Effects of Colombian oregano essential oil (Lippia origanoides Kunth) and Eimeria species on broiler production and cecal microbiota.

The gut microbiota has an important effect on poultry health and production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Colombian oregano (COO), Lippia origanoides Kunth, essential oil supplementation on broiler chicken performance and their cecal bacterial microbiome by 16S-based sequencing. Essential oil was extracted by steam distillation and analyzed by Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Two COO levels in feed, 0 ppm control (C) and 100 ppm (O), were evaluated in 2 groups of broilers either unchallenged (U) or challenged (E) with a viable attenuated Eimeria (coccidia) oocyte vaccine. Four treatments, UC, UO, EC, and EO, were distributed among 720 one-day-old male Ross broilers randomly placed in 24 pens. Cecal contents DNA was extracted and pyrosequencing was performed following a standard procedure. Pyrosequencing data were processed, and sequence reads were phylogenetically classified. Similarity of membership and structure in the communities were calculated. At the end of the study, the greatest COO effect was found in coccidia-challenged broilers, with an OE body weight of 1,889 ± 52.4 g with respect to 1,799 ± 36.2 g for CE (P < 0.01). Broiler cecal samples were consistent in that phylum Firmicutes and class Clostridia were highly prevalent; COO had no effect on these taxa levels between the 4 treatments (P > 0.05). A positive correlation (P < 0.01) was observed between the Firmicutes:Bacteriodetes phyla ratio against body weight at 35 D of age. This study provided both positive and negative correlations between broiler body weight against some bacterial groups identified, offering perspectives regarding bacterial groups and their impact on host health and metabolism. Lippia origanoides Kunth high thymol content showed a beneficial effect on body weight and the feed conversion ratio in broilers under coccidia challenge.

Effect of Origanum chemotypes on broiler intestinal bacteria.

Essential oils have been proposed as alternatives to antibiotic use in food animal production. This study evaluated 3 chemotypes of the Origanum genus, containing varying amounts of secondary metabolites carvacrol, thymol, and sabinene, in the broiler chicken diet. Aerial parts of Origanum vulgare L. (OL), O. vulgare L. ssp. hirtum (OH), and O. majorana (OM) were collected from a greenhouse located in the high altitude Sabana de Bogotá (Savanna of Bogotá) and O. vulgare L. ssp. hirtum (OG) produced and ground in Greece. Oregano essential oils (OEO) from these plants were obtained by steam distillation and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer. Six treatments were evaluated: 200 mg/kg of OEO from OH, OL, and OM, 50 mg/kg of OEO from OG, 500 mg/kg of chlortetracycline, and without additives. Broiler chicks were maintained at 2,600 m above sea level, placed in brooder cages under a completely randomized design. Template DNA was isolated from duodenal, jejunal, ileal, and cecal contents in each group and bacterial 16S rDNA patterns were analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Dendrograms of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis band patterns revealed 2 main clusters, OEO-treated chicks and nontreated control chicks, in each intestinal segment. Band patterns from different gut compartments revealed major bacterial population shifts in the foregut (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) compared with the hindgut (cecum and colon) at all ages evaluated (P < 0.05). The OEO groups showed less shift (62.7% similarity coefficient) between these 2 compartments versus the control groups (53.7% similarity coefficient). A reduction of 59% in mortality from ascites was seen in additive-supplemented groups compared with the control group. This study represents the first work to evaluate the effects of the 3 main chemotypes of Origanum genus in broilers.

Propiedades matemáticas del modelo de Gompertz y su aplicación al crecimiento de los cerdos / Mathematical properties of the Gompertz model and its application to the growing pig / Propriedades matemáticas do modelo de Gompertz e sua aplicação ao crescimento de suínos

En esta investigación se utiliza el modelo de crecimiento de Gompertz para describir el crecimiento corporal, de la canal y de los componentes químicos (proteína, lípido, ceniza y agua) de cerdos en condiciones comerciales de producción. La descripción del crecimiento y los cambios en la deposición de macromoléculas se realizó en 10 edades (1, 21, 63, 99, 126, 154, 175, 210, 239 y 273 días de edad), sacrificando 39 cerdos. Se colectaron muestras de canal, vísceras rojas y vísceras blancas y se analizaron los componentes químicos. Se verificó que los parámetros del modelo tienen un significado y sensibilidad biológica, que pueden ser interpretados por la madurez al 50% y el peso adulto, los cuales sirven para estimar la influencia de factores ambientales que modifican los parámetros de crecimiento. Los hallazgos de este estudio sitúan las tasas de retención de proteína en 129 g/día, es decir un 17.3% inferior a los hallazgos con genotipos altamente seleccionados y soportan la teoría que establece que las tasas de retención de proteína están estrechamente relacionadas con los patrones de ganancia diaria de peso corporal. El grupo experimental presentó comportamientos en la deposición de los componentes químicos corporales similares a las de animales no mejorados.

In this study, the Gompertz model is used to describe the changes in chemical components (protein, lipids, ash and water) in growing pigs, as body weigh increases. Growth and changes in deposition of several molecules was evaluated at 10 different ages (1, 21, 63, 99,126,154,175, 210, 239 and 273 days of age) in 39 pigs. Carcass samples, red and white viscera were collected and submitted for chemical analysis. Our study demonstrated that the model parameters have significance and biological sensitivity, which can be interpreted through maturity at 50% and at adult weight. These traits can be used to estimate the effect of environmental factors on growth and adult weight. The 129 g/day protein retention rate found in the present study was 17.3% lower than the rate observed for highly selected genotypes, and it supports the theory that protein retention rates are highly related to daily body weight gain patterns. The studied genotype presented a similar pattern for the dynamics of chemical components as non-selected animals.

Nesta pesquisa é utilizado o modelo de crescimento de Gompertz para descrever as relações entre o peso corporal, o peso da canal e os componentes químicos (proteína, lipídeos, cinzas e água) do suíno. A descrição do crescimento e das mudanças na acumulação de macromoléculas foi realizada em 10 diferentes períodos (1, 21, 63, 99, 126, 154, 175, 210, 239 y 273 dias de idade), por meio do sacrifício de 39 suínos. Foram coletadas amostras de canal, vísceras vermelhas e brancas para analise dos componentes químicos. Foi demonstrado que os parâmetros do modelo têm um significado e uma sensibilidade biológica que pode ser interpretada pela maturidade ao 50% e o peso adulto que são úteis para estimar a influencia dos fatores ambientais que modificam o crescimento e o peso adulto. Os resultados desta pesquisa mostraram taxas de retenção de proteína de 129 g/dia, quer dizer 17.3% inferior aos encontrados com genótipos altamente escolhidos e sustenta a teoria que estabelece que as taxas de retenção de proteína estejam intimamente relacionadas com os padrões de ganho diário de peso corporal. O genótipo avaliado apresentou comportamentos na dinâmica dos componentes químicos corporais similares aos dos animais não melhorados.