A meta-analysis of the feed intake and growth performance of broiler chickens challenged by bacteria

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

Evaluation of a commercially available organic acid product on body weight loss, carcass yield, and meat quality during preslaughter feed withdrawal in broiler chickens: A poultry welfare and economic perspective

The effect of a commercial organic acid (OA) product on BW loss (BWL) during feed withdrawal and transportation, carcass yield, and meat quality was evaluated in broiler chickens. Two experiments were conducted in Brazil. Commercial houses were paired as control groups receiving regular water and treated groups receiving OA in the water. Treated birds had a reduction in BWL of 37 g in experiment 1 and 32.2 g in experiment 2. In experiment 2, no differences were observed in carcass yield between groups. Estimation of the cost benefit suggested a 1: 16 ratio by using the OA. In experiment 3, conducted in Mexico, significant differences on water consumption, BWL, and meat quality characteristics were observed in chickens that were treated with the OA (P < 0.05). These data suggest this OA product may improve animal welfare and economic concerns in the poultry industry by reducing BWL and improving meat quality attributes.

Clostridium perfringens in ingredients of poultry feed and control of contamination by chemical treatments

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Feed digestibility and productive performance of bullfrogs raised in cages and fed in different periods and high frequency

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

Short-term cycles of feed deprivation and refeeding promote full compensatory growth in the Amazon fish matrinxa (Brycon amazonicus)

Developing nutritional strategies that can reduce production costs for the fish industry without affecting productive performance is paramount to make the activity sustainable. We investigated if short-term cycles of feed deprivation and refeeding elicit compensatory growth in matrinxa (Brycon amazonicus) juveniles, using three feeding protocols for 60 days (Phase 1): two levels of deprivation (feed deprivation for two days and refeeding for three - D2R3, or four days - D2R4) and a control level (daily feeding). Following, all fish groups were fed daily at satiation for 15 days (Phase 2). At Phase 1, matrinxa achieved full compensatory growth in both deprivation levels by increasing feed intake and feed efficiency. Overall, deprived fish consumed 40% (D2R3) and 36% (D2R4) less feed than fish fed daily. In Phase 2, growth was similar for all fish. Feed intake increased in both deprived fish, but feed efficiency did not differ among groups and was lower than in Phase 1, indicating a reduced efficiency in feed utilization when food was freely available. We propose that intermittent cycles of feeding represent an effective means to reduce production costs. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Genetic parameter estimates for feed efficiency and dry matter intake and their association with growth and carcass traits in Nellore cattle

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

Sex and reproductive stage differences in the growth, metabolism, feed, fecal production, excretion and energy budget of the Amazon River prawn (Macrobrachium amazonicum)

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

Digestive enzymatic responses of chickens feed-restricted and refed as affected by age

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Occurrence of heat waves in Triangulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaiba and their effect on milk yield and feed intake in cattle

The aim of this study was to estimate milk production and food consumption during the occurrence of heat waves in the Triangulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaiba, MG by means of bioclimatic zoning based on the Temperature and Humidity Index (THI). Therefore a history of heat wave occurrence between the years 2000-2010 was compiled. The decline in milk production (DMP) and reduced food consumption (RFC) were simulated in cities where periods of heat waves were identified. Frutal and Ituiutaba had the highest rate of heat wave occurrence per year. The DMP and RFC showed bioclimatic differences between the cities of Uberaba, Ituiutaba and Frutal. The cities with the best bioclimatic conditions were Sacramento and Patrocinio, as they presented a THI classified outside of the emergency range, with a night THI of below 76 and without heat waves. Therefore, the occurrence of heat waves can impair food intake and decrease milk production, thereby most effectively demonstrating the effects of thermal stress on dairy cows in the Triangulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaiba, MG region.

Feed digestion of growing Saanen goats

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Effect of prey concentrations and feed training on production of Hoplias lacerdae juvenile

The aim of this work was to investigate the s of daily prey concentration during the first 15 days of active feeding of Hoplias lacerdae larvae, and the juvenile size on the feed training. In the first phase, the larvae received five Artemia nauplii concentrations (P). In the second phase, the juveniles from each treatment were trained to accept formulated diet. Superior growth was related to higher initial daily prey concentrations (900 and 1100 nauplii larvae-1). During feed training, the growth tendency was similar to that verified in the first phase. The lowest values of specific growth rate (SGR) were registered after the introduction of the semi-moist diet used in the feed training. However, the values of SGR recovered along the experiment and similar rates were found among the treatments. Survival, mortality and cannibalism were similar in the different treatments at the end of both phases. It can be concluded that: the prey concentration affects growth of H. lacerdae during the first 15 days of active feeding, and feed training can be initialized with juveniles of about 16 mm of total length.

Fatty acid profile and meat quality of young bulls fed ground soybean or ground cottonseed and vitamin E

The objective of this study was to evaluate the fatty acid profile and qualitative characteristics of meat from feedlot young bulls fed ground soybean or ground cottonseed, with or without supplementation of vitamin E. A total of 40 Red Norte young bulls, with an initial average age of 20 months, and an initial average BW of 339 +/- 15 kg, were allotted in a completely randomized design using a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement, with two oilseeds, and daily supplementation or not of 2500 IU of vitamin E. The experimental period was for 84 days, which was preceded by an adaptation period of 28 days. The treatments were ground soybean (SB), ground soybean plus vitamin E (SBE), ground cottonseed (CS) and ground cottonseed plus vitamin E (CSE). The percentage of cottonseed and soybean in the diets (dry matter basis) was 24% and 20%, respectively. Diets were isonitrogenous (13% CP) and presented similar amount of ether extract (6.5%). The animals were slaughtered at average live weight of 464 +/- 15 kg, and samples were taken from the longissimus dorsi muscle for the measurement of fatty acid concentration and the evaluation of lipid oxidation and color of the beef. Before fatty acid extraction, muscle tissue and subcutaneous fat of the longissimus dorsi were separated to analyze fatty acid profile in both tissues. Supplementation of vitamin E did not affect fatty acid concentration, lipid oxidation and color (P > 0.05). Subcutaneous fat from animals fed CS diet had greater C12: 0, C16: 0 and C18: 0 contents (P < 0.03). In addition, CS diets reduced the C18: 1 and C18: 2 cis-9, trans-11 contents in subcutaneous fat (P < 0.05). The muscle from animals fed CS tended to higher C16: 0 and C18: 0 contents (P < 0.11), and decreased C18: 1, C18: 2 cis-9, trans-11 and C18: 3 contents (P < 0.05) compared with SB. The Delta(9)-desaturase index was greater in muscle from animals fed SB (P < 0.01). At 42 days of age, meat from cattle fed SB had a greater lipid oxidation rate (P < 0.05). Meat from animals fed SB diets had less lightness and redness indices than meat from animals fed CS diets after 14 days of age. In conclusion, the addition of ground cottonseed in the finishing diets did increase the saturated fatty acid content of the longissimus dorsi. However, animals fed cottonseed exhibited greater lightness and redness of beef. In this study, the addition of vitamin E did not affect qualitative characteristics of meat.

Global liver gene expression differences in Nelore steers with divergent residual feed intake phenotypes

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Expression of genes related to mitochondrial function in Nellore cattle divergently ranked on residual feed intake

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

The ultra-sonication of minerals in swine feed

A sample preparation method based on ultrasound assisted-extraction (UAE) of Ca, Mg and P from swine feed has been described. The experiment was performed to cover the variables influencing the sonication process and, the method validation using standard reference material. Final solutions obtained upon sonication were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (for Ca and Mg) and by UV-vis spectrophotometry (for P). The best conditions for metal extraction were as follows: sample mass: 100 mg in 20 mL 0.10 mol/L HCl, a particle size: <60 μm, sonication time: 5 cycles of 10 s and ultrasound power: 102 W. The UAE method was applied in digestibility assays in different piglet feeds and their results showed that it is highly comparable (P > 0.05) to the other methods used for such purposes, as block digestion, and offered a Ca, Mg and P method of quantification limit of 10.6, 12.4 and 14 mg/kg, respectively. The major advantages of the UAE method compared to other methods are the high treatment rate, low reagent usage in the extracts and, it does not generate toxic residues that might negatively affect human health and the environment, accompanied by good precision and accuracy.