Evaluation of Lactobacillus Plantarum Additive on Growth Performance, Excreta Microbiota, Nutrient Digestibility, Gas Emission, and Meat Quality in Ross308-Broilers

The intention of this study was to analyze the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) additive with different nutrient density diets on growth performance, excreta microbiota, nutrient digestibility, gas emission, and meat quality in Ross308-broilers. A total of 576 mixed-sex, 1-d old Ross-308 chicks were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups with 8 replication and 18 chicks/cage. For a period of 35 days, HD and LD group chicks were fed with commercial corn and soybean meal-based basal diet which contains high and low nutrient density diet, respectively. The other treatment groups LP1 and LP2 chicks were fed with LD+ 0.05% and 0.01 % of L. plantarum, respectively. During day 21 and the overall experimental period, the body weight gain of broilers significantly increased (p<0.05) in HD and L. plantarum groups compared to the LD group. On day 35, broilers fed L. plantarum additive had significantly increased (p<0. 05) the nutrient digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen compared to those fed HD and LD diets. Moreover, dietary inclusion of L. plantarum additive had significantly increased (p<0.05) lactobacillus population and decreased (p>0.05) E. coli and ammonium emission. However, the meat quality traits were not affected by experimental diets. In conclusion, we infer that a low-density diet with 0.1% of L. plantarum additive could serve as an excellent alternative feed additive to enhance the performance of broilers.(AU)

The Effect of Dietary Glucose Oxidase Supplementation on Production Performance, Egg Quality and Nutrient Digestibility in Laying Hens

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of GOX on performance, egg quality, and nutrient digestibility in laying hens. In total, 432, 50-week-old Hy-Line brown breeder hens were assigned into four treatments, and fed a basal diet with GOX at 0, 100, 200 and 300 units for 10 weeks, respectively. A Quadratic decrease in FI in week 3 (p<0.05) and linear increase in egg production in week 6 to 10 and overall experiment period (p<0.05) and Quadratic increase in egg production in week 7 (p<0.05), a linear decrease in broken egg rate in week 6 (p<0.05) a quadratic increase in egg weight on day 14 (p<0.05), alinear increase in egg weight on day 28 (p<0.05), and linear decrease in yolk color on day 7 (p<0.05), a linear increase in yolk color on day 42 and day 70 (p<0.05), and linear increase in haugh unit on day 28 and 70 (p<0.05), a linear increase albumen height on day 28 and day 56 (p<0.05), and linear decrease in shell color on day 14 (p<0.05) and day 28(p<0.05), a linear and quadratic increases in eggshell strength and eggshell thickness on day 56 (p<0.05), and linear increase in eggshell strength and eggshell thickness on day 70 (P0.05) were observed with the addition of GOX the the diet. Conclusion: This study suggested that the supplementation of GOX may have beneficial effects on feed intake and egg quality in laying hens.(AU)

Supplemental Effect of Lactobacillus Plantarum on the Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Gas Emission, Excreta Microbiota, and Meat Quality in Broilers

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gas emission, excreta microbiota, and meat quality in broilers. A total of two hundred eighty-eight, one-day-old Ross-308 chicks (mixed sex) were randomly allocated to one of two treatments with eight replicated cages (18 chicks per cage). For a period of 35 days, control treatment chicks were fed commercial corn-soybean meal-based (CON) mash form diet, whereas, LP (Lactobacillus plantarum) - chicks were fed CON with 0.10% L. plantarum supplement. The dietary inclusion of 0.10% L. Plantarum supplementation has a trend to increase the body weight gain (BWG) of broilers at day 7(p=0.079) and significantly increased at day 21 (p=0.011) and the overall trial period (p=0.037) compared to the CON diet. In addition, 0.10% L. plantarum supplementation to basal diet significantly decreased H2S (p=0.046) concentration. Also, it has significantly increased the excreta Lactobacillus population (p=0.041) and reduced the E. coli count (p=0.054) compared to the CON diet. However, throughout the trial there were no significant differences observed on nutrient digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and gross energy, as well as meat quality traits in broilers, fed 0.10% L. plantarum diet. In summary, the inclusion of L. plantarum supplementation has a beneficial effect on growth performance, excreta microbiota, and gas emission. From this, we conclude that 0.10% of L. plantarum could be a potential feed additive to enhance poultry production.(AU)

Influence of Low and High-density Diets with Yeast Supplementation on Feed Intake, Nutrient Digestibility, Egg Production and Egg Quality in Hy-line Brown Laying Hens

A total of 432 laying hens (40 weeks old) were used in a 10- weeks feeding trial. The birds were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments with 18 replications (6 birds per replication) in a 2×2 factorial arrangement with low-density diet (LD), and high density (HD) diets supplemented with or without (0.1 %) of yeast. Laying hens feed intake during the 5th, 6th and 10th weeks has significantly increased (p<0.05) in LD diet and HD diet supplemented with (0.1 %) of yeast supplementation. However, egg production and broken rate was not affected with or without yeast and density diet. The quality of egg and shell color during the 5th, 6th, and 7th weeks has significantly reduced (p<0.05) by yeast supplementation with HD and LD diet. Eggshell strength was significantly improved at week 4, moreover albumin height was also significantly improved by yeast supplementation diets at week 5. During week 1 and 2 the yolk color was higher in LD diet and HD diet compared with yeast supplementation. However, eggshell strength was significantly improved on HD diets than LD diets during the 4th and 7th weeks. Eggshell color and albumen height were significantly decreased in laying hens fed HD or LD diets during week 5 and 6. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), and Energy was not affected (p<0.05) by laying hens fed with or without yeast and HD than LD diets. In summary, 0.1% of yeast supplementation proved a positive impact on feed intake and egg quality of layer chicken.(AU)

Effects of the Inclusion of Dietary Organic Acid Supplementation with Anti-Coccidium Vaccine on Growth Performance, Digestibility, Fecal Microbial, and Chicken Fecal Noxious Gas Emissions

A total of 792 conventional healthy 1-day-old Ross 308 broilers chicks (mixed gender) with average body weight of 42.30±1.14 g (mean ± SD) were used in the experiment, which lasted for 35 days. Chicks were randomly allotted into one of four treatment diets, each one having 11 replicate cages with 18 birds each, being fed corn-soybean meal (SBM) based diets. Dietary treatments were CON (basal diet with unvaccinated birds); OA = CON + 0.1% organic acids; ACB = CON + anti-coccidium vaccine; OAACV = CON + 0.1% organic acid + anti-coccidium vaccine. Significant results were observed, with improved body weight (p=0.059; 0.064; 0.034) during days 1-7, 8-21, and overall, respectively. Significant effects were also observed on the feed conversion ratio (p=0.037) through the overall experiment, with no effects on feed intake on OAACV as compared to other treatment groups. Total track digestibility of dry matter (p=0.049) improved significantly in the OAACV treatment group. Additionally, beneficial effects were observed in the OAACV treatment group, with improvements in fecal microbial population (increased lactobacillus) and reduced NH3 gas emissions. Broilers fed the OAACV treatment tended to display reduced drip loss in the meat samples analyzed on days 5 and 7 (p=0.067, 0.072). In summary, our findings revealed that dietary inclusion of organic acid supplementation with anti-coccidium had a beneficial effect on broilers affected by coccidian infection, also improving growth performance, digestibility, fecal Lactobacillus counts, and reducing NH3.(AU)

Effects of the Inclusion of Dietary Organic Acid Supplementation with Anti-Coccidium Vaccine on Growth Performance, Digestibility, Fecal Microbial, and Chicken Fecal Noxious Gas Emissions

A total of 792 conventional healthy 1-day-old Ross 308 broilers chicks (mixed gender) with average body weight of 42.30±1.14 g (mean ± SD) were used in the experiment, which lasted for 35 days. Chicks were randomly allotted into one of four treatment diets, each one having 11 replicate cages with 18 birds each, being fed corn-soybean meal (SBM) based diets. Dietary treatments were CON (basal diet with unvaccinated birds); OA = CON + 0.1% organic acids; ACB = CON + anti-coccidium vaccine; OAACV = CON + 0.1% organic acid + anti-coccidium vaccine. Significant results were observed, with improved body weight (p=0.059; 0.064; 0.034) during days 1-7, 8-21, and overall, respectively. Significant effects were also observed on the feed conversion ratio (p=0.037) through the overall experiment, with no effects on feed intake on OAACV as compared to other treatment groups. Total track digestibility of dry matter (p=0.049) improved significantly in the OAACV treatment group. Additionally, beneficial effects were observed in the OAACV treatment group, with improvements in fecal microbial population (increased lactobacillus) and reduced NH3 gas emissions. Broilers fed the OAACV treatment tended to display reduced drip loss in the meat samples analyzed on days 5 and 7 (p=0.067, 0.072). In summary, our findings revealed that dietary inclusion of organic acid supplementation with anti-coccidium had a beneficial effect on broilers affected by coccidian infection, also improving growth performance, digestibility, fecal Lactobacillus counts, and reducing NH3.

Influence of Low and High-density Diets with Yeast Supplementation on Feed Intake, Nutrient Digestibility, Egg Production and Egg Quality in Hy-line Brown Laying Hens

A total of 432 laying hens (40 weeks old) were used in a 10- weeks feeding trial. The birds were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments with 18 replications (6 birds per replication) in a 2×2 factorial arrangement with low-density diet (LD), and high density (HD) diets supplemented with or without (0.1 %) of yeast. Laying hens feed intake during the 5th, 6th and 10th weeks has significantly increased (p<0.05) in LD diet and HD diet supplemented with (0.1 %) of yeast supplementation. However, egg production and broken rate was not affected with or without yeast and density diet. The quality of egg and shell color during the 5th, 6th, and 7th weeks has significantly reduced (p<0.05) by yeast supplementation with HD and LD diet. Eggshell strength was significantly improved at week 4, moreover albumin height was also significantly improved by yeast supplementation diets at week 5. During week 1 and 2 the yolk color was higher in LD diet and HD diet compared with yeast supplementation. However, eggshell strength was significantly improved on HD diets than LD diets during the 4th and 7th weeks. Eggshell color and albumen height were significantly decreased in laying hens fed HD or LD diets during week 5 and 6. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), and Energy was not affected (p<0.05) by laying hens fed with or without yeast and HD than LD diets. In summary, 0.1% of yeast supplementation proved a positive impact on feed intake and egg quality of layer chicken.

Supplemental Effect of Lactobacillus Plantarum on the Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Gas Emission, Excreta Microbiota, and Meat Quality in Broilers

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gas emission, excreta microbiota, and meat quality in broilers. A total of two hundred eighty-eight, one-day-old Ross-308 chicks (mixed sex) were randomly allocated to one of two treatments with eight replicated cages (18 chicks per cage). For a period of 35 days, control treatment chicks were fed commercial corn-soybean meal-based (CON) mash form diet, whereas, LP (Lactobacillus plantarum) - chicks were fed CON with 0.10% L. plantarum supplement. The dietary inclusion of 0.10% L. Plantarum supplementation has a trend to increase the body weight gain (BWG) of broilers at day 7(p=0.079) and significantly increased at day 21 (p=0.011) and the overall trial period (p=0.037) compared to the CON diet. In addition, 0.10% L. plantarum supplementation to basal diet significantly decreased H2S (p=0.046) concentration. Also, it has significantly increased the excreta Lactobacillus population (p=0.041) and reduced the E. coli count (p=0.054) compared to the CON diet. However, throughout the trial there were no significant differences observed on nutrient digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and gross energy, as well as meat quality traits in broilers, fed 0.10% L. plantarum diet. In summary, the inclusion of L. plantarum supplementation has a beneficial effect on growth performance, excreta microbiota, and gas emission. From this, we conclude that 0.10% of L. plantarum could be a potential feed additive to enhance poultry production.

Effects of Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) Root Meal in Diets Containing Corn Dried Distillers Grains With Solubles on Production Performance, Egg Quality, and Excreta Noxious Gas Emission in Laying Hens

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) root meal (CRM) in laying hen diets containing corn dried distiller grains with soluble (DDGS) on production performance, egg quality, and excreta noxious gas emission. Two hundred and forty Hy-Line brown laying hens (40 weeks of age) were randomly divided into 1 of 4 dietary treatments (10 replications with 6 hens per replication) for 6 weeks. The dietary treatments were as follows: 1) corn-based diet (CON); 2) diet containing 10% CRM and 8% DDGS (CRM10); 3) diet containing 20% CRM and 8% DDGS (CRM20); 4) diet containing 30% CRM and 8% DDGS (CRM30). The inclusion of 30% CRM in the diet containing 8% DDGS significantly decreased (p 0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI), egg production, and feed conversion ratio. Increasing the level of CRM in laying hen diets did not affect (p>0.05) the egg quality with the exception of decreased (p 0.05) egg yolk color when 30% of CRM was included in laying hens diet. CRM20 and CRM30 dietary treatments tended to decrease ammonia emission compared with CON dietary treatment (p=0.08). In conclusion, the results of the current study demonstrated that CRM may be incorporated to a concentration of 20% in laying hen diets containing 8% DDGS without detrimental effects on production performance and egg quality. Furthermore, the addition of 20% and 30% CRM in laying hen diets containing 8% DDGS tended to reduce the excreta ammonia emission.(AU)

Effects of Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) Root Meal in Diets Containing Corn Dried Distillers Grains With Solubles on Production Performance, Egg Quality, and Excreta Noxious Gas Emission in Laying Hens

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) root meal (CRM) in laying hen diets containing corn dried distiller grains with soluble (DDGS) on production performance, egg quality, and excreta noxious gas emission. Two hundred and forty Hy-Line brown laying hens (40 weeks of age) were randomly divided into 1 of 4 dietary treatments (10 replications with 6 hens per replication) for 6 weeks. The dietary treatments were as follows: 1) corn-based diet (CON); 2) diet containing 10% CRM and 8% DDGS (CRM10); 3) diet containing 20% CRM and 8% DDGS (CRM20); 4) diet containing 30% CRM and 8% DDGS (CRM30). The inclusion of 30% CRM in the diet containing 8% DDGS significantly decreased (p 0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI), egg production, and feed conversion ratio. Increasing the level of CRM in laying hen diets did not affect (p>0.05) the egg quality with the exception of decreased (p 0.05) egg yolk color when 30% of CRM was included in laying hens diet. CRM20 and CRM30 dietary treatments tended to decrease ammonia emission compared with CON dietary treatment (p=0.08). In conclusion, the results of the current study demonstrated that CRM may be incorporated to a concentration of 20% in laying hen diets containing 8% DDGS without detrimental effects on production performance and egg quality. Furthermore, the addition of 20% and 30% CRM in laying hen diets containing 8% DDGS tended to reduce the excreta ammonia emission.

Effects of Supplementation of Ionized or Chelated Water-Soluble Mineral Mixture on the Live Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Profile, Egg Quality, and Excreta Microbiota of Laying Hens

In total, 216 Hy-Line brown laying hens (40-week-old), were used in a 5-week experiment to evaluate the effects of ionized or chelated water-soluble mineral mixture supplementation on live performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, egg quality, and excreta microbiota. Layers were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments with 12 replicates of six adjacent cages each. The dietary treatments consisted of: 1) CON (basal diet + normal tap water), 2) T1 (CON+0.5% ionized mineral mixture in tap water, pH 3.0); and 3) T2 (CON+ 0.5% chelated mineral mixture in tap water, pH 3.0). Egg production tended to increase in week 1, week 3 and week 4 in the birds supplemented with T1 and T2 diet compared with CON. Moreover, the dietary supplementation of water-soluble mineral mixture improved (p=0.02) eggshell thickness in week 4 and tended to improve in week 5 of the experimental period in T2 hens compared with CON. The layers fed the T1 diet presented higher (p 0.05) Ca digestibility than CON hens, while the T2 diet promoted a numerical increase in Ca digestibility. Blood calcium concentration increased (p 0.05) with T1 and T2 treatments compared with CON. The laying hens fed the T1 and T2 diets tended to present lower Salmonella and E. coli counts isolated from excreta compared with CON. In conclusion, ionized and chelated mineral mixtures had a positive impact on production performance and eggshell quality, improved Ca digestibility and blood Ca level.(AU)

Effects of Supplementation of Ionized or Chelated Water-Soluble Mineral Mixture on the Live Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Profile, Egg Quality, and Excreta Microbiota of Laying Hens

In total, 216 Hy-Line brown laying hens (40-week-old), were used in a 5-week experiment to evaluate the effects of ionized or chelated water-soluble mineral mixture supplementation on live performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, egg quality, and excreta microbiota. Layers were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments with 12 replicates of six adjacent cages each. The dietary treatments consisted of: 1) CON (basal diet + normal tap water), 2) T1 (CON+0.5% ionized mineral mixture in tap water, pH 3.0); and 3) T2 (CON+ 0.5% chelated mineral mixture in tap water, pH 3.0). Egg production tended to increase in week 1, week 3 and week 4 in the birds supplemented with T1 and T2 diet compared with CON. Moreover, the dietary supplementation of water-soluble mineral mixture improved (p=0.02) eggshell thickness in week 4 and tended to improve in week 5 of the experimental period in T2 hens compared with CON. The layers fed the T1 diet presented higher (p 0.05) Ca digestibility than CON hens, while the T2 diet promoted a numerical increase in Ca digestibility. Blood calcium concentration increased (p 0.05) with T1 and T2 treatments compared with CON. The laying hens fed the T1 and T2 diets tended to present lower Salmonella and E. coli counts isolated from excreta compared with CON. In conclusion, ionized and chelated mineral mixtures had a positive impact on production performance and eggshell quality, improved Ca digestibility and blood Ca level.

Exclusive radiotherapy for gliomatosis cerebri: long-term follow-up at a single institution.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of radiotherapy and factors affecting the prognosis of gliomatosis cerebri. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with pathologically confirmed gliomatosis cerebri underwent radiotherapy between August 1988 and September 2003. The median age of the patients was 39 years (range 18-67). Performance status was good (ECOG score ≤2) in 23 patients (82 %). The extent of radiotherapy was partial brain in 17 patients, whole brain in 2 patients, and whole brain followed by partial brain in 9 patients. The median radiation dose was 55.8 Gy (range 46.8-70.4). The median duration of follow-up was 136 months for survivors (range 39-191). RESULTS: The median overall and progression-free survival times of all patients were 20 and 11 months, respectively. When initial response to radiotherapy was grouped as improved, stationary, and aggravated, the median overall survival times in patients with improved, stationary, and aggravated responses were 76, 20, and 7 months, respectively (p = 0.0129). However, radiation parameters such as dose and irradiation volume had no impact on overall survival. On multivariate analysis, both performance status and initial response to radiotherapy were significant prognostic factors affecting overall survival (p = 0.0249 and 0.0065, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that gliomatosis cerebri could be effectively treated with radiotherapy and that initial response to radiotherapy was a significant prognostic factor affecting the survival.

The evaluation of soybean meals from 3 major soybean-producing countries on productive performance and feeding value of pig diets.

This study was conducted to evaluate 1) the effects of soybean meal (SBM) from 3 major SBM-producing countries (United States, Brazil, and India) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and meat quality of growing-finishing pigs and 2) the feeding value of the evaluated SBM as a feedstuff for growing-finishing pigs. Soybean meal representative of each country was purchased on the open market. A total of 144 barrows with the average BW of 23.77 (SD = 1.52 kg) were allotted to 3 dietary treatments with 12 replicate pens per treatment and 4 pigs per pen. The US SBM used in this trial had greater CP and total AA contents, greater KOH protein solubility, and less crude fiber than SBM from either Brazil or India. Diets were formulated to be isolysinic and isocaloric. Pigs fed diets containing US SBM were heavier (P < 0.05) than pigs fed diets containing Brazilian or Indian SBM at 12 and 18 wk. Pigs fed diets containing US SBM had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F throughout the overall period when compared with pigs fed SBM produced in Brazil or India. The DM and N digestibility were greater for US SBM (P < 0.05) than Brazilian and India SBM at 6, 12, and 18 wk. Pigs were slaughtered at the end of 18 wk, and no differences were observed on meat quality (backfat thickness, LM area, pH, meat color, water holding capacity, and drip loss) among the treatments, except lean percentages were less and backfat thickness was greater in pigs fed Brazilian and Indian SBM than US SBM. The cost per kilogram of BW gain of the experimental diet containing US SBM was less than that of diets containing Brazilian or Indian SBM, but it would depend on the relative prices of each SBM. Based on the results of the current experiment, the productivity and feeding value of US SBM seems to be greater than the SBM produced in Brazil and India.