Research

15 pages, 1352 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Citrus Pellet on Extrusion Parameters, Kibble Macrostructure, Starch Cooking and In Vitro Digestibility of Dog Foods

by Salvatore Cucinotta, Marianna Oteri, Mayara Aline Baller, Lucas Bassi Scarpim, Camila Goloni, Biagina Chiofalo and Aulus Cavalieri Carciofi

Animals 2023, 13(4), 745; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040745 - 19 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1319

Abstract

Fiber supplemented extruded foods are produced by pet food companies to help with several specific health conditions. The fiber material, however, is difficult to incorporate efficiently into dry kibble diets for dogs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of [...] Read more.

Fiber supplemented extruded foods are produced by pet food companies to help with several specific health conditions. The fiber material, however, is difficult to incorporate efficiently into dry kibble diets for dogs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of citrus pulp pellet (CPP), the solid waste part of the production of orange juice characterized by a good proportion of soluble and fermentable fiber, on extrusion traits, kibble macrostructure, starch gelatinization and in vitro digestibility of dog foods. A control formula (CO) was developed for dogs. CPP was added to CO at different inclusion levels: 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. Foods were extruded in a single screw extruder using two different die diameters (d_d): 5 mm and 7 mm. CPP inclusion with 5 mm d_d did not affect bulk and piece density and resulted in a lower impact on kibble expansion; It also resulted in greater starch gelatinization and kibble expansion compared to the 7 mm d_d configuration (p < 0.01). In addition to the nutritional implications, recycling and proper uses of this material exemplified in the present study by the exploration of CPP as a fiber source to dogs, this method can improve sustainable agriculture by transforming low-quality materials into high-quality foods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Impact of Feed Technologies in Animal Production)

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12 pages, 574 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diet Composition and Using Probiotics or Symbiotics Can Modify the Urinary and Faecal Nitrogen Ratio of Broiler Chicken’s Excreta and Also the Dynamics of In Vitro Ammonia Emission

by Nikoletta Such, Ákos Mezőlaki, Mohamed Ali Rawash, Kesete Goitom Tewelde, László Pál, László Wágner, Kornél Schermann, Judit Poór and Károly Dublecz

Animals 2023, 13(3), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13030332 - 17 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1705

Abstract

The objective of this research was to determine whether diet composition, or adding probiotic or symbiotic feed additives to broiler diets can modify the N composition of the excreta and the dynamics of ammonia volatilization from the manure. A total of 574 one-day-old [...] Read more.

The objective of this research was to determine whether diet composition, or adding probiotic or symbiotic feed additives to broiler diets can modify the N composition of the excreta and the dynamics of ammonia volatilization from the manure. A total of 574 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were fed four different diets. The treatments included a corn and soybean meal-based control diets (C), wheat-based and wheat bran containing diets (W), a multi-strain probiotic treatment (Broilact^®; Br), and a symbiotic additive containing Bacillus subtilis, inulin, and Saccharomices cerevisiae (Sy). Feeding the wheat-based diet significantly improved the weight gain and FCR of chickens. Treatment W also significantly increased the dry matter content of the excreta compared with the probiotic and symbiotic treatments. Both Br and Sy tended to decrease the amount of excreted uric acid, which is the main substrate of ammonia. Treatment Sy reduced the urinary N ratio of the excreta in comparison with treatment W. The symbiotic additive resulted in significantly higher ammonia emission in the first two hours. On the other hand, the dynamics of the emission was slow at the beginning and increased steeply after 15 h when the wheat-based diets were fed. Based on our results, the wheat-based diets, containing soluble arabinoxylans, and the symbiotic treatments of broiler diets have an impact on the urinary and faecal nitrogen composition of the excreta, and also on the dynamics of ammonia release from the manure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Impact of Feed Technologies in Animal Production)

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9 pages, 233 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Requirements and Metabolism for Calcium, Phosphorus and Vitamin D₃ in the Growing–Furring Blue Foxes

by Ting Li, Zhiheng Du, Yinan Xu, Xiujuan Bai and Guangyu Li

Animals 2022, 12(20), 2776; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12202776 - 14 Oct 2022

Viewed by 1243

Abstract

A 3 × 3 factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of dietary calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D₃ (VD₃) supplement levels on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and serum biochemical indices of growing-furring blue foxes. One hundred and thirty-five [...] Read more.

A 3 × 3 factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of dietary calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D₃ (VD₃) supplement levels on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and serum biochemical indices of growing-furring blue foxes. One hundred and thirty-five 120-day-old male blue foxes were randomly allocated into nine groups. The nine treatment diets were supplemented with 0%, 0.4%, or 0.8% Ca, and 1000, 2000, or 4000 IU·kg⁻¹ VD₃. The base diet contained 0.8% Ca and 327 IU·kg⁻¹ VD₃. The dietary calcium level had a significant effect on the average daily gain (ADG) of blue foxes at 121 to 135 days of age and 136 to 150 days (p < 0.05). The ADG of blue foxes at 121 to 135 days of age was significantly decreased by VD₃ level (p < 0.05). The Ca dosage decreased the nutrient digestibility (p < 0.05). The Ca dosage increased the fecal Ca and P and decreased the P digestibility (p < 0.05). Interactions were found between the Ca and VD₃ levels, which affected the digestibility of Ca and P (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this research determined the suitable doses of Ca and VD₃ for growing-furring blue foxes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Impact of Feed Technologies in Animal Production)

10 pages, 780 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prophylactic Feeding of Clostridium butyricum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Were Advantageous in Resisting the Adverse Effects of Heat Stress on Rumen Fermentation and Growth Performance in Goats

by Ligang Xue, Dan Wang, Fangyu Zhang and Liyuan Cai

Animals 2022, 12(18), 2455; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12182455 - 16 Sep 2022

Viewed by 1581

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the prophylactic feeding of Clostridium butyricum (CB), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC), and their mixture before the onset of heat stress on the rumen fermentation and growth performance of goats, and subsequently, on heat stress status. Forty-eight [...] Read more.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the prophylactic feeding of Clostridium butyricum (CB), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC), and their mixture before the onset of heat stress on the rumen fermentation and growth performance of goats, and subsequently, on heat stress status. Forty-eight male Macheng Black × Boer crossed goats (22.25 ± 4.26 kg) were divided into four groups—the control group (fed the basal diet), and the CB (0.05% CB added to the basal diet), SC (0.60% SC added to the basal diet), and Mix (0.05% CB and 0.60% SC added to the basal diet) groups—and fed for fourteen days. Then, these goats were kept in a heat stress environment (with a temperature–humidity index of 87.04) for fourteen days. Then, the parameters of rumen fermentation and growth performance were measured. The results showed that the pH values, the activities of cellulolytic enzymes (avicelase, CMCaes, cellobiase, and xylanase), and the concentrations of ammonia-N, total volatile fatty acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the rumens of the CB, SC, and Mix groups compared to those of the control group. Moreover, the average daily gain and the digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the CB, SC, and Mix groups compared to those of the control group. These results suggest that these two probiotics and their mixture effectively alleviate the adverse effects of heat stress on rumen fermentation and growth performance via prophylactic feeding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Impact of Feed Technologies in Animal Production)

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13 pages, 1524 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Arginine Enhances Ovarian Antioxidant Capability via Nrf2/Keap1 Pathway during the Luteal Phase in Ewes

by Yan Ma, Zhiyi Guo, Qiujue Wu, Binyao Cheng, Zhenhan Zhai and Yuqin Wang

Animals 2022, 12(16), 2017; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12162017 - 09 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1383

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of arginine (Arg) on ovarian antioxidant capability during the luteal phase in ewes. A total of 108 multiparous Hu sheep at two years of age were randomly allocated to three groups: a control group (CG), a restriction group [...] Read more.

This study evaluated the effect of arginine (Arg) on ovarian antioxidant capability during the luteal phase in ewes. A total of 108 multiparous Hu sheep at two years of age were randomly allocated to three groups: a control group (CG), a restriction group (RG), and an Arg group (AG), with six replicates per group and six ewes per replicate. Our results showed that the end body weight was significantly decreased in the RG group (p < 0.05), while the Arg addition reversed this reduction. The estrous cycle days were significantly increased in the RG group (p < 0.05), while Arg addition reversed this time extension. Compared with the control group, restricting feeding could significantly enhance the number of small follicles (SF), total follicles (TF), large corpora lutea, and the SF/TF (p < 0.05), while Arg addition reduced the number of SF and TF. However, the large follicles/TF were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), while Arg addition reversed this reduction. In addition, nutrition restriction significantly increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) level (p < 0.05), while significantly decreased the glutathione/glutathione disulfide and the activities of superoxidative dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in the ovaries (p < 0.05). However, Arg addition reversed this enhancement of the MDA level and the reductions in these antioxidant enzymes activities. In addition, positive relationships occurred between antioxidant enzyme activities and the enzyme mRNA expressions. Meanwhile, the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) mRNA expression was positively connected with antioxidant mRNA expressions and negatively related to the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) mRNA expression. The Nrf2 protein expression was negatively related to the Keap1 protein expression. In conclusion, nutrition restriction reduced the ovarian antioxidant capability in ewes, while this was significantly improved by Arg supplementation, which was associated with the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Impact of Feed Technologies in Animal Production)

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13 pages, 1429 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Calcium, Phosphorus and Vitamin D₃ on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Growing Blue Foxes

by Jiayu Liu, Zhiheng Du, Ting Li, Yinan Xu, Jing Lv, Xiujuan Bai, Yuan Xu and Guangyu Li

Animals 2022, 12(14), 1814; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12141814 - 15 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1519

Abstract

Based on the randomized design, a 3 × 3 factorial experiment was designed to examine the effects of dietary calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and vitamin D₃ (VD₃) supplemental levels with a fixed 1.5/1 ratio of Ca to P on the [...] Read more.

Based on the randomized design, a 3 × 3 factorial experiment was designed to examine the effects of dietary calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and vitamin D₃ (VD₃) supplemental levels with a fixed 1.5/1 ratio of Ca to P on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and serum biochemical indices blue foxes’ growth. In total, 135 male blue foxes with the age of 60 days were randomly divided into 9 groups each with 15 blue foxes. The blue foxes belonging to the nine treatment groups were fed Ca supplementation (0%, 0.4%, or 0.8%) and VD₃ supplementation (1000, 2000, or 4000 IU/kg DM). The base diet contained 0.8% Ca and 327 IU/kg VD₃. The dosage of VD₃ in blue foxes showed a significant impact on their growth performance (p < 0.05). The Ca dosage had a linear effect on the digestibility of the CP and carbohydrates (CHO) (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the results indicated that the Ca and VD₃ doses showed promising effects on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in growing blue foxes and could reduce fecal N and P via improvement in protein and P utilization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Impact of Feed Technologies in Animal Production)

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14 pages, 3814 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of High Ambient Temperature on Small Intestinal Morphology and Colonic Microbiota in Weaned Piglets

by Shuaibing Xing, Shuai Chen, Ying Zhao, Yuheng Luo, Bing Yu, Jun He, Zhiqing Huang, Ping Zheng, Xiangbing Mao, Junqiu Luo, Hui Yan and Jie Yu

Animals 2022, 12(14), 1743; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12141743 - 07 Jul 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1674

Abstract

A total of 16 crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) barrows, with an average initial body weight of 8.61 ± 0.24 kg (28 days of age), were randomly allotted into the control group (CON group) and high ambient temperature group (HT group) with [...] Read more.

A total of 16 crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) barrows, with an average initial body weight of 8.61 ± 0.24 kg (28 days of age), were randomly allotted into the control group (CON group) and high ambient temperature group (HT group) with 8 replicates per group, 1 pig per replicate. The ambient temperature of the CON group was controlled at 26 ± 1 °C, and the HT group was controlled at 35 ± 1 °C. The study lasted for 21 days. Our results showed that high ambient temperature significantly decreased the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG) of piglets (p < 0.05), and the feed-to-gain ratio was significantly increased (p < 0.05). The liver index, spleen index, and thymus index of piglets in the HT group were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The villous height (VH) of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of piglets in the HT group was significantly decreased (p < 0.05), whereas the crypt depth (CD) of the duodenum was significantly increased (p < 0.05), and the VH-to-CD ratio of the duodenum and ileum was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The piglets in the HT group showed a higher (p < 0.05) observed-species index, PD whole tree index, and Shannon index, indicating that there was a significant difference in species richness and diversity between the two groups. At the genus level, the piglets in the HT group showed a greater (p < 0.05) percent of Desulfovibrio, Occillibater, and Catenisphaera. HT reduced glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, transport and catabolism, lipid metabolism, amino acids metabolism, secondary metabolites biosynthesis, aging, endocrine system, signaling molecules, and interaction of colon microbiota (p < 0.05), and increased signal transduction, cell motility, transcription, and genetic information processing (p < 0.05). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Impact of Feed Technologies in Animal Production)

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19 pages, 2401 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Fly Maggot Protein Replacement of Fish Meal on Growth Performance, Immune Level, Antioxidant Level, and Fecal Flora of Blue Foxes at Weaning Stage

by Yuan Xu, Hang Su, Ting Li, Jing Lv, Jiayu Liu and Xiujuan Bai

Animals 2022, 12(12), 1480; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12121480 - 07 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1745

Abstract

Dietary protein is a key nutritional parameter and warrants special attention in animal husbandry. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of replacing fish meal (F) with fly maggot protein (M) on the growth performance, antioxidant levels, immune indexes, and fecal microflora in [...] Read more.

Dietary protein is a key nutritional parameter and warrants special attention in animal husbandry. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of replacing fish meal (F) with fly maggot protein (M) on the growth performance, antioxidant levels, immune indexes, and fecal microflora in weaned blue foxes (Alopex lagopus). Twenty weaned blue foxes were randomly assigned to the control (F diet; 6% of F) or experimental (M diet; F substituted by M) group (10 blue foxes per group). The duration of the trial was 28 days. The results showed that there was no significant difference in average daily gain between group M and group F during the experiment (p = 0.473). Moreover, the diarrhea index was similar between group M and group F during the entire experimental period (p = 0.112). At the end of the experiment, the levels of IL-6 and IgG in group M at 28 d were significantly higher than that in group F (p = 0.004, p = 0.025, respectively), but not IL-1β, IL-2, SIgA, IgM, and TNF-α. The levels of SOD in group M at 28 d were significantly higher than those in group F (p = 0.001), and no difference of MDA and T-AOC was found between group F and M (p = 0.073, p = 0.196, respectively). In both groups, the diversity of fecal microbes first increased and then decreased with the progress of the experimental period. Initially, there were differences in the composition of microbial communities between the two groups. However, this difference was attenuated at later stages of the experimental period. In conclusion, fly maggot protein can replace fish meal as a source of animal protein in feed material for blue foxes during the weaning period. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Impact of Feed Technologies in Animal Production)

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