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Animal Nutrition (Zhongguo Xu Mu Shou... Sep 2021The primary aim of this experiment was to critically explore the relationship between the different levels of mixed organic acids (MOA) and growth performance, serum...
The primary aim of this experiment was to critically explore the relationship between the different levels of mixed organic acids (MOA) and growth performance, serum antioxidant status and intestinal health of weaned piglets, as well as to investigate the potential possibility of MOA alternative to antibiotics growth promoters (AGP). A total of 180 healthy piglets (Duroc × [Landrace × Yorkshire]; weighing 7.81 ± 1.51 kg each, weaned at d 28) were randomly divided into 5 treatments: 1) basal diet (CON); 2) CON + chlorinomycin (75 mg/kg) + virginiamycin (15 mg/kg) + guitaromycin (50 mg/kg) (AGP); 3) CON + MOA (3,000 mg/kg) (OA1); 4) CON + MOA (5,000 mg/kg) (OA2); 5) CON + MOA (7,000 mg/kg) (OA3). This study design included 6 replicates per treatment with 6 piglets per pen (barrow:gilt = 1:1) and the experiment was separated into phase 1 (d 1 to 14) and phase 2 (d 15 to 28). In phases 1, 2 and overall, compared with the CON, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was reduced ( < 0.01) and the average daily gain (ADG) was increased ( < 0.05) in piglets supplemented with AGP, OA1 and OA2. The concentration of serum immunoglobulins G (IgG) was improved ( < 0.05) in piglets supplemented with OA2 in phase 2. In the jejunum and ileum, the villus height:crypt depth ratio was significantly increased ( < 0.01) in piglets fed AGP and OA1. The mRNA expression level of claudin1 and zonula occludens-1 () ( < 0.01) was up-regulated in piglets supplemented with OA1 and OA2. The piglets fed AGP, OA1 and OA2 showed an increase ( < 0.05) in the content of acetate acid and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) in the cecum, and butyric acid and TVFA in the colon compared with CON. Also, OA1 lowered ( < 0.05) the content of Lachnospiraceae in piglets. These results demonstrated that MOA at 3,000 or 5,000 mg/kg could be an alternative to antibiotics due to the positive effects on performance, immune parameters, and intestinal health of weaned piglets. However, from the results of the quadratic fitting curve, it is inferred that MOA at a dose of 4,000 mg/kg may produce a better effect.
PubMed: 34466678
DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2020.11.018 -
MSystems Aug 2021The antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) flavophospholipol and virginiamycin have been widely used for decades in food animal production. AGP activity is believed to be...
The antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) flavophospholipol and virginiamycin have been widely used for decades in food animal production. AGP activity is believed to be partly modulated by gut microbial composition although exact AGP-induced changes remain unclear. In a controlled intervention study, we studied the effect of flavophospholipol and virginiamycin on the broiler chicken ileal microbiota spanning from birth to 39 days. Using 16S rRNA gene profiling and prediction of metabolic activity, we show that both AGPs result in dynamic microbial shifts that potentially increase anti-inflammatory mechanisms and bioavailability of several essential nutrients by decreasing degradation (flavophospholipol) or increasing biosynthesis (virginiamycin). Further, virginiamycin-supplemented broilers showed increased colonization with potentially pathogenic bacteria, Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter, and Escherichia/ spp. Overall, we show that both AGPs induce microbial changes potentially beneficial for growth. However, the increase in (foodborne) pathogens shown here with virginiamycin use could impact not only broiler mortality but also human health. Antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) are commonly used within poultry farming to increase muscle growth. Microbial composition in the gut is known to be influenced by AGP use although exact AGP-induced changes remain unclear. Utilizing 16S rRNA gene profiling, this study provides a first head-to-head comparison of the effect of the two most commonly used AGPs, flavophospholipol and virginiamycin, on the broiler chicken ileum microbiota over time. We found that supplementation with both AGPs altered ileal microbial composition, thereby increasing potential bioavailability of essential nutrients and weight gain. Flavophospholipol showed a slight benefit over virginiamycin as the latter resulted in more extensive microbial perturbations including increased colonization by enteropathogens, which could impact broiler mortality.
PubMed: 34463581
DOI: 10.1128/mSystems.00381-21 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Aug 2021Two experiments were conducted to compare a supplemental blend of essential oils alone (EO) or combined with enzymes (EO + ENZ) versus virginiamycin (VM), on...
Blend of Essential Oils Supplemented Alone or Combined with Exogenous Amylase Compared with Virginiamycin Supplementation on Finishing Lambs: Performance, Dietary Energetics, Carcass Traits, and Nutrient Digestion.
Two experiments were conducted to compare a supplemental blend of essential oils alone (EO) or combined with enzymes (EO + ENZ) versus virginiamycin (VM), on characteristics of growth performance (Exp. 1) and digestion (Exp. 2) in finishing lambs. Lambs were fed a high-energy finishing diet supplemented with: (1) no supplement (control); (2) 150 mg supplemental EO; (3) 150 mg supplemental EO plus 560 mg alpha-amylase (EO + ENZ); and 4) 25 mg VM. Compared with the control, growth performance response to EO and VM were similar, enhancing (5.7%, < 0.05) feed efficiency and observed dietary net energy. Compared with control, supplementation with EO + ENZ tended ( = 0.09) to increase dry matter intake (6.8%), improving ( < 0.05) weight gain and feed efficiency (10.4 and 4.4%, respectively). Dietary energy utilization was greater (2.7%, < 0.05) for EO and VM than EO + ENZ. Treatment effects on the carcass and visceral mass were small, but additive supplementation decreased ( ≤ 0.03) the relative weight of the intestines. There were no treatment effects on measures of digestion nor digestible energy of the diet. Supplemental EO may be an effective alternative to VM in high-energy finishing diets for feedlot lambs. Combination EO + ENZ may further enhance dry matter intake, promoting increased weight gain.
PubMed: 34438846
DOI: 10.3390/ani11082390 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2021Feedlot cattle are usually adapted to high-concentrate diets containing sodium monensin (MON) in more than 14 days. However, for finishing diets with lower energy...
Feedlot cattle are usually adapted to high-concentrate diets containing sodium monensin (MON) in more than 14 days. However, for finishing diets with lower energy content, the use of MON during adaptation may hold dry matter intake (DMI), and virginiamycin (VM) may be an alternative. This study was designed to determine the potential of shortening the adaptation of Nellore cattle to high-concentrate diets using only VM as a sole feed additive relative to feedlot performance, feeding behavior, and ruminal and cecum morphometrics. The experiment was designed as a completely randomized block replicated six times (four animals/pen) in which 120 Nellore bulls (390.4 ± 19.0 kg) were fed in 30 pens for 111 days according to the following treatments: (1) MON and adaptation for 14 days (MON14), (2) MON + VM and adaptation for 14 days (MONVM14), (3) VM and adaptation for 14 days (VM14), (4) VM and adaptation for 9 days (VM9), and (5) VM and adaptation for 6 days (VM6). At the end of the adaptation, 30 animals ( = 1 per pen) were randomly slaughtered for rumen and cecum evaluations. The remaining 90 bulls were harvested at the end of the study. No effects of treatments were observed ( < 0.10) for final body weight, average daily gain (ADG), and hot carcass weight (HCW). Cattle fed VM14 presented a greater ( ≤ 0.03) DMI, expressed as percent of body weight (BW), than animals fed either MON14 or MONVM14; however, cattle fed either MON14 or MONVM14 improved ( ≤ 0.02) the gain-to-feed ratio (G/F) by 10.4 or 8.1%, respectively, when compared to bulls fed VM14. Bulls fed VM14 had smaller ( < 0.05) papillae area (0.34 vs. 0.42 cm) and rumen absorptive surface area (28.9 vs. 33.8 cm) than those fed MON14. The shortening of the adaptation period linearly decreased the 12th rib fat ( = 0.02) and biceps femoris fat daily gain ( = 0.02) of Nellore bulls fed only VM, which linearly decreased the final biceps femoris fat thickness ( < 0.01). Feedlot cattle fed VM as a sole feed additive should not be adapted to high-concentrate diets in less than 14 days. Regardless of either adaptation length or feed additive, feedlot cattle need at least 14 days to adapt to finishing diets.
PubMed: 34409088
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.692705 -
Frontiers in Nutrition 2021A total of 64 pregnant Bama mini-pigs were used to investigate the effects of maternal probiotic or synbiotic supplementation during gestation and lactation on immune...
A total of 64 pregnant Bama mini-pigs were used to investigate the effects of maternal probiotic or synbiotic supplementation during gestation and lactation on immune response, intestinal morphology, and microbiota community of offspring piglets. The sows were assigned randomly to one of four groups, control group (basal diet), antibiotic group (basal diet supplemented with 50 g/t virginiamycin), probiotic group (basal diet supplemented with 200 mL/d probiotic fermentation broth per pig), or synbiotic group (basal diet supplemented with 200 mL/d probiotic fermentation broth per pig + 500 g/t xylo-oligosaccharides) during pregnancy and lactation periods. After weaning, two piglets close to the average body weight (BW) per litter were selected and fed a basal diet. Eight piglets with similar BW were selected from each group for sample collection at 65 d-old. The results showed that plasma interleukin (IL)-2 and lipopolysaccharide concentrations were decreased ( < 0.05) in the probiotic group, while the immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentration in the probiotic and synbiotic groups was increased ( < 0.05), when compared with the control group. The jejunal IL-10, interferon-α, and secretory IgA (sIgA) concentrations were increased ( < 0.05) in the probiotic and synbiotic groups, as well as the ileal sIgA concentration in the probiotic group. The jejunal villus height (VH) and the ratio of VH to crypt depth were increased ( < 0.05) in the probiotic group, as well as the ileal VH in the synbiotic group. Furthermore, the piglets from the antibiotic group exhibited a lower microbiota diversity in the jejunum and ileum. The piglets from the synbiotic group had higher relative abundances of , and in the jejunum compared with the antibiotic group. Dietary probiotic treatment increased ( < 0.05) the relative abundance of in the ileum compared with the antibiotic and control groups. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that the relative abundances of , and in the jejunum and in the ileum, were positively correlated with the alterations of immunoglobulin and cytokines. Collectively, these findings suggest that maternal interventions with probiotic or synbiotic are promising strategies for improving the immune response of offspring piglets by altering the gut microbiota.
PubMed: 34307437
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.686053 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2021The present study determined the effects of dietary xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) supplementation on the morphology of jejunum and ileum epithelium, fecal microbiota...
Dietary Supplementation With Xylo-oligosaccharides Modifies the Intestinal Epithelial Morphology, Barrier Function and the Fecal Microbiota Composition and Activity in Weaned Piglets.
The present study determined the effects of dietary xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) supplementation on the morphology of jejunum and ileum epithelium, fecal microbiota composition, metabolic activity, and expression of genes related to colon barrier function. A total of 150 piglets were randomly assigned to one of five groups: a blank control group (receiving a basal diet), three XOS groups (receiving the basal diet supplemented with 100, 250, and 500 g/t XOS, respectively), as well as a positive control group, used as a matter of comparison, that received the basal diet supplemented with 0.04 kg/t virginiamycin, 0.2 kg/t colistin, and 3,000 mg/kg ZnO. The trial was carried out for 56 days. The results showed that the lowest dose tested (100 g/t XOS) increased ( < 0.05) the ileal villus height, the relative amount of and spp., and the concentration of acetic acid and short-chain fatty acid in feces when compared with the blank control group. In conclusion, dietary 100 g/t XOS supplementation modifies the intestinal ecosystem in weaned piglets in an apparently overall beneficial way.
PubMed: 34222403
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.680208 -
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences Jun 2021In an epoch of escalating number of antibiotic-resistance bacteria, there is a dire need to develop efficient and novel feeding strategies for animal nutrition as...
Growth performance, intestinal histomorphology, gut microflora and ghrelin gene expression analysis of broiler by supplementing natural growth promoters: A nutrigenomics approach.
In an epoch of escalating number of antibiotic-resistance bacteria, there is a dire need to develop efficient and novel feeding strategies for animal nutrition as alternatives to antibiotics. Here, implicating nutrigenomic approach, phytobiotics and organic acids were used to evaluate ghrelin gene expression levels, gut microflora composition, performance parameters and intestinal histomorphological changes in broiler chickens. One-day-old chicks (n = 315) were reared for 42 days and distributed randomly into five experimental groups; each with three replicates (21 birds per replicate). Experimental groups were control: basal diet only, antimicrobial growth promoter: 40 g/metric ton of basal diet (virginiamycin), organic acids: 4 kg/metric ton of basal diet, phytobiotics: 3 kg/metric ton of basal diet, combination: 7 kg/metric ton of basal diet (organic acids 4 kg and phytobiotics 3 kg metric ton of feed). Growth performance, histological and ghrelin gene expression analysis were executed on 21 and 42 days while, quantitative bacterial analysis of cecum and ileum was performed on day 42. Increased feed intake and body weight () were noticed in phytobiotics group. Addition of phytobiotics significantly improved () villus height and ratio of villus height/crypt depth in ileum, jejunum, and duodenum and down-regulated ghrelin gene expression levels. Total coliform and in cecal and ileal digesta were decreased significantly () in organic acids group. Correlation analysis revealed spp. were positively correlated to villus height/crypt depth ration in duodenum. The findings indicated the importance of gene-nutrient-microbiota interactions based on nutrigenomics approach. Hence, phytobiotics and organic acids might be suitable alternatives to antibiotics for improved performance and immunity, along with healthier meat production in poultry.
PubMed: 34121882
DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.03.008 -
Synlett : Accounts and Rapid... Apr 2021Streptogramins are antibiotics produced by several species of bacteria that are used in both human and veterinary medicine. Group A streptogramins comprise 23-membered...
Streptogramins are antibiotics produced by several species of bacteria that are used in both human and veterinary medicine. Group A streptogramins comprise 23-membered macrocyclic polyketide/nonribosomal peptide hybrids for which several innovative, fully synthetic routes have been developed. Herein we describe in detail our scalable routes to natural group A streptogramins and compare these routes to other reported syntheses.
PubMed: 34113063
DOI: 10.1055/a-1293-9655 -
Poultry Science Jul 2021This experiment was conducted to assess the comparative effects of dietary antibiotics and oregano essential oil (OEO) addition on growth performance, antioxidant status...
This experiment was conducted to assess the comparative effects of dietary antibiotics and oregano essential oil (OEO) addition on growth performance, antioxidant status and intestinal health of broilers. A total of 384 one-day-old broilers were randomly allocated to 4 treatments with 6 replicates of 16 broilers each. The 4 treatments were: an antibiotic-free control diet (control), control + 20 mg/kg colistin sulfate and 20 mg/kg virginiamycin (antibiotics), control + 200 mg/kg natural oregano essential oil (NOEO), and control + 200 mg/kg synthetic oregano essential oil (SOEO). The experiment lasted for 42 d. Results showed that birds fed with OEO had greater (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and lower (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those fed with control diet during d 1 to 21. Besides, birds fed with NOEO had the greatest (P < 0.05) ADG in the four groups during d 22 to 42. The serum oxidative stress parameters showed that OEO improved (P < 0.05) the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) of birds on day 21 and the activity of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) of birds on d 42. Relative to control, NOEO increased (P < 0.05) the activity of T-AOC in jejunum and decreased (P < 0.05) the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum and jejunum. Moreover, OEO supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the concentrations of sIgA in duodenum and jejunum, Lactobacillus and total anaerobes in cecum, as well as activities of trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase and amylase in duodenum, but restrained (P < 0.05) the amount of Escherichia coli. The NOEO supplementation increased (P < 0.05) total anaerobes of broilers on d 42 and the villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH/CD) of ileum. These results suggest that OEO improved antioxidant status and intestinal health of broilers which contributed to the growth performance improvement of broilers. Dietary OEO supplementation can be a promising alternative to antibiotic growth promoters for improving poultry production.
Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antioxidants; Chickens; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Oils, Volatile; Origanum
PubMed: 34082177
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101163 -
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular... 2021The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of maternal probiotic or synbiotic supplementation during gestation and lactation on antioxidant capacity,...
The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of maternal probiotic or synbiotic supplementation during gestation and lactation on antioxidant capacity, mitochondrial function, and intestinal microbiota abundance in offspring weaned piglets. A total of 64 pregnant Bama mini-sows were randomly allocated into the control group (basal diet), antibiotic group (basal diet + 50 g/t virginiamycin), probiotic group (basal diet + 200 mL/d probiotics per pig), or synbiotic group (basal diet + 200 mL/d probiotics per pig + 500 g/t xylo-oligosaccharides). On day 30 of post-weaning, eight piglets per group with average body weight were selected for sample collection. The results showed that maternal probiotic supplementation increased the catalase (CAT) activity in plasma and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in plasma, jejunum, and colon of piglets while decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) and HO concentrations in plasma compared with the control group ( < 0.05). Moreover, maternal synbiotic supplementation increased the plasma CAT activity, jejunal glutathione and GSH-Px activities, jejunal and colonic total antioxidant capacity activity, and plasma and colonic SOD activity while decreased the colonic MDA concentration of offspring piglets compared with the control group ( < 0.05). The mRNA levels of antioxidant enzyme-related genes (copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 1, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) and mitochondrial-related genes (adenosine triphosphate synthase alpha subunit, adenosine triphosphate synthase , and mitochondrial transcription factor A) in the jejunal mucosa were significantly upregulated, while the level of colonic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator-1 was downregulated by maternal synbiotic supplementation ( < 0.05). Maternal probiotic supplementation increased ( < 0.05) the abundance in the jejunum and abundance in the jejunum and colon, and synbiotic supplementation increased ( < 0.05) the abundances of Firmicutes, , , and in the jejunum of piglets. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed that intestinal microbiota abundances were significantly correlated with antioxidant enzyme activities and mitochondrial-related indexes. These findings indicated that maternal probiotic or synbiotic supplementation might be a promising strategy to improve the antioxidant capacity and mitochondrial function of offspring weaned piglets by altering the intestinal microbiota.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Colon; Dietary Supplements; Female; Jejunum; Mitochondria; Probiotics; Swine; Synbiotics
PubMed: 34035877
DOI: 10.1155/2021/6618874