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Effects of Nutrition Quality on the Health, Productivity, and Performance of Livestock

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A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Farm Animal Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2023) | Viewed by 21142

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Dr. Łukasz Jarosz

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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
Interests: livestock animals; feed additives; animal immunity; immunology; immune responses; strategies for poultry and pigs feeding and production

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Contemporary intensive animal farming aims to intensify production while minimizing costs. Fast and highly efficient fattening, however, results in numerous stress factors for animals, associated with their diet and environment, which indirectly contributes to the incidence of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and skeletomuscular diseases. Genetic selection carried out for many years in the breeding of livestock animals has resulted in breeds or genetic lines characterized by rapid growth and high productivity, which reduces animals’ immune potential and increases their susceptibility to viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections. Production efficiency that translates into favourable economic outcomes is primarily determined by the choice of feed components that meet the needs of animals of a given species, age, and production status. Of particular importance are feed components that supply highly digestible protein and energy, as well as suitable dietary supplements, which together improve the balance of the biological value of the feed. A disturbance of this balance leads to homeostatic imbalance and impairs the physiological functions of various organs and systems, which adversely affects production. These risks have created the need for alternative feeding strategies aimed at meeting the nutritional needs of animals of a given species and physiological state. This goal can be attained through modifications introduced to various feeding systems and modifications of various substances contained in feed. The final result is the maintenance of good animal health and high productivity, as well as the acquisition of high-quality food products that are safe for consumer health and the environment. It is a great pleasure to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue on the Effects of Nutrition Quality on the Health, Productivity, and Performance of Livestock.

Dr. Łukasz Jarosz
Guest Editor

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Keywords

livestock science (cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, poultry)
nutrition and health
nutrition and immune response
feeding and feeding practices
management
digestibility and nutritional properties
feeds and feed additives
welfare
animal product quality (eggs, milk, meat)
animal production efficiency

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1619 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of a Natural Polyphenolic Product from Olive Mill Wastewater on Oxidative Stress and Post-Weaning Diarrhea in Piglets

by Georgios I. Papakonstantinou, Eleftherios Meletis, Konstantinos Petrotos, Polychronis Kostoulas, Nikolaos Tsekouras, Maria C. Kantere, Nikolaos Voulgarakis, Dimitrios Gougoulis, Leonidas Filippopoulos, Georgios Christodoulopoulos, Labrini V. Athanasiou and Vasileios G. Papatsiros

Agriculture 2023, 13(7), 1356; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13071356 - 5 Jul 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1580

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a commercial phytogenic feed additive (PFA) on the prevention of post-weaning diarrhea and oxidative stress in piglets. The concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and protein carbonyls (CARBS) were investigated as biomarkers for oxidative damage, as were the health and performance parameters of weaned piglets. In total, 100 weaned piglets were divided into two groups: a control group (T1), which was fed regular weaning feed; an experimental group (T2), which was fed regular weaning feed supplemented with a phenolic feed additive (PFA) for 3 weeks. The TBARS and CARBS concentrations in plasma samples from 20 piglets per group were measured at 45 and 65 days of age. Fecal samples were collected from 24 weaned piglets per group using FTA ELUTE cards. Diarrhea score, body weight (BW) at weaning, and average daily weight gain (ADWG) were recorded. The TBARS (p < 0.001) and CARBS (p = 0.001) concentrations were significantly higher in the T1 group compared to those in the T2 group. The lowest diarrhea score was noted in the T2 group for the age groups of 45 (p < 0.001) and 65 days (p = 0.008). In conclusion, the use of a phenolic PFA in the current study had beneficial antioxidative and antimicrobial effects on weaned piglets, which improved their health and growth performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Nutrition Quality on the Health, Productivity, and Performance of Livestock)

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19 pages, 4420 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Glutamine as Feed Additive on Selected Parameters of the Nonspecific Immune Response in Pigs

by Łukasz S. Jarosz, Ewa Tomaszewska, Agnieszka Marek, Marcin Hejdysz, Artur Burmańczuk, Artur Ciszewski, Sebastian Nowaczewski, Zbigniew Grądzki, Maciej Batorski, Małgorzata Świątkiewicz and Anna Rysiak

Agriculture 2023, 13(4), 912; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13040912 - 21 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1795

Abstract

The use of feed additives containing glutamine can influence the growth and development of piglets during the weaning period. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of feed supplementation with 0.5% L-glutamine on selected parameters of the nonspecific immune response of pigs. The research was carried out on 60 pigs (Polish Large White × Polish Landrace), from 28 days of age to slaughter. The obtained results showed an increased percentage of phagocytic cells (monocytes and granulocytes) and oxygen blast cells in pigs between 28 and 70 days of age, proving that non-specific immune mechanisms were stimulated, which contributed to the improvement of the processes of antigen elimination from the body. The increase in the percentage of cells expressing SWC3, CD11b/CD18⁺, CD14⁺ and CD14⁺CD16⁺ molecules on granulocytes and monocytes during this period resulted in the enhancement of the host defense mechanisms by stimulating phagocytosis and enhancing the mechanisms of a non-specific immune response. The high concentration of TNF-α and IL-1β as well as Il-10 in the experimental group indicates the cellular phenotype of the Th1-type response, and the maintenance of the immune balance between the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses and ensuring the homeostasis of the organism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Nutrition Quality on the Health, Productivity, and Performance of Livestock)

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13 pages, 730 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Corn Silk Extract: A Potential Modulator for Producing Functional Low Cholesterol Chicken Eggs

by Ahmed O. Abbas, Abdulaziz A. Alaqil, Nancy N. Kamel and Farid S. Nassar

Agriculture 2023, 13(1), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13010065 - 25 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2714

Abstract

The chicken egg is one of the most globally-consumed animal protein sources with high-quality protein value. However, there is a growing concern about the association between excessive egg consumption and the increasing risk of cardiovascular disease incidence. Meanwhile, corn silk extract (CSE) is known to have hypo-lipidemic bioactive properties, as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Thus, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of feeding laying hens three different CSE levels on egg cholesterol content as well as egg production performance and oxidative stress marker levels. A total of 240, 40-week-old, Hy-Line Brown laying hens were divided into 4 symmetric groups (10 hens × 6 replicates). The control group was fed a basal diet while the other three groups were given the basal diet supplemented with 100 mg, 200 mg, or 400 mg CSE per kg feed, respectively. Egg production performance was monitored for eight successive weeks. Internal and external egg quality parameters were also measured. At the end of week 48 of age, blood samples were collected to determine the plasma lipid profile, stress markers, and liver function indicators. Data revealed that supplementation of 200 mg and 400 mg CSE to laying hen diets had a positive effect on egg production performance with a significant increase in egg numbers and egg weight as well as significantly improved feed efficiency. Egg quality parameters were significantly improved with CSE supplementation. Lipid peroxidation levels and inflammation marker concentrations significantly decreased for the experimental groups that were fed 200 mg and 400 mg CSE compared with the control group. Meanwhile, blood total cholesterol decreased significantly with CSE supplementation, along with an increase in high-density and a decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol content. A high positive correlation was found between liver and egg cholesterol contents (r = 0.902, p < 0.0001) which was linearly decreased with the increasing level of CSE supplementation. Egg cholesterol content significantly decreased by 9 to 19% in the CSE-supplemented groups compared with the control group. The present study demonstrated that CSE at 100 mg/kg and up to 400 mg/kg diets can be safely used to improve laying hen egg production performance with a direct effect on lowering egg cholesterol content as well as improving the redox status. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Nutrition Quality on the Health, Productivity, and Performance of Livestock)

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28 pages, 3429 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Effective Microorganisms and Clinoptilolite on Gut Barrier Function, Intestinal Health and Performance of Broiler Chickens during Induced Eimeria tenella Infection

by Artur Ciszewski, Łukasz S. Jarosz, Marcin Kalinowski, Agnieszka Marek, Zbigniew Grądzki, Sebastian Grabowski, Marcin Hejdysz, Sebastian Nowaczewski and Anna Rysiak

Agriculture 2022, 12(12), 2176; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12122176 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2954

Abstract

The prohibition of certain coccidiostats in poultry has created a need to seek an alternative to control Eimeria infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of effective microorganisms (EM) in a multi-strain probiotic (Bokashi^®), with clinoptilolite as a feed supplement on the mRNA expression of tight junction proteins and redox enzymes in the caecal tissue of chickens infected with E. tenella. The integrity of the intestinal barrier was tested by determining the concentration of fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-d) in the chicken’s serum. A total of 600 1-day-old Ross 308 male chickens received diets with a 0.5% or 0.8% concentration of the probiotic together with clinoptilolite. The experiment used 5 treatment groups, and a control group, each with 5 replicates with 20 birds. The results indicate that the use of the 8 kg/t of feed multi-strain probiotic together with clinoptilolite in the diet of poultry caused a significant reduction in the number of E. tenella oocysts in the faeces and caecum and significantly improved the growth rate of chicken broilers infected with E. tenella. In addition, the probiotic and clinoptilolite enhanced antioxidant processes in the caecal mucosa and reduced oxidative stress induced by E. tenella infection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Nutrition Quality on the Health, Productivity, and Performance of Livestock)

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9 pages, 278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Dietary Fumonisin Exposure on Apparent Ileal Digestibility of Amino Acids in Fattening Pigs

by Yarsmin Yunus Zeebone, Melinda Kovács, Brigitta Bóta and Veronika Halas

Agriculture 2022, 12(10), 1720; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12101720 - 19 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1534

Abstract

The cellular toxicity of the Fusarium mycotoxin fumonisins (FUMs) has been widely accounted for. However, the ability of FUMs to destroy intestinal functions is an emergence of growing concern. Thus, this experiment ascertained whether dietary FUMs obstruct the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AAs) in fattening pigs during either short (7 d)- or long (21 d)-term exposure. Ten Danbred fattening pigs (initial body weight (BW) of 67.5 ± 4.1) inserted with a post-valve T-cecum cannula in the terminal ileum were enrolled in the trial. The pigs were randomly divided into a control group fed a basal commercial diet and a group fed in vitro-produced FUMs to provide a 40 mg FUMs/kg-contaminated diet. Titanium dioxide was added at an inclusion rate of 0.5% as an indigestible marker to diets. During two separate periods, ileal digesta were collected for 3 consecutive days for the determination of the AID of CP and the various dispensable and indispensable AAs. Data were subjected to two-way ANOVA of SPSS version 20.0 software using FUMs dose (i = 2; 0 or 40 mg FUMs/ kg feed) and duration (j = 2; short- vs. long-term exposure) as fixed factors. According to our findings, a dietary intake of 40 mg/kg FUMs substantially interfered with the AID of arginine, histidine, and tyrosine (p = 0.003, 0.047, and 0.047, respectively) in terms of the dose and duration interaction effect. In addition, the main duration effect of the AID of histidine was significant (p < 0.001). It is, therefore, conceivable that a dietary dose of a 40 mg/kg FUMs-contaminated diet does not drastically affect CP and AAs digestibility in fattening pigs over a period of 7 or 21 days. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Nutrition Quality on the Health, Productivity, and Performance of Livestock)

13 pages, 326 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Supplementation with Different ω-6 to ω-3 Fatty Acid Ratios Affects the Sustainability of Performance, Egg Quality, Fatty Acid Profile, Immunity and Egg Health Indices of Laying Hens

by Youssef A. Attia, Mohammed A. Al-Harthi, Ahmed A. Al-Sagan, Adel D. Alqurashi, Mohamed A. Korish, Nisreen M. Abdulsalam, Marai J. Olal and Fulvia Bovera

Agriculture 2022, 12(10), 1712; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12101712 - 17 Oct 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2633

Abstract

The supplementation of different ω-6/ω-3 ratio to the diets of the laying hens has been studied to evaluate the effects on performance, egg quality, egg health indices, egg fatty acid profiles, and immune response. One-hundred and twenty, 50-weeks-old hens were divided into three groups fed diets with different ω-6/ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) at ratio: 16.7:1, 9.3:1, and 5.5:1, respectively. Each group contained eight replicates of five hens. Hens fed the diet with the highest ω-6/ω-3 ratio had significantly increased weight gain compared to those fed the 5.5:1 and 9.3:1 ω-6/ω-3 ratios. In contrast, hens fed the 9.3:1 ω-6/ω-3 ratios laid significantly more eggs, had increased egg mass, greater livability, and a better FCR than the control group. However, hens fed a ratio of 5.5:1 ω-6/ω-3 PUFA showed improved thrombogenic, atherogenic, hypocholesteremia, and hypocholesteremia/hypercholesteremia indices. In conclusion, laying hens of the 9.3:1 ω-6/ω-3 PUFA group showed improved laying performance, while a ratio of 5.5:1 enriched the ω-3 PUFA in eggs and boosted the immune response of hens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Nutrition Quality on the Health, Productivity, and Performance of Livestock)

13 pages, 723 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Effect of Maternal Dietary Condensed Tannins from Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) on Gut Health and Antioxidant-Immune Crosstalk in Suckling Lambs

by Jonathan Pelegrin-Valls, Javier Álvarez-Rodríguez, María José Martín-Alonso, Gustavo Adolfo Ramírez, Claudia Baila, Sandra Lobon, Margalida Joy and Beatriz Serrano-Pérez

Agriculture 2022, 12(10), 1694; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12101694 - 14 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1979

Abstract

Ewes fed sainfoin (a source of condensed tannins “CT”) may influence the homeostasis of the gastrointestinal tract of suckling lambs. This study investigated the effects of CT from sainfoin in the maternal diet on plasma fructosamine, faecal coccidian excretion, and gene expression of immune and antioxidant markers in jejunum and ileum of suckling lambs. Twelve Rasa Aragonesa lambs with their dams were selected. The maternal diet was based on fresh sainfoin (SAINFOIN, n = 6) and sainfoin + polyethylene-glycol (SAINFOIN + PEG, as a CT-binder, n = 6) plus a daily supplement of 200 g barley in both groups. A lower percentage of lambs that shed more than 10 oocysts/g faeces was observed in SAINFOIN compared to the SAINFOIN + PEG group (p = 0.07). Jejunal gene expression of transforming growth factor-β1, tumour necrosis factor-α, and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) 1 and 4 were lower in the SAINFOIN group (p < 0.05). In contrast, ileal catalase and GPX2 expression were increased in the SAINFOIN group (p < 0.05). Overall, the results suggest that the presence of CT in the dams’ diets has a positive effect on reducing excreted coccidian oocysts and favours antioxidant-immune crosstalk at gut level in suckling lambs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Nutrition Quality on the Health, Productivity, and Performance of Livestock)

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15 pages, 1497 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Use of Agro-Industrial Waste Rich in Omega-3 PUFA during the Weaning Stress Improves the Gut Health of Weaned Piglets

by Daniela Eliza Marin, Andrei Cristian Anghel, Cristina Valeria Bulgaru, Iulian Grosu, Gina Cecilia Pistol, Ana Elena Cismileanu and Ionelia Taranu

Agriculture 2022, 12(8), 1142; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12081142 - 2 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2186

Abstract

(1) Background: The weaning period is a very important stage in the pig life, as during weaning, the animals are very susceptible to pathogens and develop postweaning diarrhoea. The aim of our study was to counteract weaning stress and to improve piglets’ gut health by using a nutritional intervention consisting of a mix of agro-industrial wastes (grapeseed, flaxseed and sea blackthorn meals) rich in omega-3 PUFA. (2) Methods: Twelve cross-bred TOPIG hybrid piglets with an average body weight of 11.25 kg were randomly distributed to one of the two experimental groups: a control group fed basic corn soybean diet (control diet) and an experimental group fed a diet with a 10% mixture of grapeseed, flaxseed and sea buckthorn meals in a ratio of 3:4:1 (GFS diet). (3) Results: the GFS diet had no effect on the performance, biochemical parameters or the total antibody synthesis. GFS diet was able to significantly reduce the concentration of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha and to significantly increases the expression of junction proteins (occludin, claudin 4, claudin 7 and extracellular protein matrix) at the gene or protein level as compared with control. The presence of GFS in the diet increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species in the colonic content as well as the concentration of propionic and butyric acids. (4) Conclusions: Taken together, our results showed that agro-industrial wastes rich in omega-3 PUFA can be used as an ecological, environmentally friendly nutritional intervention for improving the negative effects associated with the weaning stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Nutrition Quality on the Health, Productivity, and Performance of Livestock)

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15 pages, 443 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Does the Choice of Genotype and Feed in the Local Market Affect Broiler Performance and the Farm Economy? A Case Study in Serbia

by Miloš Lukić, Veselin Petričević, Nikola Delić, Nataša Tolimir, Vladimir Dosković, Simeon Rakonjac and Zdenka Škrbić

Agriculture 2022, 12(6), 843; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12060843 - 10 Jun 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2356

Abstract

Key questions for a local broiler farm are: which broiler hybrid to rear and which industrial feed to use? To show how farmers can manage them, a combination of biological tests and feed characterizations of the most commonly used hybrids and broiler feeds in the local (Serbian) market was designed and performed. The hybrids Cobb 500 and Ross 308 were used, as well as feed of the same quality category from three established domestic producers (A, B, and C) available in the market. A factorial trial (2 × 3) was performed on a total of 1800 unsexed day-old chicks divided into six experimental treatments, with six repetitions per treatment and 50 chickens in each repetition. Prior to and after the biological trial, the feed was characterized. The results confirm the equally high production potential of the two tested fast-growing hybrids, the different quality of the three industrial feeds, and that for the expression of genetic potential, each feeding and fattening period was equally valuable. A complete picture of the tested feeds was obtained within a suitable post-test feed characterization with a farm economy included in the analysis, and the results differed in different production and market scenarios, which allows for finding the optimal feed for the local farm. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Nutrition Quality on the Health, Productivity, and Performance of Livestock)

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