Heterogeneous size datasets of broiler intestinal microbial communities can be analyzed without normalization.

Next-generation sequencing technologies have become a powerful tool for the analysis of microbial communities. Sequencing of the hypervariable regions of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene following the amplitag amplification process has allowed the study of the diversity of samples of diverse origin. According to previous reports, the number of sequences required for the correct determination of the composition of a given sample may vary with the degree of diversity of that sample. In this paper, we investigate the correctness of comparing heterogeneous size datasets of bird intestinal microbial communities obtained from pyrosequencing data (Roche 454 technology) without prior normalization. We conclude that the differences observed between samples are due mainly to individual differences, not to differences in the number of readings in each sample, which makes data normalization unnecessary with the conditions described here.

Effects of feed additives on ileal mucosa-associated microbiota composition of broiler chickens.

The effects of dietary supplementation with 2 recently developed feed additives on the composition of the mucosa-associated microbiota of the ileum were studied in growing broiler chickens. A total of 48 male 1-d-old broiler chickens of the Cobb 500 strain were distributed in 4 treatments with 2 replicates of 6 birds each. The 2 additives tested were a di-d-fructose dianhydride­enriched caramel (FC) and the garlic derivative propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTS-O). Dietary treatments were a control (commercial diet with no additive), INU (20 g inulin/kg diet), CAR (20 g FC/kg diet), and GAR (90 mgPTS-O/kg diet). As a result of this study, inulin supplementation resulted in lower (P < 0.05) and FC feeding resulted in higher (P < 0.05) Blautia coccoides/Eubacterium rectale log10 number of copies respect to controls. Higher (P < 0.05) bifidobacteria log10 number of copies with respect to the controls was determined in the ileal mucosa of birds fed the PTS-O­supplemented diet. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and PCR analysis on Bifidobacterium spp. revealed the presence of Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium pseudolongum, and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum in samples from chickens fed the control and the PTS-O­supplemented diet. Bifidobacterium longum was exclusively found in poultry fed the control diet, whereas B. pseudocatenulatum was found only in poultry fed the PTS-O­supplemented diet. This study showed that both PTS-O and FC were able to modulate the composition of the ileal mucosa-associated microbiota of growing broiler chickens. Finally, in addition to B. pseudolongum, the presence of B. longum and B. pseudocatenulatum, species not previously described in intestinal samples of broilers, was also demonstrated.

Correlations between changes in intestinal microbiota composition and performance parameters in broiler chickens.

Growing male Cobb broiler chickens were fed on diets supplemented with additives reported as able to influence intestinal microbiota composition. The diets used were a balanced commercial diet (no additive), inulin (20 g/kg), fructose caramel (FC, 20 g/kg) and the garlic derivative PTS-O (propyl propane thiosulfonate, 45 and 90 mg/kg diet). The composition of the intestinal microbiota was analysed by qPCR at different points of the intestinal tract, and a number of nutritional parameters were also determined. The relative amounts of bacteroides (bacteroides/total bacteria) in the ileal contents correlated (p < 0.05) positively with faecal NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and cellulose digestibility. The relative amounts of Escherichia-Shigella (Escherichia-Shigella/total bacteria) in the crop contents correlated (p = 0.05) negatively with weight gain of broilers. Faecal N digestibility correlated (p < 0.05) negatively with total bacteria in the ileal contents of chickens. The relative amounts of Escherichia-Shigella (Escherichia-Shigella/total bacteria) in the caecal contents correlated (p = 0.05) negatively with faecal fat digestibility of broilers. Total bacteria in ileal or caecal contents of growing chickens correlated (p < 0.05) negatively with ileal N digestibility. The results here reported suggest that positive or negative correlations can be found between performance parameters and changes in intestinal microbiota composition of growing broiler chickens.

Effects of inulin and di-D-fructose dianhydride-enriched caramels on intestinal microbiota composition and performance of broiler chickens.

In vitro and in vivo experiments were designed to evaluate the effectiveness of laboratory-made di-d-fructose dianhydride (DFA)-enriched caramels. The DFA-enriched caramels were obtained from d-fructose (FC), d-fructose and sucrose (FSC), or d-fructose and ß-cyclodextrin (FCDC). In the in vitro experiment, raftilose and all caramels increased (P<0.05) l-lactate concentration and decreased (P<0.05) pH. Total short-chain fatty acid concentration was higher (P<0.05) than controls in tubes containing raftilose, FSC, FCDC and commercial sucrose caramel (CSC). Raftilose, and all caramels tested except FSC and FC (1%), increased (P<0.01) lactobacilli log10 number of copies compared with the non-additive control. FSC, FCDC and CSC increased (P<0.01) the bifidobacteria number of copies as compared with controls. All additives, except FCDC, decreased (P<0.01) Clostridium coccoides/Eubacterium rectale log number of copies. Compared with controls, raftilose, FC and CSC led to lower (P<0.01) Escherichia-Shigella and enterobacteria. For the in vivo experiment, a total of 144 male 1-day-old broiler chickens of the Cobb strain were randomly assigned to one of the three dietary treatments for 21 days. Dietary treatments were control (commercial diet with no additive), inulin (20 g inulin/kg diet) and FC (20 g FC/kg diet). Final BW of birds fed FC diet was higher (P<0.01) than controls or inulin-fed birds, although feed: gain values were not different. Feed intake of chickens fed FC was higher (P<0.01) than that of inulin-fed birds but not statistically different from controls. Crop pH values were lower (P<0.01) in birds fed FC diet as compared with control diet, with inulin-fed chickens showing values not different from control- or FC-fed birds. Lower (P<0.05) lactobacilli number of copies was determined in the crop, ileum and caeca of birds fed the inulin diet compared with the control diet. Inulin supplementation also resulted in lower (P<0.05) C. coccoides/E. rectale, bacteroides and total bacteria in caecal contents. Addition of FC to broiler diets gave place to lower (P<0.05) enterobacteria and Escherichia-Shigella in crop and caecal contents compared with controls. The bacteroides number of copies increased (P<0.05) as compared with controls in the ileum, but decreased (P<0.05) in the caeca of chickens fed the FC diet. Energy, ADF, NDF and non-starch polysaccharides faecal digestibilities were greater (P<0.05) than controls in chickens fed diets containing inulin or FC. Fat digestibility was higher (P<0.05) in FC-fed birds compared with controls or inulin-fed chickens. In conclusion, DFA-enriched caramels tested here, particularly FC, may represent a type of new additives useful in poultry production.

Garlic derivative propyl propane thiosulfonate is effective against broiler enteropathogens in vivo.

Two experiments were carried out to study the effects of dietary supplementation with the garlic (Allium sativum)-derived product propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTS-O) on the intestinal log(10) number of copies of enteropathogens in broiler chickens, together with their intestinal morphology and growth performance. The additive had no significant effect on feed intake at any dose assayed. In experiment 1 (1 to 21 d of age), the BW of chickens fed on 45 mg of PTS-O/kg of diet was higher (P < 0.01) than that of controls. Birds fed on diets containing 45 and 90 mg of PTS-O/kg of diet had improved (P < 0.01) feed:gain ratios compared with the controls at 21 d of age. Ileal villus height, width and surface area, mucosal thickness, and muscular layer thickness were considerably greater (P < 0.01) than control values in chickens fed 90 mg of PTS-O/kg of diet. The Clostridium perfringens log(10) number of counts was not significantly affected at any dose assayed. The inclusion of PTS-O at both concentrations (45 and 90 mg/kg of diet) resulted in lower (P < 0.01) log(10) number of copies of ileal Salmonella spp. and crop enterobacteria and Escherichia coli. The inclusion of 90 mg of PTS-O/kg of diet also resulted in lower (P < 0.01) enterobacteria and E. coli log(10) numbers of copies in the ileal and cecal contents, respectively. The number of copies of Campylobacter jejuni was not significantly affected. In experiment 2 (15 to 28 d of age), lower (P < 0.01) log(10) number of copies of Salmonella spp. and C. jejuni were determined in the ileal contents of chickens fed on diets containing 135 mg of PTS-O/kg of diet. The addition of 90 mg of PTS-O/kg of diet lowered (P < 0.01) only the number of copies of ileal Salmonella spp. This investigation confirmed previous in vitro data and showed that PTS-O lowered the intestinal numbers of enteropathogens and improved the ileal histological structure and productive parameters of broilers.

Morphology and enzymatic activity of the small intestinal mucosa of Iberian pigs as compared with a lean pig strain.

Castrated male Iberian (n = 12) and Landrace × Large White (n = 12) pigs were used to study histological structure and enzymatic activity in the small intestine at 3 points of the productive cycle (BW = 15, 50, and 115 kg). Both strains were fed the same cereal-based diets (DE = 2,799 kcal·kg(-1), and CP = 15%) throughout the entire experimental period. Differences (P < 0.05) in histometrical variables (villus height, width and surface, crypt depth, villus height/crypt depth relationship, mucosal thickness, muscular layer thickness, and number of goblet cells) were found among samples of small intestinal sections (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) at the 3 productive stages studied. Also, differences (P < 0.05) in histometrical variables of small intestinal samples were found between Iberian and lean pigs at all productive stages, although these differences tended to disappear with age. Differences (P < 0.05) in enzymatic activities (lactase, sucrase, maltase, isomaltase, aminopeptidase, and alkaline phosphatase) of small intestinal samples were found between the different intestinal sections at all productive stages studied. Although differences (P < 0.05) in enzymatic activities of small intestinal samples were found between Iberian and lean pigs at all productive stages, values tended to equalize with pig age. We concluded that differences previously found in dietary nutritional utilization between Iberian and lean strains are likely not due to differences in intestinal absorption or hydrolytic capacity.

Molecular size distribution affects portal absorption rate of casein amino acids in rats.

The aim of the study was to determine if differences in the molecular size of two protein sources affect in vivo intestinal absorption rates of amino acids under normal feeding conditions. Accordingly, the portal absorption rate of amino acids was studied in rats fed semi-synthetic diets containing native casein (NC) or enzymatically hydrolysed casein as the only protein sources. Enzymatic casein hydrolysate (ECH) consisted of a mixture of free amino acids (51.2% with respect to total amino acids) and low molecular weight peptides. Rats were pre-adapted to the experimental diets for 5 days prior to the absorption studies. Total free amino acid concentrations in portal vein plasma of rats fed ECH diet at 60, 105, 150 and 195 min after feeding were lower (p < 0.05) than those of rats fed NC. Lower (p < 0.05) concentrations of free threonine, proline, tyrosine, valine and tryptophan at all time points, and higher (p < 0.05) leucine at 60 and 105 min were found in rats fed ECH when compared with those fed NC in portal vein plasma. Portal flow rates of threonine, proline, tyrosine and valine were higher in NC at most time points tested, while leucine and lysine were higher for ECH fed rats 60 and 105 min after feeding. In arterial plasma, significantly (p < 0.05) higher concentrations of some individual free amino acids (proline, tyrosine, valine and tryptophan) were determined at 60, 105, 150 and 195 min after feeding, and lower leucine values after 60 and 105 min, in rats fed NC compared with those fed ECH. Results indicate that in normal feeding conditions amino acids from NC and ECH are absorbed at different rates in rats.

Garlic derivatives (PTS and PTS-O) differently affect the ecology of swine faecal microbiota in vitro.

A number of in vitro experiments were designed to evaluate the effects of two different industrial products, namely PROALLIUM-S-DMC and PROALLIUM-SO-DMC (DMC Research Center, Granada, Spain), obtained from garlic (Allium sativum) on the faecal microbiota of pigs. The effects of three different concentrations (50, 200 and 400 ppm) of the active compounds (PTS and PTS-O, respectively) from both industrial products on the gastrointestinal microbiota of pigs were tested. Growth medium without any additive (0 ppm) was used as control. Predominant bacterial groups (total aerobes, total anaerobes, lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, coliforms, enterobacteria, bacteroides and clostridia) were studied. Results showed that both PTS and PTS-O have significant (P<0.01) antimicrobial activity against every group studied, although enterobacteria and coliforms were the most affected populations (P<0.01). Time kill curves for Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium, two common pathogens of pigs, showed that both compounds had a bactericidal effect against these strains. For the bacterial groups here studied, the antimicrobial effect of PTS-O was significantly (P<0.001) stronger than that of PTS. Trials in vivo are in course to study the potential use of these products as alternatives to antibiotics in pig feeds.

Cutaneous hyperpigmentation induced by omeprazole mimicking ashy dermatosis.

BACKGROUND: Omeprazole has been associated with multiple adverse effects including skin reactions but, to date, cutaneous hyperpigmentation has not been described as an adverse effect of this drug. OBSERVATIONS: We describe a case of a 52-year-old Caucasian woman who developed skin hyperpigmentation in the upper trunk, mimicking ashy dermatosis, 2 months after initiating omeprazole treatment. Histopathologic examination of a skin biopsy taken from a pigmented macule showed dermal macrophages containing golden-brown granules, which also displayed a sulphur peak on energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry were also performed on the drug and on a biopsy specimen revealing the same chromatograms as well as the same mass spectra. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, omeprazole itself may induce cutaneous pigmentation and, to our knowledge, this is the first report of this finding.

Effects of feeding growing broiler chickens with practical diets containing sweet lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) seed meal.

1. Two experiments with growing broiler chickens were carried out to study the effects of the inclusion in their diets of whole or dehulled lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) seed meal on productive and physiological parameters. The effects of the addition of a commercial protease (1 g/kg, Bio-Feed Pro, Novo. Nordisk, Madrid) were also tested. 2. Diets were formulated to contain the same amounts of energy (12.55 kJ/g) and protein (210 g/kg). Raw whole (not heat treated) or dehulled sweet (low in alkaloids) lupin seed meal (400 and 320 g/kg, respectively) were used to formulate the lupin-based diets, and the protein content was completed with either defatted soybean or casein. 3. Final body weight and feed intake of chickens fed diets containing whole lupin seed meal (400 g/kg) were lower than controls, but gain:feed ratios were not different. The presence of soybean or casein in the diet did not affect productive parameters. Birds fed dehulled (320 g/kg) instead of whole lupin seed meal had similar body weight, feed intake and gain:feed values to controls. The addition of a commercial protease (1 g/kg, Bio-Feed Pro CT) to whole lupin/soy or whole lupin/casein diets tended to increase feed intake and final weight of the birds. 4. Plasma uric acid concentration was higher, and plasma cholesterol and triglycerides lower, in chicks fed whole lupin but not in those fed dehulled lupin seed meal. Plasma amino acid concentrations were not different from controls in birds fed lupin diets. 5. Apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids was not different from controls for the different lupin diets. The relative weight of the liver was higher than controls in lupin-fed birds, but not in those fed enzyme supplemented lupin-based diets. Liver concentrations of DNA tended to rise, while those of glycogen tended to decrease and liver RNA was lower in lupin-fed chicks.

Lactobacilli counts in crop, ileum and caecum of growing broiler chickens fed on practical diets containing whole or dehulled sweet lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) seed meal.

1. Four experiments with growing broiler chickens were carried out to study the effects of the inclusion in their diets of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) seed meal of E. coli and lactobacilli counts in crop, ileum and caecca at 3 or 4 weeks of age. 2. Diets were formulated to contain the same amounts of metabolisable energy (12.55 MJ/kg) and protein (210 g/kg). Raw whole (heat-untreated) or dehulled sweet (low in alkaloids) lupin seed meal (400 and 320 g/kg respectively) were used to prepare the lupin-based diets, whose protein content was completed with either defatted soyabean meal or casein. 3. Final body weight and food intake of chickens fed on whole lupin seed meal diets were lower than controls, but gain: food ratios were not different. However, birds given the diet with dehulled lupin seed meal had similar body weight, food intake and gain: food values as those of controls. 4. While E. coli counts were not affected, lactobacilli numbers were consistently increased compared to controls in all intestinal sections of chickens fed on the whole or dehulled lupin-based diets, irrespective of the age of the birds or the presence of soyabean meal or casein in the diet. The lactobacilli species isolated were: Lactobacillus fermentum, L. acidophilus, L. salivarius and L. brevis. 5. The results suggest that the use of whole or dehulled sweet lupin seed meal in diets for growing broilers might enhance the growth of lactic acid--fermenting bacteria in the gut.

Palliative care in Córdoba: experience of the Marie Curie Foundation and the Oncology Service of Sanatorio del Salvador.

Córdoba is a city with 1,300,000 inhabitants located in the center of Argentina. Although Palliative Medicine is a discipline that has been present for a little over 10 years, it has not developed in step with demand, owing to lack of political will and insufficient support from the Health Administration. However, the existing units have expanded, thanks to the efforts of their staff members, who help hundreds of terminally ill patients and their families, provide training at undergraduate and postgraduate university levels, and make information available to the general public through different activities in the community.

Nutritional utilization by rats of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) meal and its isolated globulin proteins is poorer than that of defatted soybean or lactalbumin.

The effects on performance, digestibility, N utilization and plasma amino acid concentrations of dietary chickpea (Cicer arietinum, var. Kabuli) seed meal, globulin proteins or buffer-insoluble residue [starch + non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) + lignin] were studied in growing rats. Chickpea meal, defatted soybean meal, chickpea globulins and lactalbumin were each incorporated into diets as the sole source of dietary protein (100 g/kg). In addition, chickpea insoluble residue was included in a control diet in the same proportion found in the chickpea meal. Rats were killed while under halothane anesthesia after 10 d of consuming the diets, and ileal contents were washed out and freeze-dried for digestibility measurements. Weight gains and gain:feed ratios of rats fed chickpea diets for 10 d did not differ from those of rats fed defatted soybean but were significantly lower than those of rats given the control (lactalbumin) diet. However, ileal and fecal N digestibilities and N retention by rats fed the chickpea diet were significantly lower than those obtained with the lactalbumin or soybean diet. The inclusion of both chickpea meal or its globulin proteins in the diet significantly increased the amount of N excreted, primarily as urea, through the urine. However, although ileal N digestibility values for chickpea meal were significantly lower, those for its constituent globulins did not differ from control values. Urea levels in plasma in rats fed diets containing chickpea meal, globulins or soybean meal were significantly higher than in those fed lactalbumin. Furthermore, the concentrations of glycine, phenylalanine, histidine, arginine and ornithine in the plasma of rats fed chickpea meal, its globulins or defatted soybean were significantly higher, whereas those of threonine, leucine, lysine and tryptophan were significantly lower than lactalbumin-fed controls. The chickpea insoluble residue had no adverse effects on performance or N utilization by rats. We conclude that the low nutritional value of chickpea meal is likely to be due mainly to adverse effects of its globulin proteins on growth and N metabolism rather than to the action of any known antinutritional factor present in the diet.

Repeated doses of the perfluorocarbon FC-100 improve lung function of preterm lambs.

Intratracheal administration of a single dose of the perfluorocarbon FC-100 improves lung function in surfactant-deficient animals. In this study we compared the response to repeated doses of FC-100 (3 mL/kg 3% solution, n = 5) with that observed after administration of Exosurf (5 mL/kg, n = 5) to mechanically ventilated preterm lambs of 125 d of gestation. The initial dose of FC-100 rapidly increased arterial PO2, decreased arterial PCO2, and improved arterial pH. Also dynamic lung compliance markedly improved with this agent. Administration of an additional dose of FC-100 resulted in relatively similar changes, albeit of lesser magnitude than those observed with the initial dose. In contrast, Exosurf did not improve these variables even after three doses. All lambs treated with FC-100 survived the 6-h study period, whereas one of the five Exosurf-treated lambs survived (p < 0.05). Mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate decreased in those lambs that received FC-100, but not in surviving lambs that received Exosurf. Our data demonstrate that repeated intratracheal administration of the perfluorocarbon FC-100 improves lung function and survival of surfactant-deficient lambs better than the synthetic surfactant Exosurf. We speculate that tensio-active agents with properties different from surfactant, such as FC-100, might improve lung function in preterm neonates with diseases due to surfactant deficiency.

The utilization of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) and faba bean globulins by rats is poorer than of soybean globulins or lactalbumin but the nutritional value of lupin seed meal is lower only than that of lactalbumin.

The effects of dietary sweet lupin (Lupinus angustifolius, Unicrop) seed meal or its insoluble fiber (nonstarch polysaccharides + lignin) on performance, digestibility and nitrogen utilization in growing rats were studied in four experiments. Globulin proteins isolated from lupin, faba bean (Vicia faba L. minor) or soybean (Glycine max) were also incorporated into purified diets as replacements for lactalbumin (control) and the nutritional effects were evaluated. Isocaloric, legume-based diets supplemented with amino acids were used. Final weight gain, gain:feed ratios, nitrogen retention and net protein utilization of the animals fed whole lupin meal-based diets for 10 d were inferior to those of controls. In contrast, adding lupin insoluble fiber to a control diet produced no adverse effects. Ileal starch and apparent nitrogen digestibilities, and fecal digestibility of starch in lupin-fed rats were higher than those of controls, but fecal true nitrogen digestibility was lower. Replacement of lactalbumin with globulin proteins from lupin or faba bean depressed food intake and protein utilization, but only performance was affected by consumption of soybean globulins. Rats consuming lupin or faba bean globulins excreted significantly more nitrogen, particularly as urea through the urine. This did not occur in rats fed soybean globulins. Urea concentration in plasma was higher in rats fed diets containing lupin meal or legume globulins. The concentrations of urea, arginine and ornithine in plasma increased significantly compared with control values after 3 to 9 h of a lupin diet. After 9 h, plasma lysine was also decreased. We concluded that the main reasons for the low nutritional value of sweet lupin seed meal are likely to be related to the chemical structure of the globulin proteins and their adverse effects on growth and nitrogen metabolism, and not to any known antinutritional factor or poor digestibility.

The intestinal true absorption of 65Zn in rats is adversely affected by diets containing a faba bean (Vicia faba L.) nonstarch polysaccharide fraction.

The effects on the absorption of 65Zn by two varieties of raw faba bean (Vicia faba L., minor) or seed components that may interfere with mineral metabolism in the gut, have been studied in growing rats. In bean diets all protein was supplied by the meals, and the fractions were tested by incorporating them in control diet at the same levels as they occur in the seeds. Absorption of 65Zn was also measured in rats fed dephytinized bean meal produced by including phytase in the diet. Rats were pair-fed diets supplemented with amino acids and minerals to target requirements and containing 40 mg Zn/kg diet. True absorption of Zn was 50-70% lower in rats fed diets containing both cultivars of faba bean meals than in those fed the control diet. Although soluble nonstarch polysaccharides caused a significant reduction in the absorption of Zn, this effect disappeared after the removal of phytate by demineralization. In contrast, despite its negligible content of phytate, the insoluble nonstarch polysaccharides in the cell wall fraction of the cotyledon accounted for most of the reduction in Zn absorption in rats fed the faba bean diets. Addition of phytic acid to the control diet significantly reduced the absorption of 65Zn but only from 44 to 36%. Moreover, the increase in the absorption of Zn was similarly small, from 21% to 29%, with the addition of phytase to the faba bean diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Mineral excretion of rats fed on diets containing faba beans (Vicia faba L.) or faba bean fractions.

The effects on faecal mineral excretion of two commercial varieties (local cultivar and Troy cultivar) of raw faba beans (Vicia faba L., minor) meal (VFM) and its fractions have been studied in growing rats. Diets contained local-VFM (dark seed coat) and Troy-VFM (light seed coat) at 474-500 g/kg diet, hull (VFH) from both varieties at 65 g/kg diet, and the insoluble cotyledon residue (VFCR) obtained from the Troy variety at 237 g/kg diet. Rats were pair-fed on diets which had been supplemented with amino acids to target requirements and contained similar amounts of zinc, manganese, iron and copper. With VFM diets the apparent absorption of Zn and Mn was significantly reduced. On the other hand, with hulls the apparent absorption of Fe was reduced while that of Cu slightly increased. As the amounts of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in VFM and VFH diets were higher than in the controls, the increased intake resulted in a significant increase in both the apparent absorption and the faecal excretion of these minerals. The inclusion of VFCR in the diet had no significant effect on the mineral content of faeces. The relatively low concentrations of phytate in the bean seeds of 7.8 and 6.7 g/kg for the local and Troy cultivars respectively, could not adequately account for the increased mineral excretion. The results suggest that other seed constituents, possibly the soluble non-starch polysaccharides, may be involved in the elevated loss of Zn and Mn in rats fed on diets containing faba bean for extended periods, while some insoluble structural hull components may interfere with the absorption of Fe from the gut.

Nutritional response of growing rats to faba beans (Vicia faba L., minor) and faba bean fractions.

The effects of raw faba bean (Vicia faba L., minor) meal (VFM) and its fractions on the growth and nitrogen utilization of rats have been determined in two experiments. Two commercial varieties of VFM were tested, local VFM (409-439 g/kg diet) and Troy VFM (439 g/kg diet). The bean fractions tested were V. faba lectin-depleted protein (VFDP), V. faba lectin (VFL) and V. faba cotyledon residue (VFCR). All diets were supplemented with amino acids to target requirements. Body-weight, body N and lipid contents of rats fed on VFM were reduced significantly in comparison with control rats fed on lactalbumin. This was due, in part, to the lower digestibility of the protein, lipid and dry matter (DM) of VFM diets. As a result, net protein utilization (NPU) and biological value (BV) of faba bean proteins were less than expected. Urine and urea-N outputs of the VFM-fed rats were also elevated in both experiments. Increasing the energy content of local VFM diets led to significantly higher dry body-weight, body N and lipid contents, with the result that the NPU and BV values of the protein also increased. However, the NPU values for VFM-fed rats were still significantly lower than those for the controls in both experiments. In contrast, true N, lipid and DM digestibilities in rats given local VFM were not significantly affected by the difference in the energy content of the diets. The replacement of two-thirds of the lactalbumin in the diet with VFDP (65 g/kg) reduced dry body-weight, N and lipid contents, NPU and BV compared with the control rats, even though N, lipid and DM digestibilities were not significantly different. The nutritional performance of rats fed on lactalbumin-based diets containing 7 g VFL/kg was similar to that of the controls. Similarly, the inclusion of the cotyledon residue (237 g VFCR/kg diet) had no appreciable effect on any of the variables studied. As VFL and VFCR had no antinutritional effects in these rats, it appears that the low nutritional value of VFM for rats (NPU 0.66) results not only from the low digestibility of the bean proteins, but also from disturbances in N metabolism.

The utilization of raw and autoclaved faba beans (Vicia faba L., var. minor) and faba bean fractions in diets for growing boiler chickens.

The effects of the inclusion of raw and autoclaved whole faba beans (Vicia faba; RFB and AFB respectively) or faba bean fractions (cotyledons and hulls) in diets for growing broiler chickens (0-4 weeks of age) on performance, intestinal physiology and jejunal histological structure have been studied in three experiments. Significant decreases in body-weight as well as lower food consumption and higher food intake:weight gain ratio were observed in those animals fed on diets containing 250, 350 and 500 RFB/kg in the diet. Birds fed on AFB diets (500 g/kg) had significantly greater body-weights than chicks fed on RFB or raw faba bean cotyledons (RC). Significant increases in the relative lengths of duodenum, jejunum, ileum and caeca, pancreas relative weight, and intestinal transit time of birds fed on diets containing 250, 350 and 500 g RFB/kg compared with control birds were observed. Including AFB (500 g/kg) in the diet significantly increased body-weight and significantly decreased pancreas weight compared with RFB (500 g/kg)-fed birds. The inclusion of RFB hulls had no effect on these variables. Dehulling or autoclaving of faba beans, or both, proved to have no significant effect on relative lengths of duodenum, jejunum, ileum and caeca, nor on caecal volatile fatty acid concentration in birds fed on 500 g faba beans/kg diet. Electron microscopy of the jejunal mucosa revealed discrete hyperplasia of polysomes and mitochondrial swelling in those animals fed on AFB (500 g/kg) or AC (426.4 g/kg). Pronounced strangulations were also observed along the microvilli, whose length was similar to that of control birds. The inclusion of RFB hulls, either autoclaved or raw, led to no ultrastructural changes in the enterocytes, as detected by electron microscopy. Birds fed on diets containing the cotyledons of RFB (RC, 426.4 g/kg) rather than whole RFB showed the same ultrastructural disorders as RFB (500 g/kg)-fed birds. The present study shows that factors other than those usually claimed, i.e. protease inhibitors, phytates, tannins and lectins, may be contributing to the low nutritional value of V. faba seeds for growing chickens.

Histological alterations to the pancreas and the intestinal tract produced by raw faba bean (Vicia faba L. minor) diets in growing chicks.

1. Inclusion of raw faba bean (Vicia faba L., minor) in the diet of growing chickens was shown to affect the performance of the birds and to produce a significant increase in the relative weight of the pancreas. This was attributable to dietary trypsin inhibitors. 2. Trypsin inhibitors also produced degenerative changes in pancreatic acinar cells. These were observed by light and electron microscopy. 3. Progressive cytopathological changes were observed in the intestinal tract. The duodenum, jejunum and ileum were altered, with extensive erosion, shortening and atrophy of microvilli. 4. The results endorsed previous findings obtained using different legume seed lines (Phaseolus spp). Faba bean produced similar local reactions in the pancreas and the intestine. This may be caused by the presence of lectins in the seeds.