Effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone supplementation on growth performance and small intestine characteristics in weaned pigs.

This study was conducted to explore the effect of graded levels of pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium (PQQ·Na2) on the performance and intestinal development of weaned pigs. A total of 216 pigs weaned at 28 d were assigned in a randomized complete block design to 6 diets containing 0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, or 7.5 mg/kg PQQ·Na2 for 28 d. Performance, diarrhea incidence, intestinal morphology, redox status, cytokines, and the expression of tight junction proteins were determined. Pigs had increased ADG (linear, P < 0.01), G:F (quadratic, P < 0.01), and lower diarrhea incidence (P < 0.01) with the increase of PQQ·Na2 supplementation. Villus height increased (quadratic, P < 0.01) in all segments of the small intestine, and crypt depth in the duodenum and jejunum was decreased (linear, P < 0.05) in pigs with the increase of PQQ·Na2 supplementation. Pigs fed PQQ·Na2-supplemented diets had higher (P < 0.05) activities of antioxidant enzymes including total superoxide dismutase in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum; glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in jejunum and ileum; catalase (CAT) in duodenum and ileum; and lower (P < 0.05) malondialdehyde concentrations in the intestinal mucosa of all segments. In the intestinal mucosa, cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-2, and interferon-γ were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed PQQ·Na2-supplemented diets. The protein expression of zonula occluden protein-1 (ZO-1) and occludin in the jejunum was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed diets containing PQQ·Na2. In conclusion, these results have indicated that dietary PQQ·Na2 supplementation improves growth performance and gut health in weaned pigs. Moreover, pigs fed diet with as low as 1.5-mg/kg PQQ·Na2 have better performance compared with pigs fed no PQQ·Na2-supplemented diet; pigs fed diet with 4.5-mg/kg PQQ·Na2 have highest G:F among treatments during the whole period.

Lactobacillus reuteri I5007 Modulates Intestinal Host Defense Peptide Expression in the Model of IPEC-J2 Cells and Neonatal Piglets.

Modulation of the synthesis of endogenous host defense peptides (HDPs) by probiotics represents a novel antimicrobial approach for disease control and prevention, particularly against antibiotic-resistant infections in human and animals. However, the extent of HDP modulation by probiotics is species dependent and strain specific. In the present study, The porcine small intestinal epithelial cell line (IPEC-J2) cells and neonatal piglets were used as in-vitro and in-vivo models to test whether Lactobacillus reuteri I5007 could modulate intestinal HDP expression. Gene expressions of HDPs, toll-like receptors, and fatty acid receptors were determined, as well as colonic short chain fatty acid concentrations and microbiota. Exposure to 108 colony forming units (CFU)/mL of L. reuteri I5007 for 6 h significantly increased the expression of porcine ß-Defensin2 (PBD2), pBD3, pBD114, pBD129, and protegrins (PG) 1-5 in IPEC-J2 cells. Similarly, L. reuteri I5007 administration significantly increased the expression of jejunal pBD2 as well as colonic pBD2, pBD3, pBD114, and pBD129 in neonatal piglets (p < 0.05). This was probably associated with the increase in colonic butyric acid concentration and up-regulating expression of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) and G Protein-Coupled Receptor 41 (GPR41) (p < 0.05), but not with stimulation of Pattern-Recognition Receptors. Additionally, supplementation with L. reuteri I5007 in the piglets did not affect the colonic microbiota structure. Our findings suggested that L. reuteri I5007 could modulate intestinal HDP expression and improve the gut health of neonatal piglets, probably through the increase in colonic butyric acid concentration and the up-regulation of the downstream molecules of butyric acid, PPAR-γ and GPR41, but not through modifying gut microbiota structure.

Effects of variety and storage duration on the nutrient digestibility and the digestible and metabolisable energy content of maize fed to growing pigs.

The objective of this research was to determine the effects of variety and storage duration on the nutrient digestibility and the digestible (DE) and metabolisable (ME) energy content in maize when fed to growing pigs. Four maize varieties (LS1, LS2, LS3 and LS4) were hand-harvested from the same growing area in China in early October of 2012. The samples were sun dried to about 14% moisture content and then stored in the warehouse of the Fengning Pig Experiment Base at China Agricultural University for 0, 3 or 10 months. Twenty-four barrows of about 33 kg body weight were used and allotted to a completely randomised block design with four diets and six replicate pigs per diet. Pigs were individually housed in metabolic crates. The four experimental diets were formulated by mixing 96.8% of each variety of maize with 3.2% vitamins and minerals. A 5-day collection period followed a 7-day diet acclimation period. The results indicated that the DE and ME contents of maize and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of organic matter (OM), dry matter, gross energy (GE), neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre (ADF), crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by maize variety and storage duration. With an extension of storage duration from 0 to 10 months, the DE and ME of maize and the ATTD of OM, GE, ADF, CP and EE changed in a quadratic manner (p < 0.05), and 3 months of storage exceeded 0 months of storage by 1.84%, 1.43%, 0.31%, 0.32%, 15.37%, 2.11% and 5.02%, respectively. The DE, ME of maize and the ATTD of OM, GE, ADF, CP and EE decreased by 3.67%, 6.00%, 0.97%, 1.40%, 30.54%, 3.92% and 20.93%, respectively, at 10 months of storage compared to 3 months of storage. No interaction was observed between maize variety and storage duration in DE and ME contents in maize. In conclusion, under the conditions of this study, most of the nutrient digestibility and the DE and ME contents of maize increased from 0 to 3 months and decreased from 3 to 10 months.

Chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY) modulate the intestinal mucosal immune response in a mouse model of Salmonella typhimurium infection.

This study determined the effects of chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY) on immune responses in the intestinal mucosal of mice infected with Salmonella typhimurium. Sixty, 28-day-old mice were divided into 4 groups and treated with streptomycin or sterile water for 2days followed by 1day without treatment. The control group was unchallenged whereas the mice in the other three groups were treated twice with 10(9)CFUmL(-1)S. typhimurium. For the next 3days, control mice continued to receive no treatment whereas the mice in the remaining three groups were orally administered with 20mgmL(-1) of specific IgY, 20mgmL(-1) of nonspecific IgY or PBS. S. typhimurium activated gut-associated lymphoid tissue, increasing the release of IFN-γ and TNF-α in the mucosa and increased the number of activated T-lymphocytes and cytotoxic T-γδ. Specific IgY attenuated the increase in IFN-γ and TNF-α and the decrease in IL-10. S. typhimurium induced mobilization of CD8(+) and CD8(+) TCRγδ T cells in the epithelium and CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in the lamina propria reflecting an inflammatory process that was attenuated by IgY. These results suggest that specific IgY modulates intestinal mucosal immune responses during a S. typhimurium infection.

Estimation of the optimum standardized ileal digestible total sulfur amino acid to lysine ratio in late finishing gilts fed low protein diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids.

A total of 90 gilts were used to investigate the effects of various standard ileal digestible (SID) total sulfur amino acid (TSAA) to lysine (Lys) ratios on the performance and carcass characteristics of late finishing gilts receiving low crude protein (CP) diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids (CAA). Graded levels of crystalline methionine (Met) (0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.8 or 1.1 g/kg) were added to the basal diet to produce diets providing SID TSAA to Lys ratios of 0.48, 0.53, 0.58, 0.63 or 0.68. At the termination of the experiment, 30 gilts (one pig per pen) with an average body weight (BW) of 120 kg were killed to evaluate carcass traits. Increasing the SID TSAA to Lys ratio increased average daily gain (ADG) (linear and quadratic effect, P < 0.05), improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) (linear and quadratic effect, P < 0.05) and decreased serum urea nitrogen (SUN) concentration (linear and quadratic effect, P < 0.05) of finishing gilts. No effects were obtained for carcass traits. The optimum SID TSAA to Lys ratios to maximize ADG as well as to minimize FCR and SUN levels were 0.57, 0.58 and 0.53 using a linear-break point model and 0.64, 0.62 and 0.61 using a quadratic model.

Functions of Antimicrobial Peptides in Gut Homeostasis.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), produced by several species including bacteria, insects, amphibians and mammals as well as by chemical synthesis and genetically engineered microorganisms, are of great importance in maintaining normal gut homeostasis. AMPs exhibit a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and inhibit microbial cells by interaction with their membranes or by other mechanisms, such as inhibition of cell-wall synthesis or suppression of nucleic acid or protein synthesis. In addition to their direct antimicrobial functions, they have multiple roles in the stabilization of epithelial barrier integrity and function as potent immune regulators. The fate of AMPs in vivo is poorly understood, prompting the need for studying AMPs pharmacokinetics. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the basic biology of AMPs and discusses the features of AMPs in gut homeostasis and their relative mechanisms of action.

Intestinal microbiota succession and immunomodulatory consequences after introduction of Lactobacillus reuteri I5007 in neonatal piglets.

Seventy-two, suckling piglets, obtained from 9 litters standardized to 8 piglets, were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments (n = 24) to compare short-term, early administration with intermittent, longer-term administration of Lactobacillus reuteri I5007. The treatments were a control (given a placebo of 0.1% peptone water from day 1 to 5) or treatments in which 1.7 × 1010 CFU L. reuteri was administrated either daily for 4 days starting on day 1 or every 4th day from day 1 to 17. Five piglets per treatment were killed at 3 time points (day 7, 14 and 21). Denaturing Gradient Electrophoresis of ileal digesta revealed an increase in the presence of L. reuteri I5007 and Clostridium lentocellum (on day 14 and 21) in the every 4th-day treatment and Actinobacillus porcinus (on day 7 and 14) in both L. reuteri treatments, while reducing the abundance of E. coli on day 21 in the every 4th-day treatment. Real-time qPCR of ileal digesta showed an increase in Bifidobacterium spp. on day 14 for both L. reuteri I5007 treatments. An increase in the concentration of lactic acid and a lower pH was observed in the first 4-day treatment on day 7 and the every 4th day treatment on day 14. The relative abundance of mRNA for TGF-ß was increased while that for IFN-γ was decreased in the mesenteric lymph nodes of piglets treated with L. reuteri every 4th day. In conclusion, early intervention with L. reuteri increases the presence of beneficial bacteria and decreases the presence of undesirable microbes in the lower gastrointestinal tract. The changes appear to be mediated by altering the intestinal pH through lactic acid production resulting in favorable bacterial species colonization. A prolonged duration of treatment (i.e. every 4th day) would appear to be superior to treatment only during the first 4 days.

The bacteriocin sublancin attenuates intestinal injury in young mice infected with Staphylococcus aureus.

Sublancin, a bacteriocin, has bactericidal activity against a broad spectrum of gram-positive bacteria. However, studies have not been conducted to determine its in vivo efficacy against potential pathogens. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of sublancin in a Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infected mouse model which induced intestinal injury. A total of 160, 4-week-old mice were randomly assigned to one of eight treatments. Mice in the control group were injected intraperitoneally with 0.5 mL of 0.9% saline. Mice in the other seven groups were given an intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 mL saline containing 1.0 × 10(10) colony-forming units (CFU)/mL S. aureus. Six hours after inoculation, mice in the control group were again injected with 0.5 mL of 0.9% saline. Mice in the other seven groups were injected intraperitoneally with 0.5 mL of 0.9% saline containing 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, or 4.0 mg/kg body weight (BW) sublancin or 1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg BW ampicillin. The results showed that 4.0 mg/kg sublancin and 2.0 mg/kg ampicillin significantly reduced mice mortality from 55 to 10%. The height and the number of proliferated cells from the intestinal villi in the sublancin and ampicillin treated mice were higher than in the control. We conclude that sublancin has potent antibacterial activity against S. aureus. Therefore, sublancin could find use as an alternative antimicrobial agent for the treatment of gram-positive bacterial infections.

Alternatives to antibiotics as growth promoters for use in swine production: a review.

In the past two decades, an intensive amount of research has been focused on the development of alternatives to antibiotics to maintain swine health and performance. The most widely researched alternatives include probiotics, prebiotics, acidifiers, plant extracts and neutraceuticals such as copper and zinc. Since these additives have been more than adequately covered in previous reviews, the focus of this review will be on less traditional alternatives. The potential of antimicrobial peptides, clay minerals, egg yolk antibodies, essential oils, eucalyptus oil-medium chain fatty acids, rare earth elements and recombinant enzymes are discussed. Based on a thorough review of the literature, it is evident that a long and growing list of compounds exist which have been tested for their ability to replace antibiotics as feed additives in diets fed to swine. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these compounds produce inconsistent results and rarely equal antibiotics in their effectiveness. Therefore, it would appear that research is still needed in this area and that the perfect alternative to antibiotics does not yet exist.

Supplementation with branched-chain amino acids to a low-protein diet regulates intestinal expression of amino acid and peptide transporters in weanling pigs.

This study determined the effects of dietary branched-chain amino acids (AA) (BCAA) on growth performance, expression of jejunal AA and peptide transporters, and the colonic microflora of weanling piglets fed a low-protein (LP) diet. One hundred and eight Large White × Landrace × Duroc piglets (weaned at 28 days of age) were fed a normal protein diet (NP, 20.9 % crude protein), an LP diet (LP, 17.1 % crude protein), or an LP diet supplemented with BCAA (LP + BCAA, 17.9 % crude protein) for 14 days. Dietary protein restriction reduced piglet growth performance and small-intestinal villous height, which were restored by BCAA supplementation to the LP diet to values for the NP diet. Serum concentrations of BCAA were reduced in piglets fed the LP diet while those in piglets fed the LP + BCAA diet were similar to values for the NP group. mRNA levels for Na(+)-neutral AA exchanger-2, cationic AA transporter-1, b(0,+) AA transporter, and 4F2 heavy chain were more abundant in piglets fed the LP + BCAA diet than the LP diet. However, mRNA and protein levels for peptide transporter-1 were lower in piglets fed the LP + BCAA diet as compared to the LP diet. The colonic microflora did not differ among the three groups of pigs. In conclusion, growth performance, intestinal development, and intestinal expression of AA transporters in weanling piglets are enhanced by BCAA supplementation to LP diets. Our findings provide a new molecular basis for further understanding of BCAA as functional AA in animal nutrition.

Expression of catalase in Lactobacillus fermentum and evaluation of its anti-oxidative properties in a dextran sodium sulfate induced mouse colitis model.

Lactic acid bacteria are generally sensitive to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC14431 is one of the few lactic acid bacteria able to degrade H2O2 through the action of a manganese-dependent catalase (containing the katA gene). However, it is not a natural inhabitant of the intestinal tract and its bio-efficacy and survival in the gastrointestinal tract have never been tested. In this study, we successfully expressed the katA gene from L. plantarum ATCC14431 in L. fermentum I5007 and the recombinant L. fermentum exhibited almost 20-fold higher catalase activity than the empty vector control. The anti-oxidative properties of this catalase-producing L. fermentum were evaluated using a dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) induced colitis mice model. Compared with the control, mice receiving DSS alone had increased diarrhea and mucosa histological scores (P < 0.05), as well as lipid peroxidation (P < 0.05), myeloperoxidase (P < 0.05), and active NF-κB in colonic tissue (P < 0.05). Similar to vitamin E, treatment with recombinant L. fermentum mitigate these effects accompanied by a improvement in mucosa histological scores in the proximal colon (P < 0.05) and decreased lipid peroxidation (P < 0.05), myeloperoxidase (P < 0.05) and active NF-κB in colonic tissue (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the expression of catalase in L. fermentum increased its ability to survive when exposed to aerated environment in vitro and conferred the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects in the DSS induced colitis model.

Use of a post-production fractionation process improves the nutritional value of wheat distillers grains with solubles for young broiler chicks.

BACKGROUND: Post-production fractionation of wheat distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) increases their crude protein content and reduces their fiber content. This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of fractionation of wheat DDGS on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and performance when fed to broiler chicks (0-21 d). METHODS: A total of 150, day-old, male broiler chicks (Ross-308 line; Lilydale Hatchery, Wynyard, Saskatchewan) weighing an average of 49.6 ± 0.8 g were assigned to one of five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. The control diet was based on wheat and soybean meal and contained 20% regular wheat DDGS. The experimental diets contained 5, 10, 15 or 20% fractionated wheat DDGS added at the expense of regular wheat DDGS. RESULTS: The ATTD of dry matter and gross energy were linearly increased (P < 0.01) as the level of fractionated wheat DDGS in the diet increased. Nitrogen retention was unaffected by level of fractionated wheat DDGS (P > 0.05). Weight gain increased linearly (P = 0.05) as the level of fractionated wheat DDGS in the diet increased. Feed intake, feed conversion and mortality were unaffected by level of fractionated wheat DDGS in the diet (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Post-production fractionation of wheat DDGS improves their nutritional value by lowering their fiber content and increasing their content of crude protein and energy. These changes in chemical composition supported increased weight gain of broilers fed wheat DDGS.

Nutritional evaluation of low-phytate peas (Pisum sativum L.) for young broiler chicks.

This experiment determined the effects of including normal and low-phytate peas in diets fed to young broiler chickens on performance, phosphorus availability and bone strength. A total of 180, day-old, male broilers (Ross-308 line) were assigned to six treatments. The control was based on corn and soybean meal while two additional corn-based diets were formulated containing 30% of either normal or low-phytate pea providing 0.45% available phosphorus. For each of these three diets, a similar diet was formulated by reducing the amount of dicalcium phosphate to produce a diet with 0.3% available phosphorus. The total tract apparent availability (TTAA) of phosphorus was higher (p = 0.02) for broilers fed the low-phytate pea than for birds fed the normal pea diets. Birds fed diets containing the lower level of phosphorus had a higher TTAA of phosphorus (50.64 vs. 46.68%) than broilers fed diets adequate in phosphorus. Protein source had no effect on weight gain, feed intake or feed conversion. Broilers fed the low phosphorus diets had lower weight gain (p = 0.04) and feed intake (p < 0.01) than broilers fed the higher phosphorus level. Bone strength was higher (p < 0.01) for broilers fed diets based on low-phytate pea than for those fed diets based on normal pea or soybean meal. Increasing the availability of the phosphorus in peas could mean that less inorganic phosphorus would be required in order to meet the nutritional requirements of broilers. Since inorganic phosphorus sources tend to be expensive, a reduction in their use would lower ration costs. In addition, increased availability of phosphorus would reduce the amount of phosphorus excreted thus reducing the amount of phosphorus that can potentially pollute the environment.

In-depth study of the protein molecular structures of different types of dried distillers grains with solubles and their relationship to digestive characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) have been extensively utilised in ruminant rations in western Canada and USA, and it is important to ensure their consistent quality. Traditional chemical methods do not consider the inherent structural changes of feed ingredients. Synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (SFTIRM) and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFT) have been utilised to detect the changes in molecular structure of several feedstuffs (e.g. barley, flaxseed and alfalfa). However, similar structural information is lacking for DDGS. The objectives of this study were to identify differences in protein molecular structures between different grains (wheat, triticale and corn) and DDGS (wheat DDGS, triticale DDGS, corn DDGS and wheat and corn blend DDGS) using SFTIRM and DRIFT and to reveal the relationship between changes in protein molecular structure and the digestive characteristics of the protein in DDGS when fed to dairy cattle. RESULTS: The protein molecular structure studies showed significant decreases (P < 0.01) in the amide I to amide II ratio and the α-helix to ß-sheet ratio between grains and their DDGS. Protein digestive characteristics were correlated with protein molecular structures in grains and DDGS, and prediction equations were established to estimate protein digestive characteristics of DDGS using protein molecular structure parameters. For the DVE/OEB-1994 model, one of the best prediction equations was for truly absorbed protein in the small intestine (DVE) = 296.17 - 38.98 × the amide I to amide II ratio (R(2) = 0.72). For the NRC-2001 system, one of the best prediction equations was for metabolisable protein (MP) = 300.96 - 43.32 × the amide I to amide II ratio (R(2) = 0.76). CONCLUSION: Protein molecular structure varies between different DDGS and their original grains, and this variation is associated with the digestive characteristics of the proteins in the DDGS and their original grains.

Aj-rel and Aj-p105, two evolutionary conserved NF-κB homologues in sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) and their involvement in LPS induced immunity.

The nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) has been evolutionary conserved from insects to mammals and plays a major regulatory role in the initiation of physiological responses. In this study, we identified and characterized a primitive and functional NF-κB pathway active in the immune defence of the sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus). The ancient NF-κB homologues, Aj-rel and Aj-p105, share numerous signature motifs with their vertebrate orthologues, notably the Rel Homology Domain, Rel Protein Signature DNA Binding Motif, Nuclear Localization Signal and the Ankyrin Repeats for Aj-p105. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that these homologues belong to class I and II of NF-κB respectively. We examined the dimerization of Aj-rel and Aj-p105 and our results demonstrated that Aj-rel forms heterdimers with Aj-p105 and the degradation product of Aj-p105, namely Aj-p50. We further observed that LPS stimulation led to the degradation of Aj-p105 and the nuclear translocation of Aj-rel and Aj-p50. Taken together, our data indicate that the NF-κB signaling cascade is active in sea cucumber and plays a crucial role in regulating their immune defence. Our results increase the available information on sea cucumber immunity and provide new information for use in the study of the comparative and evolutionary aspects of immunity.

Molecular structure and metabolic characteristics of the proteins and energy in triticale grains and dried distillers grains with solubles for dairy cattle.

To our knowledge, there is no research on the molecular structure of triticale grain in comparison with other types of cereal grains and metabolic characteristics of the protein and energy in this grain and its coproducts, called dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), for dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to identify differences in molecular structures of proteins among grains and their DDGS using a molecular spectroscopy technique, namely, DRIFT, and to determine the nutrient profile and supply to dairy cattle. The protein molecular structure studies showed a difference (P < 0.01) in the amide I to amide II ratio and the α-helix to ß-sheet ratio between grains and their DDGS. The energy content was similar for triticale grain and DDGS. There were differences in the protein and carbohydrate subfractions (P < 0.05) and the ruminal degradability of DM, CP, and NDF (P < 0.01) between triticale grain and DDGS. Triticale grain and DDGS had similar intestinal digestibility of rumen undegraded CP. However, triticale DDGS had higher (P < 0.01) predicted total metabolizable protein and degraded protein balance than triticale, indicating that triticale DDGS is a superior protein source for dairy cattle as compared with triticale grain. Bioethanol processing induced changes in the protein molecular structure.

Effects of expeller pressed camelina meal and/or canola meal on digestibility, performance and fatty acid composition of broiler chickens fed wheat-soybean meal-based diets.

This experiment was conducted to compare the effects of graded levels of camelina meal and/or canola meal on digestibility, performance and fatty acid composition of broiler chickens. A total of 180-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one of the six treatments. The control diet was based on wheat and soybean meal and contained 15% canola meal. The experimental diets contained 3%, 6%, 9%, 12% or 15% camelina meal added at the expense of canola meal. Chromic oxide (0.35%) was added to all diets as a digestibility marker. On the morning of day 22, birds were killed by cervical dislocation and their abdominal fat pad was obtained. The apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and energy as well as nitrogen retention all declined linearly (p < 0.01) with increasing levels of dietary camelina meal. Weight gain (p < 0.01) and feed intake (p = 0.08) were linearly reduced as the level of camelina meal in the diet increased. Feed conversion ratio was also negatively affected by camelina meal (p < 0.01). Birds fed diets containing 15% camelina meal had significantly higher (p < 0.01) levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, total n-3 fatty acids, total n-6 fatty acids and a significantly lower ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids (p < 0.01) than birds fed canola meal. In conclusion, the inclusion of camelina meal in their diet significantly reduced the growth and feed conversion ratio of broilers compared with canola meal. However, the potential to incorporate n-3 fatty acids into carcass tissues may provide some justification for including camelina meal in poultry rations.

Effect of wheat distillers' grains with solubles and a feed flavour on performance and carcass traits of growing-finishing pigs fed wheat and canola meal based diets.

Forty-eight crossbred pigs were assigned to one of six dietary treatments in a 6 x 2 (treatment x sex) factorial arrangement. Diets were based on wheat and canola meal and were formulated to contain 0%, 4.9%, 9.7%, 14.6% or 19.4% wheat distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) during the growing period and 0%, 4.0%, 8.1%, 12.1% and 16.1% wheat DDGS during the finishing period. The addition of wheat DDGS was made at the expense of both wheat and canola meal. A feed flavour was added to the diet in which wheat DDGS supplied 100% of the supplementary protein. Over the entire experimental period (21.5-112.2 kg), increasing the level of wheat DDGS resulted in a linear decrease in weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Feed intake was linearly reduced by inclusion of wheat DDGS during the growing period (21.5-57.4 kg) but not the finishing period (57.4-112.2 kg). Increasing the level of wheat DDGS in the diet resulted in a linear decline in carcass value index and lean yield while loin fat linearly increased. The addition of a flavour to the diet in which DDGS supplied 100% of the supplementary protein had no effect on performance or carcass traits.

Effects of the antimicrobial peptide cecropin AD on performance and intestinal health in weaned piglets challenged with Escherichia coli.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of the antimicrobial peptide cecropin on performance and intestinal health in piglets. Newly weaned barrows were randomly assigned to one of three treatments (n=8), including a corn-soybean basal diet or similar diets supplemented with antibiotics (100 mg/kg kitasamycin plus 800 mg/kg colistin sulfate) or 400 mg/kg cecropin AD. On day 13, all piglets were orally challenged with 10(9)CFU/mL of Escherichia coli K88. On day 19, all piglets were euthanized and sampled. Before challenge, piglets fed antibiotics had greater weight gain, feed efficiency, nitrogen and energy retention than the control (P<0.05). E. coli challenge decreased weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency for the control piglets (P<0.05) but not for the antibiotic or cecropin AD treated piglets. The incidence of diarrhea post-challenge in the antibiotic and cecropin AD treatments decreased compared with the control piglets. The total viable counts of cecal E. coli were lower while the Lactobacilli counts were higher in the antibiotic and cecropin AD treatments compared with the control (P<0.05). Cecropin AD treatment decreased total aerobes while increasing total anaerobes in the ileum (P<0.05). A higher villus height to crypt depth ratio in the jejunum and ileum as well as a deeper crypt depth in the jejunum and higher villus height in the ileum were observed in piglets fed antibiotics or cecropin AD compared with control piglets (P<0.05). Piglets fed the control diet had lower levels of secretory IgA in their jejunum and lower serum IgA, IgG, interleukin-1ß and interleukin-6 compared with the other treatments (P<0.05). Overall, these data suggest that cecropin AD enhances pig performance through increasing immune status and nitrogen and energy retention as well as reducing intestinal pathogens in weaned piglets.

Effect of Red Pepper (Capsicum frutescens) Powder or Red Pepper Pigment on the Performance and Egg Yolk Color of Laying Hens.

Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of red pepper (Capsicum frutescens) powder or red pepper pigment on the performance and egg yolk color of laying hens. In Exp. 1, 210, thirty-wk old, Hy-line Brown laying hens were fed one of seven diets containing 0.3, 0.6, 1.2, 2.0, 4.8 or 9.6 ppm red pepper pigment or 0.3 ppm carophyll red. Each diet was fed to three replicate batteries of hens with each battery consisting of a row of five cages of hens with two hens per cage (n = 3). In Exp. 2, 180, thirty-wk old, Hyline Brown laying hens, housed similarly to those in Exp. 1, were fed an unsupplemented basal diet as well as treatments in which the basal diet was supplemented with 0.8% red pepper powder processed in a laboratory blender to an average particle size of 300 µm, 0.8% red pepper powder processed as a super fine powder with a vibrational mill (44 µm) and finally 0.8% red pepper powder processed as a super fine powder with a vibrational mill but mixed with 5% Na2CO3 either before or after grinding. A diet supplemented with 0.3 ppm carophyll red pigment was also included (n = 3). In both experiments, hens were fed the red pepper powder or pigment for 14 days. After feeding of the powder or pigment was terminated, all hens were fed the basal diet for eight more days to determine if the dietary treatments had any residual effects. In Exp. 1, there were no differences in egg-laying performance, feed consumption or feed conversion ratio due to inclusion of red pepper pigment in the diet. Average egg weight was higher (p<0.05) for birds fed 1.2, 2.4 or 9.6 ppm red pepper pigment than for birds fed the diet containing 0.3 ppm red pepper pigment. On d 14, egg color scores increased linearly as the level of red pepper pigment in the diet increased. In Exp. 2, feeding red pepper powder did not affect egg-laying performance, feed consumption or feed conversion ratio (p>0.05). However, compared with the control group, supplementation with all of the red pepper powder treatments increased egg weight (p<0.05). All the red pepper powder treatments also increased (p<0.05) the yolk color score compared with the control. The results of the present study suggest that both red pepper powder and pigment are effective feed additives for improving egg yolk color for laying hens.