A biofloc system avoids the adverse effects of diets with suboptimal protein levels on zootechnical performance, intestinal histomorphometry, and protein metabolism of Nile tilapia juvenile fed Spirulina biomass (Arthrospira platensis) as an alternative protein source.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the biofloc technology (BFT) system and the replacement of fish meal with Spirulina biomass on productive performance, intestinal histomorphometry, plasma biochemistry, and oxidative stress of Nile tilapia juveniles (Oreochromis niloticus) fed suboptimal levels of protein. Two factors were evaluated: production systems (clear water × BFT) and replacement of fish meal with Spirulina (0, 33, 66 e 100%). The design was in a 2 × 4 randomized factorial scheme with four replications, and the fish were evaluated for 48 days. Four isoproteic (28% crude protein) diets were formulated with gross energy values close to 4300 kcal kg-1. Nile tilapia juveniles (0.23 ± 0.01 g) were distributed in 16 circular tanks (70 L) at seven fish/tank. The diets were formulated with protein levels approximately 20% below that required for the species and life stage. No interaction was observed between the factors evaluated (production systems × Spirulina inclusion). Rearing the fish in the BFT system avoided the adverse effects of diets with suboptimal protein levels on performance, intestinal histomorphometry, and protein metabolism. Lower values lower lipid peroxidation and higher antioxidant capacity were observed in fish reared in the BFT system, showing evidence of improvements in antioxidant responses and lower levels of physiological oxidative stress. Spirulina completely replaced fish meal in the diets of Nile tilapia juveniles without adverse effects on intestinal morphometry, protein metabolism, and antioxidant response. Replacing 66% of fish meal with Spirulina improved the productive performance, regardless of the rearing system.

The addition of curcumin to the diet of post-weaning dairy calves: effects on ruminal fermentation, immunological, and oxidative responses.

Incorporating Curcumin into animal diets holds significant promise for enhancing both animal health and productivity, with demonstrated positive impacts on antioxidant activity, anti-microbial responses. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether adding Curcumin to the diet of dairy calves would influence ruminal fermentation, hematologic, immunological, oxidative, and metabolism variables. Fourteen Jersey calves were divided into a control group (GCON) and a treatment group (GTRA). The animals in the GTRA received a diet containing 65.1 mg/kg of dry matter (DM) Curcumin (74% purity) for an experimental period of 90 days. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 15, 45, and 90. Serum levels of total protein and globulins were higher in the GTRA group (P < 0.05) than the GCON group. In the GTRA group, there was a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß and IL-6) (P < 0.05) and an increase in IL-10 (which acts on anti-inflammatory responses) (P < 0.05) when compared to the GCON. There was a significantly higher (P < 0.05) concentration of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the serum of the GTRA than the GCON. A Treatment × Day interaction was observed for haptoglobin levels, which were higher on day 90 in animals that consumed Curcumin than the GCON (P < 0.05). The catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in GTRA, reducing lipid peroxidation when compared to the GCONT. Hematologic variables did not differ significantly between groups. Among the metabolic variables, only urea was higher in the GTRA group when compared to the GCON. Body weight and feed efficiency did not differ between groups (meaning the percentage of apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). There was a tendency (P = 0.09) for treatment effect and a treatment x day interaction (P = 0.05) for levels of short-chain fatty acids in rumen fluid, being lower in animals that consumed curcumin. There was a treatment vs. day interaction (P < 0.05) for the concentration of acetate in the rumen fluid (i.e., on day 45, had a reduction in acetate; on day 90, values were higher in the GTRA group when compared to the GCON). We conclude that there was no evidence in the results from this preliminary trial that Curcumin in the diet of dairy calves interfered with feed digestibility. Curcumin may have potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune effects that may be desirable for the production system of dairy calves.

Impacts of intake of trichothecenes (Fusarium sporotrichioides) for dairy calves: Effects on animal growth, oxidative and inflammatory response.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impacts of trichothecenes (Fusarium sporotrichioides) for dairy calves on animal growth, oxidative and inflammatory responses in the presence or absence of essential oils. Twelve calves weaned at 70 days of age were divided into 2 groups: T-C (control) and T-EO (essential oils - oregano, thyme, basil and rosemary) in the period of 40 days consuming ration contaminated by trichothecenes (500 ppb). The animals in the T-EO group received a mixture of EOs via feed at a dosage of 0.75 mL per/kg of feed. Blood collections were performed on days 1, 20 and 40 for hematological and biochemical analyses; the fecal score was performed every 2 days on a scale of 1-5 and clinical examinations were performed 3 times during the experiment period. The animals were weighed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment; euthanasia of two calves per group for macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of several tissues (spleen, liver, duodenum, jejunum, ilium, cecum and colon) was performed at the end of the experiment. The calves in the T-EO group had a tendency (P = 0.07) of higher body weight when compared to the T-C. Treatment effect and treatment vs day interaction was detected for leukocytes and granulocytes variables, demonstrating a higher count of these cells in the T-EO group on both days (20 and 40), and the same behavior occurred for the distribution amplitude of erythrocytes (RDW). The enzymes alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate transferase (AST) and gamma glutamyl-transferase (GGT) showed higher serum activity in the T-C group (days 20 and 40). The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were lower in the serum of animals in the T-EO group. For calves in the T-EO group, glutathione S-transferase activity was higher in serum. Haptoglobulin and C-reactive protein levels were lower on days 20 and 40 in T-EO animals when compared to the T-C group. In the macroscopic and microscopic evaluations, which were collected at the end of the experiment after slaughtering the animals, liver and intestine did not show changes for the animals in the T-EO group, unlike the animals in the T-C group, which had moderately firm diffuse consistency of the liver and edema in the mesentery, as well as oxidative stress in tissues (liver, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum and colon). The results concluded that the consumption of a mixture of EOs (essential oils - oregano, thyme, basil and rosemary) minimized the negative effects caused by trichothecenes in dairy calves, thus being an alternative to improving the immunological and antioxidant condition, as well as a possible adsorbent alternative.

Inclusion of exogenous enzymes in feedlot cattle diets: Impacts on physiology, rumen fermentation, digestibility and fatty acid profile in rumen and meat.

The objective of this study was to evaluate if the inclusion of a blend composed of exogenous enzymes (amylase, protease, cellulase, xylanase and beta glucanase) in the individual and combined form in the feedlot steers diet has benefits on the physiology, rumen fermentation, digestibility and fatty acid profile in rumen and meat. The experiment used 24 animals, divided into 4 treatments, described as: T1-CON, T2-BLEND (0.5 g mixture of enzyme), T3-AMIL (0.5 g alpha-amylase), T4-BLEND+AMIL (0.5 g enzyme blend+ 0.5 g amylase). The concentration of mineral matter was higher in the meat of cattle of T4-BLEND+AMIL. A higher proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids was observed in the T3-AMIL group when compared to the others. The percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids was higher in the T2-BLEND and T4-BLEND+AMIL compared to the T1-CON. The combination of exogenous enzymes in the diet positively modulate nutritional biomarkers, in addition to benefits in the lipid and oxidative profile meat.

Chromium in the Diet of Dairy Calves: Benefits for Growth Performance, Feed Efficiency, Digestibility, and Health.

Chromium (Cr) is a mineral that helps animals subjected to stressful conditions. The suckling period is characterized by several stressful episodes, particularly during the first hours after birth and at weaning. There is little consumption of concentrate by calves in the first weeks of life; consequently, consuming any supplement added to feed would be negligible. Thus, the hypothesis was that the calves would take it in earlier if Cr were consumed in a milk replacer instead. Therefore, our study aimed to determine whether including organic Cr in calf feed (via milk replacer or concentrate) during the suckling phase would improve calf health and growth performance. Twenty-four male Holstein calves with an average age of 8 ± 4 days and 39.8 ± 6.9 kg average body weight were used. Calves were randomly divided into three groups: (a) Chromium-Milk (CR-M), receiving 4 mg Cr/animal/day via milk replacer during the 60 experimental days of suckling (n = 8); (b) Chromium-Concentrate (CR-C), receiving 4 mg Cr/animal/day via concentrate (n = 8); (c) Control (C), animals that did not receive Chromium (n = 8). The experiment lasted 75 days, divided into two well-defined stages: suckling (1-60 days) and weaning (61-75 days). Body weight weekly, daily feed intake, and blood samples taken every two weeks during the experiment were evaluated. At the end of the experiment, the apparent digestibility evaluation was carried out, with the results of weight and consumption carried out, and a feed efficiency analysis was carried out. It was observed that the inclusion of organic Cr (regardless of whether it was milk or concentrate) increased body weight gain (kg) for the CR-C group: 41.8 kg, CR-M: 40.4 kg compared to the C: 34.2 kg (p = 0.01). The protein digestibility was higher in the CR-M group (52%, p = 0.05). Cr consumption increased Cr concentrations in the serum of the calves and was higher in the first week in the animals in the CR-M group. This did not happen for the C group; however, with higher concentrate consumption, Cr concentrations increased and remained high until the end of the experiment. Glucose concentrations were higher in the groups that consumed Cr. Total protein concentrations were higher in the CR-M and CR-C groups than in group C. Immunoglobulin A concentrations were higher in groups CR-C and CR-M than in group C (days 40 and 60). In conclusion, the adding Cr to calf feed improves their health, indirectly favors growth performance, and increases protein digestibility.

Nursery pigs fed with feed contaminated by aflatoxin B1 (Aspergillus flavus) and anti-mycotoxin blend: Pathogenesis and negative impact on animal health and weight gain.

The present study aimed to evaluate whether a moderate dose of aflatoxin B1 in pigs' diet interferes with pigs' growth and health in the nursery phase and whether an anti-mycotoxin mixture minimizes the adverse effects of the toxin. One blend with Saccharomyces cerevisiae lysate, zeolite, silicon dioxide, propylene glycol, Carduus marianus extract, soy lecithin, and carbonate was used as an anti-mycotoxin. Four treatments, with six repetitions per treatment and three pigs/pen: Afla0-AntiMyc0 - negative control (without aflatoxin); Afla500-AntiMyc0 - positive control (500 ppb of aflatoxin); Afla0-AntiMyc1000 - 1000 mg/kg of anti-mycotoxin blend; Afla500-AntiMyc1000 - 500 ppb aflatoxin +1000 mg/kg of anti-mycotoxin blend. It was observed that pigs in the positive control (Afla500-AntiMyc0) had lower body weight and weight gain when compared to the other treatments during the experimental period. Also, pigs from Afla500-AntiMyc0 had lower feed intake between days 1-20 and 1 to 30 than Afla0-AntiMyc0. The pigs from Afla500-AntiMyc0 had higher levels of liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase compared to other treatments. The pigs from Afla500-AntiMyc0 had higher villus height than the other treatments, while the folded size was smaller in this treatment. Crypts were deeper in the intestines of pigs in both treatments that consumed aflatoxin. In general, it is concluded that the intake of aflatoxin B1 by nursery pigs has negative impacts on the health and, consequently, the animals' growth performance; however, the addition of the contaminated feed with an anti-mycotoxin blend was able to protect the pigs, minimizing the adverse effects caused by the mycotoxin.

Butyric acid glycerides as substitutes for antibiotics as growth enhancers in the diet of nursery piglets.

This study aimed to determine whether the addition of butyric acid glycerides as substitutes to conventional growth promoters can provide adequate zootechnical performance and intestinal health in healthy piglets in the nursery phase. We used 90 male piglets (average weight of 6.5 kg) subdivided into five treatments with six replicates per treatment. The treatments had the same basal diet: NC-negative control (without growth promoter), PC-positive control (with gentamicin, oral), PSB-protected sodium butyrate, FSB-free sodium butyrate, and TRI-tributyrin. In these animals, zootechnical performance was evaluated on days 1, 10, 20 and 39, microbiological analysis on days 14 and 39, hematocrit, blood biochemistry and intestinal histology, intestinal oxidation and antioxidation on day 39. The average daily weight gain was higher in the TRI group on days 21 to 39 in the nursery (P = 0.03), with more significant weight gain from 1 to 39 days (P = 0.05). There were higher leukocyte counts in the PC group than in the TRI group and higher lymphocyte counts in the PC treatment than in the NC or TRI groups. Escherichia coli counts were lower in the PC, followed by the PSB and TRI groups on day 39 (P = 0.01). Lower crypt depths were found in the TRI and FSB groups, followed by PC, than in the NC group (P = 0.01). Higher values for crypt villosity ratio were found in the FSB and TRI groups than in the NC group (P = 0.05). Lower lipid peroxidation was found in analyzes of serum oxidative status (LPO: P = 0.01), associated with greater activities of superoxide dismutase - SOD (P = 0.08), glutathione S-transferase - GST (P = 0.09) in PSB and TRI groups than in the NC group. In conclusion, the use of butyric acid in the form of tributyrin can be used as growth enhancers in piglets in the nursery phase.

Industrial egg residue as a calcium source in broiler feed: digestibility and growth performance.

Industrial egg residue (IER) possesses substantial concentrations of calcium and crude protein. The objective of this study was to measure the digestibility and performance of broilers when IER was added to the feed. Four treatments were tested, which caused increasing replacement of calcitic limestone by IER (0, 35, 70 and 100%) during a 42-day production cycle. First, total bird excreta were collected from broilers with and without IER, and we determined dry matter digestibility, apparent metabolizable energy (AME), calcium, and nitrogen retention. The IER presented 7.5% of crude protein, 31% of calcium, 209 kcal/kg of AME and the digestibility coefficients for dry matter, crude protein, and calcium were calculated at 83.95%, 86.20%, and 67%, respectively. After the digestibility test, the effects of IER on performance, carcass and meat yield were evaluated. No significant differences between the treatments were found in terms of performance (weight gain, feed conversion, consumption, and mortality), and no differences were found in terms of carcass or meat yield. A linear decrease in the percentage of abdominal fat was observed with increasing inclusion of IER in feed. These findings suggest that IER can totally replace limestone (calcium carbonate) in broiler diets.

Microencapsulated herbal components in the diet of Lacaune ewes: impacts on physiology and milk production and quality.

This study aimed to determine whether the addition of a microencapsulated herbal blend (MHB) based on thymol, carvacrol, and cinnamaldehyde in dairy sheep feed would improve production efficiency, milk quality, and animal health. Thirty lactating Lacaune ewes were divided into three groups: Control (T0), 150 mg blend/kg of feed (T150), and 250 mg blend/kg of feed (T250). Milk was measured before the beginning of the experiment (d 0), at the end of the adaptation period (d 15), and during the experiment (d 20). In milk samples, was measured the composition, somatic cell count (SCC), reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipoperoxidation (LPO), and total antioxidant capacity. The MHB improved the milk production (only T150 vs. T0 sheep on d 20), productive efficiency and feed efficiency, and reduced the milk SCC (only T250 vs. T0 sheep, on d 20), ROS and tended to reduce the milk levels of LPO (only T250 vs. T0 sheep on d 20). Also, MHB reduced the blood levels of neutrophils and ROS (only T250 vs. T0 sheep on d 20) and increased total protein and globulin levels. Thus, a microencapsulated blend of thymol, carvacrol, and cinnamaldehyde improved the productive performance and milk quality of sheep.

Trypanosoma cruzi: Does the intake of nanoencapsulated benznidazole control acute infections?

Chagas Disease (CD) affects around eight million people worldwide. It is considered a neglected disease that presents few treatment options with efficacy only in the acute phase. Nanoparticles have many positive qualities for treating parasite infections and may be effectively and widely employed in clinical medicine. This research aimed to evaluate the nanoencapsulated benznidazole treatment in animals experimentally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. To analyze the treatment efficacy, we evaluated survival during thirty days, parasitemia, genotoxicity, and heart and liver histopathology. Thirty-five female Swiss mice were organized into seven groups characterizing a dose curve: A - Negative control (uninfected animals), B - Positive control (infected animals), C - Benznidazole (BNZ) 100 mg/kg (infected animals), D - 5 mg/kg Benznidazole nanocapsules (NBNZ) (infected animals), E - 10 mg/kg Benznidazole nanocapsules (infected animals), F - 15 mg/kg Benznidazole nanocapsules (infected animals), G - 20 mg/kg Benznidazole nanocapsules (infected animals). The animals were infected with the Y strain of T. cruzi intraperitoneally. The treatment was administered for eight days by oral gavage. It was possible to observe that the treatment with the highest NBNZ dose presented efficacy similar to the standard benznidazole drug. The 20 mg/kg NBNZ dose was able to reduce parasitemia, increase survival, and drastically reduce heart and liver tissue damage compared to the 100 mg/kg BNZ dose. Moreover, it showed a lower DNA damage index than the BNZ treatment. In conclusion, the nanoencapsulation of BNZ promotes an improvement in parasite proliferation control with a five times smaller dose relative to the standard dose of free BNZ, thus demonstrating to be a potential innovative therapy for CD.

Addition of a Blend Based on Zinc Chloride and Lignans of Magnolia in the Diet of Broilers to Substitute for a Conventional Antibiotic: Effects on Intestinal Health, Meat Quality, and Performance.

This study aimed to determine whether adding a blend based on zinc chloride and lignans from magnolia to the diet of broilers could replace conventional performance enhancers. For this study, 360 chickens were divided into four groups, with six repetitions per group (n = 15), as follows: CN, without promoter; GPC, control, 50 mg/kg of enramycin growth promoter; T-50, additive blend at a dose of 50 g/ton; and T-100, additive blend at a dose of 100 g/ton. Chickens fed with the additive blend at 50 g/ton showed a production efficiency index equal to that in the GPC group (p < 0.05). At 42 days, the lowest total bacterial count (TBC) was found in the T-100 group, followed by that in the GPC group (p < 0.001). For E. coli, the lowest count was observed in the T-100 group, followed by that in the CP and T-50 groups (p < 0.001). Higher villus/crypt ratios were observed in birds belonging to the T-100 and T-50 groups than in the GPC and NC groups (p < 0.001). Greater water retention was found in the T-50 group than in NC and T-100 groups (p < 0.048). The lowest water loss during cooking was also noted in the T-50 group (p < 0.033). We concluded that adding the antimicrobial blend, primarily at 50 g/ton, maintains the efficiency of the index of production and improves the intestinal health and meat quality of the birds.

Different protocols for piglet creep feeding in the farrowing stage and residual effects in the nursery phase.

This study was aimed at the effects of different Creep-feeding protocols on piglet performance and its residual effects during the nursery phase. Experimental design used was five groups: WC (without creep); DCF (dry creep feeding); WCF (wet creep feeding); LD (additional liquid creep with automatic feed dispenser plus DCF); and LLF (additional liquid creep with linear feeder plus DCF). Ten litters per treatment were selected a total 50 sows and 645 piglets. During the first two weeks of lactation, the LD treatment (2.61 and 4.20 kg) promoted greater body weight (P <0.001) than the DCF (2.55 and 3.93 kg), (WFS) (2.43 and 3.69 kg) and LLF (2.50 and 4.00 kg) treatments, but did not differ from the WC treatment (2.68 and 4.09 kg). At weaning, the WC (5.22 kg), LD (5.32 kg) and LLF (5.27 kg) treatments gave higher body weights (P <0.001) when compared to the DCF (4.97 kg) and WCF (4.69 kg) treatments. We concluded that there was no change in the behavior of the piglets, and the use of dry feed with liquid supplements did not improve weight gain. The different creep feeding systems did not influence the weight and performance of the piglets in the nursery phase.

Addition of açai oil during the close-up dry period of Holstein cows improves colostrum quality and immune responses of their calves.

This study evaluated of the effects of açai oil during the close-up dry period of Holstein cows on colostrum quality, as well as on the immune and antioxidant responses of their calves. Sixteen multiparous cows were assigned randomly to two treatments: 1) CONTROL (n = 8) - 4.48% of soybean oil/concentrate; 2) AÇAI (n =8) - 4.48% of açai oil/concentrate. Cows fed with açai oil had greater (P≤0.04) colostrum concentrations of immunoglobulins (Ig) G (1st and 2nd milking), IgG heavy chains, IgA (only at 1st milking), alpha-lactalbumin (1st milking), total protein, and antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals (only at 1st milking). Cows fed with açai oil had greater serum concentrations of globulin (only on the day of calving) and total protein (only on the day of calving) (P = 0.03). Calves born of cows fed with açai oil had greater serum concentrations of total protein (only 24 and 48 h after calving) and serum concentration of IgG heavy chain (only 24 h after calving) and globulin (only 24 and 48 h after calving) (P = 0.01). These data suggest that the addition of açai oil in the cow feed during the close-up dry period boosted immunity in their calves by altering the composition of colostrum.

The addition of residue from pruning of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) in laying hens modulates fatty acid profile and incorporates chlorogenic acid in the egg.

This study aimed to determine whether the addition of Ilex paraguariensis residue to the basal diet of laying hens improves bird health, production, fatty acids, egg quality, and transfer of chlorogenic acids to the egg. One hundred twenty birds of the Hy-line lineage were used, divided into five groups with six replicates and four birds per replicate, as follows: T0 (control group, without IPPR supplementation), T0.5 (basal diet plus 0.5% of IPPR), T1 (basal diet plus 1% IPPR), T1.5 (basal diet plus 1.5% IPPR), and T2 (basal diet plus 2% IPPR), for two consecutive cycles of 21 days each. The productive performance of the birds, physicochemical composition of eggs, fatty acid profile, the concentration of chlorogenic acids in eggs, leukocyte count, serum biochemistry, oxidant and antioxidant status, total bacterial count in eggs, and feces were evaluated at 21 and 42 days of the experiment. The addition of IPPR to the birds' diet no-change eggs production and feed conversion. In the egg yolks of birds that consumed IPPR, there were chlorogenic acids. There was a reduction in the total bacterial count in the feces and eggshells of the birds that received 2% of the IPPR. IPPR intake also reflected a reduction in total saturated fatty acid levels and increased monounsaturated fatty acids. These findings suggest that IPPR is a compelling alternative for laying hens; however, its ingestion also has negative effects that are discussed in below. Chlorogenic acids in the egg are desirable, as these phenolics have nutraceutical effects in humans.

Trypanosoma vivax infection in dairy cattle: Parasitological and serological diagnosis and its relationship with the percentage of red blood cells.

Trypanosoma vivax is an emerging infectious agent in Brazil. Trypanosomosis kills cattle, especially in regions where the protozoan is unknown and herd immunity does not occur. The present study aims to report infection by T. vivax in dairy cattle from Santa Catarina, Brazil, and evaluate the effects on the percentage of red cells in the blood. Was analyzed 146 cattle blood samples with a clinical diagnosis of anaemia (pale pink mucosa: ocular and vaginal) using indirect immunofluorescence assay PCR and blood smear. 39% of the samples were positive by IFA, but none of them were positive by PCR. It was possible to verify the presence of trypomastigote forms of parasite in 3 samples of cows positive by IFA. The percentage of red cells (hematocrit) did not differ between animals with a positive serological diagnosis compared to seronegative ones. Regardless of the concentration of antibodies, hematocrit did not differ. Another piece of information that drew attention was the hematocrit of the three animals with a parasitological diagnosis. That is, these animals had a percentage of red cells of 35, 38, 39%. Among the symptomatic animals evaluated, 11 had fever and anorexia, cows that presented hematocrit between 21 and 30%. This is the first description of infection in cattle in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Anaemia is not a clinical finding in asymptomatic dairy cows but seroreactive for T. vivax.

Butyric acid glycerides in the diet of broilers to replace conventional growth promoters: effects on performance, metabolism, and intestinal health.

This study aimed to determine whether butyric acid glycerides can replace conventional growth promoters, favour intestinal health, and improve performance. A total of 420 birds were used, divided into four groups with seven repetitions per group (n = 15), as follows: NC, negative control (no promoter); PC, positive control (basal diet + enramycin + salinomycin); MDT-BUT, a diet supplemented with mono-, di-, and triglycerides of butyric acid; TRI-BUT, a diet supplemented with tributyrin of butyric acid glycerides. Productive performance was measured on days 1, 21, 35, and 42. Excreta were collected for counting Escherichia coli and coliforms on days 21 and 42. Blood samples were collected at 42 days of age to analyse oxidant/antioxidant status, and the intestine was removed for intestinal morphometry. From 1 to 42 days, there was greater body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion in the PC, MDT-BUT, and TRI-BUT groups than in the NC group; the production efficiency index was 21.10% higher in all groups than in the NC group (p = 0.001). At 21 days, there were lower E. coli counts of 86.8% in the TRI-BUT and 99.7% in PC groups than in the NC and MDT-BUT groups (p < 0.001), while at 42 days, lower counts were found in the PC, MDT-BUT, and TRI-BUT groups than the NC group (p < 0.001). There were lower total protein and globulin levels in the MDT-BUT and TRI-BUT groups than in the NC group (p = 0.001). Cholesterol levels were lower in the TRI-BUT group, followed by MDT-BUT and PC groups, than in the NC group (p = 0.001), while lower triglyceride levels were found in the TRI-BUT group than in the NC and PC groups (p = 0.001). There were lower levels of lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species in the TRI-BUT group, followed by the PC group than the NC group (p < 0.001); on the other hand, there were higher protein thiol levels in the TRI-BUT group than the NC group (p = 0.041). The villus:crypt ratio increase was 79.4% in the TRI-BUT group, followed by the 45.1% PC and 19.8% MDT-BUT groups than the NC (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that adding butyric acid confers antimicrobial and antioxidant activity and improves birds' production efficiency, intestinal health, and metabolism. Butyric acid glycerides are an effective alternative to conventional growth promoters.

Use of blend based on an emulsifier, monolaurin, and glycerides of butyric acid in the diet of broilers: impacts on intestinal health, performance, and meat.

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the addition of a blend based on α-monolaurin mono-, di- and triglycerides of butyric acid, and lysolecithin on the performance even on diets containing reduced inclusion of oil in the diet and without the use of growth-promoting antibiotics of broilers considering the effect on health, performance, and meat. Three treatments were defined: positive control (TP: with enramycin), negative control (TN: no enramycin), and blend (T-FRA: with monolaurin and glycerides of acid butyric minus 0.8% soybean oil). At 21 days, broilers treated with TP and T-FRA obtained the lower feed conversion ratio (FC); at 35 days, T-FRA broilers obtained lower FC than TN broilers. Cholesterol levels were higher in the blood of T-FRA broilers. On day 42, levels of ROS and TBARS were lower in the intestine, muscles, and liver of T-FRA broilers. Moreover, glutathione S-transferase and total non-enzymatic antioxidants were greater at the intestinal and muscular levels. The T-FRA broilers had a lower percentage of lipids in the meat. The MIC indicated that 111mg of the blend/mL inhibited the growth of E. coli; however, the counts of total coliforms and E. coli in the feces and the broilers' litter did not differ between treatments. In conclusion, the addition of the blend T-FRA in broiler diets was able to improve the feed conversion and maintain the other performance parameters even considering a reduction of 0.8% in the inclusion of oil.

The addition of green propolis to laying hens had positive effects on egg quality: lower bacteria counts in the shell and lipid peroxidation in the yolk.

This study aimed to determine whether the addition of green propolis extract to the diet of laying hens would improve egg quality and bird performance and decrease bacterial contamination of eggs. Forty-five brown Hy-line laying hens were used, divided into five groups with three replicates each and three animals per cage: T0 - diet without propolis; T5 - 5 grams of propolis per kg of feed; T10 - 10 grams of propolis per kg of feed; T20 - 20 grams of propolis per kg of feed and T30 - 30 grams of propolis per kg of feed. The quality of fresh eggs was made on day 21 of the experiment, and eggs were stored for 21 days. Greater specific gravity was observed in fresh eggs in T5 birds and stored eggs for T10. TBARS in fresh eggs, we found that T30 eggs had lower levels compared to other treatments. T20 eggs had the lowest total bacterial count and the lowest total coliform count in the eggshells of T10 and T20 chickens. The count of E. coli in the peel was lower for T20 and T30 than T0 and T5. The consumption of propolis did not interfere with the hens' egg production rate but reduced food intake and consequently reduced feed conversion. We concluded that the addition of green propolis in the diet of laying birds proved efficient in reducing bacterial contamination in the eggshells and reducing the lipid peroxidation of fresh and stored eggs.

Protective effects of silymarin in broiler feed contaminated by mycotoxins: growth performance, meat antioxidant status, and fatty acid profiles.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the inclusion of silymarin in broiler feed was able to mitigate the adverse effects of mycotoxin on growth performance, health status, liver oxidative stress, and meat fatty acid profiles. A completely randomized design with four treatments, four repetitions, and 15 chicks per repetition was used, with the following groups: (a) feed without additives (NoMyc-NoSil), (b) feed supplemented with silymarin (NoMyc-Sil), (c) feed contaminated with mycotoxin (Myc-NoSil), and (d) feed contaminated with mycotoxin and supplemented with silymarin (Myc-Sil). Growth performance, intestinal and liver health, and meat quality were assessed. The consumption of feed contaminated with mycotoxin delayed weight gain and increased the feed conversion ratio; however, the addition of silymarin prevented these adverse effects on the chicken industry. Serum ALT activity was higher in Myc-NoSil broilers than in other groups. Intake of silymarin in healthy birds increased serum globulin concentration and reduced albumin concentration and ALT and AST serum activities compared to the Myc-NoSil group. The NoMyc-Sil birds had greater villus heights and crypt depths. Luminosity and water loss by cooking were affected by mycotoxin ingestion, changes that did not occur in the meat of birds that were supplemented with silymarin. The sum of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in the meat did not change among treatments, unlike the sum of polyunsaturated fatty acids higher in the meat of birds that consumed silymarin. We conclude that silymarin is a potential additive in broiler feed; it reduces impairment of growth performance at the end of the productive cycle, prevents oxidative stress, improves meat quality, and increases polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Microencapsulated phytogenic in dog feed modulates immune responses, oxidative status and reduces bacterial (Salmonella and Escherichia coli) counts in feces.

Improving the health and immunity of pets is a concern of the guardians, while maintaining the health of the animals directly impacts the owners' health and public health. The objective of this study was to produce a dog feed containing a microencapsulated phytogenic blend, as well as determine the impact of the additive on animal health and its intestinal microbiota. The composition included microencapsulated thymol, carvacrol, and cinnamaldehyde, at 300 mg/kg of feed. Ten male beagle dogs were divided into two groups, identified as follows: the control group (C; ingested the feed without the additive) and the treated group (T; consumed feed containing the phytogenic blend). The dogs received 300 g of feed/day divided into two meals. Greater neutrophil counts in group T and lymphocyte counts were observed at the end of the experiment, as well as levels of α2-globulins and γ-globulin, while ß1 and ß2-globulins levels were lower in group T. Serum nitrogen oxide levels were higher in group T. Levels of reactive oxygen species were lower in group T at days 30 and 45, unlike activity of glutathione peroxidase that was higher. We found less bacterial contamination in the feces of dogs in group T, i.e., total bacterial count, total coliform counts, and counts of Salmonella and Escherichia coli were lower on days 30 and 45. Phytogenic blend intake reduces bacterial counts in stool and improves antioxidant/oxidative status and immune responses.