Search Results (5,469)

This study evaluated the protective effects of magnolol, rutin, and gallic acid in broilers fed oxidized soybean oil. Four hundred seven-day-old male Arbor Acre broilers were randomly assigned to five treatments with eight replicates each: CON (4% fresh oil), OOC (4% oxidized oil), and OOC supplemented with 200 mg/kg of magnolol (MAG), rutin (RUT), or gallic acid (GAA). OOC significantly reduced 42-day body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI), reduced serum antioxidant enzyme activities (T-SOD, GSH-Px) and elevated malondialdehyde and triglyceride levels. It also upregulated hepatic lipogenic (FASN, ACACA, SREBP-1) and inflammation (NF-κB1/2) genes, damaged intestinal morphology, reduced cecal Erysipelatoclostridium and Shuttleworthia abundances, and elevated oxidized lipids (9,10-DiHOME and prostaglandin G2) in breast muscle. All three polyphenols increased ADFI (22–42 d), ileal villus height and ZO-1 expression, while reducing serum triglycerides, ileal MDA, and hepatic NF-κB2 expression. Both magnolol and rutin further enhanced BW (42 d) and ADG (7–42 d), decreased ACACA expression, and elevated cecal Lachnoclostridium abundance. Additionally, magnolol significantly decreased the contents of 9,10-DiHOME and malondialdehyde, while rutin reduced prostaglandin G2 levels in the breast muscle. In conclusion, polyphenol supplementation alleviated oxidized oil-induced adverse effects, with magnolol and rutin being more effective. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant properties of natural palygorskite (N-pal), bundle-dissociated palygorskite (D-pal), and zinc-bearing palygorskite (Zn-pal), as well as their effects on the antioxidant capacity of broilers. Palygorskite (Pal) and its derivatives exhibited hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) decomposition and hydroxyl radical (·OH) scavenging abilities, with D-pal and Zn-pal demonstrating superior performance. A total of 320 one-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, N-pal, D-pal and Zn-pal groups. The corn–soybean meal basal diet was supplemented with N-pal (10 g/kg), D-pal (5 g/kg) and Zn-pal (1 g/kg) for the respective treatment groups. The trial lasted for 42 days. At 21 days, D-pal and Zn-pal groups significantly increased average body weight and average daily weight gain while reducing the feed-to-gain ratio (p < 0.05). Both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in liver of broilers were significantly reduced, and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) gene expression was upregulated at 21 days (p < 0.05). N-pal and D-pal groups enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in the duodenum (21d); D-pal group increased SOD activity in the ileum (42d); all Pal groups decreased ileal jejunal mucosal ROS (21d) and MDA (42d) (p < 0.05). At 42 days, Pal supplementation downregulated oxidative stress (N-pal), oxidoreductase activity (D-pal), and H₂O₂ response (Zn-pal) pathways in jejunal mucosa. N-pal and D-pal groups upregulated ileal mucosal nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and superoxide dismutase 1 expression, while Zn-pal group increased HO-1 expression (21d). D-pal and Zn-pal groups enhanced jejunal mucosal Nrf2 and HO-1 expression (21d). Pal improved the antioxidant capacity in broilers by activating the Nrf2-mediated pathway, upregulating antioxidant-related gene expression, particularly at 21 days. Both D-pal and Zn-pal demonstrated potent antioxidant efficacy, and they can improve growth performance by enhancing the animal’s antioxidant capacity. Full article

Hyperprolific genetic lines achieve large litters but are at increased risk of metabolic stress, impaired sow condition, and reduced piglet viability. This study aimed to evaluate whether a phase-specific feeding program from service to weaning improves sow metabolic status and body condition, and enhances offspring performance, compared with a standard program. Sixty gilts and 268 multiparous sows were randomly allocated to a control group (standard commercial diets; C) or a treatment group (phase-specific diet; T) covering early and late gestation, peripartum, and lactation. Compared to a commercial feeding strategy, four custom-made, phase-specific diets were fed as follows: for early gestation (greater amount of essential aa and fat content), late gestation (higher amount of CP and essential aa), peripartum (improved nutrient profile at lower fat and fiber content), and lactation (higher essential aa and calorie content). On gestation day 113, T gilts had greater backfat thickness (BFT) and lower blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) than C. T multiparous sows showed greater BFT and longissimus muscle depth (LMD) and lower BHBA on day 113, fewer stillborn piglets, lower incidences of neonatal diarrhea, and fewer negative lactation curves and postpartum hypophagia. On day 28 of lactation, T litters had heavier piglets, and LMD remained higher in T sows. The phase-specific feeding program improved the metabolic state, body condition, and reproductive outcomes in hyperprolific sows and enhanced offspring growth through weaning. Full article

This study addressed the challenges posed by wet-grade maize distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), which are characterized by high moisture and complex fibers that limit their storage and utilization in poultry feed. Three experiments were conducted to enhance their nutritional value through enzymatic and solid-state fermentation treatments. In vitro pre-digestion using multiple enzymes significantly improved dry matter solubility (DMS) and reducing sugar yield for maize DDGS and the ingredient maize germ meal (MGM). Using optimized parameters, wet-based DDGS-MGM was subjected to solid-state fermentation with 500 mg/kg of cellulase and 200 mg/kg of the X1 enzyme (a laboratory-developed multi-enzyme complex), and this treatment enhanced both DMS and reducing sugar yield, and the resulting fermented product was subsequently applied in further experiments. In the broiler trial, forty 22-day-old Arbor Acres broilers with similar body weights were randomly assigned to five treatment groups, including the control group, (50% DDGS + 50% MGM) unfermented group, (62.5% DDGS + 37.5% MGM) unfermented group, (50% DDGS + 50% MGM) fermented group, and (62.5% DDGS + 37.5% MGM) fermented group, with eight replicates per treatment (one broiler per replicate). Replacement of 30% of the basal diet with fermented 50:50 DDGS-MGM material significantly increased apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and nitrogen-corrected AME by 2.74 MJ/kg and 2.73 MJ/kg, respectively, corresponding to improvements of 39.60% and 40.81% compared to the unfermented control (p < 0.05). Economic analysis indicated that using 5% fermented DDGS-MGM in feed reduced cost by 20.45 RMB per metric ton. These findings demonstrate that bioprocessing can improve the utilization and economic value of maize processing by-products, although further validation under practical conditions is needed. Full article

Sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) is an important economically cultured species in the northern coastal regions of China. Its body wall is rich in collagen, which directly determines product quality and market value. However, with the expansion of aquaculture scale, issues such as insufficient collagen deposition have led to inconsistent quality among cultured individuals. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve growth performance and body wall quality through nutritional regulation. As functional nutrients, amino acids play key roles in collagen synthesis, yet relevant research on A. japonicus remains limited. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary proline on the growth performance, body wall collagen deposition and organoleptic quality of sea cucumber (initial body weight: 30.20 ± 2.02 g). Three kinds of feed with equal levels of nitrogen and other lipids, and supplemented with different concentrations of proline (0%, 1.5%, 3%) in the basal diet, were named P0, P1.5, and P3, and the experiment was conducted for 60 days. The results showed that supplementation with 3% proline significantly increased final body weight and weight gain rate (p < 0.05), reaching 66.39 g and 115.30%, respectively. Collagen content in the body wall increased by approximately 18.5% compared to the control group. Histological analysis of the body wall showed that the collagen fibers in the P1.5 and P3 groups were thicker, with an increased proportion of type I collagen. Texture profile analysis indicated that hardness, cohesiveness, and chewiness were significantly improved in the P3 group (p < 0.05). In summary, supplementation with 1.5% and 3% proline effectively enhanced growth, collagen deposition, and body wall quality. Compared to the P0 group, the relative expression levels of collagen type I alpha 2 chain (COL1A1), Sma- and Mad-related protein 1(SMAD1), and sp-smad2/3 (SMAD2/3) in the body wall tissue were significantly upregulated in both the P1.5 and P3 groups (p < 0.05). Full article

The response of the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axis to energy demands is perturbed by previous chronic stress perceived during the neonatal or adult periods. We examined the effects of chronic variable stress (CVS) during adolescence on the responses of the HPT axis and target tissues of adult rats to 14 days of voluntary wheel running (Ex) or pair-feeding (PF) to match the reduced food intake of exercised rats. CVS increased the expression of Gr in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and of Npy in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) in males; serum corticosterone concentration increased (1.5×), MBH Dio2 and PVN Trh decreased (40%) in both sexes, serum fT4 increased only in males, while T3 and fT3 increased (2×) in females. Exercise decreased Cort and increased PVN Trh expression only in males. In both sexes, it increased MBH Pomc and Dio2 (2×), skeletal muscle Dio2 and Pgc1a (2×), inguinal and perigonadal white adipose tissue (WAT) Adrb3, Dio2, Pparg, Hsl (1.5×), and brown adipose tissue Adrb3, Dio2, and Ucp1. All exercise-induced changes were repressed in CVS-Ex, except Hsl in inguinal WAT of both sexes, or BAT Dio2 in females, which, in contrast, was stimulated (1.5×). PF had lower values than sedentary in most parameters. These results support the idea that adolescent stress affects adult metabolic and neuroendocrine responses to exercise in a sex-specific manner. Full article

Driven by the concept of sustainable aquaculture, natural feed additives with growth-promoting, antioxidant, and immune-enhancing properties have become a key research focus. This study assessed the effects of dietary red pepper powder (Capsicum annuum) supplementation at 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0% over 50 days on the growth, digestive function, immune and antioxidant capacities, intestinal microbiota, and gene expression in Strongylocentrotus intermedius (S. intermedius). The results indicated that red pepper powder significantly promoted growth and decreased the feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05), with the 1.0% group showing the highest growth rate. Additionally, supplementation improved gonadal coloration and increased crude protein and lipid contents in the gonads, particularly in the 1.0% and 2.0% groups (p < 0.05). Supplementation with 1.0% and 2.0% red pepper powder enhanced digestive, immune, and antioxidant enzyme activities, while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating lower lipid peroxidation. α-diversity analysis revealed the highest ACE, Chao, and Shannon indices and the lowest Simpson index in the 1.0% group, indicating greater microbial diversity. Community analysis revealed that in the red pepper powder treatment groups, beneficial bacteria, such as Firmicutes and Unclassified_f__Rhodobacteraceae, increased in relative abundance, while potential pathogens like Arcobacter, and Epsilonbacteraeota were less abundant. Red pepper powder supplementation upregulated key immune- and antioxidant-related genes while downregulating pro-inflammatory and stress-associated genes. Overall, optimal dietary supplementation of red pepper powder, particularly at 1.0%, enhanced antioxidant and immune functions, optimized intestinal microbiota, mitigated oxidative stress, and consequently promoted growth, improved gonadal quality, and strengthened overall health in S. intermedius. Full article

Heat stress induced by high temperature and humidity in southern China during summer reduce goat production efficiency and meat quality. Taurine (TAU), one of the most abundant amino acids in animal tissues, plays a vital role in alleviating heat stress and regulating energy metabolism through its involvement in glucose uptake and glycogen turnover. This study aimed to investigate the effects of rumen-protected (RP)-TAU on the meat quality, hepatic gluconeogenesis, and muscle energy metabolism of heat-stressed goats. During summer, twenty-four male crossbred Gan-xi goats (20.45 ± 2.95 kg) aged 5 months were randomly allocated to two groups treated with or without 0.4% RP-TAU (on a diet weight basis). After feeding for 60 days, six goats per treatment were slaughtered. Compared with the control group, RP-TAU supplementation significantly improved the growth performance of goats, as evidenced by increased final body weight, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake (p < 0.05). The goats in the RP-TAU group showed a reduced splenic index (p < 0.05), lower serum cortisol levels (0.05 < p < 0.1), and decreased muscle crude fat content (p < 0.01). Crucially, meat quality was improved with reduced hardness, gumminess, and chewiness (p < 0.05), indicating better textural properties. Nutritionally, RP-TAU supplementation modulated the muscle fatty acid profile, significantly reducing the concentrations of palmitic (a saturated fatty acid), palmitoleic (a monounsaturated fatty acid), and nervonic acids (p < 0.05), while cystine content was reduced (p < 0.05). RP-TAU supplementation significantly enhanced the muscle contents of glucose and glycogen, glycolytic potential, phosphofructokinase activity, and ATP level, while decreasing the pyruvate level and AMP/ATP ratio (p < 0.05). Gene expression analysis revealed the upregulation of GLUT4 and PYGM and the downregulation of GSK3β in muscle (p < 0.05). These results indicated that dietary supplementation of RP-TAU might be beneficial to improve stress resistance and meat quality by increasing muscle energy supply and glucose uptake in Gan-xi goats. Full article

Background/Objectives: Freeze-dried high-temperature short-time pasteurized human milk fortifiers offer potential for exclusive human milk feeding in preterm infants while providing necessary nutritional supplementation. However, clinical data on safety, tolerability, and growth outcomes remain limited. This study evaluated donor milk fortification compared to conventional bovine protein-based fortification. Methods: We conducted a prospective non-interventional observational cohort study with a retrospectively matched comparison cohort at University Children’s Hospital of Nuremberg. Preterm infants ≥ 30 weeks gestational age requiring mother’s own milk fortification were included. The exposed cohort (n = 32) received freeze-dried high-temperature short-time pasteurized donor milk fortifier at 1.6–4.8 g/100 mL of mother’s own milk; the matched comparison cohort (n = 32) received bovine protein-based fortifier. Primary outcomes included feeding tolerance, safety parameters, and anthropometric measurements. Cohorts were matched for birth weight (±10%), gestational age (±5 days), and fortified feeding. Results: Baseline characteristics were not significantly different: gestational ages 32.8 ± 1.0 versus 33.0 ± 1.2 weeks; birth weights 1900 ± 380 g versus 1840 ± 370 g. Excellent feeding tolerance was demonstrated across >3100 feedings. No necrotizing enterocolitis, abdominal complications, or serious adverse events occurred. Blood glucose, triglycerides, and urea remained normal. Birth weights, lengths, and head circumferences showed no significant differences. Discharge parameters including weight, length, head circumference, and length of stay were also not significantly different. Conclusions: Freeze-dried human milk fortification demonstrates excellent safety and tolerability in preterm infants ≥ 30 weeks gestational age, achieving anthropometric outcomes not significantly different to bovine protein-based fortification. However, the suboptimal protein-to-energy ratio may limit applicability for very low birth weight infants. Therefore, freeze-dried high-temperature short-time pasteurized human milk fortification is suggested to provide appropriate nutritional supplementation for preterm infants with a birth weight over 1500 g. Full article

The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of varying dietary concentrations of calcium oxide nanoparticles (CaO-NPs) on important health regulators in Zebra fish (Danio rerio) using integrative physiological, histopathological, and computational approaches. The co-precipitation method was used to synthesize NPs and characterization was performed through DLS, XRD, FESEM, EDX, and FTIR depicting spherical-shaped CaO-NPs with a hydrodynamic diameter of 91.2 nm. Adult Danio rerio were administered with three different feed regimes enriched with 2.4 (T1), 1.6 (T2), and 0.8 (T3) mg CaO-NPs/kg for 30 days. Growth, survival, NP accumulation, and histological assessments, and bioinformatic studies, were performed to understand interactions of NPs with fish metabolic proteins. The T3 group demonstrated the highest survival (75%) and weight gain (+39.31%), and exhibited the lowest accumulation of CaO-NPs in the brain (0.133 mg/L), liver (0.642 mg/L), and intestine (0.773 mg/L) with no evident histological alterations, whereas T1 group exhibited major liver and intestinal damage. Molecular docking targeting the NRF-2 oxidative stress pathway revealed strong binding affinities of NPs with catalase (−3.7), keap1a (−3.5), keap1b (−3.3), and mafk (−2.4), highlighting potential modulation of redox homeostasis. Hence, a 0.8mg CaO-NPs/kg feed dose is recommended to promote potential health benefits in Danio rerio, which can be further applicable to commercial aquaculture for enhanced fish health while minimizing toxicity. Full article

The effects of administering 10 mL of maternal bovine appeasing substance (mBAS) or water (control; CT) at weaning (day 0) before transport on feedlot adaptation and efficiency were evaluated in twenty-two Angus-influenced heifers (n = 11/treatment) over 28 days. Body weight (BW), salivary cortisol, blood for complete blood cell count, rectal temperature, chute score and exit speed were collected on days 0, 14 and 27. Intake, feeding duration, frequency and rate, as well as activity and rumination were monitored daily using automated systems. Average daily gain (ADG) and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) were calculated for each 14-day interval as well as for the entire feeding period. Treated heifers spent less time eating (p ≤ 0.06) on weeks 1 and 2, with greater feeding rate and activity (p < 0.01) in week 1, followed by reduced activity (p ≤ 0.05) in weeks 2, 3 and 4. Rumination was longer (p < 0.05) in weeks 3 and 4, coinciding with greater (p ≤ 0.05) final BW, ADG_0–27, ADG_14–27, and G:F_0–27, G:F_14–27. Lymphocyte and hematocrit were lower (p < 0.05) on days 14 and 27, respectively, and platelets tended to be greater (p = 0.08) than CT for the entire period. Treated heifers achieved numerically greater profit margins than CT. Overall, mBAS enhanced feedlot adaptability post-weaning, improving production efficiency, which may translate into potential profitability; however, this interpretation should be viewed cautiously considering some design limitations. Full article

The cheese (or ham) skipper, Piophila casei (Linnaeus), belongs to the family Piophilidae and is a detritivore species that feeds on decaying organic matter. Its larvae are commonly found on high-protein substrates (including carcasses), with a life cycle that is strongly influenced by environmental temperature and food nature. In this study, we investigated development time and larval length of P. casei reared on Parma ham PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) at five constant temperatures (20, 22, 24, 26, 28 °C). We calculated the accumulated degree days (ADD) and constructed isomegalen- and isomorphen-diagrams to estimate the infestation time. The minimum development threshold (t_L) obtained by extrapolating the development rates measured between 20 °C and 28 °C was 9.91 °C, resulting in ADDs (oviposition–eclosion) of 216.9, 219.9, 220.7, 209.2, and 220.1 at 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28 °C, respectively. Full article

Due to its high content of lignocellulose, cotton stalk is difficult to degrade naturally and utilize effectively, so it is often regarded as waste. In this study, the effects of Pleurotus ostreatus XH005, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP-2, and cellulase enzyme on the cotton stalk substrate under aerobic solid-state fermentation (SSF) conditions were investigated, and the metabolites were analyzed to identify potential functional compounds in the cotton-stalk-fermented feed. Preliminary optimization results obtained through single-factor experiments were as follows: fermentation time 14 days, XH005 inoculum size 8.00% (v/m), material-to-water ratio 1:0.50 (v/m), LP-2 inoculum size 2.00% (v/m), and cellulase addition 0.60% (m/m). Based on these single-factor experimental results, XH005 inoculum size, LP-2 inoculum size, material-to-water ratio, and cellulase addition were selected as independent variables. Through response surface methodology (RSM) optimization experiments, 29 experimental groups were designed. Subsequently, based on Box–Behnken analysis of variance (ANOVA) of lignin and cellulose content, along with contour and response surface plots, the optimal aerobic solid-state fermentation parameters were determined as follows: fermentation time 14 days, XH005 inoculum: 7.00% (v/m), material-to-water ratio: 1:0.55 (v/m), LP-2 inoculum: 2.00% (v/m), and cellulase enzyme addition: 0.65% (m/m). Results showed that compared with the control group (CK), the optimized group exhibited a 27.65% increase in lignin degradation rate and a 47.14% increase in cellulose degradation rate. Crude protein (CP) content increased significantly, while crude fiber (CF), detergent fiber and mycotoxin contents decreased significantly. Non-targeted metabolic analysis indicated that adding cellulase and inoculating Pleurotus ostreatus XH005 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP-2 in aerobic SSF of cotton straw feed produced functionally active substances such as kaempferol (C343), carvone (C709) and trilobatin (C604). Therefore, this study demonstrates that microbial-enzyme co-action SSF significantly enhances the nutritional composition of cotton stalk hydrolysate. Furthermore, this hydrolysate is suitable for the production of functional compounds, endowing the fermented feed with health-promoting properties and enhancing the utilization of cotton processing byproducts in the feed industry. Full article

Diseases caused by phytoparasitic nematodes are still a heavy constraint on modern farming, causing losses in crop yields as well as increased production costs due to pest management. Root-lesion nematodes (RLNs) are soil-dwelling migratory endoparasites that infect the roots of several crop species. RLNs feed and reproduce in the cortical cells of affected plant roots typically characterized by development of necrotic spots. Injuries to plant tissues result in weakened plants that become more prone to attack from opportunistic pathogens. In alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), resistance to Pratylenchus penetrans has been linked to increased transcription of key enzymes in the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids, important molecules for countering oxidative stress. However, the mechanisms of resistance are still unknown. The present work analyzed indicators of oxidative stress in extracts from transgenic roots of susceptible (cv. Baker) and resistant (cv. MNGRN-16) alfalfa. On extracts of susceptible alfalfa transgenic roots, levels of lipid peroxidation were more than three times higher after seven and fourteen days of growth, while activity of guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) was approximately four times higher after fourteen and twenty-one days of growth, in comparison to the resistant cultivar. This suggests that resistance response may be dependent on plant redox state. Future work will focus on metabolomic characterization of these varieties in contact with RLNs. Full article

This study examined the effects of Bacillus probiotic strains on red abalone Haliotis rufescens reproductive performance. We supplemented plant- and fish-based feeds and compared them to fresh giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera as a control diet. Over 180 days, abalone fed the plant–probiotic diet reached higher female gonadal maturation, with 56% of females attaining the maximum Visual Gonad Index (VGI 3). Additionally, plant-based treatment showed a female-biased sex ratio (1.5:1 female-to-male ratio, F:M) compared with the kelp control treatment (0.8:1 F:M). These results suggest that probiotics can improve nutrient utilization from soybean meal and may enhance the bioavailability of phytoestrogens and other bioactive compounds, contributing to reproductive outcomes. Although the mechanisms remain to be confirmed, this approach provides a promising strategy to reduce reliance on fishmeal and wild macroalgae while supporting faster reproductive cycles in abalone aquaculture. Future research should focus on biochemical validation, molecular pathways, and multigenerational trials to ensure the long-term safety and sustainability of probiotic–plant-based feeds. Full article