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The effects of a dietary challenge to induce digestive upsets and supplementation with yeast culture on rumen microbial fermentation were studied using 12 Holstein heifers (277 [+ or -] 28 kg of BW) fitted with a ruminal cannula, in a crossover design with 2 periods of 5 wk. In each period, after 3 wk of adaptation to a 100% forage diet, the dietary challenge consisted of increasing the amount of grain at a rate of 2.5 kg/d (as-fed basis) over a period of 4 d, until a 10:90 forage:concentrate diet was reached, and then it was maintained for 10 d. Between periods, animals were fed again the 100% forage diet without any treatment for 1 wk as a wash-out period. Treatments started the first day of each period, and they were a control diet (CL) or the same diet with addition of yeast culture (YC, Diamond V XPCLS). Digestive upsets were determined by visual observation of bloat or by a reduction in feed intake (as-fed basis) of 50% or more compared with intake on the previous day. Feed intake was determined daily at 24-h intervals during the adaptation period and daily at 2, 6, and 12 h postfeeding during the dietary challenge. Ruminal liquid samples were collected daily during the dietary challenge to determine ruminal pH at 0, 3, 6, and 12 h postfeeding, and total and individual VFA, lactic acid, ammonia-N, and rumen fluid viscosity at 0 and 6 h postfeeding. The 16s rRNA gene copies of Streptococcus bovis and Megasphaera elsdenii were determined by quantitative PCR. Foam height and strength of the rumen fluid were also determined the day after the digestive upset to evaluate potential foam production. A total of 20 cases (83.3%) of digestive upsets were recorded in both periods during the dietary challenge, all diagnosed due to a reduction in feed intake. Rumen fermentation profile at 0 h on the digestive upset day was characterized by low ruminal pH, which remained under 6.0 for 18 h, accompanied by elevated total VFA concentration and, in some cases, by elevated lactate concentration. Addition of YC during the dietary challenge did not affect the incidence (10 cases per treatment) or time (7.00 [+ or -] 0.62 d) to digestive upset. However, YC reduced (P < 0.05) the foam strength on the day after digestive upset, suggesting potential benefits of reducing the risk of developing bloat. The proposed dietary challenge model was successful in causing a digestive upset as indicated by reduced feed intake, but the YC addition had no significant impact on rumen fermentation. Key words: digestive upset, heifer, rumen fermentation, yeast culture

Background: Some patients have a greater response to viral infection than do others having a similar level of viral replication. Hypercytokinemia is the principal immunopathological mechanism that contributes to a severer clinical course in cases of influenza A/H1N1. The benefit produced, or damage caused, by these cytokines in severe disease is not known. The genes that code for these molecules are polymorphic and certain alleles have been associated with susceptibility to various diseases. The objective of the present study was to determine whether there was an association between polymorphisms of TNF, LTA, IL1B, IL6, IL8, and CCL1 and the infection and severity of the illness caused by the pandemic A/H1N1 in Mexico in 2009. Methods: Case-control study. The cases were patients confirmed with real time PCR with infection by the A/H1N1 pandemic virus. The controls were patients with infection like to influenza and non-familial healthy contacts of the patients with influenza. Medical history and outcome of the disease was registered. The DNA samples were genotyped for polymorphisms TNF rs361525, rs1800629, and rs1800750; LTA rs909253; IL1B rs16944; IL6 rs1818879; IL8 rs4073; and CCL1 rs2282691. Odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated. The logistic regression model was adjusted by age and severity of the illness in cases. Results: Infection with the pandemic A/H1N1 virus was associated with the following genotypes: TNF rs361525 AA, OR = 27.00; 95% CI = 3.07-1248.77); LTA rs909253 AG (OR = 4.33, 95% CI = 1.82-10.32); TNF rs1800750 AA (OR = 4.33, 95% CI = 1.48-12.64); additionally, LTA rs909253 AG showed a limited statistically significant association with mortality (p = 0.06, OR = 3.13). Carriers of the TNF rs1800629 GA genotype were associated with high levels of blood urea nitrogen (p = 0.05); those of the TNF rs1800750 AA genotype, with high levels of creatine phosphokinase (p=0.05). The IL1B rs16944 AA genotype was associated with an elevated number of leukocytes (p <0.001) and the IL8 rs4073 AA genotype, with a higher value for PaO2 mm Hg. Conclusion: The polymorphisms of genes involved in the inflammatory process contributed to the severity of the clinical behavior of infection by the pandemic influenza A/H1N1 virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of ten essential oils (clove, hyssop, lavandin, lavender, thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage, savory and tea tree) were evaluated in an in vitro 24 h batch culture of diluted rumen fluid (Tilley and Terry, 1963) at pH 6.50. A 10 to 90 forage to concentrate diet (16% CP; 32% NDF; 38% starch) typically fed to beef cattle in a barley-beef system was used as substrate. Treatments were: negative control (CTR), positive control (10 mg/L of monensin), and three different doses of each essential oil (5, 50, and 500 mg/L). After 24 h, the pH was determined in culture fluid and samples were collected to analyze ammonia N and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (1996) and differences declared at P < 0.05. Monensin increased total VFA concentration, propionate and valerate proportion, and decreased acetate and butyrate proportion, the acetate to propionate ratio and ammonia N concentration. Lavender did not modify rumen microbial fermentation and lavandin and oregano (500 mg/L) inhibited rumen microbial fermentation decreasing total VFA concentration, which suggests that these essential oils may not be nutritionally beneficial to beef cattle. However, the lowest dose of oregano increased total VFA concentration by 39-56%. Thyme and savory increased total VFA concentration and decreased ammonia N concentration, but also reduced final rumen pH. The 500 mg/L doses of rosemary, hyssop, sage, tea tree and clove acted as monensin increasing propionate and valerate proportion, and reducing acetate proportion, butyrate proportion and the acetate to propionate ratio without reducing total VFA concentration. Clove at 500 mg/L was the only essential oil that increased rumen pH without reducing total VFA concentration. Most of essential oils demonstrated an important activity modifying rumen fermentation. Careful selection and combination of these essential oils may allow the manipulation of rumen fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

lonophore antibiotics have been very effective in improving the efficiency of energy and N utilization in ruminants. However,the use of in-feed antibiotics in the EU has been banned. Some plant secondary metabolites (which include saponins,tannins,and essential oils) are able to modulate microbial activity,but scientific evidence of their effects and mechanisms of action on rumen microbial fermentation is limited. Saponins have been shown to have antiprotozoal effects resulting in reduced ammonia N concentration and increased flow of microbial protein. Results indicated that garlic oil,cinnamaldehyde (main active component of cinnamon oil),thymol(active component in thyme and oregano oils),eugenol (main active component of clove buds),capsaicin (active component of hot peppers) and anise oil, among others,may improve the efficiency of energy (by increasing total VFA or propionate,and(or) reducing acetate or methane production) and protein utilization (by modifying proteolysis,peptidolysis and(or)deamination)in the rumen.However,the effects of some of these essential oils are pH and diet dependent,and its use may only be beneficial under specific conditions and production systems: for example,while eugenol may improve energy and protein utilization in the rumen of lactating animals (high fiber diets,high pH),the fermentation profile does not support its use for beef cattle diets (high concentrate,low pH).In contrast,capsaicin appears to have little benefit for dairy cattle,while changes observed in beef cattle may improve the efficiency of energy and protein utilization.Because plant extracts may act at different levels in energy and protein metabolism, their careful selection and combination may provide a useful tool to effectively manipulate rumen microbial fermentation.However,data on their effects on animal performance is limited or non-existing.Scientific evidence for their effect on rumen microbial fermentation,the potential synergism and animal performance will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an abstract of the research paper "Effects of Diamond V XPCIs on intestinal health and productivity of coccidian challenged laying hens," by M. Lensing and colleagues.

A total of ninety-six weaned piglets were assigned to four dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 design. The treatments included: a standard milk formula (CTR); CTR + probiotics (6.4 × 10 8 cfu L -1 Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis cfu L 8 NH001) + prebiotics (galacto-oligosaccharides 4.36 g L -1 and human-milk-oligosaccharide 0.54 g L Lactobacillus rhamnosus ) (SYN); CTR + osteopontin (0.43 g L -1 and human-milk-oligosaccharide 0.54 g L -1 ) (SYN); CTR + osteopontin (0.43 g L -1 ) (OPN); and CTR + SYN + OPN (CON). Daily records including feed intake, body weight, and clinical signs, were maintained throughout the 15-day trial. At the end of the study samples from blood, digestive content, and gut tissues were collected to determine serum TNF-α, intestinal fermentative activity (SCFA and ammonia), colonic microbiota (16S rRNA Illumina-MiSeq), histomorphology, and jejunal gene expression (Open-Array). No statistical differences were found in weight gain; however, the animals supplemented with osteopontin exhibited higher feed intake. In terms of clinical signs, synbiotic supplementation led to a shorter duration of diarrhoea episodes. Regarding gut health, the sequenced faecal microbiota revealed better control of potentially dysbiotic bacteria with the CON diet at day 15. In the colon compartment, a significant increase in SCFA concentration, a decrease in ammonia concentration, and a significant decrease in intraepithelial lymphocyte counts were particularly observed in CON animals. The supplemented diets were also associated with modified jejunal gene expression. The synbiotic combination was characterized by the upregulation of genes related to intestinal maturation (ALPI, SI) and nutrient transport (SLC13A1, SLC15A1, SLC5A1, SLC7A8), and the downregulation of genes related to the response to pathogens (GBP1, IDO, TLR4) or the inflammatory response (IDO, IL-1β, TGF-β1). Osteopontin promoted the upregulation of a digestive function gene (GCG). Correlational analysis between the microbiota population and various intestinal environmental factors (SCFA concentration, histology, and gene expression) proposes mechanisms of communication between the gut microbiota and the host. In summary, these results suggest an improvement in the colonic colonization process and a better modulation of the immune response when milk formula is supplemented with the tested synbiotic combined with osteopontin, benefiting from a synergistic effect.

This study evaluated the impact of different fiber sources on intestinal function, fecal microbiota, and overall health in dogs. Twelve dogs were used in a crossover design, involving three periods of 6 weeks and three diets: a low-fiber diet (CTR), a cereal-fiber and beet-pulp-supplemented diet (BRA), and a fruit-fiber-supplemented diet (FRU). Each period included a digestibility trial and fecal and blood sampling in the last week. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and microbiota taxonomy (16S rRNA Illumina-MiSeq) and functionality (Shotgun-NovaSeq 6000) were determined in the feces. General biochemistry, complete blood cells, and lymphocyte subsets were also analyzed. The fiber-supplemented diets showed lower digestibility without significant changes in the fecal consistency. The BRA diet showed higher total SCFA concentrations ( p = 0.056), with increases in alpha diversity and particular beneficial genera, such as Lachnospira , Bifidobacterium , and Faecalibacterium . The BRA microbiota was also associated with an overabundance of genes related to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. The FRU diet had a distinct impact on the microbiota composition and functionality, leading to higher levels of CD8 lymphocytes. These findings emphasize the importance of selecting the right fiber source when formulating dog diets, as it can have a differential impact on gut microbiota and animal health.

Yeast Saccharomyces and its derivatives have been largely used in livestock and poultry nutrition for their potential positive impact on growth, performance, and general health. Originally included in animal diets as a source of protein, yeasts can also offer a wide range of by-products with interesting bioactive compounds that would confer uses beyond nutrition. Although its supplementation in livestock, poultry and even in humans is well documented, the available body of literature on the use of yeast and its derivatives in companion animals' food, mainly dogs and cats' diets, is still developing. Despite this, gut microbiota modulation, immune system enhancement or decreasing of potentially pathogenic microorganisms have been reported in pets when using these products, highlighting their possible role as probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics. This review attempts to provide the reader with a comprehensive on the effects of Saccharomyces and its derivatives in pets and the possible mechanisms that confer their functional properties., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Maturana, Castillejos, Martin-Orue, Minel, Chetty, Felix and Adib Lesaux.)

Inflammation and oxidative stress are essential components in a myriad of pathogenic entities that lead to metabolic and chronic diseases. Moreover, inflammation in its different phases is necessary for the initiation and maintenance of a healthy pregnancy. Therefore, an equilibrium between a necessary/pathologic level of inflammation and oxidative stress during pregnancy is needed to avoid disease development. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are important for a healthy pregnancy and a good neonatal outcome. Their role in fetal development during challenging situations is vital for maintaining the equilibrium. However, in certain conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and other cardiovascular diseases, it has been observed that HDL loses its protective properties, becoming dysfunctional. Bioactive compounds have been widely studied as mediators of inflammation and oxidative stress in different diseases, but their mechanisms of action are still unknown. Nonetheless, these agents, which are obtained from functional foods, increase the concentration of HDL, TRC, and antioxidant activity. Therefore, this review first summarizes several mechanisms of HDL participation in the equilibrium between inflammation and oxidative stress. Second, it gives an insight into how HDL may act as a vector for bioactive compounds. Third, it describes the relationships between the inflammation process in pregnancy and HDL activity. Consequently, different databases were used, including MEDLINE, PubMed, and Scopus, where scientific articles published in the English language up to 2023 were identified.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of supplementing short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) combined or not with live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sc 47 on weanling pigs challenged with Escherichia coli F4 + . We allocated ninety-six piglets to four experimental diets: control (CTR); supplemented with scFOS (5 g/kg Profeed ® P95) (scFOS); S. cerevisiae Sc 47 (1 g/kg Actisaf ® Sc 47 HR +) (YEA); or both (SYN). Parameters included: performance; E. coli F4 + detection; fermentation activity; inflammatory biomarkers; and ileal histomorphology. Our results showed that supplementing scFOS was able to reduce the incidence of diarrhea, and both supplements were able to lower counts of EHEC along the gut. Supplementing scFOS was mostly associated with changes in the gut ecosystem and increases in the lactobacilli population, while S. cerevisiae Sc 47 registered increases in the numbers of ileal intraepithelial lymphocytes. The synbiotic mixture showed the lowest diarrhea incidence and fecal scores, benefiting from complementary modes of action and possible synergistic effects due to a hypothesized yeast-LAB cross-feeding phenomenon in the foregut. In conclusion, our results evidence that supplementing scFOS or Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sc 47 is efficacious to fight post-weaning colibacillosis, and combining both could be beneficial in high-risk scenarios.

To reduce the use of antibiotics, research into nutritional strategies designed to improve the gut health of weaned pigs is underway. This study sought to examine the effects of reducing dietary crude protein (CP) and/or supplementing the feed with sodium butyrate protected by the sodium salts of medium-chain fatty acids on the growth performance and gut health of weaned piglets. Ninety-six weaned piglets (Landrace × large white, 21 days of age) were allotted to four experimental treatments for 14 d. The experimental design was factorial with 2 CP levels and 2 feed-additive doses (0 vs. 1 kg/t). Results showed that reducing CP from 22.2% to 18.8% diet had no effect on piglet growth performance parameters during the first post-weaning week (P > 0.05), but did compromise growth in the second week (P = 0.011), impacting overall growth performance results (P = 0.019). Nonetheless, dietary CP level reduction led reducing crypt depth (P = 0.03657). In addition, Lactobacillus counts that were increased in the ileum (P = 0.032) and reduced in the colon (P = 0.032). Furthermore, apparent ileal digestibility of organic matter (P = 0.026) and fecal consistency (P < 0.05) were improved throughout the experiment. Moreover, in piglets fed diets containing 22.2% CP, the use of the feed-additive tended to improve the gain-to-feed ratio (P = 0.091) compared to those fed supplemented diets containing 18.8% CP. In addition, feed supplementation increased ileal numbers of goblet cells (P = 0.036), as well as apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter (P = 0.057) and organic matter (P = 0.003). Supplementation also had beneficial effects on the microbiota of the colon, increasing Lactobacillus counts (P = 0.006) and diminishing Enterobacteriaceae counts (P = 0.003), as well as affecting microbial metabolite profiles in that acetic acid concentrations tended to be increased (P = 0.088) and valeric acid concentrations were reduced (P = 0.002). These findings support the use of both strategies can improve the gut health of weaned piglets and prompt further research into the possible benefits of combining these two nutritional strategies on gut health and growth performance., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Butyric acid has received great attention as a feed additive to maintain or increase the gut integrity and health of broiler chickens. Particularly, the protection of butyrate is under research to allow slow intestinal release of butyric acid and to promote its beneficial effects throughout the intestine. This study evaluated in vivo the intestinal release of butyric acid from sodium butyrate protected by salts of medium-chain fatty acid in broilers. Brilliant blue was used as an inert marker, so it was included in the feed additive that broilers ingested for two days. The gastrointestinal tract was then colored in blue from jejunum and backward. Considering the digesta color of the broilers non-supplemented as blank, it allowed quantification of the amount of brilliant blue, and consequently, butyric acid delivered in the intestine from the protected feed additive. Few traces of butyric acid were released in the duodenum and proximal jejunum, whereas the major amount (45.9%) was delivered in the distal ileum (p < 0.001). These results suggest that this in vivo approach allows for evaluation of the intestinal delivery of butyric acid supplemented as protected sodium butyrate by medium-chain fatty acids, showing a gradual intestinal release of butyric acid in broiler chickens.

Nutritional strategies to improve gut health of broilers are under research. This study investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with sodium butyrate protected by sodium salts of medium-chain fatty acids as a feed additive on broiler gut health. The first experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing at 0.5, 1, and 2 kg/t in broilers housed under optimal conditions. Supplementation at 0.5 and 1 kg/t maintained goblet cell counts at 10 days of age ( p ≤ 0.05), and supplementation at 1 kg/t decreased intraepithelial lymphocyte counts compared to 2 kg/t at 39 days ( p ≤ 0.10). Abdominal fat pad levels of lauric and myristic acids were gradually increased by supplement dose ( p ≤ 0.05). In the second experiment, the feed additive at 1 kg/t was evaluated in coccidiosis-challenged broilers. Experimental treatments were as follows: non-challenged, control-challenged, and supplemented-challenged treatments. Coccidiosis negatively impact performance and modify histomorphometry and microbiota ( p ≤ 0.05). The feed additive increased crypt depth at 7 days post-inoculation and goblet cell count at 14 days post-inoculation ( p ≤ 0.05). Further, supplementation interacted with the microbiota modification led by the coccidiosis ( p ≤ 0.05). These results suggest that this feed additive could be a useful strategy to reinforce the gut barrier, especially for birds under coccidiosis-challenge treatments.

Childhood overweight and obesity represent a growing public health problem worldwide. Since the 1980s, the global prevalence of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence has increased by 47%. The promotion of exercise is an important intervention to reduce the physical damage of obesity. The meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the general guidelines for the reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). The PubMed, SciELO, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar databases were searched from August to December 2021. The search yielded 722 titles published between 2000 and 2021. After screening the titles and abstracts, 64 duplicate articles were detected, and 27 articles were ultimately included in the systematic review, including 26 articles published in English and one published in Spanish. There was a statistically significant effect of the strength training interventions on the percentage of body fat, Test of 0 i = ( p = 0.00, z = 6.92), Test of 0 = ( p = 0.00, Q (9) = 42.63). The findings reveal that strength training has a positive impact on the treatment of body fat in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity.

Obesity is a disease characterized by an inflammatory process in the adipose tissue due to diverse infiltrated immune cells, an increased secretion of proinflammatory molecules, and a decreased secretion of anti-inflammatory molecules. On the other hand, obesity increases the risk of several diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Their treatment is based on nutritional and pharmacological strategies. However, natural products are currently implemented as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Polyphenols and fiber are naturally compounds with potential action to reduce inflammation through several pathways and play an important role in the prevention and treatment of obesity, as well as in other non-communicable diseases. Hence, this review focuses on the recent evidence of the molecular mechanisms of polyphenols and dietary fiber, from Scopus, Science Direct, and PubMed, among others, by using key words and based on recent in vitro and in vivo studies.

The use of bifidobacteria as probiotics has proven to be beneficial in gastroenteric infections. Furthermore, prebiotics such as inulin can enhance the survival and growth of these bacteria. Two trials were performed to evaluate the effects of the administration of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis CECT 7210 and oligofructose-enriched inulin against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium or enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F4. A total of 72 ( Salmonella trial) and 96 (ETEC F4 trial) weaned piglets were used in a 2 × 2 design (with or without synbiotic, inoculated or not with the pathogen). After adaptation, animals were orally inoculated. Performance and clinical signs were evaluated. On days 4 and 8 ( Salmonella trial) and 3 and 7 (ETEC F4 trial) post-inoculation (PI), one animal per pen was euthanized. Blood, digestive content and tissue samples were collected and microbiological counts, fermentation products, serum inflammatory markers and ileum histomorphometry analysis were performed. Both challenges had an impact on faecal consistency ( p  < 0.001), including the faecal shedding of Salmonella and increased numbers of enterobacteria and coliforms. The synbiotic administration did not have any effect on pathogen loads but induced changes in the fermentation profile, such as increased valeric acid in both trials as well as decreased acetic acid, except for Salmonella -challenged animals. The effect on propionate varied among trials, increasing in challenged synbiotic-treated pigs and decreasing in non-challenged ones in the Salmonella trial (P interaction = 0.013), while the opposed occurred in the ETEC F4 trial (P interaction = 0.013). The administration of the synbiotic increased intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL; p  = 0.039) on day 8 PI in the Salmonella trial and a similar trend occurred in non-challenged pigs in the ETEC F4 trial (P interaction = 0.086). The results did not provide evidence of reduced pathogen load with the synbiotic, although a modulation in fermentative activity could be identified depending on the challenge. Consistent increases were found in IEL, suggesting that this synbiotic combination has some immunomodulatory properties., Competing Interests: GC-O and JM-M were employed by Laboratorios Ordesa SL. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The handling editor declared a past co-authorship with the authors., (Copyright © 2022 Rodríguez-Sorrento, Castillejos, López-Colom, Cifuentes-Orjuela, Moreno-Muñoz and Martín-Orúe.)

This study evaluates the efficacy of two plant-based feed supplementations to fight colibacillosis in weanlings. A total of 96 piglets (32 pens) were assigned to four diets: a control diet (T1) or supplemented with ZnO (2500 ppm Zn) (T2) or two different plant supplements, T3 (1 kg/t; based on essential oils) and T4 (T3 + 1.5 kg/t based on non-volatile compounds). After one week, animals were challenged with ETEC F4, and 8 days after, one animal per pen was euthanized. Performance, clinical signs, microbial analysis, inflammatory response, intestinal morphology, and ileal gene expression were assessed. ZnO improved daily gains 4 days after challenge, T3 and T4 showing intermediate values (96, 249, 170, and 157 g/d for T1, T2, T3, and T4, p = 0.035). Fecal lactobacilli were higher with T3 and T4 compared to ZnO (7.55, 6.26, 8.71, and 8.27 cfu/gFM; p = 0.0007) and T3 increased the lactobacilli/coliforms ratio ( p = 0.002). T4 was associated with lower levels of Pig-MAP ( p = 0.07) and increases in villus/crypt ratio (1.49, 1.90, 1.73, and 1.84; p = 0.009). Moreover, T4 was associated with an upregulation of the REG3G gene ( p = 0.013; p FDR = 0.228) involved in the immune response induced by enteric pathogens. In conclusion, both plant supplements enhanced animal response in front of an ETEC F4 challenge probably based on different modes of action.

We evaluated the potential of multi-strain probiotic ( Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis CECT 7210 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001) with or without galacto-oligosaccharides against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F4 infection in post-weaning pigs. Ninety-six piglets were distributed into 32 pens assigned to five treatments: one non-challenged (CTR+) and four challenged: control diet (CTR-), with probiotics (>3 × 10 10 CFU/kg body weight each, PRO), prebiotic (5%, PRE), or their combination (SYN). After 1 week, animals were orally inoculated with ETEC F4. Feed intake, weight, and clinical signs were recorded. On days 4 and 8 post-inoculation (PI), one animal per pen was euthanized and samples from blood, digesta, and tissues collected. Microbiological counts, ETEC F4 real-time PCR (qPCR) quantification, fermentation products, serum biomarkers, ileal histomorphometry, and genotype for mucin 4 ( MUC4 ) polymorphism were determined. Animals in the PRO group had similar enterobacteria and coliform numbers to the CTR+ group, and the ETEC F4 prevalence, the number of mitotic cells at day 4 PI, and villus height at day 8 PI were between that observed in the CTR+ and CTR- groups. The PRO group exhibited reduced pig major acute-phase protein (Pig-MAP) levels on day 4 PI. The PRE diet group presented similar reductions in ETEC F4 and Pig-MAP, but there was no effect on microbial groups. The SYN group showed reduced fecal enterobacteria and coliform counts after the adaptation week but, after the inoculation, the SYN group showed lower performance and more animals with high ETEC F4 counts at day 8 PI. SYN treatment modified the colonic fermentation differently depending on the MUC4 polymorphism. These results confirm the potential of the probiotic strains and the prebiotic to fight ETEC F4, but do not show any synergy when administered together, at least in this animal model., Competing Interests: GC-O, JM-M, and MR-P were employed by the company Laboratorios Ordesa S.L. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Rodríguez-Sorrento, Castillejos, López-Colom, Cifuentes-Orjuela, Rodríguez-Palmero, Moreno-Muñoz, Luise, Trevisi and Martín-Orúe.)

Salmonella is a common causative agent of enteric disease and is developing mechanisms of resistance to antimicrobials. Probiotics, such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, and prebiotic fibers are a potential alternative to counteract this pathogen as they have demonstrated effectiveness in preventing its adhesion, reducing intestinal damage, and enhancing the host immune system. Furthermore, the benefits are expected to be potentiated when these compounds are administered together. A trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy of two probiotic strains ( Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis CECT 7210 (Laboratorios Ordesa S.L.) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001, combined or not with a prebiotic containing oligofructose-enriched inulin, against Salmonella Typhimurium. Ninety-six piglets (28 days old) were distributed into 32 pens assigned to 5 treatments: one non-challenged (control diet, CTR+) and four challenged: control diet (CTR-) or supplemented with probiotics (>3 × 10 10 cfu/kg each strain, PRO), prebiotic (5%, PRE), or their combination (SYN). After 1 week of adaptation, animals were orally challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium. Feed intake, weight, and clinical signs were recorded. On days 4 and 8 post-inoculation (PI), one animal per pen was euthanized, and samples from blood, digestive content, and ileal tissues were collected to determine Salmonella counts, fermentation products, ileal histomorphology, and serum TNF-α and Pig-MAP concentrations. The effect of the oral challenge was evidenced by animal performance, fecal consistency, and intestinal architecture. Regarding the experimental treatments, animals belonging to the PRO group experienced a faster clearance of the pathogen, with more pigs being negative to its excretion at the end of the study and recovering the impaired ileal villi/crypt ratio more rapidly. Animals receiving the PRE diet showed a lower intestinal colonization by Salmonella , with no countable levels (<3 cfu/g) in any of the analyzed samples, and an augmented immune response suggested by serum Pig-MAP concentrations. Treatments including the prebiotic (PRE and SYN) showed similar changes in the fermentation pattern, with an increase in the molar percentage of valeric acid concentration in the colon. The SYN group, however, did not show any of the outcomes registered for PRO and PRE in Salmonella colonization or in immunity markers, suggesting the lack of synbiotic action in this animal model. Further research is needed to better understand the complex mechanisms behind these effects., (Copyright © 2020 Rodríguez-Sorrento, Castillejos, López-Colom, Cifuentes-Orjuela, Rodríguez-Palmero, Moreno-Muñoz and Martín-Orúe.)

Short and medium-chain fatty acids (SCFA and MCFA, respectively) are commonly used as feed additives in piglets to promote health and prevent post-weaning diarrhoea. Considering that the mechanism and site of action of these fatty acids can differ, a combined supplementation could result in a synergistic action. Considering this, it was aimed to assess the potential of two new in-feed additives based on butyrate or heptanoate, protected with sodium salts of MCFA from coconut distillates, against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F4 + using an experimental disease model. Two independent trials were performed in 48 early-weaned piglets fed a control diet (CTR) or a diet supplemented with MCFA-protected sodium butyrate (BUT+; Trial 1) or sodium heptanoate (HPT+; Trial 2). After 1 week of adaptation, piglets were challenged with a single oral inoculum of ETEC F4 + (minimum 1.4 · 10 9 cfu). One animal per pen was euthanised on days 4 and 8 post-inoculation (PI) and the following variables assessed: growth performance, clinical signs, gut fermentation, intestinal morphology, inflammatory mediators, pathogen excretion and colon microbiota. None of the additives recovered growth performance or reduced diarrhoea when compared to the respective negative controls. However, both elicited different responses against ETEC F4 + . The BUT+ additive did not lead to reduce E. coli F4 colonisation but enterobacterial counts and goblet cell numbers in the ileum were increased on day 8 PI and this followed higher serum TNF-α concentrations on day 4 PI. The Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio was nevertheless increased. Findings in the HPT+ treatment trial included fewer animals featuring E. coli F4 in the colon and reduced Enterobacteriaceae (determined by 16S RNA sequencing) on day 4 PI. In addition, while goblet cell numbers were lower on day 8 PI, total SCFA levels were reduced in the colon. Results indicate the efficacy of MCFA-protected heptanoate against ETEC F4 + and emphasise the potential trophic effect of MCFA-protected butyrate on the intestinal epithelium likely reinforcing the gut barrier.

AbstractThe importance of fiber particle size in ruminal health is well known, but there are fewer studies to assess the requirements of physically effective NDF (peNDF) in beef cattle than in dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to establish the optimal peNDF proportion in high-concentrate diets fed to beef cattle, to reduce the risk of subacute ruminal acidosis. The experimental design was a replicated Latin Square 4 × 4, with four periods of 21 d. Treatments consisted of four diets with different peNDF proportions: 6.4%, 10.4%, 13.6%, and 15.4%, offered ad libitum as total mixed ration, and containing 15% barley straw and 85% concentrate. Diets, which differed in proportions of straw > 4 mm (considered peNDF) and straw < 4 mm, were manually mixed with concentrate. This concentrate was the same for all diets. A ruminal bolus was orally administered to each heifer for pH measurement. Intake, water consumption, intake by particle size, feed sorting, feeding behavior, behavioral activities, and rumen pH were recorded. Chemical composition and particle sizes of diets offered were assessed in the last week of each period. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Orthogonal contrasts determined the linear and quadratic effects of increasing peNDF proportion. T-test procedure determined whether heifers carried out sorting behavior. Particles >4 mm linearly increased (P = 0.001), and particles <4 mm linearly decreased (P = 0.001) as peNDF increased. Water consumption and feeding behavior were unaffected by treatment. As peNDF increased, intakes of DM and NDF linearly decreased (P = 0.001), whereas peNDF intake increased (P = 0.001). Intake of particles > 4 mm linearly increased, whereas intake of particles < 4 mm linearly decreased (P = 0.001) as peNDF increased. Diet 6.4% performed sorting for particles > 4 mm (P < 0.01), and diets 13.6% and 15.4% against particles > 4 mm (P < 0.01). Diet 10.4% tended to sort against particles > 4 mm (P < 0.10). Time spent ruminating linearly increased (P = 0.001) as peNDF increased. Diets did not differ in mean and minimum rumen pH, but time under rumen pH thresholds (5.8, 5.7, 5.6, and 5.5) linearly decreased as peNDF increased (P < 0.05). The results suggested that the diet that best met the requirements of not compromising intake, limiting sorting behavior, and promoting time spent ruminating to reduce the number of hours under rumen pH thresholds, was the 10.4% diet., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Essential oils may affect rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion, and milk production and composition. The objective of this study was to test the effects of capsicum oleoresin (CAP) and propyl-propane thiosulfonate (PTSO) on rumen fermentation, total tract digestibility, and milk yield and composition in lactating dairy cattle. Six lactating Holstein cows (averaging (mean ± SD) 130 ± 40 days in milk and 723 ± 55 kg of body weight) fitted with rumen cannulae were used in a duplicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. Treatments were: a control diet (CTR), the CTR diet with the addition of 500 mg/d/cow of CAP, and the CTR diet with the addition of 250 mg/d/cow of PTSO. Dry matter intake (DMI) averaged 20.7 kg/d with a tendency towards higher intake in cows fed CAP and lower in those fed PTSO ( p = 0.08). Milk yield averaged 31.8 kg/d with no difference among treatments. However, feed efficiency was higher in PTSO supplemented cows compared with CTR (1.65 and 1.41 kg of milk yield/kg of DMI, respectively; p < 0.01). At the doses used in this experiment, CAP and PTSO failed to demonstrate any effects on rumen fermentation, but PTSO increased the efficiency of feed utilization to produce milk.

To assess the effect of inclusion of camelina expeller in beef cattle diets, 24 Simmental heifers were used. Two experiments were carried out. In the first, two free-choice tests, one without and another with molasses, were conducted to know the preference of animals for a total mixed ration (TMR) made with a 90 to 10 concentrate to barley straw ratio, where canola meal (CM) or camelina expeller (CE) was used in the concentrate as a protein source. Heifers were allotted in four pens with two independent feedbunks, one for each diet. In the second, a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design was used to assess the effects of the replacement of CM with CE on intake, digestibility, and sorting and animal behavior. The experiment was performed in four 28-d periods during which groups of three animals were allotted in each pen of 12.5 m 2 . Diets were formulated with a 90 to 10 concentrate to barley straw ratio and fed as TMR, and they were designed to contain 1) CM as main protein source and 0% of CE (0CE), 2) 3% of CE replacing CM (3CE), 3) 6% of CE replacing CM (6CE), and 4) 9% of CE replacing CM (9CE). In the free-choice test without molasses, heifers showed a greater preference for CM than for CE (38.6 vs. 8.7 kg/d; P < 0.001). When molasses were added to the diet, the preference for CM was maintained (39.1 vs. 9.8 kg/d; P < 0.001). Dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake was unaffected by the level of replacement of CM by CE ( P > 0.10), and there was no effect of this replacement on DM, OM, CP, and NDF apparent digestibility ( P > 0.10). Intake of long particle size increased lineally as CE proportion increased ( P = 0.015). In addition, extension of sorting behavior for long particle size tended to increase lineally ( P = 0.07), and sorting against this particle size was detected in 0CE and 3CE, but not in 6CE and 9CE ( P < 0.05). However, the results recorded for long particle size intake and for sorting behavior against these particles did not translate into more time spent ruminating in heifers fed diets with higher proportion of CE. In conclusion, when canola meal was replaced with camelina expeller at more than 14% of inclusion, heifers preferred the canola meal diet. However, replacing canola meal with camelina expeller up to 9% of inclusion in diets for beef cattle did not affect intake and digestibility but promoted a greater intake of long particle size of barley straw., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.)

Three loose housing systems for lactating cows (compost bedded pack, CBP; conventional bedded pack, BP; and freestalls, FS) were assessed on one farm in terms of cow behavior and welfare. An on-farm welfare assessment based on the Welfare Quality protocols was used four times every three months on 757 cows. Video recordings taken twice over four days were used to assess behavior patterns at resting areas. Cows in CBP and BP were dirtier than those in FS ( p < 0.0001). Fewer integument alterations were recorded for CBP and BP than FS ( p < 0.001). Cows in BP were quicker to lie down and stand up compared to those in CBP or FS ( p < 0.001). Percentages of cows needing more attempts before rising were higher for FS ( p < 0.01). However, a higher frequency of kneeling was observed in CBP ( p = 0.033). A lower percentage of cows lying in the resting area was recorded for FS (56%) than CBP or BP (97 or 84%, respectively, p < 0.05). Overall, in this study, cows kept in bedded pack barns were dirtier but had fewer integument alterations and spent more time lying down in the resting area than cows housed in freestalls., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Six Essential oils (EO) (tea tree oil-TeTr, oregano oil-Ore, clove bud oil-Clo, thyme oil-Thy, rosemary oil-Ros, and sage oil-Sag) in Experiment 1; and different combinations of selected oils in Experiment 2, were evaluate at four doses in an in vitro microbial fermentation system using ruminal fluid from beef cattle fed a 10:90 straw: Concentrate diet. In Experiment 1, TeTr, Ore, Clo and Thy improved rumen fermentation profile in a direction consistent with better feed utilization. In Experiment 2, TeTr mixed with Thy, Ore, Thy + Ore or Clo at 200 and 400 mg/L increased the molar proportion of propionate and decreased that of acetate, and the acetate to propionate ratio. However, the size of the effect was similar to that obtained with TeTr alone, suggesting that effects were not additive. When Thy, Ore or Thy + Ore where mixed with Clo, most effects on rumen fermentation profile disappeared, suggesting an antagonistic interaction of Clo with Thy and Ore. Results do not support the hypothesis of additivity among the EO tested, and antagonistic effects of Clo mixed with Thy or Ore were demonstrated at least in a low pH, beef-type fermentation conditions.

Camelina meal (CM) and camelina expeller (CE) were compared with soybean meal (SM) and rapeseed meal (RM). Trial 1 consisted of a modified Tilley and Terry in vitro technique. Trial 2 was an in situ technique performed by incubating nylon bags within cannulated cows. Trial 3 consisted in dual-flow continuous culture fermenters. In Trial 1, CM, CE and RM showed similar DM digestibility and OM digestibility, and SM was the most digestible ingredient ( p < 0.05). Trial 2 showed that CE had the numerically highest DM degradability, but CP degradability was similar to RM. Camelina meal had a DM degradability similar to SM and RM and had an intermediate coefficient of CP degradability. In Trial 3, CE diet tended to present a higher true OM digestibility than SM diet ( p = 0.06). Total volatile fatty acids (VFA) was higher in CE and CM diets than in SM diet ( p = 0.009). Crude protein degradation tended to be higher ( p = 0.07), and dietary nitrogen flow tended to be lower ( p = 0.06) in CE diet than in CM diet. The efficiency of microbial protein synthesis was not affected by treatment ( p > 0.05). In conclusion, CE and CM as protein sources differ in CP coefficient of degradability but their results were similar to RM. More differences were detected with regard to SM., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Background: The search for alternatives to antibiotics in pig production has increased the interest in natural resources with antimicrobial properties, such as medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) as in-feed additives. This study evaluated the potential of a novel blend of MCFA salts (DIC) from distilled coconut oil with a lauric acid content to reduce enteropathogens and control intestinal diseases around weaning. Two experimental disease models were implemented in early-weaned piglets, consisting of two oral challenges: Salmonella Typhimurium (1.2 × 10 8 CFU) or enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F4 (1.5 × 10 9 CFU). The parameters assessed were: animal performance, clinical signs, pathogen excretion, intestinal fermentation, immune-inflammatory response, and intestinal morphology., Results: The Salmonella challenge promoted an acute course of diarrhea, with most of the parameters responding to the challenge, whereas the ETEC F4 challenge promoted a mild clinical course. A consistent antipathogenic effect of DIC was observed in both trials in the hindgut, with reductions in Salmonella spp. plate counts in the cecum ( P = 0.03) on d 8 post-inoculation (PI) ( Salmonella trial), and of enterobacteria and total coliform counts in the ileum and colon ( P < 0.10) on d 8 PI (ETEC F4 trial). When analyzing the entire colonic microbiota (16S rRNA gene sequencing), this additive tended ( P = 0.13) to reduce the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and enriched Fibrobacteres after the Salmonella challenge. In the ETEC F4 challenge, DIC prompted structural changes in the ecosystem with increases in Dialister , and a trend ( P = 0.14) to increase the Veillonellaceae family. Other parameters such as the intestinal fermentation products or serum pro-inflammatory mediators were not modified by DIC supplementation, nor were the histological parameters. Only the intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) counts were lowered by DIC in animals challenged with Salmonella ( P = 0.07). With ETEC F4, the IEL counts were higher with DIC on d 8 PI ( P = 0.08)., Conclusions: This study confirms the potential activity of this MCFA salts mixture to reduce intestinal colonization by opportunistic pathogens such as Salmonella or E. coli and its ability to modulate colonic microbiota. These changes could explain to some extent the local immune cell response at the ileal level., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© The Author(s). 2019.)