Dietary supplementation with synbiotics improves growth performance, antioxidant status, immune function, and intestinal barrier function in broilers subjected to cyclic heat stress.

This study investigated the effects of synbiotics supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant status, immune function, and intestinal barrier function in broilers subjected to cyclic heat stress. One hundred and forty-four 22-day-old male broilers were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups of six replicates each for a 21-day study, with eight birds per replicate. Broilers in the control group were reared at a thermoneutral temperature and received a basal diet. Broilers in the other two heat-stressed groups were fed a basal diet supplemented without (heat-stressed group) and with 1.5 g/kg synbiotic (synbiotic group). One and a half gram of the synbiotic consisted with 3 × 109 colony forming units (CFU) Clostridium butyricum, 1.5 × 109 CFU Bacillus licheniformis, 4.5 × 1010 CFU Bacillus subtilis, 600 mg yeast cell wall, and 150 mg xylooligosaccharide. Compared with the control group, heat stress increased rectal temperatures at 28, 35, and 42 days of age, respectively (P < 0.05). Birds subjected to heat stress had reduced weight gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency during 22 to 42 days (P < 0.05). In contrast, supplementation with the synbiotic decreased rectal temperature at 42 days of age and elevated weight gain of heat stress-challenged broilers (P < 0.05). Heat-stressed broilers exhibited a lower superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in jejunal mucosa and a higher malondialdehyde accumulation in serum, liver and jejunal mucosa (P < 0.05), and the regressive SOD activity was normalized to control level when supplementing synbiotic (P < 0.05). Heat stress increased interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels in serum and IL-1ß content in jejunal mucosa of broilers (P < 0.05). Synbiotic reduced IL-1ß level in serum of broilers subjected to heat stress (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, elevated serum diamine oxidase activity and reduced jejunal villus height were observed in broilers of the heat-stressed group (P < 0.05), and the values of these two parameters in the synbiotic group were intermediate (P > 0.05). Heat stress upregulated mRNA abundance of IL-1ß and IFN-γ and downregulated gene expression levels of occluding and zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1) in jejunal mucosa of broilers (P < 0.05). The alterations in the mRNA expression levels of jejunal IL-1ß and ZO-1 were reversed by the synbiotic (P > 0.05). In conclusion, dietary synbiotics could improve growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune function, and intestinal barrier function in heat-stressed broilers.

Dietary chitooligosaccharide supplementation improves mineral deposition, meat quality and intramuscular oxidant status in broilers.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed at evaluating the in vitro adsorption capability of chitooligosaccharide (COS) with some metal elements (Fe, Zn, Cd, Pb) at different pH values along with potential effects of dietary COS supplementation on growth performance, mineral content, meat quality and oxidant status in broilers. Day-old male chicks were randomly distributed into two groups and offered a basal diet supplemented with or without 30 mg kg-1 COS for 42 days. RESULTS: In vitro trials demonstrated that Fe levels were higher (P < 0.001) in the COS-treated group compared with the non-treated group at pH of 2.5. However, these levels became lowered when pH values were raised to 5 (P < 0.01) or 6 (P < 0.001). Similarly, COS adsorbed more (P < 0.05) Zn at pH values of 2.5 and 6, and Cd contents at pH of 2.5 for 70 min when compared with the control. For in vivo trial, the feed-to-gain ratio, serum Cu (P < 0.01), hepatic Mn, Cr (P < 0.05) and intramuscular Cd (P < 0.01) were lower in response to COS treatment. Supplementation of COS improved (P < 0.05) meat quality of broilers in terms of lower drip loss, cooking loss and malondialdehyde content with a concomitant increase (P < 0.01) in the pH of breast meat at 24 h post mortem. CONCLUSION: COS adsorbed heavy metal ions not only in vitro but also in broilers, and dietary supplementation with 30 mg kg-1 COS improved growth performance, breast meat quality and oxidant status in broilers. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Protective effects of dietary synbiotic supplementation on meat quality and oxidative status in broilers under heat stress.

This study evaluated protective effects of synbiotic on meat quality and oxidative status of breast muscle in heat-stressed broilers. Twenty 2-day-old broilers were allocated in a 2×2 factorial design, and the main factors consisted of synbiotic level (0 (basal diet) or 1.5 g/kg synbiotic) and temperature (thermoneutral or high temperature), resulting in 4 treatments. From 22 to 42 days, chickens were raised at thermoneutral temperature (22 °C) or subjected to cyclic high temperature (heat stress, HS) by keeping them at 32-33 °C for 8 h and 22 °C for rest 16 h daily. Cyclic HS decreased relative weight, redness (45 min), and pH values (45 min and 24 h) but increased contents of moisture and ether extract, lightness (45 min and 24 h), drip loss (24 h and 48 h), and cooking loss in breast muscle of broilers compared with those under thermoneutral temperature. It also increased malondialdehyde content and mRNA abundances of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and HSP90 but decreased glutathione (GSH) concentration and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), as well as mRNA abundances of nuclear factor (erythroid 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), GSH-Px, and copper and zinc superoxide dismutase in breast muscle in broilers. Dietary synbiotic supplementation was effective in increasing weight and reducing lightness (45 min), drip loss (24 h and 48 h) and cooking loss of breast muscle in heat-stressed broilers compared with those fed the basal diet. It also reduced malondialdehyde content and HSP70 mRNA abundance and increased GSH-Px activity, GSH content, and mRNA abundances of Nrf2, NQO1 and GSH-Px in breast muscle of heat-stressed broilers. These results suggested that synbiotic supplementation at a level of 1.5 g/kg could ameliorate compromised meat quality and oxidative status in broilers under cyclic HS.

Protective effects of dietary mannan oligosaccharide on heat stress-induced hepatic damage in broilers.

Heat stress is a major concern in broiler's production, which can damage liver of broilers. This study investigated the protective effects of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) on heat stress-induced hepatic injury in broilers. A total of 144 day-old male chicks were allocated into three treatment groups. Broilers raised under normal ambient temperature were fed a basal diet (control group), and broilers under heat stress (32-33 °C for 8 h daily) were given the basal diet supplemented without MOS (heat stress group) or with 1 g/kg MOS (MOS group) for 42 days. Compared with the control group, heat stress reduced liver weight, whereas increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities in the serum. It also reduced glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the serum and liver, GSH content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the liver, but increased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the serum and liver. Dietary MOS decreased serum ALT activity in heat-stressed broilers. MOS inclusion also decreased serum MDA content, but elevated hepatic GSH-Px and SOD activities, with MDA content and GSH-Px activity still being different from the control group, and SOD activity being similar to the control group. Heat stress increased concentrations of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the serum and liver, interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) in the liver, and mRNA abundances of HSP70, TLR4, MyD88, TNF-α, and IL-1ß in the liver of broilers. Serum TNF-α content and mRNA abundances of hepatic TLR4 and TNF-α in MOS group were lower than the heat stress group, whereas these indexes were still higher than the control group. Our results indicated that dietary MOS ameliorated hepatic damage in heat-stressed broilers through alleviation of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Dietary ß-sitosterol regulates serum lipid level and improves immune function, antioxidant status, and intestinal morphology in broilers.

This research investigated effects of dietary ß-sitosterol addition at different levels on serum lipid levels, immune function, oxidative status, and intestinal morphology in broilers. One-day-old broiler chicks were allocated to 5 groups of 6 replicates. Chickens in the 5 groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control group), 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg/kg of ß-sitosterol for 42 D, respectively. ß-Sitosterol linearly decreased (P < 0.05) concentrations of serum total cholesterol, jejunal tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and ileal interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) and mRNA relative expressions levels of jejunal TLR4 and ileal MyD88, whereas it linearly increased (P < 0.05) contents of jejunal immunoglobulin G (IgG), ileal secreted IgA and glutathione, jejunal catalase activity and Nrf2 mRNA relative expression level, villus height (VH), and VH-to-crypt depth (CD) ratio (VH:CD) in the jejunum and ileum. Linear and quadratic increases (P < 0.05) in absolute and relative spleen weight were observed by dietary ß-sitosterol, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the jejunum and ileum followed the opposite trend (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, dietary ß-sitosterol at higher than or equal to 60 mg/kg level decreased (P < 0.05) contents of serum total cholesterol, ileal MDA, and jejunal TLR4 mRNA relative expression level, whereas it increased (P < 0.05) absolute spleen weight and ileal glutathione content. Higher than or equal to 80 mg/kg level of ß-sitosterol enhanced (P < 0.05) jejunal IgG concentration, VH, catalase activity, and Nrf2 relative expression level and ileal secreted IgA content, but reduced (P < 0.05) ileal IL-1ß content and MyD88 mRNA relative expression level. ß-Sitosterol addition at 60 and 80 mg/kg levels increased (P < 0.05) relative spleen weight, whereas it decreased (P < 0.05) jejunal MDA accumulation. Moreover, 100 mg/kg level of ß-sitosterol reduced (P < 0.05) jejunal TNF-α level, but it increased (P < 0.05) VH in the jejunum and VH:CD in the jejunum and ileum. Accordingly, dietary ß-sitosterol supplementation could regulate serum cholesterol level, promote immune function, and improve intestinal oxidative status and morphology in broilers.

Effects of Dietary Zeolite Supplementation as an Antibiotic Alternative on Growth Performance, Intestinal Integrity, and Cecal Antibiotic Resistance Genes Abundances of Broilers.

The study investigated the effects of dietary zeolite supplementation as an antibiotic alternative on growth performance, intestinal integrity, and cecal antibiotic resistance genes abundances of broilers. One-day-old chicks were assigned into three groups and fed a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with antibiotics (50 mg/kg) or zeolite (10 g/kg). Antibiotic or zeolite increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) from 1 to 42 days and duodenal villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH:CD) at 21 days. Zeolite increased (p < 0.05) ADG and average daily feed intake from 1 to 21 days, jejunal VH:CD at 21 and 42 days, ileal VH and VH:CD at 42 days, zonula occludens-1 mRNA abundance at 21 days, and duodenal occludin mRNA abundance at 42 days, whereas reduced (p < 0.05) jejunal CD and malondialdehyde levels in ileum at 21 days and duodenum at 42 days, serum D-lactic acid and diamine oxidase levels at 42 days, and plasma lipopolysaccharide content at 21 and 42 days. Antibiotics reduced (p < 0.05) duodenal claudin-2 mRNA abundance at 21 days, whereas increased (p < 0.05) cecal tetB abundance at 42 days. These findings suggested that the beneficial effects of zeolite in broilers were more pronounced than that of antibiotics.

Dietary Chitooligosaccharide Inclusion as an Alternative to Antibiotics Improves Intestinal Morphology, Barrier Function, Antioxidant Capacity, and Immunity of Broilers at Early Age.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of chitooligosaccharide (COS) inclusion as an alternative to antibiotics on growth performance, intestinal morphology, barrier function, antioxidant capacity, and immunity in broilers. In total, 144 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly assigned into 3 groups and fed a basal diet free from antibiotics (control group) or the same basal diet further supplemented with either chlortetracycline (antibiotic group) or COS, for 21 days. Compared with the control group, inclusion of COS reduced the feed to gain ratio, the jejunal crypt depth, the plasma diamine oxidase activity, and the endotoxin concentration, as well as jejunal and ileal malondialdehyde contents, whereas increased duodenal villus height, duodenal and jejunal ratio of villus height to crypt depth, intestinal immunoglobulin G, and jejunal immunoglobulin M (IgM) contents were observed, with the values of these parameters being similar or better to that of the antibiotic group. Additionally, supplementation with COS enhanced the superoxide dismutase activity and IgM content of the duodenum and up-regulated the mRNA level of claudin three in the jejunum and ileum, when compared with the control and antibiotic groups. In conclusion, dietary COS inclusion (30 mg/kg), as an alternative to antibiotics, exerts beneficial effects on growth performance, intestinal morphology, barrier function, antioxidant capacity, and immunity in broilers.

Effects of dietary supplementation with betaine on muscle growth, muscle amino acid contents and meat quality in Cherry Valley ducks.

The effects of dietary betaine supplementation on growth performance, carcass characteristics, muscle amino acid contents, meat quality, antioxidant capacity, myogenic gene expression and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway in Cherry Valley ducks were evaluated. A total of 720 1-day-old Cherry Valley ducks were randomly distributed into four groups with six replicates of 30 birds for a 42-day feeding trial. Ducks were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 250, 500 or 1,000 mg/kg betaine, respectively. Growth performance was not affected by betaine. Incremental levels of betaine linearly (p < 0.05) increased the breast muscle yield and linearly (p < 0.05) decreased the subcutaneous fat thickness and the abdominal fat yield. The contents of methionine, serine, glycine, glutamate and total non-essential amino acid in breast muscle were linearly (p < 0.05) increased by betaine supplementation. With increasing betaine levels, the drip loss and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were linearly (p < 0.05) decreased, and the redness of meat (linear p < 0.05), the activities of catalase (CAT) (linear p < 0.05) and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) (linear p < 0.05, quadratic p < 0.05) were increased. Moreover, the myogenic differentiation factor 1 (MyoD1) mRNA expression and the mTOR mRNA expression and protein phosporylation were linearly (p < 0.05) up-regulated, and the myostatin (MSTN) mRNA expression was linearly (p < 0.05) down-regulated by betaine supplementation. Overall, this study indicated that betaine supplementation did not affect the growth performance of Cherry Valley ducks, but could linearly increase some amino acid contents in breast muscle, especially glycine, and increase muscle antioxidant activity to improve meat quality. Moreover, betaine supplementation could improve the breast muscle yield by increasing MyoD1 mRNA expression, decreasing MSTN mRNA expression and regulating mTOR signalling pathway.

The protective effects of modified palygorskite on the broilers fed a purified zearalenone-contaminated diet.

This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of dietary modified palygorskite (Pal) supplementation on broiler chickens fed a purified zearalenone (ZEN)-contaminated diet. A total of 144 1-day-old male chicks were allocated to one of the 3 treatments, with each treatment being composed of 6 replicates of 8 birds each. The birds were fed with a control diet (Control group), the ZEN-contaminated diet (2.0 mg ZEN/kg diet), and the ZEN-contaminated diet supplemented with 1.0 g/kg diet of modified Pal for 42 d, respectively. Compared with control group, feeding ZEN-contaminated diet reduced weight gain and feed conversion efficiency of broilers during the finisher and overall experimental period (P < 0.05), while the values of these parameters in broilers fed the diet contaminated with ZEN increased after modified Pal administration (P < 0.05). ZEN challenge increased the 21-d serum aspartate aminotransferase and 42-d serum alanine aminotransferase activities, 42-d relative liver weight, and ZEN residues in the liver at both 21 and 42 d and kidney at 42 d (P < 0.05). In contrast, birds fed the ZEN-contaminated diet that was supplemented with modified Pal exhibited lower serum alanine aminotransferase activity at 42 d, relative liver weight at 42 d, and hepatic and renal ZEN accumulation at both 21 and 42 d (P < 0.05), when compared with their counterparts fed the contaminated diet. ZEN contamination decreased superoxide dismutase activity in the serum at 21 d, kidney at 42 d, and liver at both 21 and 42 d, respectively (P < 0.05). The hepatic and renal malondialdehyde accumulation at 42 d increased, while renal glutathione level at 42 d decreased, when feeding broilers with the ZEN-contaminated diet (P < 0.05). Dietary modified Pal supplementation reduced hepatic malondialdehyde accumulation, whereas increased renal superoxide dismutase activity in broilers fed a ZEN-contaminated diet at 42 d (P < 0.05). This finding suggested that dietary modified Pal administration could promote growth performance, reduce hepatonephric ZEN residues, and improve liver function and antioxidant status of broiler chickens receiving a ZEN-contaminated diet.

Dietary ß-Sitosterol Improves Growth Performance, Meat Quality, Antioxidant Status, and Mitochondrial Biogenesis of Breast Muscle in Broilers.

The present study evaluated effects of ß-sitosterol on growth performance, meat quality, oxidative status, and mitochondrial biogenesis of breast muscle in broilers. One-day-old chicks were allocated to five treatments of six replicates. Broilers were fed a basal diet supplemented either with 0 (control), 40, 60, 80, or 100 mg/kg ß-sitosterol for 42 days. ß-sitosterol linearly and quadratically reduced feed/gain ratio, lightness24h and cooking loss24h in breast muscle, whereas 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity of breast muscle followed an opposite trend. ß-sitosterol linearly decreased drip loss24h and malondialdehyde content, whereas linearly increased pH24h, superoxide dismutase activity, and mRNA abundances of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PCG-1α) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) in breast muscle. Compared with control, levels of ß-sitosterol higher than 40 mg/kg reduced feed/gain ratio, muscular lightness24h, cooking loss24h, and malondialdehyde level, whereas increased muscular 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity, and mRNA abundances (except 60 mg/kg) of PCG-1α and TFAM. Eighty milligram/kilogram ß-sitosterol increased muscular pH24h and superoxide dismutase activity, but decreased its drip loss24h. Therefore, ß-sitosterol could improve growth performance and meat quality, oxidative status, and mitochondrial biogenesis of breast muscle in broilers. Furthermore, supplementation level of 80 mg/kg ß-sitosterol is recommended for broiler diets.

Dietary Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) Oil Supplementation Improves Growth Performance, Cecal Microflora, Immunity, and Antioxidant Capacity of Partridge Shank Chickens.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tea tree oil (TTO) supplementation on the growth performance, cecal microflora composition, immunity, and antioxidant status of Partridge Shank chickens. A total of 144 one-day-old chicks were allocated into three treatments with six replicates of eight chicks each and fed with a basal diet supplemented with 0 (Control group), 500, and 1000 mg/kg TTO for 50 days. Compared with the control group, the broilers fed with the basal diet supplemented with 1000 mg/kg TTO exhibited an increase in average daily gain from 22 to 50 days (P=0.035) and in both relative thymus weight (P<0.001) and Lactobacillus colonies in the cecal contents (P=0.045) at 50 days of age, but a reduction in the feed/gain ratio during 1 to 50 days (P=0.048). Additionally, dietary TTO supplementation, irrespective of dosage, increased the relative spleen weight (P=0.003) and total antioxidant capacity in the jejunum (P=0.049) and ileum (P=0.001) at 21 days, but decreased the malondialdehyde content in the ileum at both 21 (P=0.003) and 50 days (P<0.001) and in the jejunum at 50 days (P=0.012). The results suggested that TTO supplementation could improve the growth performance, cecal microflora composition, immunity, and antioxidant capacity of Partridge Shank chickens.

Modified Palygorskite Improves Immunity, Antioxidant Ability, Intestinal Morphology, and Barrier Function in Broiler Chickens Fed Naturally Contaminated Diet with Permitted Feed Concentrations of Fusarium Mycotoxins.

This study investigated effects of modified palygorskite (MPal) on immunity, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal barrier integrity in broiler chickens challenged with permitted feed Fusarium mycotoxin concentrations. One-day-old chicks were allocated into three treatments with eight replicates. Chickens in three groups were fed a basal diet with normal corn (control), contaminated diet containing moldy corn, with Fusarium mycotoxins contents in the diets lower than permitted feed mycotoxin concentrations, and the contaminated diet supplemented with 1 g/kg MPal for 42 days, respectively. Compared with control, moldy corn decreased bursa of Fabricius weight, jejunal secreted immunoglobulin A concentration, ileal superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, jejunal and ileal villus height (VH) and VH/crypt depth (CD) ratio, and jejunal zonula occludens-1 and mucin 2 mRNA abundances at 42 days as well as ileal VH/CD ratio at 21 days; while they increased jejunal malondialdehyde accumulation at 21 and 42 days, jejunal SOD activity at 21 days, and serum diamine oxidase activity at 42 days, which were almost recovered by MPal. Moreover, dietary MPal upregulated ileal claudin-2 mRNA abundance compared with other two groups. The results indicated that MPal addition exerted protective effects on immunity, oxidative status, and intestinal barrier integrity in chickens challenged with permitted feed Fusarium mycotoxins levels.

Dietary mannan oligosaccharide improves growth performance, muscle oxidative status, and meat quality in broilers under cyclic heat stress.

This study investigated the effects of dietary mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) supplementation on growth performance, serum corticosterone level, and antioxidant ability, meat quality as well as chemical composition of breast muscle in broilers exposed to cyclic heat stress (HS). 144 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Arbor Acres plus) were randomly allocated to 3 treatments with 6 replicates each. Broilers in the control and HS groups were fed a basal diet, and in the MOS group were given the basal diet supplemented with 1 g/kg MOS for 42 days, respectively. The temperature was maintained 32-33 °C for the first 3 days for all broilers, and it was gradually reduced by 3 °C per week to a final temperature of 20 °C in the control group, whereas it remained unchanged for 8 h and reduced to the same level to the control group for the remaining 16 h daily in the both HS and MOS groups. Compared with the control group, cyclic HS resulted in retarded growth performance and increased serum corticosterone level (P < 0.05). The supplementation of MOS promoted growth performance and reduced serum corticosterone concentration in broilers subjected to cyclic HS (P < 0.05). Cyclic HS increased drip loss48 h, cooking loss, malondialdehyde accumulation, and moisture content, whereas decreased pH24 h value, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, and crude protein content in the breast muscle (P < 0.05). In contrast, dietary MOS supplementation reduced drip loss48 h and malondialdehyde concentration, and increased GSH-Px activity in breast muscle compared with the HS group (P < 0.05). The results indicated that dietary MOS supplementation could improve growth performance, and oxidative status and meat quality of breast muscle in broilers under cyclic HS.

Dietary l-threonine supplementation attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses and intestinal barrier damage of broiler chickens at an early age.

This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of l-threonine (l-Thr) supplementation on growth performance, inflammatory responses and intestinal barrier function of young broilers challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A total of 144 1-d-old male chicks were allocated to one of three treatments: non-challenged broilers fed a basal diet (control group), LPS-challenged broilers fed a basal diet without l-Thr supplementation and LPS-challenged broilers fed a basal diet supplemented with 3·0 g/kg l-Thr. LPS challenge was performed intraperitoneally at 17, 19 and 21 d of age, whereas the control group received physiological saline injection. Compared with the control group, LPS challenge impaired growth performance of broilers, and l-Thr administration reversed LPS-induced increase in feed/gain ratio. LPS challenge elevated blood cell counts related to inflammation, and pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations in serum (IL-1ß and TNF-α), spleen (IL-1ß and TNF-α) and intestinal mucosa (jejunal interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and ileal IL-1ß). The concentrations of intestinal cytokines in LPS-challenged broilers were reduced by l-Thr supplementation. LPS administration increased circulating d-lactic acid concentration, whereas it reduced villus height, the ratio between villus height and crypt depth and goblet density in both jejunum and ileum. LPS-induced decreases in jejunal villus height, intestinal villus height:crypt depth ratio and ileal goblet cell density were reversed with l-Thr supplementation. Similarly, LPS-induced alterations in the intestinal mRNA abundances of genes related to intestinal inflammation and barrier function (jejunal toll-like receptor 4, IFN- γ and claudin-3, and ileal IL-1 ß and zonula occludens-1) were normalised with l-Thr administration. It can be concluded that l-Thr supplementation could attenuate LPS-induced inflammatory responses and intestinal barrier damage of young broilers.

Effects of Dietary Synbiotic Supplementation as an Alternative to Antibiotic on the Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Meat Quality, Immunity, and Oxidative Status of Cherry Valley Ducks.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of synbiotic supplementation, a potential alternative to antibiotic, on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, immunity, and oxidative status of Cherry Valley ducks. In total, 540 1-day-old male Cherry Valley ducks were randomly subjected to 3 treatments, and each treatment consisted of 6 replicates with 30 birds each. Birds in the 3 treatments were fed a basal diet devoid of antibiotics (control group) or a basal diet supplemented with either 40 mg/kg zinc bacitracin or 1.5 g/kg synbiotic composed of xylooligosaccharide, Clostridium butyricum, and Bacillus subtilis for 42 days. Compared with the control group, dietary synbiotic and antibiotic supplementation decreased the feed/gain ratio of ducks (P=0.025) to a similar extent (P>0.05). Birds in the antibiotic group exhibited a lower average daily feed intake (P=0.024) whereas such an effect was not observed in the birds of the synbiotic group (P>0.05). Synbiotic and antibiotic supplementation reduced abdominal fat yield (P=0.032) and drip loss of the breast muscle (P<0.001) to similar extents (P>0.05). Additionally, synbiotic and antibiotic supplementation increased the relative weight of the bursa (P=0.005) and total superoxide dismutase activity in the ileal mucosa (P=0.025) to similar extents (P>0.05). Moreover, ileal malondialdehyde accumulation was reduced with the supplementation of synbiotic (P=0.028), but not antibiotic. The results indicated that dietary synbiotic supplementation was beneficial for growth performance, carcass compositions, meat quality, immune function, and antioxidant capacity of Cherry Valley ducks, and it could be used as an alternative to antibiotics in Cherry Valley ducks.

Effects of zinc bearing palygorskite supplementation on the growth performance, hepatic mineral content, and antioxidant status of broilers at early age.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate effects of zinc (Zn) bearing palygorskite (ZnPal) supplementation on growth performance, hepatic mineral content, and antioxidant status of broilers at early age. METHODS: A total of 240 1-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were allocated into 5 treatments with 6 replicates of 8 chicks each. Birds in 5 treatments were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (Control group; Analyzed Zn content: 81 mg/kg), 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/kg Zn as ZnPal for 21 days, respectively. Blood, liver and intestinal mucosa were collected at 21 days of age. RESULTS: Treatments did not affect growth performance of broilers during the 21-day study (p> 0.05). The contents of hepatic Zn and magnesium (Mg) were linearly increased (p<0.001) by ZnPal supplementation. ZnPal inclusion linearly (p = 0.007) reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in serum. The activity of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) in liver increased linearly (p = 0.001) with concentration of ZnPal in diet. ZnPal inclusion linearly (p = 0.036) and quadratically (p = 0.005) increased T-SOD activity, and linearly (p = 0.012) increased copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) activity in jejunal mucosa. The maximum responses of hepatic and jejunal antioxidant enzymes activities (T-SOD and Cu/Zn SOD) were found when supplementing the basal diet with 60 mg/kg Zn as ZnPal. Furthermore, ZnPal supplementation quadratically (p = 0.001) increased Cu/Zn SOD activity in ileal mucosa, and its maximum activity was observed in the diet supplemented with 20 mg/kg Zn as ZnPal. CONCLUSION: ZnPal supplementation did not alter growth performance of broilers. Dietary ZnPal inclusion could increase concentrations of hepatic trace minerals (Zn and Mg) and inhibit lipid peroxidation by reducing serum MDA accumulation, with the optimal dosage of Zn from ZnPal being 80 mg/kg diet (analyzed Zn content in the diet: 165 mg/kg), and 60 mg/kg Zn as ZnPal (analyzed Zn content in the diet: 148 mg/kg) was the optimum dosage for broilers to achieve maximum antioxidant enzyme activities.

Effects of synbiotic supplementation on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and muscular antioxidant capacity and mineral contents in broilers.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary synbiotic supplementation on growth performance, carcass composition, meat quality and muscular antioxidant capacity, and mineral contents in broilers. Accordingly, 96 day-old male broiler chicks (Arbor Acres Plus; Aviagen, Huntsville, AL, USA) were randomly allocated to two groups, and each group consisted of six replicates with eight chicks each. Birds were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet supplemented with either 0 or 1.5 g kg-1 synbiotic, consisting of probiotics (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and Clostridium butyricum) and prebiotics (yeast cell wall and xylooligosaccharide) from 1 to 42 days of age. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, supplementation with a synbiotic increased average daily gain (P < 0.05) but reduced feed/gain ratio (P < 0.01) in broilers from 1 to 42 days of age. Similalrly, dietary synbiotic inclusion increased breast yield (P < 0.05) but decreased abdominal fat (P < 0.01) in broilers. The breast muscle pH value at 24 h postmortem in broilers was elevated with the incorporation of synbiotic (P < 0.05). By contrast, synbiotic supplementation lowered the cooking loss during heat treatment in a water bath, malondialdehyde content, and total Cr content in the thigh muscle in broilers (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dietary synbiotic supplementation into the diet of broilers may be an effective method for improving growth performance and carcass compositions, resulting in the production of meat with a favorable quality and oxidative stability. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of Dietary Zinc Bearing Palygorskite Supplementation on the Carcass Traits, Chemical Composition of Muscle, and Muscular Lead and Chromium Contents of Broilers.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of zinc (Zn) bearing palygorskite (ZnPal) inclusion on the carcass traits, chemical composition of muscle, and muscular lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) contents of broilers. A total of 240 1-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly divided into 5 dietary treatments with 6 replicates of 8 chicks each. Broilers in the 5 treatments were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (Control group), 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/kg Zn in the form of ZnPal for 42 days, respectively. There were no differences in the carcass yield, abdominal fat yield, subcutaneous fat thickness, and intramuscular fat width among treatments (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the eviscerated yield (P=0.010) and thigh muscle yield (P=0.046) were quadratically increased by the supplementation of ZnPal (P<0.05). Similarly, the breast muscle yield was linearly (P=0.024) and quadratically (P=0.011) increased by ZnPal inclusion. The addition of ZnPal to diets of broilers also linearly (P=0.002) increased fat content in the thigh. Moreover, the supplementation of ZnPal linearly and quadratically reduced the content of muscular Pb and the content of Cr in the thigh muscle (P<0.05). It was concluded that ZnPal inclusion could improve carcass traits, increase fat content in the thigh, and reduce the accumulations of Pb and Cr in the muscles, and this effect was more pronounced when extra Zn dosage in the form of ZnPal was 40 mg/kg.