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Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) are now found in various habitat types, from pure forest cultures to agricultural areas and mountains. In adapting to the geographically and seasonally differentiating food supply, they depend, above all, on an adapted microbiome. However, knowledge about the microbiome of wild ruminants is still minimal, and there are a few publications for individual species with a low number of samples. This study investigated the rumen content of roe deer from seven different characteristic Bavarian habitat types. The focus was on the composition of nutrients, fermentation products, and the rumen bacterial community. To guarantee a high informative value, a total of 311 roe deer samples were analysed. Significant differences in nutrient concentrations and microbial composition were identified for the factor’s habitat, season and age class. These adaptations in the microbiota can be recognized, on the one hand, by specific concentrations of nutrients, and on the other hand, by strong fluctuations in the ingested forage. In addition, a core bacterial community could be identified, which forms the main component of the microbiota in each habitat. As with all wild ruminants, a large proportion of the microbial genera remain largely unclassified at various taxonomic levels. This study provides a more in-depth insight into the diversity and complexity of the roe deer rumen microbiota. It highlights the key microorganisms responsible for the conversion of naturally available nutrients of different botanical origins.

Two trials were conducted with 48 newly weaned piglets (28 d old) each 8.6 ± 0.05 kg to study how Laminaria japonica plants (LJ) affect zootechnical performance, feed conversion and the apparent to...

Simple Summary Adverse weather conditions and harvesting technique have broad effects on forage quality including contamination with soil particles, e.g., clay minerals. Clay minerals are organised in a layered structure which enables adsorption of bivalent cations. Accordingly, ingested clay minerals may interact with dietary bivalent trace elements, such as Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn. This study aimed to assess the relationship between clay mineral ingestion and the solubility of dietary trace elements along the digestive tract in vitro. In the presence of clay minerals, we found a reduction of solubilised Zn, Cu, and Mn under ruminal, abomasal, and duodenal conditions. However, clay minerals led to an increase in dissolved Fe under abomasal and duodenal conditions. Therefore, ingested clay minerals may be assumed to alter the solubility of essential dietary trace elements in the digestive tract of ruminants. Abstract Ruminants ingest large quantities of clay minerals along with inorganic soil constituents in roughages. The layered structure of clay minerals, however, may adsorb cations and may, thus, interfere with the ruminants’ supply of essential trace metals, such as Zn, Mn, Cu, and Fe. As quantitative knowledge about interactions between clay ingestion and essential trace metal metabolism are largely lacking, this in vitro study focussed on the effect of clay on the solubility of dietary Zn and other bivalent trace metals in the digestive tract of ruminants. Therefore, buffered rumen fluid was used for the simulation of ruminal conditions (RC), acidified rumen fluid (pH 2) was used for abomasal conditions (AC), and duodenal chyme was used for duodenal conditions (DC). These media were added with gradient levels of zinc and incubated at 39 °C for 24 h in the absence or presence of clay minerals. Soluble Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe were derived by centrifugation (10,000× g) of incubated media, and the supernatants were analysed. Clay depressed the solubility of added Zn in ruminal (65.3% vs. 16.5%), abomasal (97.7% vs. 33.7%), and duodenal conditions (41.3% vs. 21.1%), the results of which were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Moreover, clay reduced dissolved Cu (µg/mL) (RC: 0.13 vs. 0.10; AC: 0.16 vs. 0.13; DC: 0.10 vs. 0.08) and Mn (µg/mL) (RC: 3.00 vs. 1.80; AC: 5.53 vs. 4.80; DC: 3.18 vs. 1.77) (p < 0.05 in all cases). The presence of clay minerals increased the concentrations of solubilised Fe (µg/mL) in abomasal (1.80 vs. 2.86, p < 0.05) and duodenal conditions (1.76 vs. 2.67; p < 0.05). In total, the present in vitro study demonstrates the potential of clay minerals ingested with ruminant feeds for depressing the solubility of dietary Zn, as well as the depression of dietary Cu and Mn along the passage of the digesta from the rumen until the duodenum. Additionally, clay minerals may release Fe into the digesta.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing a CP-reduced diet with rumen-protected methionine on growth performance of Fleckvieh bulls. A total of 69 bulls (367 ± 25 kg BW) were assigned to three feeding groups (n = 23 per group). The control (CON) diet contained 13.7% CP and 2.11 g methionine/kg diet (both DM basis) and was set as positive control. The diet reduced in CP (nitrogen) (RED) diet as negative control and the experimental RED + rumen-protected methionine (MET) diet were characterised by deficient CP concentrations (both 9.04% CP). The RED + MET diet differed from the RED diet in methionine concentration (2.54 g/kg DM vs. 1.56 g/kg DM, respectively) due to supplementation of rumen-protected methionine. Rumen-protected lysine was added to both RED and RED + MET at 2.7 g/kg DM to ensure a sufficient lysine supply relative to total and metabolisable protein intake. Metabolisable energy (ME) and nutrient composition were similar for CON, RED, and RED + MET. Bulls were fed for 105 days (d) on average. Individual feed intake was recorded daily; individual BW was recorded at the beginning of the experiment, once per month, and directly before slaughter. At slaughter, blood samples were collected and carcass traits were assessed. Reduction in dietary CP concentration reduced feed intake, and in combination with lower dietary CP concentration, daily intake of CP for RED and RED + MET was lower compared with CON (P

Background: Subclinical zinc deficiency (SZD) represents the common zinc malnutrition phenotype. However, its association with oxidative stress is not well understood. The heart muscle may be a promising target for studying early changes in redox metabolism.Objective: We investigated the effects of short-term SZD on cardiac redox metabolism in weaned piglets.Methods: Forty-eight weaned German Large White × Landrace × Pietrain piglets (50% castrated males and 50% females; body weight of 8.5 kg) were fed diets with different zinc concentrations for 8 d. Measurements included cardiac parameters of antioxidative capacity, stress-associated gene expression, and tissue zinc status. Analyses comprised (linear, broken-line) regression models and Pearson correlation coefficients.Results: Glutathione and α-tocopherol concentrations as well as catalase, glutathione reductase, B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein, and caspase 9 gene expression plateaued in response to reduction in dietary zinc from 88.0 to 57.6, 36.0, 36.5, 41.3, 55.3, and 33.8 mg/kg, respectively (P < 0.0001). Further reduction in dietary zinc promoted a linear decrease of glutathione and α-tocopherol (30 and 0.6 nmol/mg dietary Zn, respectively; P < 0.05) and a linear increase of gene expression [0.02, 0.01, 0.003, and 0.02 Log10(2-ΔΔCt)/mg dietary Zn, respectively; P < 0.05)]. Tissue zinc declined linearly with reduction in dietary zinc (0.21 mg tissue Zn/mg dietary Zn; P = 0.004) from 88.0 to 42.7 mg/kg (P < 0.0001), below which it linearly increased inversely to further reduction in dietary zinc (0.57 mg tissue Zn/mg dietary Zn; P = 0.006). H2O2-detoxification activity and metallothionein 1A gene expression decreased linearly with reduction in dietary zinc from 88.0 to 28.1 mg/kg [0.02 mU and 0.008 Log10(2-ΔΔCt)/mg dietary Zn, respectively; P < 0.05]. Fas cell-surface death receptor, etoposide-induced 2.4 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A gene expression correlated positively to cardiac zinc in piglets fed ≤42.7 mg Zn/kg (r ≥ 0.97; P < 0.05).Conclusions: Short-term SZD decreased cardiac antioxidative capacity of weaned piglets while simultaneously increasing stress-associated gene expression and zinc concentration. This is the first report to our knowledge on the effects of SZD on redox metabolism.

Etwa 80 bis 90 % der agrarischen Biomasse ist vom Menschen nicht essbar (Grünland, Nebenkulturen im Rahmen der Fruchtfolge, Koppelprodukte pflanzlicher Hauptkulturen, Nebenprodukte der Verarbeitung pflanzlicher Lebensmittel). Nutztiere verwerten diese Biomasse und generieren damit höchstwertige Lebensmittel. Sie führen aber auch die darin gebundenen Pflanzennährstoffe (Stickstoff, Phosphor, usw.) über die Wirtschaftsdünger wieder in den Kreislauf zurück und beschleunigen damit den agrarischen Stoffkreislauf. Nutztiere tragen auf diese Weise maßgeblich zur Erzeugung von Lebensmitteln pflanzlicher Herkunft bei

A major goal of mineral nutrition research is to provide information of feed zinc (Zn) utilization efficiency and gross Zn requirements as affected by changing rearing conditions. This can be achieved only by applying precise experimental models that acknowledge the basic principles of Zn metabolism. This review article summarizes the most important aspects of Zn homeostasis in monogastric species, including molecular aspects of Zn acquisition and excretion. Special emphasis is given to the role of the skeleton as well as the exocrine pancreas for animal Zn metabolism. Finally, we discuss consequences arising from these physiological principles for the experimental design of trials which aim to address questions of Zn requirements and bioavailability.

The most abundant mineral in the body of animals is Ca, which has crucial importance for the regulation of various processes. The maintenance of Ca balance has become more challenging, especially in lactating ruminants, owing to the increased milk yields and thus Ca requirement. To determine the Ca requirement, factors such as Ca secretion via milk or Ca deposition in body tissues and conception products are summed up to the net Ca requirement. Nevertheless, dietary Ca cannot be completely utilised by the animal to cover the net Ca requirement, therefore a value for the efficiency of Ca utilisation is applied, which is the maximum proportion of Ca from the feed that the animal can use for covering the net requirement. However, current estimates for the efficiency of Ca utilisation are inconsistent. Therefore, the objective of the present meta-analysis was to estimate the efficiency of Ca utilisation for ruminants, considering the Ca supply of the animal. A data set of 223 observations was compiled from 37 studies, including data on cattle and small ruminants. Standardised Ca digestibility was calculated from data on Ca intake and faecal Ca excretion, corrected for faecal endogenous losses. Furthermore, a data subset on only lactating ruminants was created. For this subset, Ca excretion via faeces and urine and standardised Ca digestibility were related to the Ca supply of the animal. An exponential function was fitted to standardised digestibility data in response to Ca concentration in the diet and Ca supply, revealing that standardised Ca digestibility decreased with increasing dietary Ca concentration and Ca supply. The median for standardised Ca digestibility was 40%, with a remarkable variation between 9% and 88%. In response to Ca supply, faecal Ca excretion increased in a strong linear manner (slope = 0.76, R2 = 0.96). Excretion of Ca via urine was very low even when Ca supply was very high. To conclude, Ca digestibility is a suitable indicator for the efficiency of Ca utilisation, since excessive Ca is almost completely excreted in faeces; however, Ca digestibility has to be determined at a Ca supply level below the requirement of the animal. To date, only very limited number of data have been reported for such supply conditions. Comparative studies using various Ca sources are suggested for future studies but should be conducted using a marginal Ca supply level.

The present study investigated the potential of three types of green forage leaves for the extraction of a protein rich precipitate. Samples were taken during calendar weeks 19, 21 and 23 of 2012 from three grass rich pastures (GRP), two legume rich pastures (LRP) and one Trifolium pratense (TP) monoculture around the City of Freising (Germany) (n = 9, n = 6 and n = 3 samples of GRP, LRP and TP). Trifolium pratense and LRP yielded the highest average amounts of precipitate per kg fresh leaf material. The highest amounts of crude protein (CP) within the precipitate were obtained from TP and GRP. Contents of essential and non-essential amino acids (AA) were highest within the precipitates of TP. The extraction efficiency as expressed by total precipitate yield, precipitate CP as well as the amounts of essential and non-essential AA declined in the course of plant development. The amounts of essential AA relative to total AA within the obtained precipitates were in most cases comparable or even higher than average amounts in soybean meal (480 g CP/kg fresh matter). Taken together, we were able to extract a CP rich precipitate from green forage leafs. Products of that kind represent a valuable protein source and may replace soybean meal to some extent in practical livestock diets.

Plant growth requires the influx of atmospheric CO2 through stomatal pores, and this carbon uptake for photosynthesis is inherently associated with a large efflux of water vapor. Under water deficit, plants reduce transpiration and are able to improve carbon for water exchange leading to higher water use efficiency (WUE). Whether increased WUE can be achieved without trade-offs in plant growth is debated. The signals mediating the WUE response under water deficit are not fully elucidated but involve the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA). ABA is perceived by a family of related receptors known to mediate acclimation responses and to reduce transpiration. We now show that enhanced stimulation of ABA signaling via distinct ABA receptors can result in plants constitutively growing at high WUE in the model species Arabidopsis WUE was assessed by three independent approaches involving gravimetric analyses, (13)C discrimination studies of shoots and derived cellulose fractions, and by gas exchange measurements of whole plants and individual leaves. Plants expressing the ABA receptors RCAR6/PYL12 combined up to 40% increased WUE with high growth rates, i.e., are water productive. Water productivity was associated with maintenance of net carbon assimilation by compensatory increases of leaf CO2 gradients, thereby sustaining biomass acquisition. Leaf surface temperatures and growth potentials of plants growing under well-watered conditions were found to be reliable indicators for water productivity. The study shows that ABA receptors can be explored to generate more plant biomass per water transpired, which is a prime goal for a more sustainable water use in agriculture.

Hepcidin-synthesis was reported to be stimulated by inflammation. In contrast, hepcidin synthesis was inhibited by TNFα and serum hepcidin was low. To elucidate these contradictions, we compare data on hepcidin expression, on iron absorption and homoeostasis and markers of inflammation between two murine models of intestinal inflammation and corresponding wild-types as determined by standard methods. In TNF(ΔARE/+) and IL-10(-/-)-mice hepatic hepcidin expression and protein content was significantly lower than in corresponding wild-types. However, (59)Fe whole-body retention showed no difference between knock-outs and corresponding wild-types 7d after gavage, in neither strain. Compared to wild-types, body weight, hepatic non-haem iron content, hemoglobin and hematocrit were significantly decreased in TNF(ΔARE/+) mice, while erythropoiesis increased. These differences were not seen in IL-10(-/-) mice. Duodenal IL-6 and TNFα content increased significantly in TNF(ΔARE/+) mice, while ferritin-H decreased along with hepatic hepcidin expression, ferritin L, and non-haem iron. In IL-10(-/-) mice, these changes were less marked or missing for non-haem iron. Duodenal ferritin-L and ferroportin increased significantly, while HFE decreased. Our results corroborate the conflicting combination of low hepcidin with inflammation and without increased intestinal iron absorption. Speculating on underlying mechanism, decreased hepcidin may result from stimulated erythropoiesis. Unaltered intestinal iron-absorption may compromise between the stimulation by increased erythropoiesis and inhibition by local and systemic inflammation. The findings suggest intense interaction between counterproductive mechanisms and ask for further research.

A study has been conducted in order to evaluate the potential of maize kernels to inhibit trypsin activity in-silico and in-vitro. Assessment of published proteomic data revealed at least one specific trypsin inhibiting peptide within the Zea mays proteome with significant homology to proteins in other grain species but not legumes. Subsequently, a total of 12 maize kernel samples from two countries (Germany and Austria) were screened for their native trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA). The average TIA was 1.27 ± 0.33 mg/g dry matter (DM), ranging between 0.56 and 1.87 mg/g DM, and was no longer detectable after autoclaving (125 °C, 250 kPa, 1 h). Moreover, the degree of inhibition seemed to correlate positively with the crude protein content (r = +0.68*). The trypsin inhibiting effect declined through stepwise addition of exogenous trypsin, highlighting its specific suicidal mode of action. The optimal temperature for denaturation of the inhibitor pool was 82 ± 1 °C. Our results provide, to our knowledge for the first time, information about the trypsin inhibiting potential of maize kernels in-vitro. Furthermore, we identified several significant homologies between a maize bound trypsin inhibitor and peptides which are abundant in the proteomes of other grain species.

Nicotinic acid (NA) has been shown to induce muscle fiber switching toward oxidative type I fibers and a muscle metabolic phenotype that favors fatty acid (FA) utilization in growing rats, pigs, and lambs. The hypothesis of the present study was that supplementation of NA in cows during the periparturient phase also induces muscle fiber switching from type II to type I fibers in skeletal muscle and increases the capacity of the muscle to use free FA, which may help to reduce nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) flow to the liver, liver triglyceride (TG) accumulation, and ketogenesis. Thirty multiparous Holstein dairy cows were allocated to 2 groups and fed a total mixed ration without (control group) or with ∼55 g of rumen-protected NA per cow per day (NA group) from 21 d before expected calving until 3 wk postpartum (p.p.). Blood samples were collected on d -21, -14, -7, 7, 14, 21, 35, and 63 relative to parturition for analysis of TG, NEFA, and β-hydroxybutyrate. Muscle and liver biopsies were collected on d 7 and 21 for gene expression analysis and to determine muscle fiber composition in the musculus semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and longissimus lumborum by immunohistochemistry, and liver TG concentrations. Supplementation of NA did not affect the proportions of type I (oxidative) or the type II:type I ratio in the 3 muscles considered. A slight shift from glycolytic IIx fibers toward oxidative-glycolytic fast-twitch IIa fibers was found in the semitendinosus, and a tendency in the longissimus lumborum, but not in the semimembranosus. The transcript levels of the genes encoding the muscle fiber type isoforms and involved in FA uptake and oxidation, carnitine transport, tricarboxylic acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and glucose utilization were largely unaffected by NA supplementation in all 3 muscles. Supplementation of NA had no effect on plasma TG and NEFA concentrations, liver TG concentrations, and hepatic expression of genes involved in hepatic FA utilization and lipogenesis. However, it reduced plasma β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations in wk 2 and 3 p.p. by 18 and 26% and reduced hepatic gene expression of fibroblast growth factor 21, a stress hormone involved in the regulation of ketogenesis, by 74 and 56%. In conclusion, a high dosage of rumen-protected NA reduced plasma β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations in cows during early lactation, but failed to cause an alteration in muscle fiber composition and muscle metabolic phenotype.

Context In terms of their nutritional physiology, roe deer have been called ‘concentrate selectors’. This implies that they select proteins in their diet and are not able to digest fibre. It is, thus, suggested that in an agricultural landscape, they are unable to digest the high fibre content of arable crops and, thus, suffer and need to be given supplementary feed. Aims Our aim was to determine the nutrient composition and energy content of the roe deer diet in an agricultural habitat compared with that in a natural forest habitat. Methods Rumen contents of 245 roe deer were collected to represent each month of the year for 3 years, weighed, and analysed by standard methods for nutrient and fibre content. Key results Roe deer in the agricultural habitat had rumen contents with significantly higher metabolisable energy (ME) concentrations, with a median of 6.2 MJ ME/kg DM, than did roe deer in the forest habitat, where the median was 5.4 MJ ME/kg DM. The mass of rumen contents in the forest habitat was, on average, 240 g higher than that in the agricultural habitat. Roe deer in the forest habitat compensate for the lower energy concentration in their natural diet by increasing their food intake. The concentration in the agricultural habitat is a result of the higher proportion of easily digestible carbohydrates in the diet. The concentration of crude protein in the rumen contents did not differ statistically between the two areas. In both habitats, the mean crude fibre concentration varied between 24% DM and 34% DM, and was significantly higher in the forest. The concentration of crude fibre selected by the roe deer is similar to the concentration of crude fibre known to be selected by red deer and fallow deer (intermediate feeders) and mouflon (a grazer) (Hofmann 1989). Conclusions The term ‘concentrate selector’ should be replaced by ‘selector’ to avoid misinterpretations. Energy shortfalls were not observed in either of the populations during the study period. Implications Supplemental feeding was not necessary to maintain the population.

Summary To date, most studies published were carried out on broilers of the same sex, and possible gender-specific effects of phytogenic substances have not been investigated so far. A 3 × 2 factorial study was performed to examine gender-specific effects of a PFA at two dietary levels (150, 1500 ppm) on growth performance, carcass traits and gastrointestinal attributes in broiler chickens versus an untreated control group. The addition of 150 ppm of the PFA led to a downregulation of trypsinogen mRNA in pancreas compared with the control group (p

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of different iron (Fe) supply to sows during gestation on their reproductive performance and placental Fe load. Additionally, the Fe status of the corresponding offspring was assessed. Twenty multiparous sows were fed from insemination to farrowing with isoenergetic and isonitrogenic balanced diets differing in Fe content. The diet low in Fe (Group −Fe) was mainly composed of soybean meal and maize meal and had a Fe content of 114 mg/kg DM. For the diet high in Fe (Group +Fe), the diet was supplemented with Fe(II)SO4 · 7H2O to a total Fe content of 256 mg/kg. Blood characteristics (haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular haem concentration, total Fe-binding capacity, transferrin saturation) of all sows were measured at the beginning and at the end of gestation. Daily Fe retention was calculated at the day of farrowing. After birth, reproductive performance (litter size, piglet weight, litter weight), placental Fe content and Fe blood characteri...

Practical diets for monogastric livestock must be supplemented with zinc (Zn) due to their high contents of antagonistic substances like phytates. Current feeding recommendations include quite generous safety margins because of uncertainties regarding the gross Zn requirements under varying rearing conditions. Furthermore, the use of pharmacological Zn doses to stabilise animal performance and wellbeing is widespread. Taken together, modern diets for pigs and poultry contain considerably more Zn than necessary to meet animal requirements, which is associated with concerns related to the environment as well as animal and consumer safety. Therefore, European authorities most recently reduced the allowed upper limits for Zn in complete feed. To maintain animal productivity and wellbeing while reducing the Zn load in complete feed, all measures that stabilize feed Zn bioavailability must be applied. Most importantly, reliable information on the gross Zn requirement under practical conditions must be provided, considering the bioavailability of native or supplemented feed Zn, antagonisms with dietary factors as well as the physiological status of the animal.

The recommendation for macronutrient intakes by humans suggests obtaining 45–65% of the daily caloric intake from carbohydrates, 10–45% from fat, and 10–35% from protein. According to the Dietary Reference Intakes (RDI) issued by the Institute of Medicine of the US Food and Nutrition Board [8], adults need to eat about 60 g of protein per day. Protein that comes from animal sources is in general nutritionally more complete than protein that comes from plant sources, because it contains the essential amino acids in a more adequate pattern. Average meat consumption varies greatly between the developed and the developing world. Although levels of meat consumption are tending to stagnate in highly developed societies, a strong upturn is expected in emerging economies due to increasing urbanization and growing affluence. This chapter discusses the specifics of the current production of animal-derived protein, focusing on poultry meat and eggs, pork, beef, dairy, and aquaculture. The growing demand for animal-sourced protein is analyzed and possible means of meeting it presented, including improved breeding programs and various approaches to means of enhancing the nutritional intake and consequent performance of livestock. The chapter concludes with a consideration of the environmental concerns that must be addressed if the world’s livestock population grows significantly in response to increased global demand for animal-source protein.

This study investigated the effects of short-term subclinical Zn deficiency on exocrine pancreatic activity and changes in digestive capacity. A total of forty-eight weaned piglets were fedad libituma basal diet (maize and soyabean meal) with adequate Zn supply (88 mg Zn/kg diet) during a 2-week acclimatisation phase. Animals were then assigned to eight dietary treatment groups (n6) according to a complete randomised block design considering litter, live weight and sex. All pigs were fed restrictively (450 g diet/d) the basal diet but with varying ZnSO4.7H2O additions, resulting in 28·1, 33·6, 38·8, 42·7, 47·5, 58·2, 67·8 and 88·0 mg Zn/kg diet for a total experimental period of 8 d. Pancreatic Zn concentrations and pancreatic activities of trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidase A and B, elastase andα-amylase exhibited a broken-line response to stepwise reduction in dietary Zn by declining beneath thresholds of 39·0, 58·0, 58·0, 41·2, 47·5, 57·7 and 58·0 mg Zn/kg diet, respectively. Furthermore, carboxypeptidase B andα-amylase activities were significantly lower in samples with reduced pancreatic Zn contents. Coefficients of faecal digestibility of DM, crude protein, total lipids and crude ash responded similarly to pancreatic enzyme activities by declining below dietary thresholds of 54·7, 45·0, 46·9 and 58·2 mg Zn/kg diet, respectively. In conclusion, (1) subclinical Zn deficiency impaired pancreatic exocrine enzymes, (2) this response was connected to pancreatic Zn metabolism and (3) the decline in catalytic activity impaired faecal digestibility already after 1 week of insufficient alimentary Zn supply and very early before clinical deficiency symptoms arise.

It is still controversial whether the bone-derived hormone fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) has additional physiological functions apart from its well-known suppressive actions on renal phosphate reabsorption and vitamin D hormone synthesis. Here we analyzed premature aging, mineral homeostasis, carbohydrate metabolism, and fat metabolism in 9-month-old male wild-type (WT) mice, vitamin D receptor mutant mice (VDR(Δ/Δ)) with a nonfunctioning vitamin D receptor, and Fgf23⁻/⁻/VDR(Δ/Δ) compound mutant mice on both a standard rodent chow and a rescue diet enriched with calcium, phosphorus, and lactose. Organ atrophy, lung emphysema, and ectopic tissue or vascular calcifications were absent in compound mutants. In addition, body weight, glucose tolerance, insulin tolerance, insulin secretory capacity, pancreatic beta cell volume, and retroperitoneal and epididymal fat mass as well as serum cholesterol and triglycerides were indistinguishable between vitamin D receptor and compound mutants. In contrast to VDR(Δ/Δ) and Fgf23⁻/⁻/VDR(Δ/Δ) mice, which stayed lean, WT mice showed obesity-induced insulin resistance. To rule out alopecia and concomitantly elevated energy expenditure present in 9-month-old VDR(Δ/Δ) and Fgf23⁻/⁻/VDR(Δ/Δ) mice as a confounding factor for the lacking effect of Fgf23 deficiency on fat mass, we analyzed whole-body composition in WT, Fgf23⁻/⁻, VDR(Δ/Δ), and Fgf23⁻/⁻/VDR(Δ/Δ) mice at the age of 4 wk, when the coat in VDR(Δ/Δ) mice is still normal. Whole-body fat mass was reduced in Fgf23⁻/⁻ mice but almost identical in WT, VDR(Δ/Δ), and Fgf23⁻/⁻/VDR(Δ/Δ) mice. In conclusion, our data indicate that Fgf23 has no molecular vitamin D-independent role in aging, insulin signaling, or fat metabolism in mice.

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of high dietary iodine supply and different iodine sources on thyroid status and oxidative stress in target tissues of the thyroid hormones in fattening pigs.Eighty castrates (body weight: 33.3 ± 0.4 kg) were randomly allotted into five different treatments: The control diet contained 150 μg I/kg as KI, the other feeding groups were supplemented with 4,000 μg I/kg (as KI and KIO(3)) and 10,000 μg I/kg (as KI and KIO(3)), respectively. The mRNA expression levels of sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) and key antioxidant enzymes (Cu/Zn SOD, CAT, GPx) were analyzed in thyroid gland, liver, kidney, muscle, and adipose tissue sampled during slaughter. Furthermore, antioxidant enzyme activities and the effect on lipid peroxidation (MDA) were determined in liver and muscle.In thyroid gland, a significant downregulation of NIS and Cu/Zn SOD mRNA expression was observed in high-iodine groups. In liver, a source effect on the mRNA expression of Cu/Zn SOD between KI and KIO(3) at 4,000 μg I/kg was shown. In contrast, not SOD but GPx activity was affected by iodine source with strongest downregulation in high KIO(3) group. In muscle, GPx activity was affected by both iodine source and dose, showing stronger downregulation in KI groups. In kidney and adipose tissue, oxidative stress parameters showed no or only unsystematic changes. However, variation in iodine supply had no effect on MDA concentrations.NIS expression was significantly decreased with increased iodine supplementation, which is to ensure the thyroid gland function. However, the alleviating effect of iodine supplementation observed in antioxidant enzyme mRNA expression and activity did not reflect on the lipid peroxide level.

The aim of the present feeding trial with iodine was to assess pigs' growth performance and carcass characteristics, the iodine accumulation in tissues, and their influences on the thyroid hormones in plasma.Eighty pigs (33-115 kg body weight) were allotted to 5 dietary treatments: a control group (150 μg I/kg), two potassium iodide [KI] groups (4,000 and 10,000 μg I/kg), and two potassium iodate [KIO₃] groups (4,000 and 10,000 μg I/kg). Iodine concentration was determined in thyroid gland, liver, kidney, muscle, fat, and skin by ICP-MS. Furthermore, thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃) in plasma were evaluated.High dietary iodine tended to have a negative effect on younger animals' growth (average daily gain, ADG). However, during the entire growth period, the growth performance and carcass characteristics were not influenced by iodine dosages or sources. Irrespective of iodine source, higher iodine doses of diets affected higher iodine stores in all tested tissues except for abdominal fat. Thus, iodine supplementation with 10,000 μg I/kg feed significantly increased iodine content in thyroid gland (+122%), liver (+260%), kidney (+522%), muscle (+131%), and skin (+321%) compared to the control group. However, there was no significance of thyroid hormones in plasma.As a result, pork and fat of pigs showed only low iodine accumulation even in the high-iodine groups. Thus, there should be no risk of an iodine excess in human nutrition and animal health, and the EU-upper level for iodine in pig feed can be maintained.

Background Human isotope studies and epidemiological trials are controversial as to whether lead absorption shares the absorptive pathways of iron and whether body lead content can be reduced by iron supplementation. Aim To compare the impact of iron-deficiency on 59Fe- and 210Pb-absorption rates in duodenal and ileal segments. Methods 59Fe- and 210Pb-absorption was determined in ligated duodenal and ileal segments from juvenile and adult iron-deficient and iron-adequate C57Bl6 wild-type mice (n = 6) in vivo at luminal concentrations corresponding to human exposure (Fe: 1 and 100 μmol/L; Pb: 1 μmol/L). Results and discussion 59Fe-absorption increased 10–15-fold in iron-deficient duodena from adult and adolescent mice. Ileal 59Fe-absorption was 4–6 times lower than in iron-adequate duodena showing no adaptation to iron-deficiency. This in accordance to expectation as the divalent metal transport 1 (DMT1) shows low ileal expression levels. Juvenile 59Fe-absorption was about twice as high as in adult mice. In contrast, duodenal 210Pb-absorption was increased only 1.5–1.8-fold in iron-deficiency in juvenile and adult mice and, again in contrast to 59Fe, ileal 210Pb-absorption was as high as in iron-adequate duodena. Conclusions The findings suggest a DMT1-independent pathway to mediate lead absorption along the entire small intestine in addition to DMT1-mediated duodenal uptake. Ileal lead absorption appears substantial, due the much longer residence of ingesta in the distal small intestine. Differences in lead-solubility and -binding to luminal ligands can, thus, explain the conflicting findings regarding the impact of iron-status on lead absorption. They need to be considered in future studies.

Five potential reference genes for RT-qPCR application, namely histone H3, beta-actin, GAPDH, ubiquitin and 18S rRNA, were evaluated for normalization of gene expression in four selected tissues (liver, kidney, thyroid and abdominal fat). Tissues were derived from fattening pigs exposed to different amounts and type of dietary iodine. Two software applications (geNorm and NormFinder) were used to evaluate the stability of the potential reference genes. All studied genes displayed high expression stability but different stability patterns between the investigated tissues. The results suggest GAPDH and 18S rRNA as reference genes applicable in all tissues investigated. Beta-actin and histone H3 are suitable reference genes for all tissues investigated except fat. In contrast, ubiquitin should be excluded from use as a reference gene in the porcine tissues analyzed due to variations in expression levels, despite the good expression stability.

The last two decades have seen a substantial increase in the use of aromatic herbs and essential oils as feed additives in animal nutrition. One of the main reasons for this trend is to substitute antibiotic growth promoters, which have been completely banned as feed additives in the European Union since 2006 because they are suspected of contributing substantially to increasing resistance among human pathogens. Recent investigations have shown significant antimicrobial effects of several essential oils and essential oil compounds against enteropathogenic organisms in farm animals. Porcine proliferative enteropathy caused by specific Escherichia coli strains could be controlled by in-feed application of carvacrol-rich essential oils, and the effect of some essential oil components against Clostridium perfringens and necrotic enteritis was confirmed in poultry. In ruminants, an improvement of the digestion was observed, resulting in reduced methanogenesis and nitrogen excretion. In addition, the antioxidative activity of aromatic plants and essential oil compounds contributes to the stability and palatability of animal feed and has, moreover, resulted in an improved shelf-life and quality of animal products, due to reduced oxidation. The ‘growth-promoting effect’ of essential oils (feed conversion rate, daily weight gain, etc.) is not as evident, since a large number of publications are (commercial) product-driven, lacking data on the starting material. Nonetheless, the overall efficacy of essential oils and aromatic herbs, especially their non-nutritive value with impact on the health status and benefit of animals and humans (via the food chain), is encouraging further research and development in this field. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The study aimed at determining the effect of inulin and/or a multispecies probiotic formulation on gastrointestinal tract (GIT) morphology, immunological and haematological parameters. Forty-eight newly weaned piglets were assigned to four feeding groups, receiving a standard basal diet (control), supplemented with 0.4% inulin, probiotics (1 x 10(9) CFU/kg as fed, enterococci, lactobacilli, bifidobacteria) or a combination of both (synbiotic). After four weeks of ad libitum feeding piglets were slaughtered and intestinal tissue samples were obtained for histometry. Additional tissue samples of the GIT, mesenteric lymph nodes, blood, liver and spleen were taken for mRNA expression analysis of cell turnover (CDK4, caspase3, IGF I), transcription factor NFkappaB and inflammatory marker genes (TNFalpha, TGFbeta). Changes in histometry occurred predominantly in the small intestine, showing higher jejunal villi when probiotics were administered alone (p < 0.10). Inulin decreased the number of acidic goblet cells in jejunal villi (p < 0.05), whereas probiotics increased neutral goblet cells in ileal villi (p < 0.05). Though inflammatory marker genes were uninfluenced by treatment in the proximal GIT, the colon showed downregulations induced by inulin (TNFalpha: p < 0.10, TGFbeta: p < 0.05). Gene expression of CDK4 was upregulated in the jejunum and of TGFbeta in the mesenteric lymph nodes in the probiotic groups. Interestingly, the probiotic group alone exhibited upregulations in cell turnover marker genes in the colon and blood. Furthermore, for numerous parameters, inulin and probiotics led to no synergistic but antagonistic interactions.

Summary The effect of inulin and a multispecies probiotic formulation on performance and microbial parameters in a 28 days feeding trial with newly weaned piglets was assessed. Forty-eight piglets were allocated to a 2 × 2 factorial experiment involving two levels of inulin supplementation (0% or 0.4%) and two levels of probiotics (0 or 1 × 109 CFU/kg as fed, comprising enterococci, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria). In digesta samples obtained at slaughter (stomach, jejunum, ileum and colon), selected bacterial groups were enumerated and lactic acid, short chain fatty acids and ammonia concentrations analysed. The overall performance of piglets was unaffected by treatment. Inulin increased total aerobes in stomach and jejunum (p

SUMMARYThe aim of the current study was to compare three methods for determining the influence of different feeding strategies on the gut microbiota of piglets. Forty-eight weanling piglets were fed four different diets enriched with insoluble dietary fibre (wheat bran and pollen fromPinus massoniana). Starting from ileal and colonic samples, the total microbial DNA was isolated and bacterial parameters (lactobacilli, bifidobacteria,Bacteroides vulgatusand total bacterial counts) were quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results for lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and total bacterial counts were compared with those obtained by fluorescencein situhybridization (FISH) and cultivation method. No significant differences could be observed between dietary treatments with real-time PCR and FISH for all investigated parameters. Comparing the applied three methods no consistent results were achieved, whereas FISH usually showed lower values. It was shown that real-time PCR can be regarded as an alternative to conventional techniques and also as a complement to results obtained from conventional culture method.

In this experiment, we investigated the long-term effects of a marginal zinc (Zn) supply on bone metabolism in aged rats. Nine-mo-old female Fischer-344 rats were divided into 8 weight-matched groups of 8 rats each. All rats were adapted for 1 mo to restrictive feeding (7.5 g/d) of a purified diet containing 8 g/kg sodium phytate and 64 mg/kg Zn. Control rats were pair-fed throughout the experiment. During the 1-mo depletion phase, controls received the Zn-replete diet with 64 mg/kg Zn, whereas Zn-deficient rats were fed the same diet with 2.2 mg/kg Zn. The depletion phase was followed by a 3-mo marginal phase in which the rats fed the diet with 2.2 mg/kg Zn received an additional daily Zn supplement of 75 microg Zn/rat by gavage. In the following 2-mo repletion phase, a marginal group was switched to the Zn-replete diet, while the other groups were maintained on marginal Zn supply or on the Zn-replete diet. Zn depletion and marginal Zn reduced serum and bone Zn and serum alkaline phosphatase activity. Zn repletion normalized serum Zn. However, apart from subtle changes in bone mineralization density distribution, Zn deficiency was not associated with detrimental effects on bone mineral density, turnover, architecture, or biomechanics relative to control rats at any time point. Our data suggest that Zn does not play an essential role in bone metabolism in aged rats and cast doubt on the hypthosis that Zn deficiency is a risk factor for osteoporosis.

The effects of insoluble dietary fibre differing in lignin content on intestinal morphology and mRNA expression was tested in an animal model of 48 weaned piglets. Engaged fibre sources were wheat bran (rich in cellulose and hemicellulose) and pollen from Chinese Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) (rich in lignin), respectively. The fibre sources were added to a basal diet as follows: no addition (control), 3.0% wheat bran, 1.27% pine pollen, and 2.55% pine pollen. The 12 animals of each feeding group were fed four experimental diets ad libitum for 37 days and were then slaughtered for retrieving tissue samples from stomach, jejunum, ileum, colon and mesenterial lymph nodes. Both fibre sources increased villus height of mucosa in jejunum (+10% on average) and ileum (+16% on average). Results of mRNA expression rates of inflammatory, cell cycle and growth marker genes (NFkappaB, TNFalpha, TGFbeta, Caspase3, CDK4, IGF1) were specific to fibre source and tissue: wheat bran induced an up-regulation of NFkappaB in stomach and jejunum, as well as TNFalpha and TGFbeta, and Caspase3 in jejunum. Pine pollen induced down regulation of NFkappaB, TNFalpha, TGFbeta, Caspase3, CDK4 and IGF1 in the colon as well as up-regulation of NFkappaB and TGFbeta in mesenterial lymph nodes. Finally, an overall data comparison based on a hierarchical cluster analysis showed a close relation between gene regulation in different gut sections and organs, as well as between small intestine morphology and zootechnical performance.

This article summarizes the experi- mental knowledge on efficacy, possible modes of action, and aspects of application of phytogenic products as feed additives for swine and poultry. Phytogenic feed additives comprise a wide variety of herbs, spices, and products derived thereof, and are mainly essential oils. The assumption that phytogenic compounds might im- provethe palatabilityof feedhas notyetbeen confirmed by choice-feeding studies. Although numerous studies have demonstrated antioxidative and antimicrobial ef- ficacy in vitro, respective experimental in vivo evidence is still quite limited. The same applies to the supposi- tion that phytogenic compounds may specifically en- hance activities of digestive enzymes and nutrient ab- sorption. Nevertheless, a limited number of experimen- tal comparisons of phytogenic feed additives with antibiotics and organic acids have suggested similar

The study aimed to investigate the effects of insoluble dietary fibre differing in lignin content on performance and parameters of gut microbiology in 48 weanling piglets (8.5 kg mean body weight) fed common diets ad libitum. Fibre sources tested were wheat bran (low lignin) and pollen from Chinese Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) as model of fibre rich in lignin, added to diets as follows: no addition (control), 3.0% wheat bran, 1.27% pine pollen and 2.55% pine pollen. In colonic chyme, bacterial colony counts remained unaffected by treatment, but ammonia contents were reduced by fibre additions (up to -38%). The effects on ammonia were best explained by added cellulose and lignin. Fibre additions reduced apparent (faecal) digestibility of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) up to -3.5 and -4.3% units with cellulose and lignin being the major determinants for changes in CP digestibility.

Essential oils had been received much attention due to their antimicrobial properties against a wide range of microorganisms that manipulate rumen fermentation towards a better utilization of energy and protein. Six fistulated non-lactating Friesian dairy cows were used to investigate the effect of adding Crina® Ruminants (blend of essential oil) with 1g per cow per day to total mixed ration (grass silage, maize silage, soybean meal, rapeseed meal and wheat) of 7 kg per day on the in-situ rumen dry matter degradability (ISDMD) and total tract digestibility using TiO2 as marker. Fistulated cows were used as 3x2 Latin Square with factorial arrangement of treatment (with or without Crina® addition) in two periods. Each period extended for 45days (30 days pre-experimental phase and 15 days experimental phase). Ruminal fluid samples were collected to investigate the rumen fermentation parameters (ruminal pH value, volatile fatty acid (VFAs), and ammonia nitrogen (NH3N) as well as acetate propionate ratio). The results indicated that adding of Crina® to ruminant diet had significantly decreased ISDMD of grass silage and total mixed ration especially at long incubation time (12 and 48 hours). The ISDMD and in-situ rumen crude protein degradability of soybean and rapeseed meal significantly increased due to Crina® addition. Crina® had no effect on total tract digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), starch, ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF) and fiber fractions. Rumen fermentation parameters did not affected due to addition of Crina®. Results concluded that Crina® could limit the degradability of grass silage, increased degradability of soybean and rapeseed meal and had no effect on rumen fermentation characteristics.

The objective of this study was to determine the threonine (Thr) requirement of a modern crossbred growing pig from Austria in the finisher stage (67 to 113 kg body weight). For on average 50 days, 30 castrated male and 30 female pigs were fed isonitrogenous diets (135 g/kg crude protein, 8.0 g/kg lysine) supplemented with increasing levels of crystalline Thr. Total dietary Thr contents (g/kg) were 4.9 (basal diet), 5.0, 5.4, 5.8, 6.1, 6.5, corresponding to a Thr:Lys ratio of about 0.60, 0.64, 0.68, 0.73, 0.76, 0.81. Dietary Thr concentration of 5.4 g/kg improved daily gains by about 15 percentage points ( p < 0.05) and the feed conversion ratio by about 7 percentage points, compared to pigs fed the basal diet (4.9 g/kg Thr). Increasing dietary Thr above 5.4 g/kg had no further effects on performance. The blood plasma urea concentration was minimized at a dietary Thr concentration of 6.1 g/kg. For all treatments there was a low effect of dietary Thr supply on carcass quality. Goblet cell density in the small intestine and colon did not differ between different levels of dietary Thr. Based on the results of growth performance, an optimum total dietary Thr:Lys ratio in the finisher stage of pigs ranges from 0.66 to 0.68.

A total of 32 Montpellier dairy cows were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments including a control, supplementation with ground rapeseed, carrots and both carrot and rapeseed. This was aimed in order to improve the butter quality with regard to spreadability and color. Milk samples were drawn after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively, churned and rendered to reconstitute the pure milk fat. Fat samples were analyzed for their fatty acid profiles and total carotene content. It was shown that the enrichment of carotene by feeding carrots counteracts the incorporation of unsaturated fatty acids. However, a time-dependent adaptation to high levels of both carotene and unsaturated fatty acids was observed.

Knowledge of the digestive physiology of molluscs is essential for understanding their ecological niches, as well as for their conservation and aquaculture. Freshwater mussels are primarily filter feeders and the complex mechanism of filtration has been studied intensively (Ward et al., 1998; Urrutia et al., 2001; Garrido et al., 2012). However, less is known concerning the physiological mechanisms following ingestion, in particular how food particles are processed in the digestive tract. In bivalves, energy is mostly stored in the form of glycogen, which accounts for 5–14% of the dry weight in Anodonta cygnea (Gade & Wilps, 1975). For the digestion of various carbohydrates, the crystalline style, a transparent rod composed in part of glycoside hydrolases, is known to be a key component of digestion in the stomach of many snails and marine bivalves. Previous studies (e.g. Alyakrinskaya, 2001) have shown the ability of crystalline style to break down starch in Pseudanodonta complanata and cellulose in Mytilus. Moreover, it has been suggested that crystalline style material not only releases digestive enzymes, but also provides an optimal digestion milieu by buffering ambient pH. Its physiological characteristics, including pH and dissolution, have been described by Hameed (1985) and Warren (1987). This study evaluates the ability of crystalline styles excised from Anodonta anatina to break down different carbohydrate sources and tests the buffering capacity of style material for providing optimal conditions for digestion.