effect of RS on the caecal barrier function in meat ducks has not been well defined. Thus, the effect of raw potato starch (RPS), a widely adopted RS material, on microbial composition and barrier function of caecum for meat ducks was determined. A total of 360 Cherry Valley male ducks of 1-d-old were randomly divided and fed diets with 0 (control), 12, or 24 % RPS for 35 d. Diets supplemented with RPS significantly elevated villus height and villus height:crypt depth ratio in the caecum. The 16S rRNA sequence analysis indicated that the diet with 12 % RPS had a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes and the butyrate-producing bacteria Faecalibacterium, Subdoligranulum, and Erysipelatoclostridium were enriched in all diets. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were significantly increased in the 24 % RPS diet v. the control diet. When compared with the control diet, the diet with 12 % RPS was also found to notably increase acetate, propionate and butyrate contents and up-regulated barrier-related genes including claudin-1, zonula occludens-1, mucin-2 and proglucagon in the caecum. Furthermore, the addition of 12 % RPS significantly reduced plasma TNF-α, IL-1ß and endotoxin concentrations. These data revealed that diets supplemented with 12 % RPS partially improved caecal barrier function in meat ducks by enhancing intestinal morphology and barrier markers expression, modulating the microbiota composition and attenuating inflammatory markers.

Dietary supplement of essential oil from oregano affects growth performance, nutrient utilization, intestinal morphology and antioxidant ability in Pekin ducks.

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of oregano essential oil (EO) on growth performance, nutrients utilization, intestinal morphology, intestinal barrier-related gene expression and antioxidant capability in meat ducks. A total of 360 1-day-old ducks were divided into three groups (12 replicates pens per diet of 10 ducks in each pen): negative control (no essential oil or antibiotic), positive control (antibiotic: 500 mg/kg aureomycin of diet) and oregano EO (100 mg/kg of diet). The experiment was carried out for 35 days. Ducks were given feed and water ad libitum. Ducks fed EO supplement showed similar body weight and feed to gain ratio to antibiotic fed ducks. EO supplementation significantly increased (p < .05) feed intake (day 1-35), jejunal villus height (VH) to crypt depth (CD) ratio, serum superoxide dismutase activities (SOD) and jejunal total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) of ducks compared to controls. Ducks fed diets supplemented with oregano EO also had decreased (p < .05) jejunal CD, serum and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and the mRNA expression of jejunal zonula occludens-3 (ZO-3) and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) genes in comparison to the control group. Compared to the antibiotic supplementation group, the mRNA expression of claudin1 (CLND1) and CLND2 significantly increased (p < .05), but the mRNA expression of ZO-3 and mucin 2 markedly decreased (p < .05) in the jejunum of ducks in oregano EO supplementation group. These results suggest that oregano EO improves the antioxidant capacity and intestinal defence and structural measures and may aide in helping to maintain enteric health in production without growth-promoting antibiotics.

Effects of maternal dietary vitamin E on the egg characteristics, hatchability and offspring quality of prolonged storage eggs of broiler breeder hens.

This research aims to evaluate the effects of maternal vitamin E (VE) dietary supplementation on the egg characteristics, hatchability and antioxidant status of the embryo and newly hatched chicks of prolonged storage eggs. A total of 576 75-week-old Ross 308 breeder hens were randomly allocated into three dietary VE treatments (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) with 6 replicates of 32 hens, for a 12-week feeding trial. At week 12, a total of 710 eggs were collected over a 5-day period, and eggs per treatment were attributed into 5 replicates and stored for 14 days until incubation. The egg yolk, trunk and head of 7-day-old embryo and the serum, liver, brain and yolk sac of newly hatched chicks were sampled for the evaluation of antioxidant status. Results showed that as maternal dietary VE levels increased, yolk α-tocopherol concentration increased (p < .05). Compared with 100 mg/kg VE, the use of 200 and 400 mg/kg VE increased the hatchability of set/fertile eggs and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) of liver and serum in chicks (p < .05), and decreased both the early embryonic mortality and the malondialdehyde (MDA) content of trunk and head in 7-day-old embryos (p < .05); moreover, 400 mg/kg VE increased the yolk T-AOC (p < .05) and decreased yolk and brain MDA content of chicks (p < .05). Brain T-AOC of chicks in 200 mg/kg VE group was improved compared to that of chicks in 100 mg/kg VE group (p < .05). In conclusion, maternal dietary VE at 200 or 400 mg/kg could increase hatchability by decreasing early embryonic mortality and increasing the antioxidant status of egg yolk, embryo and newly hatched chicks as breeder egg storage was prolonged to 14-18 days. The suitable VE level for the broiler breeder diet was 200 mg/kg as breeder egg storage was prolonged.

Effects of vitamin E supplementation on performance, serum biochemical parameters and fatty acid composition of egg yolk in laying hens fed a diet containing ageing corn.

This study investigated whether dietary vitamin E (VE) supplementation could alleviate any detrimental effects of ageing corn in the diet for laying hens on egg performance, egg quality, serum biochemical parameters, cholesterol content and the fatty acid (FA) profile of egg yolks. The experiment consisted of a 2 × 3 factorial design with two corn types (normal corn and ageing corn) and three concentrations of VE (0, 20 and 100 IU/kg). A total of 216 Lohmann laying hens (50-week-old) were randomly allocated into six treatment diets for 12 week. Each treatment had six replicates with six hens. The results showed that ageing corn significantly reduced average daily feed intake (ADFI; p < 0.01) and egg weight (p < 0.05). Dietary VE supplementation had no significant influences on egg production performance (p > 0.05). Egg yolk colour was decreased in ageing corn diets (p < 0.01), while 20 and 100 IU/kg VE significantly improved vitelline membrane strength (p < 0.01) compared with feeding of 0 IU/kg VE. Ageing corn also significantly decreased the content of cholesterol including total cholesterol (TC; p < 0.05), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; p < 0.01) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C; p < 0.05) in the serum. Feeding 100 IU/kg VE significantly increased the content of LDL-C (p < 0.01) and VLDL-C (p < 0.05) in the serum. Furthermore, the content of the oleic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) was lower (p < 0.05) and stearic acid and total saturated fatty acid (SFA) was higher (p < 0.05) in egg yolks in ageing corn diets. Ageing corn resulted in reduced feed intake, egg weights and yolk colour, but the effects of VE supplementation were independent of those of age of corn and were unable to counteract the negative effects of feeding ageing corn.

Effects of commercial premix vitamin level on sternum growth, calcification and carcass traits in meat duck.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary vitamin level on sternum growth, calcification and carcass traits in meat duck. A total of 432 1-d-old mixed-sex Cherry Valley ducks (216 males and 216 females) were randomly allocated and fed low-vitamin level diet (70% NRC vitamin regimen), high-vitamin level diet (DSM vitamin regimen) or medium-vitamin level diet (50% low-vitamin level diet and 50% high-vitamin level diet). Sternum and serum were harvested after 49 d of feeding. Compared with the low-vitamin level group, dietary high-vitamin level increased body weight (BW) at d 49 (p = 0.029) but did not alter all parameters of carcass trait (p > 0.05). Medium- and high-vitamin level increased sternum defatted weight, density, ash and calcium (Ca) concentration (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the medium and high-vitamin level group significantly decreased the relative proportions of the keel cartilage at 49 d (p < 0.05) and decreased the sternum length and height (p < 0.05) in meat ducks at 49 d. Likewise, high-vitamin level improved serum Ca and phosphate (P) content (p < 0.05) and declined serum Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity (p = 0.003) compared with the low-vitamin level group. Our study indicates that high-vitamin level did not affect the examined carcass traits; however, high-vitamin level improved growth performance and sternum calcification.

Relative bioavailability of humate-manganese complex for broilers fed a corn-soya bean meal diet.

The experiment was conducted to investigate the bioavailability of manganese (Mn) from humate-Mn complex relative to Mn sulphate for the starter broilers fed a conventional corn-soya bean meal diet. A total of 560 1-day-old Arbor Acres male broiler chicks were randomly allotted to one of eight replicate cages (10 chicks per cage) for each of seven treatments in a completely randomized design involving a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with two Mn sources (humate-Mn and Mn sulphate) and three levels of added Mn (60, 120 or 180 mg Mn/kg) plus a Mn-unsupplemented control diet containing 27.23 mg Mn/kg by analysis. At 14 days of age, the blood, liver, heart and tibia were collected for Mn analyses, and the activity and mRNA abundance of heart manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). The results showed that humate-Mn supplementation decreased feed intake from day 1 to day 14, whereas it did not influence (p > 0.20) body weight at day 14 as compared to Mn sulphate. The Mn source did not influence Mn concentration in the liver, heart and tibia, and the activity and mRNA abundance of heart MnSOD, while humate-Mn decreased plasma Mn as compared to Mn sulphate. The Mn concentration in the plasma and heart, and the activity and mRNA abundance of heart MnSOD increased linearly as dietary Mn concentration increased. Based on slope ratios from multiple linear regressions of Mn concentrations in the plasma and heart, and the activity and mRNA abundance of heart MnSOD on daily intake amount of dietary analysed Mn, the bioavailability of humate-Mn complex relative to Mn sulphate (100%) was 82.8, 90.4, 82.8 and 81.9 respectively. These results indicated that the Mn from humate-Mn complex was just as bioavailable as the Mn from Mn sulphate for the starter broilers (day 1-14).

Dietary phosphorus deficiency impaired growth, intestinal digestion and absorption function of meat ducks.

OBJECTIVE: An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary non-phytate phosphorus (nPP) deficiency on intestinal pH value, digestive enzyme activity, morphology, nutrient utilization, and gene expression of NaPi-IIb in meat ducks from 1 to 21 d of age. METHODS: 525 one-d-old Cherry Valley ducklings were fed diets (with 7 pens of 15 ducklings, or 105 total ducklings, on each diet) with five levels of nPP (0.22, 0.34, 0.40, 0.46 or 0.58%) for 21 d in a completely randomized design. Five experimental diets contained a constant calcium (Ca) content of approximately 0.9%. Body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed to gain ratio (F: G) were measured at 14 and 21 d of age. Ducks were sampled for duodenum and jejunum digestion and absorption function on 14 and 21 d. Nutrient utilization was assessed using 25- to 27-d-old ducks. RESULTS: The results showed ducks fed 0.22% nPP had lower (P&lt;0.05) growth performance and nutrient utilization and higher (P&lt;0.05) serum Ca content and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. When dietary nPP levels were increased, BW(d 14 and 21), BWG and FI (all intervals), and the serum phosphorus (P) content linearly and quadratically increased (P&lt;0.05); and the jejunal pH value (d 14), duodenal muscle layer thickness (d 14), excreta dry matter, crude protein, energy, Ca and total P utilization linearly increased (P&lt;0.05); however, the serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, jejunal Na+-K+-ATPase activity, and duodenal NaPi-IIb mRNA level (d 21) linearly decreased (P&lt;0.05). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that ducks aged from 1 to 21d fed diets with 0.22% nPP had poor growth performance related to poor intestinal digestion and absorption ability; but when fed diets with 0.40%, 0.46% and 0.58% nPP, ducks presented a better growth performance, intestinal digestion and absorption function.

Effect of graded calcium supplementation in low-nutrient density feed on tibia composition and bone turnover in meat ducks.

Both genetic selection and increasing nutrient density for improving growth performance had inadvertently increased leg problems of meat ducks, which adversely affects animal welfare. We hypothesised that slowing weight gain with improving tibia quality probably enhanced tibial mechanical properties and alleviated leg deformities. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of graded Ca supplementation in a low-nutrient density (LND) diet on tibia composition and bone turnover in meat ducks. A total of 720 15-d-old male meat ducks were randomly assigned and fed a standard nutrient density positive control (PC) diet containing 0·9 % Ca, and four LND diets with 0·5, 0·7, 0·9 and 1·1 % Ca, respectively. Ducks fed the 0·5 % Ca LND diet and the PC diet had higher incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD). When compared with the 0·5 % Ca LND diet, LND diets with ≥0·7 % Ca significantly improved tibia composition, microarchitecture and mechanical properties, and consequently decreased the incidence of TD. Furthermore, LND diets with ≥0·7 % Ca increased osteocyte-specific gene mRNA expression, blocked the expression of osteoblast differentiation marker genes including osteocalcin, collagenase-1 and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and also decreased the expression of osteoclast differentiation genes, such as vacuolar-type H+-ATPase, cathepsin K and receptor activator of NF-κB. Meanwhile bone markers such as serum ALP, osteocalcin (both osteoblast markers) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (an osteoclast marker) were significantly decreased in at least 0·7 % Ca treated groups. These findings indicated that LND diets with ≥0·7 % Ca decreased bone turnover, which subsequently increased tibia quality for 35-d-old meat ducks.

Involvement of P38 and ERK1/2 in mitochondrial pathways independent cell apoptosis in oviduct magnum epithelial cells of layers challenged with vanadium.

Vanadium (V) can induce cell apoptosis in layers' oviduct resulting in egg quality reduction. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-signaling pathway and V-induced apoptosis in poultry oviduct magnum epithelial cells (OMECs). Cultured OMECs were divided into 8 treatment groups: 0 µmol/L V (control), 100 µmol/L V (V100), V100 + P38MAPK inhibitor (SB203580), SB203580, V100 + extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor (U0126), U0126, V100 + c-JUN NH2 -terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor (SP600125), and SP600125. The OMECs were pretreated with the MAPK inhibitors before their treatment with V100 for 12 h. V100 increased the apoptosis of OMECs (P < .05), while 3 MAPK inhibitors suppressed V100-induced apoptosis P < .05); V100 enhanced the depolarization of △ψm (P < .05), and SB203580 and U0126 alleviated the V100-induced △ψm decrease (P < .05); V100 downregulated B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and poly [Adenosine diphosphate ribose] polymerase 1 (PARP1) mRNA expression (P < .05), meanwhile it upregulated Bcl-2 associated x (Bax), Apaf1, cytochrome C (CytC) and cysteine aspartase (caspase) 3, 8, 9 mRNA expression (P < .05). All MAPKs inhibitors alleviated the up-regulation of V100 for Bax and caspase 3 mRNA expression and down-regulation of V100 for Bcl-2 expression (P < .05). SB203580 and U0126 upregulated CytC expression treated by V100 (P < .05), except SP600125, while SB203580 administration resulted in a similar upregulation of PARP1 expression (P < .05). SP600125 can alleviated V triggered p-P38MAPK (phosphor-P38), p-ERK1/2 (phosphor-ERK1/2), p-JNK (phosphor-JNK) increase on OME cells, and SB203580 and U0126 had a similar response to phosphor-P38 and p-JNK (P < .05). It concluded that V-induced apoptosis in OMECs through the activation of P38 and ERK1/2, and by increasing the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, which resulted in △ψm decrease, CytC release into the cytosol; consequently caspase 3 is recruited and activated, PARP1 is cleaved, eventually leading to apoptosis.

Arginine metabolism and its protective effects on intestinal health and functions in weaned piglets under oxidative stress induced by diquat.

The intestine plays key roles in maintaining body arginine (Arg) homoeostasis. Meanwhile, the intestine is very susceptible to reactive oxygen species. In light of this, the study aimed to explore the effects of Arg supplementation on intestinal morphology, Arg transporters and metabolism, and the potential protective mechanism of Arg supplementation in piglets under oxidative stress. A total of thirty-six weaned piglets were randomly allocated to six groups with six replicates and fed a base diet (0·95 % Arg,) or base diet supplemented with 0·8 % and 1·6 % l-Arg for 1 week, respectively. Subsequently, a challenge test was conducted by intraperitoneal injection of diquat, an initiator of radical production, or sterile saline. The whole trial lasted 11 d. The diquat challenge significantly decreased plasma Arg concentration at 6 h after injection (P<0·05), lowered villus height in the jejunum and ileum (P<0·05) as well as villus width and crypt depth in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum (P<0·05). Oxidative stress significantly increased cationic amino acid transporter (CAT)-1, CAT-2 and CAT-3, mRNA levels (P<0·05), decreased arginase II (ARGII) and inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA levels, and increased TNF- α mRNA level in the jejunum (P<0·05). Supplementation with Arg significantly decreased crypt depth (P<0·05), suppressed CAT-1 mRNA expression induced by diquat (P<0·05), increased ARGII and endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA levels (P<0·05), and effectively relieved the TNF- α mRNA expression induced by diquat in the jejunum (P<0·05). It is concluded that oxidative stress decreased Arg bioavailability and increased expression of inflammatory cytokines in the jejunum, and that Arg supplementation has beneficial effects in the jejunum through regulation of the metabolism of Arg and suppression of inflammatory cytokine expression in piglets.

Dietary iron concentration influences serum concentrations of manganese in rats consuming organic or inorganic sources of manganese.

To determine the effects of dietary Fe concentration on Mn bioavailability in rats fed inorganic or organic Mn sources, fifty-four 22-d-old male rats were randomly assigned and fed a basal diet (2·63 mg Fe/kg) supplemented with 0 (low Fe (L-Fe)), 35 (adequate Fe (A-Fe)) or 175 (high Fe (H-Fe)) mg Fe/kg with 10 mg Mn/kg from MnSO4 or Mn-lysine chelate (MnLys). Tissues were harvested after 21 d of feeding. Serum Mn was greater (P<0·05) in MnLys rats than in MnSO4 rats, and in L-Fe rats than in A-Fe or H-Fe rats. Duodenal divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT1) mRNA was lower (P<0·05) in H-Fe rats than in A-Fe rats for the MnSO4 treatment; however, no significant difference was observed between them for MnLys. Liver DMT1 mRNA abundance was greater (P<0·05) in MnSO4 than in the MnLys group for H-Fe rats. The DMT1 protein in duodenum and liver and ferroportin 1 (FPN1) protein in liver was greater (P<0·05) in the MnSO4 group than in the MnLys group, and in L-Fe rats than in H-Fe rats. Duodenal FPN1 protein was greater (P<0·05) in L-Fe rats than in A-Fe rats for the MnLys treatment, but it was not different between them for the MnSO4 treatment. Results suggest that MnLys increased serum Mn concentration as compared with MnSO4 in rats irrespective of dietary Fe concentration, which was not because of the difference in DMT1 and FPN1 expression in the intestine and liver.

Pathological changes in the immune organs of broiler chickens fed on corn naturally contaminated with aflatoxins B1 and B2.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the underlying basis for aflatoxin-induced immunosuppression in the broiler chicken by detecting pathological lesions and apoptosis in thymus, bursa of Fabricius (BF) and spleen. COBB500™ male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to two groups. The control group was fed on a basal corn-based diet while the other group (the AFB group) was fed on a similar diet but the corn was naturally contaminated with aflatoxins B1 and B2. Histopathological examination revealed that in the AFB group there was more nuclear debris in the three immune organs and obvious congestion of red pulp in the spleen, when compared with the control group. Ultrastructural examination showed lesions in the lymphocytes and reticulocytes of the three immune organs, the mucosal epithelium of the BF and the plasmocytes of the spleen. Increased apoptotic cells and an impaired membrane system (including nuclear membrane, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum [ER]) could be observed in the three immune organs in birds of the AFB group. In the plasmocytes, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum contained electron-dense matrix. By flow cytometry, the percentages of apoptosis were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the three organs of the AFB group than those of the control group. These observations suggested that the lesions of the immune organs were related to the immunosuppression, and that the apoptosis might be initiated by the mitochondrial pathway and ER chaperone pathway.

Effects of Complex Antioxidants Added to Chicken Diet on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Indices, Meat Quality, and Antioxidant Capacity.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of diets supplemented with various levels of complex antioxidants (CA) containing tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) and tea polyphenols (TP) on growth performance, meat quality of breast and leg muscles, serum biochemistry, and antioxidant capacity of serum, liver, breast meat, jejunum, and ileum in broilers. A total of 600 one-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers with similar body weights were randomly divided into three groups (10 replicates/group, 20 broilers/replicate). Birds in the three experimental groups were fed a basal diet with CA at 0, 300, and 500 mg/kg. The results showed that supplementing with 300 mg/kg CA significantly increased (p < 0.05) 42 d BW and 22-42 d ADG, and markedly decreased (p < 0.05) 22-42 d F: G ratio in comparison to the control group. Birds fed a diet with 300 mg/kg CA had a higher (p < 0.05) pH of chicken meat at 24 h and 48 h post mortem and lower (p < 0.05) yellowness values (b*) of chicken meat at 45 min and 24 h post mortem, along with a lower (p < 0.05) cooking loss. Supplementing with 300 mg/kg CA significantly increased (p < 0.05) serum and liver T-SOD activity, serum T-AOC level, as well as jejunual GST activity, and significantly decreased (p < 0.05) liver MDA content when compared with the control group. These results indicate that diet supplementation with 300 mg/kg CA containing TBHQ and TP could improve growth performance and meat quality by increasing the antioxidant capacity of broilers.

Extract of Scutellaria baicalensis and Lonicerae flos improves growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal barrier of yellow-feather broiler chickens against Clostridium perfringens.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Scutellaria baicalensis and Lonicerae Flos (SL) extract on the growth performance and intestinal health of yellow-feather broilers following a Clostridium perfringens challenge. In total, 600 one-day-old yellow-feather broilers were divided into five treatments (6 replicate pens of 20 birds per treatment), including a control (Con) group fed a basal diet and the infected group (iCon) fed a basal diet and infected with Clostridium perfringens, the other 3 groups receiving different doses of SL (150, 300, and 450 mg/kg) and infected with Clostridium perfringens. The total experimental period was 80 d. When the birds were 24-days-old, a subclinical necrotizing enteritis model was induced by orally inoculating the birds with 11,000 oocysts of mixed Eimeria species on d 24, followed by C. perfringens (108 CFU/mL) from d 28 to 30. The birds were evaluated for parameters such as average weight gain (AWG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), mortality, feed conversion ration (FCR), intestinal lesion score, intestinal C. perfringens counts, and villus histomorphometry. Results indicated that C. perfringens infection led to reduced AWG and the levels of tight junction proteins, increased the FCR, ileum E. coli load, and intestinal permeability, causing damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier (P < 0.05). Compared with the infected group, supplementing 300 mg/kg of SL significantly increased AWG at 43 to 80 d, the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the jejunum and ileum at 35 d, and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum. It also significantly reduced the FCR at 22 to 42 d, intestinal lesion score, and the amount of C. perfringens in the ileum (P < 0.05). Additionally, compared with the infected group, the addition of 300 mg/kg SL significantly increased mRNA levels of claudin-2, claudin-3, mucin-2, and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) in the ileum of infected birds at 35 d of age. In conclusion, supplementation with SL extract could effectively mitigate the negative effects of C. perfringens challenge by improving intestinal barrier function and histomorphology, positively influencing the growth performance of challenged birds.

Pu-erh tea theabrownin improves the ovarian function and gut microbiota in laying hens.

Studies have reported that theabrownin can moderate the lipid metabolism and intestinal microbiota, thereby affecting the health of humans and model animals, however the research on laying hens is scarce. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary theabrownin supplementation on lipid metabolism, microbial composition and ovarian function in laying hens. A total of 80 laying hens (25 wk of age) were fed with normal diet (CON) and normal diet +100 mg/kg theabrownin (PT group) for 12 wk. The results showed that the addition of theabrownin enhanced villus height of duodenum and decreased crypt depth of jejunum (P < 0.05). At the same time, compared with CON, the concentration of IL-6 and the mRNA expression of IL-1ß and IL-6 were decreased significantly in PT group (P < 0.05). Dietary theabrownin reduced the concentration of total cholesterol and glycerol, while decreased lipid droplet optical density in liver (P < 0.05). Compared with CON group, the mRNA expression of PPARγ, HMG-CoAS, ACC were down-regulated and the mRNA expression of CYP8B1 was up-regulated in PT group (P < 0.05). The ACE, Chao1 and Observed_species indexes in cecum microbiota were increased by PT group intervention (P < 0.05). Dietary PT supplementation enhanced the relative abundance of Firmicutes (phylum), Lactobacillus (genus) and the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, and reduced the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (phylum) in cecum (P < 0.05). The organic acids and its derivatives were up-regulated by theabrownin intervention in serum metabolites (P < 0.05). Dietary theabrownin supplementation resulted in higher mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and SIRT1 in ovary and increased the concentration of estradiol in serum (P < 0.05). These discovering indicated that dietary theabrownin supplementation enhanced the intestinal function and influenced serum metabolism by improving intestinal morphology, microbiota community structure and reducing the concentration and expression of inflammatory cytokines in intestine. Dietary theabrownin reduced hepatic lipid deposition and it also decreased the cell apoptosis rate to improve ovarian function and egg weight which were associated with the SIRT1 pathway.

Effects of Long-Term Coated Sodium Butyrate Supplementation on the Intestinal Health and Colonization of Cecal Salmonella of Laying Hens Infected with Salmonella enteritidis.

Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) is widely found in chickens and eggs, and it can potentially induce human illness. The investigation in this study centers on the impacts of long-term dietary supplementation with coated sodium butyrate (CSB) on intestinal well-being and the colonization of cecum Salmonella in laying hens infected with S. Enteritidis. We segregated a total of 120 Lohmann laying hens aged 51 weeks into four treatment categories: 0 (CON), 300 (CSB1), 500 (CSB2), and 800 (CSB3) mg/kg of CSB, supplemented with CSB from the first day of the experiment. A 24-week observation process was carried out for each laying hen. The S. Enteritidis was orally administered to all chickens on the morning of the first and third days of week 22 of the trial. After the S. Enteritidis challenge, egg production decreased the most in the CON group. Compared to the CON group, the three doses of CSB significantly improved egg production after the S. Enteritidis challenge (PANOVA < 0.05). S. Enteritidis challenge increased plasma DAO activity, but CSB supplementation reduced plasma DAO activity (Plinear < 0.05). The S. Enteritidis challenge disrupted intestinal villi morphology; compared to the CON group, the three dosages of CSB resulted in an increase in villus height (VH) and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (V/C) in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of infected laying hens (Plinear < 0.05), with a significant increase in jejunal villus height (PANOVA < 0.05). A decrease in ileal crypt depth was also observed (Plinear < 0.05). CSB2 and CSB3 markedly increased the content of butyric acid in the cecum (PANOVA < 0.05). Additionally, in contrast to those in the CON group, the propionic acid content in the CSB supplementation group increased (Plinear < 0.05). Compared with those in the CON group, mRNA relative expression of the IL-6 and IL-1ß in jejunum (Plinear < 0.05) and mRNA relative expression of the IL-1ß in ileum (PANOVA < 0.05) were significantly lower, and mRNA relative expression of the IL-10 in ileum (Plinear < 0.05) were significantly higher in the CSB group. In addition, in contrast to the CON group, the CSB supplementation group significantly upregulated mRNA relative expression of the ZO-1 and CLDN1 (PANOVA < 0.05). Additionally, CSB supplementation reduced the number of Salmonella and increased the number of Lactobacilli in the cecum (Plinear < 0.05) and tended to increase the total bacteria count (Plinear = 0.069) and reduce the E. coli count (Plinear = 0.081). In conclusion, long-term dietary supplementation with coated sodium butyrate can alleviate intestinal injury and the colonization of cecum Salmonella in laying hens infected with S. Enteritidis.

Effects of betaine on growth performance and intestinal health of rabbits fed different digestible energy diets.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of betaine on growth performance and intestinal health in rabbits fed diets with different levels of digestible energy. During a 36-d experiment, a total of 144 healthy 35-d-old weaned New Zealand white rabbits with a similar initial body weight (771.05 ±â€…41.79 g) were randomly distributed to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. Experimental treatments consisted of two levels of digestible energy (normal: 10.20 and low: 9.60 MJ/kg) and three levels of betaine (0, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg). Results indicated that rabbits fed the diet with low digestible energy (LDE) had reduced body gain/feed intake on days 1 to 14 and 1 to 36 (P < 0.05), increased the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and n-free extract, and decreased the ATTD of gross energy (GE), crude fiber, and organic matter (OM; P < 0.05). The LDE diet upregulated the gene abundance levels of duodenum junctional adhesion molecule-3 (JAM-3) and downregulated the ileum toll-like receptor 4, myeloid differentiation factor 88, and interleukin-6 (IL-6; P < 0.05). Activities of amylase, lipase, trypsin, and the immunoglobulin M content in the jejunum were decreased in the LDE treatment group (P < 0.05). Dietary betaine supplementation increased the ATTD of GE, dry matter (DM), ADF, and n-free extract by LDE (P < 0.05). The villus height, crypt depth, and goblet cell numbers were decreased, and the villus-crypt ratio was increased in the duodenum (P < 0.05). The gene abundance levels of duodenum IL-2 were downregulated, and the duodenum JAM-2 and JAM-3 were upregulated (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the addition of betaine to the LDE diet increased the ATTD of GE, DM, and OM in rabbits (P < 0.05). Gene abundance levels of ileum IL-6 and duodenum JAM-3 were upregulated (P < 0.05). In summary, LDE diets can reduce the activity of intestinal digestive enzymes and decrease the ATTD of nutrients. However, the addition of betaine to LDE diets improved the intestinal barrier structure and nutrient ATTD in rabbits, with better results when betaine was added at an additive level of 500 mg/kg.

Insufficient dietary energy can cause many negative effects on animal production and cause intestinal diseases, which are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in rabbits. Results of some experiments demonstrated that betaine has various physiological functions such as improving energy utilization and intestinal health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of betaine supplementation on growth performance, intestinal function, and health in rabbits fed diets with different levels of digestible energy. The results showed that the addition of betaine to a low-digestible energy diet improved the gut barrier structure and nutrient digestibility in rabbits.

Effects of stevia extract on production performance, serum biochemistry, antioxidant capacity, and gut health of laying hens.

In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the effects of stevia extract on production performance, serum immune indexes, intestinal structure, and cecum microbial structure. We randomly divided eight hundred 46-wk-old Roman hens into 5 groups, with 8 replicates in each group and 20 chickens in each replicate. The control group was fed a basal diet, whereas the 4 experimental groups were fed 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg stevia extracts. The study period was 24 wk. The addition of different concentrations of the stevia extract to the diet resulted in significant secondary changes in the egg production rate at 1 to 12 wk (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the addition of 50 and 100 mg/kg stevia extract to the diet significantly increased serum IgM and IgG levels in laying hens (P < 0.05) but linearly decreased serum IL-1ß levels (P < 0.05). Serum T-SOD activity linearly increased (P = 0.057); however, serum biochemical indexes showed no significant differences. Stevia extract tended to increase the ratio of the duodenal villi height to the depth of the crypt (P = 0.067), with no obvious lesions in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. In addition, stevia extract increased the relative abundance of species at the phylum level, with the abundance of Bacteroides and Firmicutes exhibiting significant secondary changes (P < 0.05). The ACE and Chao1 indexes suggested that stevia extract addition significantly increased the alpha diversity of cecum microorganisms in laying hens. Furthermore, NMDS analysis based on operational taxonomic units revealed that stevia extract addition increased the beta diversity of cecum microorganisms in laying hens. Adding a certain amount of stevia extract to feed can improve the production performance, immune ability, and intestinal health of laying hens to some extent, and we recommend an effective level of 200mg/kg of stevia extract for laying hen diets.

Metabolomics analysis to interpret changes in physiological and metabolic responses to chronic heat stress in Pekin ducks.

Heat stress (HS) is a major environmental threat that affects duck production in subtropical and tropical regions, especially in summer. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological and metabolic responses of Pekin ducks to chronic HS conditions via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) using a paired-fed (PF) experimental design. On the basis of equivalent feed intake (HS vs. PF), HS significantly reduced growth performance and the percentage of leg and breast muscles, however, markedly increased the percentage of abdominal fat and breast skin fat. Serum metabolomics results revealed that heat-stressed ducks showed enhanced glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathways, as demonstrated by higher glucose 6-phosphate and 6-phogluconic acid levels in the PF vs. HS comparison. HS decreased hepatic mRNA levels of mitochondrial fatty acid ß-oxidation-related genes (MCAD and SCAD) compared to the PF group, resulting in acetylcarnitine accumulation in serum. Moreover, HS elevated the concentrations of serum amino acids and mRNA levels of ubiquitination-related genes (MuRF1 and MAFbx) in the skeletal muscle and amino acid transporter-related genes (SLC1A1 and SLC7A1) and gluconeogenesis-related genes (PCK1 and PCase) in the liver compared to the PF group. When compared to the normal control group (NC), HS further decreased growth performance, but it elevated the abdominal fat rate. However, increased mRNA levels of ubiquitination-related genes and serum amino acid accumulation were not observed in the HS group compared to the NC group, implying that reduced feed intake masked the effect of HS on skeletal muscle breakdown and is a form of protection for the organism. These results suggest that chronic HS induces protein degradation in the skeletal muscle to provide amino acids for hepatic gluconeogenesis to provide sufficient energy, as Pekin ducks under HS conditions failed to efficiently oxidise fatty acids and ketones in the mitochondria, leading to poor growth performance and slaughter characteristics.

Mammary inflammation around parturition appeared to be attenuated by consumption of fish oil rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

BACKGROUND: Mastitis endangers the health of domestic animals and humans, and may cause problems concerning food safety. It is documented that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) play significant roles in attenuating saturated fatty acids (SFA)-induced inflammation. This study was therefore conducted to determine whether mammary inflammation could be affected by consumption of diets rich in n-3 PUFA. METHODS: Forty-eight rats after mating began to receive diets supplemented with 5% fish oil (FO) or 7% soybean oil (SO). Blood and mammary tissue samples (n = 6) at day 0 and 14 of gestation and day 3 postpartum were collected 9 hours after intramammary infusion of saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to determine free fatty acids (FFA) concentration and FA composition in plasma and inflammation mediators in mammary tissues. RESULTS: At day 14 of gestation and day 3 postpartum, the FO-fed rats had lower plasma concentrations of C18:2n6, C20:4n6, total n-6 PUFA and SFA, and higher plasma concentrations of C20:5n3 and total n-3 PUFA than the SO-fed rats. Plasma C22:6n3 concentration was also higher in the FO-fed than in the SO-fed rats at day 3 postpartum. Compared with the SO-fed rats, the FO-fed rats had lower mammary mRNA abundance of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) and protein level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, but had higher mammary mRNA abundances of interleukin (IL)-10 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ at day 14 of gestation. Following LPS infusion at day 3 postpartum, the SO-fed rats had increased plasma concentrations of FFA, C18:1n9, C18:3n3, C18:2n6 and total n-6 PUFA, higher mammary mRNA abundances of IL-1ß, TNF-α and XOR but lower mammary mRNA abundance of IL-10 than the FO-fed rats. CONCLUSIONS: Mammary inflammation around parturition appeared to be attenuated by consumption of a diet rich in n-3 PUFA, which was associated with up-regulated expression of IL-10 and PPAR-γ.