Search

Mussel meal is an alternative feed ingredient that can reduce the gap in available protein-rich feedstuff for organic layer hen diets. Mussel meal production requires high input of energy because of mussel deshelling. The production of mussel meal through filtration could create a more cost-efficient product. A field study was conducted on a commercial farm to compare feeding laying hens with fishmeal (control), deshelled mussel meal, or shell-reduced mussel meal. Eggs (N = 25) were collected at hen ages 22 (standard diet), 28, 35, and 42 wks. The egg weight was depressed with Ca 2 g overall when feeding shell-reduced mussel meal compared with fishmeal or deshelled mussel meal; however, this diet also had the lowest CP level. Moreover, feeding shellreduced mussel meal gave more red and yellow yolks, whereas deshelled mussel meal only gave more yellow yolks than the control. Fatty acids in egg yolks from hens fed deshelled mussel meal had the lowest omega 6 to omega 3 ratios because of higher levels of eicosapentanoic and docosahexaenoic acid than the control or shell-reduced mussel meal treatments. No major differences in the tested sensory properties of the eggs in terms of aroma, flavor, and texture were found among the treatments. These results suggest that deshelled mussel meal can effectively replace fishmeal in organic laying hen diets. The production of shell-reduced mussel meal should be optimized to limit sodium chloride levels if not then the inclusion level is limited. Egg yolk color may, however, be positively affected resulting in a more red and yellow color. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) predominantly occurs in preterm infants (PT-NEC). In term neonates, NEC occurs more frequently when a congenital heart disease is present (CHDNEC). Our aim was to evaluate differences and similarities in disease characteristics of PT-NEC versus CHD-NEC. In this retrospective case–control study we identified all CHD infants who developed NEC Bell's stage ≥ 2 in our center from 2004 to 2014. We randomly selected (1:2 ratio) PT-NEC infants from the same period. Biochemical and clinical variables were retrieved from patient files. We found 18 CHD-NEC infants and selected 36 PT-NEC infants (gestational age 28.3 [25–35.6] weeks vs. 38.6 [31.7–40.7] weeks). Postnatal age at onset was significantly lower in CHD-NEC patients (4 [2–24] vs. 11 [4–41] days, p < 0.001). Lowest pH levels were lower (7.21 [7.01–7.47] vs. 7.27 [6.68–7.39], p = 0.02), and highest CRP levels were higher (112.5 mg/L [5.0–425.0] vs. 66.0 [5.2–189.0], p = 0.05) in PT-NEC vs. CHD-NEC. Anatomic localisation of the disease differed: the colon was significantly more often involved in CHD-NEC versus PT-NEC (86% vs. 33%, p = 0.03). Mortality caused by NEC was not different (22% vs. 11%, p = 0.47). While outcome of NEC in both groups is similar, the predominant NEC localisation differed between CHD-NEC and PT-NEC patients. This suggests that both variants of the disease have a different underlying pathophysiological mechanism that predisposes different intestinal regions to develop NEC. Retrospective Case–Control Study. Level III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]