Effects of sulfur amino acid supplementation on broiler chickens exposed to acute and chronic cyclic heat stress.

Chronic heat stress can result in oxidative damage from increased reactive oxygen species. One proposed method to alleviate the chronic effects of HS is the supplementation of sulfur amino acids (SAA) which can be metabolized to glutathione, an important antioxidant. Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of dietary SAA content on broiler chickens exposed to HS from 28 to 35 d on broiler performance, body temperature, intestinal permeability, and oxidative status. Four experimental treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial consisting of HS (6 h at 33.3°C followed by 18 h at 27.8°C from 28 to 35 d of age) and Thermoneutral (TN- 22.2°C continuously from 28 to 35 d) and 2 dietary concentrations of SAA formulated at 100% (0.95, 0.87, and 0.80% for starter, grower, and finisher diets) or 130% SAA (1.24, 1.13, and 1.04% for starter, grower, and finisher diets). A total of 648-day-old, male Ross 708 chicks were placed in 36 pens with 18 chicks/pen and 9 replicates per treatment. Data were analyzed as a 2 × 2 factorial in JMP 14 (P ≤ 0.05). No interaction effects were observed on broiler live performance (P > 0.05). As expected, HS reduced BWG by 92 g and increased FCR by 11 points from 28 to 35 d of age compared to TN, respectively (P ≤ 0.05). The supplementation of SAA had no effect on live performance (P > 0.05). Cloacal temperatures were increased by 1.7, 1.4, and 1.2°C with HS at 28, 31, and 35 d compared to TN, respectively (P ≤ 0.05) and dietary SAA did not alter cloacal temperatures. At 28 d of age, supplementation of SAA to birds exposed to HS interacted as serum FITC-dextran (an indicator of intestinal permeability) was reduced to that of the TN group (P ≤ 0.05). The interaction was lost at 31 d, but HS still increased intestinal permeability (P ≤ 0.05). By 35 d, broilers were able to adapt to the HS conditions and intestinal permeability was unaffected (P > 0.05). Potential oxidative damage was reduced by increased SAA supplementation as indicated by an improvement in the reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione ratio of 5 and 45 % at 28 (P = 0.08) and 35 d (P ≤ 0.05). These data suggest that intestinal permeability is compromised initially and to at least three d of heat exposure before the bird can adjust. However, oxidative damage in the liver of broilers exposed to HS is more chronic, building over the entire 7 d HS period and increased dietary SAA might have some protective effects on both broiler intestinal permeability and oxidative stress responses to HS.

Effects of a direct fed microbial (DFM) on broiler chickens exposed to acute and chronic cyclic heat stress in two consecutive experiments.

Two consecutive 35 d experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of a multistrain DFM fed continuously to broiler chickens exposed to HS from 28 to 35 d on broiler performance, body composition, ileal digestibility, and intestinal permeability using serum Fluorescein Isothiocyanate Dextran (FITC-d) concentration. The treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial with temperature: Elevated (HS: 33 ± 2°C for 6 h and 27.7°C for the remaining 18 h from 28 to 35 days of age) and Thermoneutral (TN: 22 to 24°C over the entire 24-h day from 28 to 35 days of age) and diet: corn-soybean meal based with and without DFM (3-strain Bacillus; Enviva PRO) fed over the entire 35-d period as the two factors. Experimental diets were formulated to meet all nutrient recommendations based on breed standards using a starter (0-10 d), grower (10-21 d), and finisher (21-35 d) period. For each of the 2 experiments, 648 Ross 708 broiler chicks were allotted among the treatments with 9 replicate pens of 18 broilers. Data were analyzed as a 2 × 2 factorial within each experiment in JMP 14. In both experiments, cloacal temperatures were increased (P ≤ 0.05) in the broilers subjected to the HS treatment at both 28 d (acute) and 35 d (chronic). Supplementing birds with DFM reduced cloacal temperatures in the Experiment 1 at 28 d, but not at the other time periods. The HS treatment reduced body weight gain and lean tissue accretion from 0 to 35 d in both experiments (P ≤ 0.05). In Experiment 2, when the litter was reused BWG was increased by 36 g/bird with supplementation of DFM (P ≤ 0.05). Ileal digestibility at 28 d (2 h post HS) was improved with DFM supplementation in both experiments (P ≤ 0.05). Serum FITC-d increased with HS at both 28 and 35 d. Serum FITC-d was generally decreased with DFM at 28 d but the response was inconsistent at 35 d. Overall, the results suggest that HS reduced broiler performance and DFM treatment improved intestinal permeability and nutrient digestibility responses to HS in both experiments but did not improve performance until built up litter was used in Experiment 2.

Tryptophan requirement of first-cycle commercial laying hens in peak egg production.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the digestible tryptophan (Trp) requirement of laying hens from 22 to 34 wk of age. A total of 252 Hy-line W-36 laying hens were selected at 16 wk of age and allocated by weight (P = 0.90) to 7 dietary treatments resulting in 12 replicate cages of 3 birds for each treatment. A Trp-deficient basal diet was formulated using corn, corn gluten meal, and soybean meal for each of the 3 dietary phases and supplemented with synthetic L-Trp to provide 105, 119, 133, 147, 162, 176, and 190 mg digestible Trp on a daily basis over the experimental period. To adapt the hens to experimental diets, pullets were fed complete diets that contained increasing amounts of corn gluten meal. Hens received a controlled amount of feed daily based on feed intake expected under commercial conditions. Linear and quadratic broken-line, and quadratic polynomial models were used to estimate digestible Trp requirements based on hen-housed egg production (HHEP), egg mass (EM), and feed efficiency (FE). FE was calculated using EM and feed intake. Digestible Trp requirements were estimated to be 137, 183, and 192 mg/d for HHEP; 133, 180, and 183 for EM and 133, 177, and 173 for FE using linear broken-line, quadratic broken-line, and quadratic polynomial analysis, respectively. The quadratic broken line model in this experiment resulted in the best fit (R2) for all parameters measured. Linear broken line estimates resulted in lower estimates that the other models, and HHEP resulted in higher estimated digestible Trp requirement than EM and FE.

Effects of available phosphorus source and concentration on performance and expression of sodium phosphate type IIb cotransporter, vitamin D-1α-hydroxylase, and vitamin D-24-hydroxylase mRNA in broiler chicks.

This experiment was conducted to examine the effect of 2 phosphorus (P) sources on broiler performance to day 14. The P bioavailability was estimated using bird performance and tibia ash measurements, whereas P digestibility, intestinal P transporter, kidney vitamin D-1α-hydroxylase, and vitamin D-24-hydroxylase mRNA abundances were also determined. Slope regression analysis was used to determine the bioavailability of dicalcium phosphate (Dical P) and nanocalcium phosphate (Nano P) with dietary available P (AvP) set to 0.20% P (control) using AvP from the major ingredients and Dical P. The experimental treatments were achieved by supplementation with either Dical P or Nano P to generate 0.24, 0.28, 0.32, and 0.36% AvP. A total of 648-day-old unsexed broiler chicks were divided into 72 birds per treatment (8 replicate cages of 9 birds). Slope regression analysis showed positive linear relationships between BW, feed intake (FI), tibia ash weight (TAW), and tibia ash percentage (TAP) with dietary Dical P and Nano P levels. Comparisons between regression slopes for Dical P and Nano P fed birds were not significantly different for BW, feed intake, tibia ash weight, and tibia ash percentage, indicating similar P bioavailability from Dical P and Nano P. There were interactions between P source and AvP for feed efficiency (FE) and apparent ileal P digestibility (AIPD). Dicalcium phosphate had greater FE than Nano P at 0.28% AvP and greater AIPD than Nano P at 0.24% AvP. The addition of AvP from Dical P and Nano P resulted in reduced sodium phosphate cotransporter mRNA abundance in the duodenum in a dose-dependent response. In the kidney, vitamin D-1α-hydroxylase mRNA abundance was greater at 0.36% Nano P compared with control, but there was no difference with Dical P. There was no difference in vitamin D-24-hydroxylase mRNA abundance between control and supplementation with Nano P or Dical P. In conclusion, Nano P and Dical P had the same bioavailability but had different effects on gene expression.

Effect of high concentrations of dietary vitamin D3 on pullet and laying hen performance, skeleton health, eggshell quality, and yolk vitamin D3 content when fed to W36 laying hens from day of hatch until 68 wk of age.

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of various dietary concentrations of vitamin D3 (D3) on pullet and laying hen performance, eggshell quality, bone health, and yolk D3 content from day of hatch until 68 wk of age. Initially, 440 Hy-line W36-day-old chicks were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments: 1,681 (control); 8,348; 18,348; 35,014; 68,348 IU D3/kg. At 17 wk of age, pullets were assigned to experimental diets with 12 replicate groups of 6 birds. At 17 wk of age, pullets fed diets containing 8,348 and 35,014 IU D3/kg had an increased bone mineral density in comparison to the control fed birds (P ≤ 0.01). Body weights of pullets fed the diet with 68,348 IU D3/kg were lower than other treatments (P ≤ 0.01). Hen-housed egg production (HHEP) of hens fed the 35,014 IU D3/kg diet was increased in comparison to control-fed hens (P ≤ 0.01), whereas HHEP of those fed 68,348 IU D3/kg diet was reduced in comparison to all other treatments (P ≤ 0.01). Shell breaking strength of eggs from hens fed 8,348, 35,014 and 68,348 IU D3/kg was increased in comparison to eggs from control-fed birds (P ≤ 0.01). Fat-free tibia ash content of hens fed any of the diets supplemented with D3 (8,348 to 68,348 IU D3/kg) was increased in comparison to control-fed hens (P ≤ 0.05). Yolk D3 content increased linearly with dietary D3 and the D3 transfer efficiency for the control, 8,348 IU, 18,348 IU, 35,014 IU, and 68,348 IU D3 treatments were 8.24, 10.29, 11.27, 12.42, and 12.06%, respectively. These data suggest that supplementation of dietary D3 up to 35,014 IU D3/kg feed maintained if not increased laying hen performance and enhanced pullet and laying hen skeletal quality as well as yolk D3 content and eggshell quality. Feeding pullets at a higher level 68,348 IU of D3 resulted in reduced growth and ultimately decreased performance of laying hens.

Evaluation of the Valine requirement of small-framed first cycle laying hens.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the total Valine (Val) requirement of first cycle laying hens from 41 to 60 wk of age. A total of 270 Hy-line W-36 laying hens were randomly assigned to 6 treatments with 15 replicate groups of 3 birds for each experimental unit. A Val deficient basal diet was formulated with corn and peanut meal with analyzed Val, Lys and crude protein concentrations of 0.515, 0.875, and 13.38%, respectively. Synthetic L-Val was supplemented to the basal diet in 0.070% increments to generate experimental diets containing 0.515, 0.585, 0.655, 0.725, 0.795, and 0.865% Val respectively. A controlled feeding program was applied during the experiment resulting in approximately 95 g feed intake per hen per day. Linear broken line, quadratic broken line, quadratic polynomial and exponential models were used to estimate the Val requirement of the hens based on hen-housed egg production (HHEP), egg mass (EM), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Hen-housed egg production ranged from 48.3 to 81.4%, dependent upon dietary concentration of Val. Val requirements estimated by linear broken line, quadratic broken line, quadratic polynomial and exponential models were reported. Using the linear broken line model, the Val requirement was highest for egg mass, 597.3 mg/d, followed by egg production, 591.9 mg/d and lowest for FCR, 500.5 mg/d.

Evaluation of the tryptophan requirement of small-framed first cycle laying hens.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the total Trp requirement of first cycle laying hens from 41 to 60 wk of age. In total, 270 Hy-Line W36 laying hens were randomly allocated to six treatments with 15 replicate groups of three birds for each experimental unit. A Trp-deficient basal diet was formulated with corn, corn gluten meal, and soybean meal with determined Trp, Lys, and crude protein concentrations of 0.096%, 0.873%, and 15.0%, respectively. Synthetic L-Trp was supplemented to the basal diet in 0.020% increments to generate experimental diets containing 0.096%, 0.116%, 0.136%, 0.156%, 0.176%, and 0.196% Trp, respectively. Hens were provided a controlled amount of feed of approximately 95 g/d. The diet containing the lowest concentration of Trp resulted in reduced egg production and was halted at 45 wk of age due to low performance with all other dietary treatments reaching the conclusion of the experiment at 60 wk of age. Plasma serotonin responded to dietary Trp concentration, but was not a good candidate for Trp requirement estimation. Linear broken line, quadratic broken line, quadratic polynomial, and exponential models were used to estimate Trp requirement based on hen-housed egg production (HHEP), egg mass (EM), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). HHEP ranged from 50.7% to 81.0%, dependent upon dietary concentration of Trp. Tryptophan requirements estimated by linear broken line, quadratic broken line, quadratic polynomial, and exponential models were reported. Using the linear broken line model, Trp requirement was highest for EM, 155.8 mg/d, followed by egg production, 153.2 mg/d and lowest for FCR, 140.4 mg/d.

The impact of ß-glucans on performance and response of broiler chickens during a coccidiosis challenge.

Coccidiosis is a costly parasitic disease to the poultry industry with multiple prevention methods being explored to control its impact. This study evaluated the feeding effects of ß-glucans on performance and responses of chickens during a coccidiosis challenge. Cobb 500 male broilers (n = 1280) were assigned to 1 of 8 treatment groups (8 replicate pens; 20 birds/pen) in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement, including non-infected and Eimeria-infected birds fed for 28 d a control diet, control + BG (150 g/MT Algamune 50), control + BGZn (100 g/MT Algamune 50 Zn), and control + 0.01% Salinomycin (Sal). On d15, birds in the challenge groups received a mixed Eimeria inoculum. Birds and feed were weighed weekly on a per pen basis to evaluate body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratios (FCR). Lesion scores were assessed 6 d post infection (d21) on 3 birds per pen. Performance data were subjected to ANOVA and differences were established using the LS-MEANS statement with significance reported at P ≤ 0.05. There were minor differences in lesion scores among the dietary treatments in the infected groups with reduced duodenal and cecal scores in the Sal group compared to the BGZn and BG groups, respectively. The coccidiosis challenge main effect resulted in a significant reduction in 0-28 d BW and FI. Dietary treatment resulted in non-significant effect on BWG, but Sal addition resulted in increased FI. A significant diet X challenge interaction resulted in higher FCR in the Eimeria-challenged birds supplemented with Sal and BGZn in comparison to the other challenged groups, likely due to reduced mortality in the challenged Sal and BGZn groups. Body composition analysis at d28 revealed that the Eimeria challenge reduced both fat and lean tissue contents, where the ß-glucans and Sal birds had lower fat percent than control birds.

Satellite cell-mediated breast muscle regeneration decreases with broiler size.

Satellite cells (SCs) reside between the sarcolemma and basal lamina of muscle fibers and are the primary contributor of DNA for post-hatch muscle growth and repair. Alterations in SC content or properties by intrinsic and extrinsic factors can have detrimental effects on muscle health and function, and ultimately meat quality. We hypothesized that disrupted SC homeostasis may account in part for the increased breast myopathies observed in growing broilers. To test this hypothesis, we selected broilers with different body weights at comparable ages and studied SC characteristics in vitro and in vivo. Data shows that SC numbers in the breast muscles decrease (P < 0.001) and their inherent abilities to proliferate and differentiate diminish (P < 0.001) with age and size. Further, when breast muscle is presented with an insult, muscle of larger broilers regenerates more slowly than their smaller, age-matched counterparts arguing that SC quality changes with size and age. Together, our studies show that birds with greater muscle hypertrophy have less SCs with diminished ability to function, and suggest that aggressive selection for breast growth in broilers may exhaust SC pools when birds are grown to heavier processing weights. These findings provide new insights into a possible mechanism leading to breast myopathies in the poultry industry and provide targets for mitigating adverse fresh breast quality.

Comparative omega-3 fatty acid enrichment of egg yolks from first-cycle laying hens fed flaxseed oil or ground flaxseed.

When laying hen diets are enriched with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to generate value-added eggs for human consumption markets, concentrations of alpha-linolenic (ALA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) in the yolk can reach 250 mg/50 g whole egg. Flaxseed, a rich source of ALA, is commonly used for omega-3 enrichment; however, the impact of dietary flaxseed source (extracted oil vs. milled seed) on fatty acid transfer to egg yolk in laying hens is unknown. Therefore, transfer of ALA, EPA, and DHA into egg yolk from extracted flaxseed oil or milled flaxseed was evaluated in Hy-Line W-36 laying hens over an 8-week feeding period (25 to 33 wk old). Hens (n = 132) were randomly housed with 3 birds/cage (4 replicates/treatment) for each of the 11 treatment groups. Diets were isocaloric and consisted of a control diet, 5 flaxseed oil diets (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, or 5.0% flaxseed oil), and 5 milled flaxseed diets (calculated flaxseed oil concentration from milled flaxseed 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0%). Increasing dietary concentrations of flaxseed oil and milled flaxseed resulted in increased ALA, EPA, and DHA concentration in egg yolk, and fatty acid deposition from flaxseed oil was 2 times greater compared to milled flaxseed when fed at the same dietary inclusions (P < 0.01). Egg yolk EPA and DHA concentrations were not different due to oil or milled source (P = 0.21); however, increasing dietary inclusion rates of flaxseed oil from either source increased yolk EPA and DHA (P < 0.01). Hens fed either flaxseed oil or milled flaxseed resulted in reduced BW change as dietary concentrations increased (P = 0.02). Feed efficiency increased as flaxseed oil increased in concentration, while feeding milled flaxseed decreased feed efficiency (P = 0.01). Analysis of the nitrogen corrected apparent metabolizable energy of flaxseed oil resulted in 7,488 kcal/kg on an as-fed basis. Dietary flaxseed oil improved feed efficiency and increased ALA deposition into yolk compared to a milled source, demonstrating flaxseed oil to be a viable alternative for ALA egg enrichment.

Single nucleotide variant discovery of highly inbred Leghorn and Fayoumi chicken breeds using pooled whole genome resequencing data reveals insights into phenotype differences.

BACKGROUND: Analyses of sequence variants of two distinct and highly inbred chicken lines allowed characterization of genomic variation that may be associated with phenotypic differences between breeds. These lines were the Leghorn, the major contributing breed to commercial white-egg production lines, and the Fayoumi, representative of an outbred indigenous and robust breed. Unique within- and between-line genetic diversity was used to define the genetic differences of the two breeds through the use of variant discovery and functional annotation. RESULTS: Downstream fixation test (F ST ) analysis and subsequent gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis elucidated major differences between the two lines. The genes with high F ST values for both breeds were used to identify enriched gene ontology terms. Over-enriched GO annotations were uncovered for functions indicative of breed-related traits of pathogen resistance and reproductive ability for Fayoumi and Leghorn, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Variant analysis elucidated GO functions indicative of breed-predominant phenotypes related to genomic variation in the lines, showing a possible link between the genetic variants and breed traits.

Genomic analysis of Ugandan and Rwandan chicken ecotypes using a 600 k genotyping array.

BACKGROUND: Indigenous populations of animals have developed unique adaptations to their local environments, which may include factors such as response to thermal stress, drought, pathogens and suboptimal nutrition. The survival and subsequent evolution within these local environments can be the result of both natural and artificial selection driving the acquisition of favorable traits, which over time leave genomic signatures in a population. This study's goals are to characterize genomic diversity and identify selection signatures in chickens from equatorial Africa to identify genomic regions that may confer adaptive advantages of these ecotypes to their environments. RESULTS: Indigenous chickens from Uganda (n = 72) and Rwanda (n = 100), plus Kuroilers (n = 24, an Indian breed imported to Africa), were genotyped using the Axiom® 600 k Chicken Genotyping Array. Indigenous ecotypes were defined based upon location of sampling within Africa. The results revealed the presence of admixture among the Ugandan, Rwandan, and Kuroiler populations. Genes within runs of homozygosity consensus regions are linked to gene ontology (GO) terms related to lipid metabolism, immune functions and stress-mediated responses (FDR < 0.15). The genes within regions of signatures of selection are enriched for GO terms related to health and oxidative stress processes. Key genes in these regions had anti-oxidant, apoptosis, and inflammation functions. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that these populations have alleles under selective pressure from their environment, which may aid in adaptation to harsh environments. The correspondence in gene ontology terms connected to stress-mediated processes across the populations could be related to the similarity of environments or an artifact of the detected admixture.

Commercial Hy-Line W-36 pullet and laying hen venous blood gas and chemistry profiles utilizing the portable i-STAT®1 analyzer.

Venous blood gas and chemistry reference ranges were determined for commercial Hy-Line W-36 pullets and laying hens utilizing the portable i-STAT®1 analyzer and CG8+ cartridges. A total of 632 samples were analyzed from birds between 4 and 110 wk of age. Reference ranges were established for pullets (4 to 15 wk), first cycle laying hens (20 to 68 wk), and second cycle (post molt) laying hens (70 to 110 wk) for the following traits: sodium (Na mmol/L), potassium (K mmol/L), ionized calcium (iCa mmol/L), glucose (Glu mg/dl), hematocrit (Hct% Packed Cell Volume [PCV]), pH, partial pressure carbon dioxide (PCO2 mm Hg), partial pressure oxygen (PO2 mm Hg), total concentration carbon dioxide (TCO2 mmol/L), bicarbonate (HCO3 mmol/L), base excess (BE mmol/L), oxygen saturation (sO2%), and hemoglobin (Hb g/dl). Data were analyzed using ANOVA to investigate the effect of production status as categorized by bird age. Trait relationships were evaluated by linear correlation and their spectral decomposition. All traits differed significantly among pullets and mature laying hens in both first and second lay cycles. Levels for K, iCa, Hct, pH, TCO2, HCO3, BE, sO2, and Hb differed significantly between first cycle and second cycle laying hens. Many venous blood gas and chemistry parameters were significantly correlated. The first 3 eigenvalues explained ∼2/3 of total variation. The first 2 principal components (PC) explained 51% of the total variation and indicated acid-balance and relationship between blood O2 and CO2. The third PC explained 16% of variation and seems to be related to blood iCa. Establishing reference ranges for pullet and laying hen blood gas and chemistry with the i-STAT®1 handheld unit provides a mechanism to further investigate pullet and layer physiology, evaluate metabolic disturbances, and may potentially serve as a means to select breeder candidates with optimal blood gas or chemistry levels on-farm.

Effects of dietary fiber on cecal short-chain fatty acid and cecal microbiota of broiler and laying-hen chicks.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding dietary fiber on cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration and cecal microbiota of broiler and laying-hen chicks. The lower fiber diet was based on corn-soybean meal (SBM) and the higher fiber diet was formulated using corn-SBM-dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) and wheat bran to contain 60.0 g/kg of both DDGS and wheat bran from 1 to 12 d and 80.0 g/kg of both DDGS and wheat bran from 13 to 21 d. Diets were formulated to meet or exceed NRC nutrient requirements. Broiler and laying-hen chicks were randomly assigned to the high and low fiber diets with 11 replicates of 8 chicks for each of the 4 treatments. One cecum from 3 chicks was collected from each replicate: one cecum underwent SCFA concentration analysis, one underwent bacterial DNA isolation for terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP), and the third cecum was used for metagenomics analyses. There were interactions between bird line and dietary fiber for acetic acid (P = 0.04) and total SCFA (P = 0.04) concentration. There was higher concentration of acetic acid (P = 0.02) and propionic acid (P < 0.01) in broiler chicks compared to laying-hen chicks. TRFLP analysis showed that cecal microbiota varied due to diet (P = 0.02) and chicken line (P = 0.03). Metagenomics analyses identified differences in the relative abundance of Helicobacter pullorum and Megamonas hypermegale and the genera Enterobacteriaceae, Campylobacter, Faecalibacterium, and Bacteroides in different treatment groups. These results provide insights into the effect of dietary fiber on SCFA concentration and modulation of cecal microbiota in broiler and laying-hen chicks.

Effects of peroxidized corn oil on performance, AMEn, and abdominal fat pad weight in broiler chicks.

There is a trend to use more alternative lipids in poultry diets, either through animal-vegetable blends, distillers corn oil, or yellow grease. This has resulted in the use of lipids in poultry diets with a higher concentration of unsaturated fatty acids, which have a greater potential for peroxidation. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of peroxidized corn oil on broiler performance, dietary AMEn, and abdominal fat pad weight. The same refined corn oil sample was divided into 3 subsamples, 2 of which were exposed to different peroxidative processes. The 3 diets contained the unperoxidized corn oil (UO), a slowly peroxidized corn oil (SO; heated for 72 h at 95°C with compressed air flow rate of 12 L/min), or a rapidly peroxidized corn oil (RO; heated for 12 h at 185°C with compressed air flow rate of 12 L/min). Diets were fed from 0 to 14 d of age with each lipid fed at a 5% inclusion rate, continuing on from 15 to 27 d of age with each lipid fed at a 10% inclusion rate. There were 6 Ross 708 broiler chicks per cage with 10 replicates for each of the 3 dietary treatments. Abdominal fat pad and excreta collection was performed on d 27. Body weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency were measured for the 0 to 14 and 0 to 27 d periods. The increased level of peroxidation reduced AMEn in broiler diets (UO = 3,490 kcal/kg; SO = 3,402 kcal/kg; RO = 3,344 kcal/kg on an as-is basis; SEM = 12.9, P ≤ 0.01). No significant treatment differences were observed among oil supplemented birds for BW gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, or abdominal fat pad weight. In conclusion, corn oil peroxidation status resulted in a decrease in dietary AMEn, but had minimal effects on broiler performance or fat pad weights.

Effects of direct-fed microbial supplementation on broiler performance, intestinal nutrient transport and integrity under experimental conditions with increased microbial challenge.

1. The effects of Aspergillus oryzae- and Bacillus subtilis-based direct-fed microbials (DFM) were investigated on the performance, ileal nutrient transport and intestinal integrity of broiler chickens, raised under experimental conditions, with increased intestinal microbial challenge. 2. The first study was a 3 × 2 factorial experiment, with 3 dietary treatments (control (CON), CON + DFM and CON + antibiotic growth promoter) with and without challenge. Chicks were fed experimental diets from 1 to 28 d, while the challenge was provided by vaccinating with 10 times the normal dose of commercial coccidial vaccine on d 9. In a second experiment, two groups of 1 d-old broilers, housed on built-up litter (uncleaned from two previous flocks), were fed the same CON and CON + DFM diets from 1 to 21 d. 3. The challenge in the first experiment reduced performance, but no differences were observed among dietary treatments from 8 to 28 d. The challenge reduced the ileal epithelial flux for D-glucose, L-lysine, DL-methionine and phosphorus on d 21. Epithelial flux for D-glucose, L-lysine and DL-methionine were increased by DFM. Ileal trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TER) was increased in challenged broilers fed DFM, although this was not observed in unchallenged birds as indicated by a significant interaction. 4. Ileal mucin mRNA expression and colon TER were increased, and colon endotoxin permeability was reduced by DFM on d 21 in the second experiment. 5. It was concluded that the addition of DFM in the diet improved the intestinal integrity of broiler chickens raised under experimental conditions designed to provide increased intestinal microbial challenge.

Effects of long-term supplementation of laying hens with high concentrations of cholecalciferol on performance and egg quality.

There is current interest in increasing human vitamin D dietary intake without having to modify human eating habits. One method to increase human dietary vitamin D intake is to generate eggs with increased concentrations of vitamin D through high-concentration vitamin D feeding in the diets of laying hens. Although eggs can be produced with high concentrations of vitamin D, the consequences of these diets on hen performance and egg quality have not been validated. The objective of this research is to quantify the effects of high concentrations of cholecalciferol (D3) on laying hen performance and egg quality. Hy-Line W36 laying hens were placed on 1 of 5 experimental diets for 40 wk: 1) control (contained 2,200 IU of D3/kg of diet), 2) control + 7,500 IU of D3/kg of diet (9,700 IU of D3/kg of diet total), 3) control + 15,000 IU of D3/kg of diet (17,200 IU of D3/kg of diet total), 4) control + 22,500 IU of D3/kg of diet (24,700 IU of D3/kg of diet total), and 5) control + 100,000 IU of D3/kg of diet (102,200 IU of D3/kg of diet total). Egg production and hen mortality were monitored daily. Feed intake was determined weekly. Eggs were collected at predetermined points throughout the 40-wk period (19 to 58 wk of bird age) for assessment of egg weight, egg component weights, Haugh unit, yolk color score, specific gravity, egg mass, and feed efficiency. There were no consistent differences among the dietary treatments over the experimental period. Hens supplemented with up to 102,200 IU of D3/kg of diet resulted in no significant reductions in egg production, feed intake, feed efficiency, egg component weights, yolk color, Haugh units, and specific gravity in comparison with the control-fed hens (P > 0.05). These data suggest the addition of cholecalciferol to the diet of the laying hen at concentrations up to 102,200 IU of D3/kg of diet had no consistent negative effects on laying hen performance or egg quality.

Validation of the effects of small differences in dietary metabolizable energy and feed restriction in first-cycle laying hens.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate energy utilization of laying hens fed diets containing 2 ME concentrations, using response criteria including performance, BW, abdominal fat pad, and energy digestibility. The experiment was a 2 × 2 factorial with 2 feeding regimens (ad libitum and restriction fed), and 2 dietary ME levels [2,880 kcal/kg of ME (CON); and 2,790 kcal/kg of ME (LME)]. A total of 60 Hy-Line W36 first-cycle laying hens were fed experimental diets, resulting in 15 individually caged hens for each of the 4 treatments. Hens in the restriction-fed group were fed 90 g of feed per day. The CON diet was formulated to meet or exceed the NRC (1994) recommendations with 2,880 kcal/kg, whereas the LME diet was similar with the exception of a 90 kcal/kg reduction in ME. Hens were fed experimental diets for 12 wk from hen 28 to 39 wk of age. Hen day egg production, weekly feed intake, and every 2 wk, egg weights and egg mass were recorded, whereas hen BW was measured every 4 wk. Excreta samples were collected over the last 5 d of experiment to determine AMEn. Abdominal fat pads were measured individually for all hens at the end of experiment. There were no interactions between feeding regimens and dietary ME levels throughout the experiment. Feed restriction resulted in reductions (P ≤ 0.01) in hen day egg production, BW, and abdominal fat pad, indicating reduced nutrient availability to partition toward production, maintenance, and storage functions. The reduction in energy intake between CON and LME fed birds (90 kcal/kg) did not change the energy partitioned toward production or maintenance, but reduced (P = 0.03) the energy stored (reduced fat pad) of LME-fed hens. These results suggest that energy is used following the pattern of production and maintenance before storage requirements and that fat pad (energy storage) may be the most sensitive indicator of dietary energy status over short-term in Hy-Line W36 laying hens.

Short communication: in vitro ruminal fermentability of a modified corn cultivar expressing a thermotolerant α-amylase.

The fermentability of a corn cultivar that expresses a thermostable α-amylase (CA3272) was evaluated under various in vitro conditions. The CA3272 corn was developed as a replacement to microbial enzyme additions during the high-temperature processing of corn to produce ethanol. The α-amylase activity in the corn might have the potential for positive effects on ruminant performance if incorporated into the ration. Four corn cultivars were evaluated in an in vitro ruminal fermentation where the digestion of starch was measured after 6 h. The cultivars included a flint corn, an opaque corn, CA3272, and its near-isogenic counterpart (IC). The flint corn produced less total volatile fatty acids (18.4 mM) than the other 3 corns (average of 25.3 mM), supporting the fact that it had the highest concentration of prolamins, which are negatively associated with starch availability. A second 6-h in vitro ruminal fermentation evaluated mixtures of the CA3272 and IC corns (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% concentrations of CA3272). Total volatile fatty acid production was not different among treatments for any proportions of CA3272. In a third in vitro experiment, there was a small but significant difference in starch degradation of CA3272 compared with IC (90.6 vs. 89.7%) but this difference is most likely not biologically relevant. In a fourth in vitro experiment, CA3272 and IC were incubated in water at 40 and 65°C for 24 h. Degradation of starch from native amylase activity at 40°C was 1.99 and 1.60% for CA3272 and IC, respectively, but when they were incubated at 65°C, starch degradation was 10.56 and 0.85% for CA3272 and IC, respectively. These data demonstrate that amylase activity in CA3272 is expressed at a high temperature (65°C) but at the physiological temperature expected in a rumen of a cow (39-40°C), expression of amylase activity does not appear to be sufficient to have any positive (or negative) effects on ruminal metabolism.

Comparison of a modern broiler line and a heritage line unselected since the 1950s.

Selecting chicken for improved meat production has altered the relative growth of organs in modern broiler lines compared with heritage lines. In this study, we compared the growth and feed efficiency of a heritage line, UIUC, with a modern production line, Ross 708, for 5 wk posthatch. During this period, the BW and feed efficiency of the modern strain was higher than that of the heritage line, indicating that the Ross 708 birds were more efficient than the UIUC birds at converting feed to body mass. The relative growth of the breast, heart, liver, and intestine were also compared during these 5 wk. The breast muscle of the heritage line constituted 9% of the total body mass at 5 wk, whereas in the modern line, the breast muscle was 18% of the total mass of the bird. In contrast, the relative size of the heart decreased after d 14 in the modern line, suggesting that selection for increased breast muscle has translated into relatively less weight of the heart muscle. The liver matured earlier in modern lines, possibly improving nutrient utilization as the birds shift from lipid- to carbohydrate-rich feed. Finally, jejunal and ileal sections of the intestine were 20% longer in the modern line, perhaps allowing for increased nutrient absorption.