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Simple Summary: The aim of this study was to elucidate the age-related changes in hepatic lipid metabolism and abdominal adipose deposition in yellow-feathered broilers. Parameters such as body and abdominal adipose weight and lipid-metabolism-related gene expression in the liver and abdominal adipose tissue were evaluated. The results demonstrated that the body weight and absolute and relative weights of the liver increased with age-related changes. The triacylglycerol content peaked on day 14, while the total cholesterol content peaked on day 56. The adipocyte diameter and area peaked on day 56, the total DNA content peaked on day 7, the mRNA expression of hepatic ChREBP, SREBP-1c, ACC, FAS, SCD1, CPT1, ApoB, and FABP1 peaked on day 7, PPARα on day 56, LPL on day 1, and MTTP on day 35. In abdominal adipose tissue, the mRNA expression of PPARα, CPT1, and LPL peaked on day 56, PPARγ on day 14, C/EBPα on day 42, and C/EBPβ on day 7. In addition, the age-related changes in the expression of hepatic lipogenesis- and lipolysis-related genes and abdominal adipose-deposition-related genes occurred during days 1 to 14 and during days 1 to 21, respectively. These results support the development of practical strategies to regulate hepatic lipid metabolism and reduce abdominal adipose deposition in yellow-feathered broilers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the age-related changes in hepatic lipid metabolism, adipocyte hyperplasia, hypertrophy, and lipid metabolism in the abdominal adipose tissue of yellow-feathered broilers. Blood, liver, and abdominal adipose samples were collected on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, and 56. Body, liver, and abdominal weight increased (p < 0.05) with age-related changes. The triacylglycerol content peaked on day 14, and total cholesterol content peaked on day 56. The adipocyte diameter and area peaked on day 56, and total DNA content peaked on day 7. The age-related changes in hepatic lipogenesis-related gene (ChREBP, SREBP-1c, ACC, FAS, SCD1) expression mainly occurred during days 1 to 21, hepatic lipolysis-related gene (CPT1, LPL, ApoB) expression mainly occurred during days 1 to 14, and abdominal adipose-deposition-related gene (PPARα, CPT1, LPL, PPARγ, C/EBPβ) expression occurred during days 1 to 14. These results demonstrated a dynamic pattern of hepatic lipid metabolism and abdominal adipose deposition in yellow-feathered broilers, which provides practical strategies to regulate hepatic lipid metabolism and reduce abdominal adipose deposition in yellow-feathered broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate dietary chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) supplementation on meat quality, chemical composition and oxidative stability in frizzled chickens. A total of 360 one-day-old female frizzled chickens with an average body weight of 34.38 ± 1.23 g were randomly allocated to four groups with six replications (10 chickens/replication) in this 84-day experiment. The chickens in the control group (CON) fed the basal diet and the other three experimental diets were based on the basal diet with 300, 600 and 900 mg/kg COS supplementation, respectively. The results indicated that dietary COS increased growth performance, eviscerated and breast muscle yield while decreased abdominal fat yield, accompanied with increasing pH45min, pH24h, Lightness, drip loss and cooking loss in breast and thigh muscle. The scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical and 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt, the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in breast and thigh muscle were improved by COS while malondialdehyde content was decreased. COS up-regulated the gene expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px in breast and thigh muscle. In conclusion, dietary COS supplementation improved meat quality by improving pH, colour, water holding capacity and anti-oxidant capacity, accompanied with decreased lipid metabolism in frizzled chickens. Dietary 600 mg/kg COS was recommended in frizzled chickens' diet to improve meat quality. COS improves growth performance of frizzled chickens. COS improves meat quality of frizzled chickens. COS enhances anti-oxidant capacity of frizzled chickens' meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the effects of heat stress on lipid metabolism in the liver and abdominal adipose deposition in broilers, totally, 120 female 21-day old broilers were selected and randomly allocated to 2 groups with 6 replication and 10 broilers per each replication. Broilers in the control group (CON) were reared at 24 °C, and broilers in the heat stress group (HS) were reared at 34 °C. Heat stress exposure increased (P < 0.05) rectal temperature, relative weight of abdominal adipose and liver, serum triacylglycerol (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) level, liver TG, TC, and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) content. Hepatic mRNA expression level of fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC), and abdominal adipose mRNA expression level of ACC and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α (C/EBPα) were up-regulated (P < 0.05) when compared with the CON group. Heat stress exposure increased serum and hepatic TC and TG content, up-regulated the mRNA expression of FAS and ACC in liver, and promoted preadipocytes differentiation by increasing C/EBPα mRNA expression in abdominal adipose. Therefore, heat stress exposure increased abdominal adipose deposition, which related to increase in hepatic de novo lipogenesis, and promoted preadipocytes differentiation in abdominal adipose. Heat stress increased abdominal adipose deposition Heat stress increased hepatic de novo lipogenesis Heat stress promoted preadipocytes differentiation in abdominal adipose [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Pre-slaughter transport, exposed broilers to various stressors, which resulted in detrimental effects on animal welfare, live bodyweight loss, mortality and meat quality. There was growing interest to explore effective ways to reduce the stress response and improve meat quality of transported broilers by using dietary feed additives. Aims: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) on meat quality, muscle energy metabolism and anti-oxidant status of broilers having 3-h transport stress. Methods: In total, of 144 35-day-old broilers were randomly allocated to two dietary treatments, including a basal diet (96 broilers), or basal diet supplemented with COS at 200 mg/kg (48 broilers). There were eight broilers per cage, and 12 replication cages in the basal diet group and six replication cages in the basal diet with 200 mg/kg COS group. At the end of the experiment, after a 12-h fast, broilers in the basal diet group were randomly divided into two groups, with six replication cages in each group; then, the broilers were transported as per the following protocols: broilers in the basal diet group (CON group) were without transport stress; broilers in the basal diet group with 3 h of transport stress (TS group), and broilers in the basal diet with 200 mg/kg COS supplementation and 3 h of transport stress (TSC group). The serum corticosterone concentration, serum, liver and muscle anti-oxidant status, as well as meat quality and muscle energy metabolism were analysed. Key results: Compared with the CON group, TS group showed increased bodyweight loss, serum corticosterone concentration, breakdown of muscle glycogen, increased muscle lactate dehydrogenase activity, as well as some changes of body anti-oxidant status (higher serum, liver and muscle MDA concentrations, lower serum SOD and GSH-Px, liver SOD and CAT, and lower muscle SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT activity), accompanied with lower pH45min and pH24h. Nevertheless, compared with the TS group, dietary COS supplementation reduced bodyweight loss, decreased muscle MDA concentration, increased muscle SOD and CAT activity, and was accompanied with improving pH24h. Conclusions: The results suggested that the positive effects of dietary COS supplementation in maintaining meat quality were mainly due to the improved muscle anti-oxidant status. Implications: Dietary supplementation with 200 mg/kg COS could serve as a beneficial and effective way to alleviate transport-impaired meat quality of broilers. Pre-slaughter transport, an unavoidable common practice, results in detrimental effects on meat quality of broilers. Three-hour transport decreased muscle glycogen content, and SOD, GSH-Px and CAT activity, increased muscle lactate dehydrogenase activity and MDA concentration, and was accompanied with lower pH45min and pH24h. Dietary COS supplementation decreased muscle MDA concentration, increased muscle SOD and CAT activity, and was accompanied with an improved pH24h. In conclusion, dietary COS supplementation could maintain meat quality by improving muscle anti-oxidant capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) supplementation on intestinal development and functions, inflammatory response, antioxidant capacity and the related signaling pathways in broilers aged d 1 to 14. A total of 240 one-day old male Arbor Acres broilers (40.47 ± 0.30 g) were randomly allotted to 4 groups, and each group consisted of 6 replicate pens with 10 broilers per replicate. Broilers fed a basal diet supplementation with COS at 0 (CON group), 200 (COS 200 group), 400 (COS 400 group), and 800 mg/kg (COS 800 group) for 14 d, respectively. Broilers in the COS supplementation groups had no significant effects on growth performance. Compared to the CON group, dietary COS supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the relative weight of duodenum, jejunal lipase activity, duodenal and ileal villus surface area, and lower (P < 0.05) ileal amylase and alkaline phosphatase activity, and crypt depth. The expression level of duodenal glucose transporter 1 ( GLUT1 ), Na+-glucose cotransporter 1 ( SGLT1 ), peptide transporter 1 ( PepT1 ), occludin , zonula occludens-1 ( ZO-1 ), toll-like receptor 4 ( TLR4 ), myeloid differentiation factor 88 ( MyD88 ), and interleukin-10 ( IL-10 ), jejunal SGLT1, PepT1, occludin , tumor necrosis factor-α ( TNF-α ), and ileal SGLT1, PepT1 , and fatty acid binding protein 1 ( FABP1 ) was upregulated by COS. However, the expression level of duodenal FABP1 and TNF-α , jejunal GLUT1, ZO-1, TLR4, MyD88 , nuclear factor kappa-B p65 ( NF-κB p65 ), and IL-1β , and ileal GLUT1, NF-κB p65 , and IL-1β was downregulated by COS. Furthermore, dietary COS supplementation increased duodenal catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity, jejunal CAT and T-SOD activity, upregulated the expression level of duodenal nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 ( Nrf2 ), CAT , glutathione peroxidase 1 ( GPX1 ), and copper and zinc superoxide dismutase ( Cu/Zn SOD ), jejunal CAT , and ileal Nrf2, CAT , and GPX1. These results suggested that COS could promote intestinal development and functions in broilers aged d 1 to 14, which might be mediated by alleviating intestinal inflammatory response and enhancing antioxidant capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat stress jeopardised animal health by inducing oxidative stress and inflammation. This study was done to investigate the effects of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) on oxidative stress and inflammation response in liver and spleen of yellow-feather broilers under high ambient temperature. A total of 144 35-day-old female Chinese indigenous yellow-feather broilers (body weight 450.21 ± 10.05 g) were randomly allocated into 3 dietary treatments with 6 replication pens, each pen had 8 broilers. The treatments were: Control, basal diet; COS100, basal diet with 100 mg/kg COS; COS200, basal diet with 200 mg/kg COS. During day 22 to 42 (57 to 77 days of age), broilers in the COS200 group had higher (p <.05) ADFI than broilers in the Control group. Broilers in the COS200 group had lower (p <.05) serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and tumour necrosis factor-α levels, and spleen malondialdehyde (MDA) content, but had higher (p <.05) liver superoxide dismutase activity and serum interleukin-10 level than broilers in the Control group. Broilers in the COS100 and COS200 groups had lower (p <.05) serum and liver MDA content, and serum interleukin-1β level, but had higher (p <.05) serum glutathione peroxidase activity than broilers in the Control group. In conclusion, dietary COS supplementation can alleviate heat stress-induced oxidative stress and inflammation response in liver and spleen by decreasing lipid peroxidation, increasing anti-oxidant enzyme activities and IL-10 level. Dietary COS decreased serum ALT, AST, IL-1β, TNF-α and MDA. Dietary COS increased serum GSH-Px and IL-10, liver SOD, and spleen GSH-Px. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Enterococcus faecium DSM 7,134 supplementation on the performance of sows and their litters. A total of 15 primiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly divided into three treatments with five replicates. Dietary treatments were: CON, basal diet; E1, CON + 0.025% E. faecium; E2, CON + 0.05% E. faecium. No significant differences were observed on body weight and feed intake of lactating sows with E. faecium supplementation, but linearly increased the sow apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and gross energy (GE; p <.05), and decreased piglets pre‐weaning mortality (p <.05). Piglets from E. faecium‐supplemented sows linearly increased weaning weight, average daily gain (ADG) and gain:feed ratio (p <.05), as well as linearly decreased diarrhoea score (p <.05) in the first weaning week. Piglets from E. faecium‐supplemented sows linearly increased faecal Lactobacillus and Enterococci counts (p <.05), while linearly decreased faecal Escherichia coli counts (p <.05) after weaning. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of E. faecium improved the ATTD of DM, N and GE in lactating sows, as well as improved body weight, ADG and shifted faecal microbiota in their litters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ban on the use of antibiotic in feed encouraged nutritionists to using alternatives to maintain growth performance and intestinal function of broilers. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Yupingfeng polysaccharides (YP) supplementation on growth performance and expression of SGLT1, GLUT2 and GLUT5 in Qingyuan partridge chicken. Experiment 1: a total of 540 chickens were randomly allocated to five groups with six replication. Dietary treatments were: (1) CON (control group), basal diet; (2) T1, CON + 0.5 g kg−1 YP; (3) T2, CON + 1 g kg−1 YP; (4) T3, CON + 2 g kg−1YP; (5) T4, CON + 4 g kg−1YP. Experiment 2, a total of 162 were randomly allocated to three groups with three replication. Dietary treatments were: (1) CON, basal diet; (2) T1, CON + 0.5 g kg−1YP; (3) T2, CON + 1 g kg−1YP. From days 1 to 14 and overall, chicken fed T1 diet had higher ADG. On day 42, there was increased villus height of jejunum in T1 group. On days 14 and 28, there was decreased villus height of duodenum and jejunum in T2 group. In duodenum, the expression of SGLT1 (days 21, 35 and 42), GLUT2 (days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42) and GLUT5 (days 7, 14, 21 and 28) was increased with YP supplementation. In jejunum, the expression of SGLT1 (days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35), GLUT2 (days 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42) and GLUT5 (days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42) was increased with YP supplementation. In ileum, the expression of SGLT1 (days 7, 21, 35 and 42), GLUT2 (days 7, 14, 21 and 42) and GLUT5 (days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42) was increased with YP supplementation. Dietary YP supplementation improves growth performance and expression of SGLT1, GLUT2 and GLUT5 in intestine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Probiotics have been used to address antibiotic alternatives and environmental concerns. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis complex supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal microflora and faecal noxious gas emissions in growing‐finishing pigs. RESULTS: Dietary B. licheniformis and B. subtilis complex (B. licheniformis and B. subtilis in a 1:1 ratio) supplementation showed a linear increase (P < 0.05) in digestibility of dry matter at weeks 6, 12 and 15, a linear increase (P < 0.05) in digestibility of nitrogen at week 12, a linear increase (P < 0.05) in faecal Lactobacillus counts at weeks 6 and 12, a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in ammonia (NH3) emission at weeks 6 and 12 and a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in total mercaptan emission at weeks 3, 9 and 15. CONCLUSION: Dietary B. licheniformis and B. subtilis complex supplementation increased digestibility and faecal Lactobacillus counts and decreased faecal NH3 and total mercaptan emissions in growing‐finishing pigs. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of organic acid (OA) and medium‐chain fatty acid (MCFA) blends on production performance of sows and their litters. A total of 36 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire, average parity is 3.3, SE = 0.2) were randomly allocated to three treatments with 12 replicates. Dietary treatments were as follows: CON, basal diet; MC1, CON + 0.1% OA, and MCFA blends; MC2, CON + 0.2% OA, and MCFA blends. During lactation, no differences were observed in body weight (BW) loss, average daily feed intake, backfat thickness, digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, or energy of sows. There were linear increase (p < 0.05) in BW and average daily gain of sucking piglets. On parturition and weaning day, there was a linear increase (p < 0.05) in fecal Lactobacillus counts, as well as a linear decrease (p < 0.05) in fecal Escherichia coli counts of sows on weaning day. The sucking piglets also had a linear increase (p < 0.05) in fecal Lactobacillus counts and a linear decrease (p < 0.05) in fecal E. coli counts. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of OA and MCFA blends in sows exerts beneficial effects to sows shifted fecal microbiota by increasing Lactobacillus and decreased E. coli counts. It also improved the performance of piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was to evaluate the effects of dietary essential oils (EO) and betaine on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and serum hormones in growing-finishing pigs under heat stress conditions. A total of 96 crossed pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an initial body weight (BW) of 24.7 ± 0.27 kg were used in an 18-week trial. Pigs were randomly allocated to four treatments according to BW and gender. There were six replication pens in each treatment, with four pigs (two barrows and two gilts) per pen. Treatment groups were: (1) control group (CON), basal diet + 23°C for 24 h; (2) heat stress group (HC) with basal diet + 37°C for 9 h, 23°C for 15 h; (3) group HEO, HC with 0.01% EO; (4) group HBE, HC with 0.1% betaine. During the overall period, groups HEO and HBE had higher (p < 0.05) average daily gain than group HC. At week 6, group HC had a lower apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM) (p < 0.05), but at week 12, this group had lower ATTD of DM, nitrogen and gross energy than group HEO (p < 0.05). At week 12 and 18, dietary EO decreased (p < 0.05) serum cortisol and norepinephrine concentration. At week 18, dietary EO and betaine decreased (p < 0.05) epinephrine concentration. Conclusively, dietary EO may be a potential nutritional strategy to alleviate heat stress in growing-finishing pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Antibiotics used as growth promoters in livestock have been banned in the European Union since 2006. Antibiotics alternatives have focused on probiotics, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus. The concentration of L. acidophilus is considered crucial for obtaining the desired effects. However, limited studies have been conducted to test the dose-dependent effects of L. acidophilus. Therefore, the present study aimed to test the dose-dependent effects of L. acidophilus on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial flora and fecal noxious gas emission in weaning pigs. RESULTS Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation increased ( P < 0.05) average daily gain, average daily feed intake, apparent nutrient digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and gross energy, and Lactobacillus counts compared to the basal diet treatment, and a linear effect ( P < 0.05) was observed on those criteria. Escherichia coli counts and NH3 emission were decreased ( P < 0.05) by L. acidophilus supplementation, and a linear effect ( P < 0.05) was observed on E. coli counts. CONCLUSION These results suggest that L. acidophilus could be used as an antibiotic alternative by improving growth performance, nutrient digestibility and gut balance (i.e. increased Lactobacillus counts and decreased E. coli counts), and decreasing NH3 emission, of weaning pigs. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Probiotics can serve as alternatives to antibiotics to increase the performance of weaning pigs, and the intake of probiotics is affected by dietary nutrient density. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a probiotic complex in different nutrient density diets on growth performance, digestibility, blood profiles, fecal microflora and noxious gas emission in weaning pigs. RESULTS From day 22 to day 42, both high-nutrient-density and probiotic complex supplementation diets increased ( P < 0.05) the average daily gain. On day 42, the apparent total tract digestibility ( ATTD) of dry matter, nitrogen and gross energy ( GE), blood urea nitrogen concentration and NH3 and H2S emissions were increased ( P < 0.05) in pigs fed high-nutrient-density diets. Pigs fed probiotic complex supplementation diets had higher ( P < 0.05) ATTD of GE than pigs fed non-supplemented diets. Fecal Lactobacillus counts were increased whereas Escherichia coli counts and NH3 and H2S emissions were decreased ( P < 0.05) in pigs fed probiotic complex supplementation diets. Interactive effects on average daily feed intake ( ADFI) were observed from day 22 to day 42 and overall, where probiotic complex improved ADFI more dramatically in low-nutrient-density diets. CONCLUSION The beneficial effects of probiotic complex ( Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium butyricum) supplementation on ADFI is more dramatic with low-nutrient-density diets. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Oxidative stress adversely affects animal health and performance. Feed additives with antioxidant abilities supplementation can alleviate oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that dietary supplementation with COS alleviates the damage caused by oxidative stress in Sprague Dawley rats challenged with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The results shown that COS exhibited better radical scavenging capacity of 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anion (O2−), H2O2, and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) than butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA), increasing activity of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, GSH, and T-AOC, as well as decreasing MDA level in serum, liver, spleen, and kidney. Our results indicated that COS can protect Sprague Dawley rats from H2O2 challenge by reducing lipid peroxidation and restoring antioxidant capacity. Oxidative stress is induced by excessive oxidative radicals, which directly react with biomolecules, and damage lipids, proteins and DNA, leading to cell or organ injury. Supplementation of antioxidants to animals can be an effective way to modulate the antioxidant system. Chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) are the degraded products of chitosan or chitin, which has strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-enhancing competency. Therefore, the current study was conducted to evaluate the hypothesis that dietary supplementation with COS alleviates the damage caused by oxidative stress in Sprague Dawley rats challenged with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The rats were randomly divided into three groups: CON, control group, in which rats were fed a basal diet with normal drinking water; AS, H2O2 group, in which rats were fed the basal diet and 0.1% H2O2 in the drinking water; ASC, AS + COS group, in which rats were fed the basal diet with 200 mg/kg COS, and with 0.1% H2O2 in the drinking water. In vitro, COS exhibited better radical scavenging capacity of 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anion (O2−), H2O2, and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) than butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA). In vivo, dietary supplementation with COS alleviated the H2O2-induced oxidative damage, evidenced by comparatively increasing activity of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, GSH, and T-AOC, and comparatively decreasing level of MDA in serum, liver, spleen, and kidney. COS also comparatively alleviated the H2O2-induced inflammation. In conclusion, COS supplementation reduced lipid peroxidation and restored antioxidant capacity in Sprague Dawley rats, which were challenged with H2O2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Heat stress has negative effects on animal health and performance, and chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of COS alleviation of oxidative stress and inflammatory response in heat-stressed rats. The results indicated heat stress decreased (p < 0.05) growth performance; the relative weight of spleen and kidney; and the level of antioxidant enzymes and IL-10 in liver, spleen, and kidney, while it increased (p < 0.05) the MDA and inflammatory cytokines concentration. Dietary COS supplementation enhanced (p < 0.05) ADG, the relative weight of spleen and kidney, and the level of antioxidant enzymes and IL-10 in liver, spleen, and kidney. Collectively, COS was beneficial to heat-stressed rats by alleviating oxidative damage and inflammatory response. Chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of COS on antioxidant system and inflammatory response in heat-stressed rats. A total of 30 male rats were randomly divided to three groups and reared at either 24 °C or 35 °C for 4 h/d for this 7-day experiment: CON, control group with basal diet; HS, heat stress group with basal diet; HSC, heat stress with 200mg/kg COS supplementation. Compared with the CON group, HS significantly decreased (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG); average daily feed intake (ADFI); the relative weight of spleen and kidney; the level of liver CAT, GSH-Px, T-AOC, and IL-10; spleen SOD, GSH-Px, GSH, and IL-10; and kidney SOD, GSH-Px, T-AOC, and IL-10, while significantly increased the MDA concentration in liver, spleen, and kidney; the liver IL-1β concentration; and spleen and kidney IL-6 and TNF-α concentration. In addition, dietary COS supplementation significantly improved (p < 0.05) ADG; the relative weight of spleen and kidney; the level of liver GSH-Px, spleen GSH-Px, GSH, and IL-10; and kidney GSH-Px, while significantly decreased (p < 0.05) liver IL-1β concentration under heat stress condition. Collectively, COS was beneficial to heat-stressed rats by alleviating oxidative damage and inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Effects of dietary supplementation with a probiotic (Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and gut health status in weaning pigs" in the April 2017 issue is presented.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of xylanase supplementation on nutrient digestibility, growth performance, blood parameters, fecal microflora shedding, fecal score and fecal noxious gas emission of weaning pigs fed corn-soybean meal based diet. A total of 150 weaning pigs with an average initial body weight (BW) of 7.85 ± 0.93 kg were randomly allocated to three treatments based on BW and sex (10 replicate pens with five pigs, two gilts and three barrows) were used in this 42-day trial. Dietary treatments were: (1) CON, basal diet; (2) X1, basal diet +0.005% xylanase; (2) X2, basal diet +0.01% xylanase. The xylanase supplementation linearly increased ( P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG), and gain : feed ratio (G:F) from days 29 to 42 and the in overall period, dry matter, nitrogen and energy digestibility, and fecal Lactobacilli counts, and linearly decreased ( P < 0.05) blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration, fecal NH3 and H2S emission. Additionally, at weeks 5 and 6, there was a linear decrease in fecal score with xylanase supplementation. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of xylanase improved growth performance, nutrient digestibility, shifted microbiota by increasing fecal Lactobacillus counts, decreased BUN concentration, fecal score, and fecal NH3 and H2S emission in weaning pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted this study to compare the effects of lactic acid bacteria complex (L. casei, L. rhamnosus, L. lactis, L. plantarum, S. thermophilus, and B. longum) and Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134 in weanling pigs. A total of 120 weanling pigs (24-day-old) were used in a 5-week feeding trial. Pigs were allotted into three dietary treatments: CON, basal diet; LA, CON + 0.1% lactic acid bacteria complex; EF, and CON + 0.1% E. faecium DSM 7134. From days 0 to 14, days 15 to 35, and the overall period, average daily gain was higher (P < .05) in EF than that in CON. Higher gain:feed ratio was also observed in EF compared with CON during the overall period. The apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and gross energy was greater (P < .05) in LA and EF compared with CON on days 14 and 35. Faecal Lactobacillus counts were increased (P < .05) and faecal pH was decreased in LA and EF compared with CON on days 14 and 35. Results of the current study indicated that E.faecium DSM 7134 has better effects on growth performance than lactic acid bacteria complex in weanling pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: During the weaning period, the change of feed and separation from ewe induce weaning stress and may affect the growth and health of kids. The application of antibiotics could relieve weaning stress; however, their prophylactic application coerces researchers to find antibiotic alternatives to relieve weaning stress. Fucoidan is a natural plant extract widely used in animal production with antioxidant and immune-modulatory properties resulting in beneficial effects on the intestinal tract. In the present study, fucoidan dietary supplementation boosted antioxidant and immune functions, improved the morphology of the intestinal tract and promoted the growth performance of kids. These results indicated that fucoidan could be used to alleviate weaning stress in kids. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of fucoidan dietary supplementation on growth performance, organs' relative weight, serum anti-oxidation markers, immune function indices and intestinal morphology in weaned kids. A total of 60 2-month-old weaned castrated male kids (Chuanzhong black goat) were used for this 30-day experiment and randomly allocated to four groups. The control group (CON) fed a basal diet, while the other three groups were provided with the same diet further supplemented with fucoidan at 0.1%, 0.3% or 0.5%, namely, F1, F2 and F3 groups, respectively. The results indicated that dietary fucoidan supplementation significantly increased (p < 0.05) the activity of catalase (CAT) when compared to the CON group on day 15. Moreover, the addition of fucoidan at 0.3% and 0.5% significantly increased (p < 0.05) the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD). On day 30, dietary fucoidan supplementation significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the feed conversion rate (FCR), contents of tumor necrosis-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), while it significantly increased (p < 0.05) the activity of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), the content of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and the villus height (VH) of the duodenum. Moreover, dietary 0.3% and 0.5% fucoidan supplementation significantly increased (p < 0.05) the villus height (VH) of the jejunum and ileum and significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the crypt depth (CD) of ileum. In conclusion, dietary fucoidan had positive effects on growth performance, serum anti-oxidation, immune function and intestinal morphology of weaned kids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) on acute heat stress (AHS) induced poor meat quality by alleviating oxidative damage through mitogen-activated protein kinase-nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2-antioxidant responsive element (MAPK-Nrf2-ARE) signaling pathway. A total of 108 thirty-five-day-old Chinese indigenous broilers (Luhua chicken) was used for this 42-d experiment. The broilers were randomly allocated to 3 treatments: control group (CON), AHS group, and AHS with 400 mg/kg COS supplementation (AHS-C) group. Both CON and AHS groups given the basal diet, and the AHS-C group given the basal diet with 400 mg/kg COS supplementation. On d 42, broilers in the AHS and AHS-C groups treated with AHS (increasing temperature from 24 to 34°C in 2-h and held for another 2-h), and the CON group under normal temperature (24°C). AHS exposure elevated (P < 0.05) body temperature (rectal, comb, eyelids, and feet) of broilers, increased (P < 0.05) breast muscle lightness ( L* ), drip loss, share force, hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) scavenging activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and catalase (CAT) activity, however, decreased (P < 0.05) pH 45min , pH 24h , redness ( a* ), and relative expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Compared to the AHS group, dietary COS supplementation increased (P < 0.05) breast muscle pH 45min , pH 24h , and a* , H 2 O 2 scavenging activity, as well as relative expression of HO-1 and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), however, decreased (P < 0.05) drip loss, share force, superoxide anion free radicals (O 2 •−) scavenging activity, ROS production, and MDA content. It was concluded that AHS impaired meat quality, which may be related to oxidative damage, as evidenced by increasing ROS production, MDA content, and decreasing the relative expression of HO-1. Dietary COS supplementation could effectively elevate the meat quality of broilers exposed to AHS via decreasing ROS production, activating the Nrf2 pathway, and Nrf2-mediated HO-1 and GSH-Px gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat stress induces oxidative stress, and reduces antioxidant defenses of birds, which may affect poultry-production performance. Dietary antioxidants may protect against heat stress. We evaluated the effect of increasing concentrations of dietary curcumin on antioxidant parameters of hens under high-temperature conditions for nine weeks. Roman laying hens (n = 336, 22 weeks old, 1420 g weight) were divided into three treatment groups. The first group served as a thermo-neutral control (kept at 25 ± 1 °C). The second group was exposed to high temperatures (32 ± 1 °C, 6 h/day), and fed a basal diet. The third group was further divided into five groups, and all were exposed to high temperatures (32 ± 1 °C, 6 h/day) and provided a basal diet supplemented with 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 mg/kg curcumin (H1, H2, H3, H4, H5). All treatments included four replicates of 12 hens. Total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly higher in H2 and H3 groups, and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was higher in H2, H3, and H5 groups. Catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were significantly higher in the H3 group. Malondialdehyde concentrations were lower in curcumin supplemented hens compared to control groups hens. Hens in all curcumin treatment groups had slightly (but non-significantly) higher activities of CAT, SOD, GSH-Px, and T-AOC in liver, heart, and lung tissues, compared to heat stressed control group. It is concluded that dietary curcumin given to laying hens under heat stress may enhance their antioxidant status, and ameliorate stressful environmental conditions. • Poultry farming has performed a leading role in the livestock sector in some parts of the world. • Poultry birds are facing big challenges due to increasing the global temperature. • Dietary Curcumin has potential to reduce the adverse impacts of heat stress in the poultry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]