Search Results (1,965)

Schizochytrium is often added to feed to enhance the growth and health of farmed animals, yet research on its effects on amphibians remains relatively scarce. Here, this study investigated the effects of dietary Schizochytrium meal on growth, metamorphosis, intermediate metabolism, and intestinal health of bullfrogs. Six compound feeds (S0–S5) containing different gradients of Schizochytrium meal (0.00, 2.00, 5.00, 10.00, 15.00, and 20.00 g/kg diets) were formulated. After 90 days, the S4 group (15.00 g/kg) exhibited significantly superior growth performance, with the weight gain rate (WGR) increasing by up to 23.78% compared to the control (S0). Metamorphosis rate (MR) peaked at 23.33% in the S4 group. The enzyme activities of digestion (amylase (AMS), lipase (LPS), protease), brush border membrane (Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase, alkaline phosphatase (AKP), γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), creatine kinase (CK), and antioxidation (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT)), as well as microvilli length and mucosal epithelial cell height in the intestine were the highest in the S4 group. Intestinal microbial diversity (Ace index) significantly increased by 41.28% in the S4 group, which also promoted beneficial bacteria. Key genes related to the GH-IGF-1 axis, metabolism, and intestinal barrier function were significantly upregulated with increasing Schizochytrium levels up to 15.00 g/kg, whereas pro-inflammatory genes showed an opposite trend. Overall, dietary supplementation with Schizochytrium meal at 15.00 g/kg promotes growth, metamorphosis, and intestinal health in bullfrog tadpoles by modulating the GH-IGF-1 axis, enhancing digestion and absorption, and improving intestinal integrity. Optimal Schizochytrium meal levels were identified as 13.27 g/kg. Full article

Background/Objectives: Human colostrum plays a crucial role in early microbial colonization, immune development, and gut health of newborns. Its microbiota is highly dynamic and influenced by numerous factors, yet the determinants remain poorly understood. This systematic review aims to investigate the composition of colostrum microbiota and the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence its diversity and abundance. Methods: PubMed and Scopus were systematically searched using a prespecified search phrase. Data on microbial composition, diversity, and influencing factors were extracted and analyzed. The systematic review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025644017). Results: A total of 44 eligible studies involving 1982 colostrum samples were identified. Colostrum microbiota consists predominantly of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, with core genera including Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium. Some studies reported higher diversity in colostrum compared to mature milk, while others noted elevated bacterial abundance in the former. Factors influencing colostrum microbiota include maternal BMI, delivery mode, gestational age, diet, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), maternal stress, maternal age, secretor status, perinatal antibiotic exposure, neonatal gender, geographic location, feeding type, milk collection method, and mastitis. Conclusions: Colostrum hosts a diverse and dynamic microbiota shaped by multiple maternal, neonatal, and environmental factors. Understanding these influences is crucial for optimizing infant health outcomes, emphasizing the need for further research on the functional roles of colostrum’s microbiota. Full article

This study investigated the effects of dietary baicalin on the growth and health of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). Five diets with the addition of 0 (control), 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg of baicalin were fed to juvenile yellow catfish (11.19 ± 0.07 g) for 56 days. Dietary supplementation with 200 or 400 mg/kg baicalin increased weight gain (p < 0.05) and reduced the feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05). The BA400 group exhibited higher total antioxidant capacity, catalase, superoxide dismutase activity, and lower malondialdehyde level in the liver and intestine than the control (p < 0.05). In the 400 mg/kg baicalin group, the hepatic vacuolization rate was lower (p < 0.05), and the intestinal villus width and villus height were higher than those in the control (p < 0.05). In terms of intestinal microbiota composition, the 400 mg/kg baicalin group demonstrated lower abundances of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria (phylum level) and Cetobacterium, Candidatus_Arthromitus, and Plesiomonas (genus level) than the control (p < 0.05), while the relative abundances of Fusobacteriota and Lactobacillus (ZOR0006) increased in this group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary baicalin supplementation significantly improved the growth, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal morphology and positively modulated the intestinal microbiota composition of yellow catfish. The optimal dietary supplementation level of baicalin is 400 mg/kg for yellow catfish. Full article

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of umbilical artery half peak systolic velocity deceleration time (UA hPSV-DT) for composite adverse perinatal outcomes (CAPO) in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: In this prospective observational study, 120 singleton pregnancies in the third trimester were enrolled: 30 insulin-regulated GDM (IRGDM), 30 diet-regulated GDM (DRGDM), and 60 healthy controls. UA hPSV-DT and standard Doppler indices were measured using a standardized protocol by a single perinatologist. An abnormal UA hPSV-DT was defined as <5th percentile for gestational age. Maternal metabolic parameters, fetal biometry, and neonatal outcomes were recorded. The primary outcome was CAPO, defined as the presence of one or more adverse perinatal events. Results: Median UA hPSV-DT values were significantly lower in IRGDM (171 ms) and DRGDM (184 ms) compared with controls (227 ms) (p = 0.006). Abnormal UA hPSV-DT occurred in 43.3% of GDM cases and was associated with higher estimated fetal weight and abdominal circumference percentiles, increased amniotic fluid, elevated OGTT values, higher HbA1c, and more frequent insulin therapy (p < 0.01 for all). In GDM pregnancies, CAPO occurred in 73.1% of the abnormal UA hPSV-DT group versus 11.8% of the normal group (p < 0.001). ROC analysis identified a cut-off of < 181 ms for predicting CAPO (AUC 0.741, 70.3% sensitivity, 66.7% specificity). Conclusions: UA hPSV-DT is a novel, reproducible Doppler parameter that independently predicts adverse perinatal outcomes in GDM pregnancies, even when conventional UA Doppler indices are normal. Incorporating UA hPSV-DT into routine surveillance may improve risk stratification and guide management to optimize perinatal outcomes. Full article

Schizopygopsis younghusbandi is an endemic and ecologically important fish species on the Tibetan Plateau. However, its dietary carbohydrate requirement remains unexplored, limiting the development of cost-effective and physiological-friendly artificial feed. This study investigated the effects of different dietary carbohydrate levels on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and hepatointestinal morphology of S.younghusbandi. Six experimental diets were formulated with graded carbohydrate levels of 9% (C9), 12% (C12), 15% (C15), 18% (C18), 21% (C21), and 24% (C24). A total of 720 fish (initial weight 37.49 ± 0.25 g) were randomly allocated to six groups in quadruplicate (30 fish per replicate) and reared in tanks (0.6 m × 0.5 m × 0.4 m) for 8 weeks. Results demonstrated that the diet in the C12 group significantly improved weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05). Regression fitting analysis on growth performance indicated that the optimal carbohydrate level ranged from 10.42% to 10.49%. Additionally, the C12 group exhibited enhanced total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activities and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the liver, along with reduced interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels in the serum (p < 0.05). Histological analysis revealed superior hepatointestinal integrity in the C12 group, characterized by lower hepatic lipid droplet accumulation, reduced vacuolation, decreased hepatosomatic index (HSI) (p < 0.05), as well as higher intestinal villus height and muscle thickness (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the C12 group optimally enhanced the growth, antioxidant response, and hepatointestinal health of S. younghusbandi, indicating that the suitable dietary carbohydrate level for this species is 12%. Full article

High-fat diets are increasingly used to improve feed efficiency in aquaculture but may deteriorate fillet quality and health; soy isoflavones, plant-derived polyphenols, have emerged as promising modulators of muscle growth, antioxidant defense, and lipid metabolism in fish. This study investigated the effects of dietary soy isoflavone supplementation on myogenesis, collagen synthesis, fatty-acid composition, and antioxidant capacity in muscle of Monopterus albus fed a high-fat diet. Fish were assigned to four diets: control (CON, 6.16% crude fat), high-fat without soy isoflavones (HSIF0, 11.98% crude fat), and high-fat with 50 mg/kg (HSIF50) or 100 mg/kg (HSIF100) soy isoflavones. HSIF0 significantly elevated whole-body/muscle lipids, reduced ΣSFA/ΣMUFA/Σn-3/Σn-6 ratios (p < 0.05), increased Σn-6 (p < 0.05), impaired water-holding capacity/texture (higher losses, lower hardness/cohesiveness/gumminess/chewiness/resilience) (p < 0.05), induced loosely arranged myofibers with enlarged inter-fiber spaces, downregulated myogenesis (upregulated mstn; downregulated myod/tcap/mrf4/mrf5) and collagen genes (ets1/sp1/p4ha1) (p < 0.05), decreased collagen/hydroxyproline (p < 0.05), and weakened antioxidants (higher MDA/H₂O₂; lower T-AOC/GSH; downregulated nrf2/sod/cat/gpx1/gpx8) (p < 0.05). HSIF50 reversed these effects, enhancing ΣPUFA/Σn-3/EPA+DHA (p < 0.05), restoring structure/gene expression (p < 0.05), and boosting antioxidants (p < 0.05). In contrast, HSIF100 partially diminished benefits, indicating dose-dependency. Overall, 50 mg/kg soy isoflavones optimally mitigated high-fat-induced muscle quality decline via lipid remodeling, structural improvement, collagen promotion, and antioxidant enhancement. Full article

Artemisia selengensis Turcz. (AST), an edible-medicinal herb, contains multifunctional bioactives. This study investigated the application of AST leaf extract (ASTLE) in beer brewing, focusing on the addition stage and its impacts on fermentation dynamics, flavor profile, and functional properties. Fermentation parameters, bioactive compounds (phenolic; flavonoid), and volatiles (using HS-SPME-GC-MS) were analyzed. In vivo efficacy was assessed in high-fat diet-fed mice supplemented for 8 weeks with beer containing 10% ASTLE (post-primary fermentation), evaluating body weight change, serum lipids, and uric acid levels. It was found that adding ASTLE before primary fermentation promoted yeast activity but increased the risk of excessive diacetyl production. Adding ASTLE after primary fermentation significantly increased total phenolic and flavonoid contents. GC-MS analysis revealed that ASTLE contributed 28 additional volatile compounds, including chrysanthenone and eucalyptol, thereby enriching the beer’s flavor profile and complexity. In mice, beer with 10% ASTLE (post-primary fermentation) reduced body-weight gain, and regulated abnormal blood lipids and serum uric acid levels. Adding ASTLE after primary fermentation optimized fermentation stability, bioactive retention, flavor enhancement, and conferred benefits including body-weight regulation, lipid metabolism improvement, and uric acid control, providing a reference for developing functional beers targeting health-conscious consumers. Full article

This study investigated the effects of inulin concentration and ultrasonic homogenization on the particle size distribution and microstructure of oil-in-water emulsion gels stabilized with psyllium husk. These gels were then incorporated into meal purees formulated for individuals with dysphagia. Under ultrasound treatment, an increase in inulin from 0% to 20% reduced the average droplet size from 14.98 μm to 1.58 μm, indicating a synergistic effect between ultrasound treatment and inulin in reducing and stabilizing droplet size. The optimal formulation under ultrasound was 20% (w/w) inulin. Scanning electron and polarized light microscopy confirmed that ultrasonic homogenization improved emulsion integrity by minimizing droplet size and promoting encapsulation. Inulin-rich emulsion gels, when added to purees, reduced structural voids, improved matrix cohesion, and lowered expressible fluid content. Enzymatic assays showed enhanced inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, indicating increased resistance to oral enzymatic degradation. Importantly, substituting emulsion gels at 10% (w/w) did not compromise puree firmness. All formulations met International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) Level 4 requirements, confirming their suitability for individuals with oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD). These findings demonstrate the potential of psyllium husk-stabilized emulsion gels as innovative texture-modifying agents for dysphagia-friendly food development. Full article

Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a major fruit pest in several countries of South America and is mass-reared for use in integrated pest control strategies, including the sterile insect technique (SIT), and as a host for rearing biocontrol agents. Optimizing these rearing protocols requires a deeper understanding of how larval diet impacts adult traits. This study investigated the effects of three larval diet formulations differing in nutrient composition on larval development and adult fitness traits. All diets contained inactive non-hydrolyzed brewer’s yeast and sucrose. Two of them included wheat germ, either alone (wheat germ diet) or combined with mashed carrot (carrot diet), whereas the corn flour diet did not contain wheat germ. The carrot diet produced the heaviest pupae, adults with longer wings, and the lowest rate of deformed adults. The corn flour diet prolonged larval and pupal development and increased adult lipid and carbohydrate content. Both the corn flour and carrot diets led to greater glycogen accumulation and more skewed weight distributions compared to the wheat germ diet. Present results highlight how larval diet composition determines developmental traits with direct consequences on adult physiology in A. fraterculus. These characteristics could enhance the effectiveness of control programs such as SIT and other biological control strategies. Full article

Golden thistle (Scolymus hispanicus L.) is a wild edible green of high nutritional value, used in the traditional Mediterranean diet. Nowadays, there is an increasing demand from consumers for golden thistle and concomitantly an increasing interest in integrating it into modern cultivation systems. Soilless culture is a promising cultivation option that can maximize yield and quality of golden thistle. The aim of this study was to examine the combined effect of electrical conductivity (EC) and nitrogen (N) supply level on growth and nutritional quality of golden thistle grown on a substrate in a soilless cropping system. The two experimental factors were examined in a 2-factorial experiment with two EC levels, a low (2.2 dS m⁻¹) and high (2.8 dS m⁻¹), combined with two total-N (NO₃⁻ + NH₄⁺) supply levels, low (13.30 mmol L⁻¹) and high (17.30 mmoL L⁻¹), in the supplied nutrient solution. Root fresh and dry weight (commercial yield) were unaffected by treatments; however, high EC significantly reduced shoot fresh and dry biomass by 21 and 28% compared to low EC. High EC increased K⁺ concentrations in shoots and roots but decreased shoot Ca²⁺ level. Nitrate concentration in the drainage solution and plant tissues was primarily driven by N supply, with high N increasing leaf NO₃⁻ by up to 45% without surpassing the regulatory safety limit. Water productivity did not differ among treatments, but low EC improved agronomic efficiency of K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and S, while low N enhanced N agronomic efficiency by 44%. Overall, low EC promoted vegetative growth and nutrient use efficiency, while increasing N above 13.3 mmol L⁻¹ offered no yield benefit and raised tissue nitrate levels. For optimal yield and quality, a nutrient solution with low EC and N supply is recommended for the soilless cultivation of golden thistle. 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

This study examined how the dietary lipid levels influence growth performance, lipid metabolism, oxidative response and hepatopancreatic health in Macrobrachium rosenbergii. A total of 720 post-larvae (0.86 ± 0.01 g) were divided into 4 groups according to the lipid levels in 43% protein-contained diets: 6% (L6), 8% (L8), 10% (L10), and 12% (L12). The results exhibited a significant increase in both the weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) in the L8 group (p < 0.05). Hepatopancreatic lipid metabolism genes (fas, acc, srebp1, and fabp) showed increased expression at higher dietary lipid levels (p < 0.05). The expression of ampk was significantly reduced, whereas the expression of atgl was increased in the L8 group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the activities of total superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) level were significantly higher in the L8 group, while the content of malondinaldehyde (MDA) was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). H&E staining of the hepatopancreas revealed that high-lipid diets resulted in severe hepatopancreas damage. Moreover, the L8 group exhibited consistently high cumulative survival rates under both ammonia nitrogen and high-temperature stress (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study recommends a dietary lipid level of 8% to optimize growth performance in M. rosenbergii under high-density rearing conditions (70 prawns/m³). Full article

Six dietary groups were supplemented with graded vitamin C (VC) levels: VC1 (control, 0.39 g/kg), VC2 (0.51 g/kg), VC3 (0.66 g/kg), VC4 (0.81 g/kg), VC5 (0.97 g/kg), and VC6 (1.11 g/kg). Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) with an initial weight of 2.21 ± 0.00 g were fed these diets for 8 weeks to evaluate the effects of different VC levels on growth performance, immune response, and heat stress resistance. Heat stress was induced at a constant temperature of 33.00 ± 0.16 °C for one week. The VC3 and VC4 groups showed significantly improved growth performance (FBW, WGR, SGR) compared to VC1 (p < 0.05). VC4 exhibited lower ALT and AST levels before and after heat stress. Antioxidant capacity (T-AOC, GSH-Px, CAT) was significantly enhanced in VC3–VC5, with VC5 showing the highest after stress activity (except CAT). Expression of pro-inflammatory genes (nf-κb, il-8) was downregulated in VC4 and VC5, while anti-inflammatory il-10 was upregulated in VC4 after stress. Apoptosis-related genes (bcl-2, caspase, bax) and TUNEL assays indicated the strongest anti-apoptotic effects in VC3 and VC4 under heat stress (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that VC supplementation in low-fishmeal diets enhances growth, immune response, apoptosis resistance, and acute heat stress tolerance in fish. Full article

The gut microbiome is strongly implicated in the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A recent study demonstrated that 6-week oral supplementation of Anaerostipes rhamnosivorans (ARHAM) combined with the prebiotic myo-inositol (MI) reduced fasting glucose levels in mice. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a 13-week ARHAM-MI supplementation in high-fat diet-fed mice and examined the metabolic fate of MI, including its microbial conversion into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), using ¹³C-MI and stable isotope tracers in the cecum, portal vein, and peripheral blood. The results showed that the ARHAM-MI group gained less weight than the MI-only and placebo groups. Analysis of intestinal mRNA and stable isotope tracing revealed that MI is primarily absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract, whereas microbial conversion to SCFAs predominantly occurs in the cecum and is enhanced by ARHAM. ARHAM-MI mice also showed increased cecal Gpr43 mRNA expression, indicating enhanced SCFA-mediated signaling. Notably, SCFAs derived from MI displayed distinct distribution patterns: ¹³C-butyrate was detected exclusively in the cecum, ¹³C-propionate was present in the cecum and portal vein, whereas ¹³C-acetate was the only SCFA detected in peripheral blood. Collectively, ARHAM-MI co-supplementation confers modest metabolic benefits in high-fat diet-fed mice, underscoring the need to optimize the dosage and administration frequency of ARHAM-MI to enhance its therapeutic efficacy. Full article

A healthy gut microbiota in calves is necessary for optimal performance and development. Considering that probiotics have been shown to improve gut microbiota, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Clostridium butyricum on growth performance, blood parameters, and gut microbiota in Hanwoo calves. In total, 92 calves from two farms were randomly assigned to four groups: a control and three treatment groups that received increasing doses of C. butyricum (CB1, CB2, and CB3) during the first 5 days after birth. Independent experiments were conducted at each farm with different measurements, where body weight was monitored and blood, rumen, and fecal samples were collected to assess physiological responses and microbial profiles. Notably, significant differences were observed in blood amylase and acid–base parameters, suggesting that C. butyricum supplementation may enhance metabolic stability and buffering capacity. Microbial profiling revealed preserved alpha diversity and compositional shifts in both the rumen and fecal microbiota. Particularly, there was an increase in the relative abundances of Prevotella and Muribaculaceae and a decrease in the abundances of the pathogenic genera Escherichia and Shigella in calves fed C. butyricum-supplemented diets. These changes, along with a trend toward a reduced frequency and severity of diarrhea, suggest that C. butyricum supplementation may support gut health and promote stable early growth in neonatal calves. Full article