Inflammation induced by inactivated Aeromonas hydrophila in Nile tilapia fed diets supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The inflammatory response and hernatological parameters among Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae were evaluated six and 24 h after inoculation with inactivated Aeromonas hydrophila into the swim bladder. Six groups were formed (n = 10 each): G1 was treated with non-supplemented feed+injection with 0.65% saline solution; G2 with non-supplemented feed+ inoculation with A. hydrophila: G3 with feed containing 2% yeast+ injection with saline; G4 with feed containing 2% yeast + inoculation with A. hydrophila: G5 with feed containing 0.3% cell wall + injection with saline: and G6 with feed containing 0.3% cell wall + inoculation with A. hydrophila. In the groups inoculated with bacteria, the responses were more intense (P<0.05) than in those injected with saline. The groups receiving supplement that were inoculated with A. hydrophila accumulated a greater total number of cells at the lesion site (P<0.05) than did the non-supplemented groups, after six and 24 h. The groups receiving cell wall presented greater total accumulation of cells (P<0.005) that did those receiving yeast. The differential count showed that there were significantly greater number of thrombocytes (P< 0.05) and lower number of neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes (P<0.05) in the groups that received supplement, after 6 and 24 h, in relation to the non-supplemented groups. The values in the erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration and blood measurement indices did not differ statistically. The variation in circulating thrombocyte and leukocyte counts suggests that the inflammatory stimulus caused recruitment from reserve compartments to the blood. The groups that received yeast or yeast cell wall supplements presented increased nonspecific acute inflammatory response, thus suggesting that this has a beneficial effect on the immunological defense system. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Organic and inorganic sources of zinc, copper and selenium in diets for dairy cows: intake, blood metabolic profile, milk yield and composition

The present study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effects of feeding dairy cows with organic or inorganic sources of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) on blood concentrations of these minerals, blood metabolic profiles, nutrient intake and milk yield and composition. Nineteen Holstein cows were selected and randomly assigned to two groups for receiving organic (n = 9) or inorganic (n = 10) sources of Zn, Cu and Se from 60 days before the expected date of calving to 80 days of lactation. Samples of feed, orts and milk were collected for analysis. Body condition score (BCS) was determined and blood samples were collected for analysis of Zn, Cu and Se concentrations, as well as for metabolic profile. Supplying organic or inorganic sources of Zn, Cu, and Se did not affect dry matter and nutrient intake, blood metabolic profile, milk yield and composition, plasma concentration of these minerals, and BCS or change the BCS in cows from 60 days before the expected date of calving to 80 days of lactation. An effect of time was observed on all feed intake variables, plasma concentrations of Zn and Se, milk yield, milk protein content, BCS and change in BCS.

Carcass and cut yields and meat qualitative traits of broilers fed diets containing probiotics and prebiotics

This study evaluated the use of different probiotics, prebiotics and symbiotics on the quality of carcasses and meat of broiler chickens. One hundred and eight day-old Cobb male broilers were used (n=108) in a completely randomized design according to a 3x3 factorial, with 3 probiotics in the diet (no probiotics, probiotics 1, probiotics 2) and 3 prebiotics in the diet (no prebiotics, prebiotics 1, prebiotics 2). There were nine treatments with 4 replicates and 3 birds per replicate. The results showed that the carcass and cut yields, color (L* - lightness, a* - redness, and b* - yellowness), pH, cooking losses, shearing force and sensory analysis were not affected by the use of different growth promoters at 42 days of age. It was concluded that growth promoters supplemented to the diet did not affect the studied quantitative and qualitative parameters of the carcass and breast meat of broiler chickens.

Performance, carcass yield, and qualitative characteristics of breast and leg muscles of broilers fed diets supplemented with vitamin E at different ages

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Productive traits of broiler chickens fed diets containing different growth promoters

This study evaluated the effect of different probiotics and prebiotics on the performance of broilers. One-day-old male broiler chicks from the Cobb strain (n=1,260) were randomly distributed in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement, considering 3 probiotics and 3 prebiotics sources. Nine treatments with 4 repetitions and 35 birds per parcel were used. The results showed that there was no influence of treatment on feed intake at the different rearing phases. Better weight gain (p<0.05) was seen when diet was supplemented with the phosphorylated mannanoligosaccharide-based prebiotic (MOS) compared to diets without prebiotics. Feed conversion of birds fed diets with probiotics and prebiotics was better than feed conversion of birds not receiving such additives. Such better results were seen in the initial period (1 to 21 days), but not in the following period (1 to 35 days) or in the total period (1 to 42 days). Better rearing viability was seen when MOS was used together with organic acidifier when compared to the diets without prebiotic. Viability was worst when no prebiotics or probiotics were used. It was concluded that beneficial effects were seen in performance of birds at 21 days when the growth promoters were used, but not at 42 days of age. Nevertheless, there was better growth viability at 42 days of age when growth promoters were added.

Performance of broilers fed diets containing natural growth promoters

The present study evaluated the effect of different probiotics on the performance of broiler chickens. A thousand and fifty one-day-old male Cobb chicks were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 3 x 2 + 1 factorial arrangement (3 probiotics sources in the diet, 2 probiotics concentrations in drinking water and 1 control group), with 5 repetitions of 30 birds per parcel. The results showed better feed conversion (p<0.01) (1-21, 22-35 and 1-45 days) and weight gain (p<0.05) (22-35 and 1-45 days) in the control group in relation to the groups receiving probiotics. The use of Bacillus subtilis in the diet improved (p<0.05) feed conversion during the growing phase, but this was not seen in the following period. Thus, it was concluded that probiotics supplementation had no beneficial effects on the performance.

Passionflower supplementation in diets of Japanese qualis at rearing and laying periods

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Rumen fermentation and rumen microbes in Nellore steers receiving diets with different lipid contents

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of energy level in finisher diets and slaughter age of on the performance and carcass yield in broiler chickens

Male broilers were used to evaluate the effects of different energy levels in finisher diets and age of slaughter on performance, production pattern and carcass yield. Experimental design was a 2x3 factorial arrangement: energy level (ME) in the finisher diet (3,200 and 3,600 kcal ME/kg) and age of slaughter (42, 49 and 56 days), resulting in six treatments with four replicates. The finisher diet was fed only in the last week of the growing period. Characteristics evaluated were feed consumption (FC), body weight gain (WG), feed conversion (FC), energy intake (EI), caloric conversion (CC), efficiency production index, production pattern, and carcass yield. The results showed better WG and CC for broilers fed 3,200 kcal ME/kg finisher diet. Broilers slaughtered at 42 and 49 days of age had better performance and higher annual production than broilers slaughtered at 56 days of age. Carcass yield was influenced by slaughter age and better breast yield was seen at 49 and 56 days than at 42 days of age. It was concluded that 3,200 kcal ME/kg induced the best overall performance. Poultry houses were efficiently used when broilers were slaughtered at 42 days of age. Meat:bone ratio was improved for broilers slaughtered at 49 and 56 days of age.

Effect of phytase in laying hen diets with different phosphorus sources

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of the enzyme phytase in diets formulated with different phosphorus sources on performance, eggshell quality and excretion of commercial laying hens. Two hundred and eighty-eight commercial Hyssex Brown laying hens were evaluated during two production phases, which included eight twenty-eight-day cycles, using a completely randomized design in a 3x2 factorial with six replicates of eight birds per treatment. Three phosphorus sources (calcium and sodium phosphate, micro-granulated dicalcium phosphate and triple super phosphate) and two phytase levels (0 or 1000 FTU/kg diet) were tested in the composition of the diets. After the post-peak period, triple super phosphate decreased bird performance and eggshell quality. It was possible to reduce the levels of phosphorus supplementation when phytase was added to the diet. Besides, phytase supplementation reduced phosphorus, calcium and nitrogen excretions, but affected mean egg weight at production peak.

Effect of probiotic and prebiotic inclusion in weaned piglet diets on structure and ultra-structure of small intestine

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of adding macro and micro minerals in pig feces fed diets with different levels of probiotic

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar dietas contendo diferentes doses (0, 100, 200 e 300 ppm) de probiótico sobre a produção diária de fezes (PDF) e teor de macro e microminerais nas fezes de suínos, nas fases de creche e de crescimento e no período total. A PDF, como porcentagem do peso vivo, somente apresentou diferença estatística (P<0,05) na fase inicial 1. Os teores de macro e microminerais excretados nas fezes não apresentaram diferença (P>0,05) entre tratamentos, a exceção de cálcio e sódio na fase inicial 1 e cálcio, zinco e níquel no período total. A adição de um poliprobiótico às dietas, não afetou a produção de fezes dos suínos nas fases de creche e de crescimento. Entretanto, a presença de microrganismos, adicionados (níveis de 200 e 300 ppm) às dietas reduziu a excreção fecal de cálcio, zinco e níquel.

Ractopamine in diets for finishing gilts

Foi realizado um experimento utilizando-se 468 fêmeas, com peso inicial de 84,77 ± 7,20 kg, alojadas em 36 baias, para avaliar os efeitos da adição de ractopamina nas dietas sobre o desempenho, as características e os rendimentos de cortes comerciais da carcaça, a composição e os cortes cárneos do pernil. O desenho experimental usado foi o de blocos ao acaso com quatro níveis de ractopamina (0, 5, 10 e 15 mg/kg de dieta) e nove repetições com 13 animais por unidade experimental. O critério para formação dos blocos foi o peso inicial dos animais. Não foram observados efeitos dos níveis de ractopamina sobre o ganho de peso diário dos animais. O consumo diário de ração apresentou redução linear com o aumento do nível de ractopamina nas dietas. A conversão alimentar dos animais melhorou de forma linear com a inclusão de ractopamina na dieta dos animais. Verificaram-se também diferenças significativas na proporção de gordura e carne na carcaça e nos cortes cárneos. Houve efeito linear decrescente da ractopamina sobre a quantidade e profundidade de gordura e efeito linear crescente sobre a porcentagem de carne magra, de carne no pernil e sobre os pesos de semimembranosus e gluteus medius. Dietas para fêmeas suínas em fase final de terminação devem conter 15 mg de ractopamina por kg.

Phosphorus bioavailability in diets for growing horses

A study of phosphorus (P) metabolism was carried out using 12 month old Brasileiro de Hipismo breed of horses to determine the P bioavailability available from feeds commonly fed to horses in Brazil. Five different diets were formulated to contain approximately equivalent levels of crude protein and digestible energy, as well as to supply at least 22 g P/horse/day (NRC, 1989). All 5 diets contained 40% Bermuda coastal hay plus 60% concentrate. The 5 different concentrates contained: C1 (corn+ cottonseed meal) C2 (corn grain+soybean meal) C3 (corn+sugarcane yeast), C4 (oat+cottonseed meal), and C5 (oat+soybean meal). The radioisotope (32)p was injected with 30 NIB. Blood, feces and urine were collected for 7 days to evaluate endogenous fecal P and true absorption. Analysis of variance of P intake showed differences due to dietary effects (P < 0.05). Concentrate C3 had the lowest intake (79.68 mg/ kg BW). All of the diets produced positive P retention. Absolute values for P concentrations in plasma, urine, feces and endogenous feces did not vary between diets. Values for endogenous fecal P were independent of the level of P intake, so the correlation between P intake and P endogenous was not significant. P bioavailability values were 50.75; 40.98; 43.50; 51.03 and 57.68% for diets C1 through C5, respectively. However, differences in P bioavailability were found (P < 0.05) between diets. Diets C2 and C3 had lower P bioavailability than the other diets. The P bioavailability of all dietary treatments in this study exceeded NRC (1989) postulations of 35% true P absorption in diets not supplemented with inorganic P. The results of this study indicate that inorganic P supplementation is not needed for growing yearlings fed common Brazilian feeds. Considering the high cost of P supplementation and the risk of environmental P contamination, inorganic phosphorus supplementation for growing yearlings may not be required. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Humoral immune response of broilers fed diets containing yeast extract and prebiotics in the prestarter phase and raised at different temperatures

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)