The metabolism of saponins from Yucca schidigera in sheep.

Ammonia is a critical hazardous nitrogen metabolic product in aquaculture. Despite trials for its control, ammonia intoxication remains one of the most critical issues to overcome. In this study, we explored the modulatory effect and potential mechanism by which Yucca schidigera extract (YSE) can ameliorate ammonia intoxication-induced adverse effects on tilapia health and metabolism. A total number of 120 Nile tilapia were evenly assigned into four groups with three replicates each. The first group served as normal control group; the second group was exposed to ammonia alone from the beginning of the experiment and for four weeks. The third group was supplied with YSE in water at a dose of 8 mg/L and exposed to ammonia. The fourth group was supplied with YSE only in water at a dose of 8 mg/L. YSE supplementation succeeded in improving water quality by reducing pH and ammonia levels. Moreover, YSE supplementation markedly alleviated chronic ammonia-induced adverse impacts on fish growth by increasing the final body weight (FBW), specific growth rate (SGR), feed intake and protein efficiency ratio (PER) while reducing the feed conversion ratio (FCR) via improvements in food intake, elevation of hepatic insulin-like growth factor (ILGF-1) and suppression of myostatin (MSTN) expression levels with the restoration of lipid reserves and the activation of lipogenic potential in adipose tissue as demonstrated by changes in the circulating metabolite levels. In addition, the levels of hepato-renal injury biomarkers were restored, hepatic lipid peroxidation was inhibited and the levels of hepatic antioxidant biomarkers were enhanced. Therefore, the current study suggests that YSE supplementation exerted an ameliorative role against chronic ammonia-induced oxidative stress and toxic effects due to its free radical-scavenging potential, potent antioxidant activities and anti-inflammatory effects.

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Zeólitas e Yucca schidigera em rações para cães: palatabilidade, digestibilidade e redução de odores fecais

Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia ◽

10.1590/s1516-35982010001100017 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 39 (11) ◽

pp. 2442-2446 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Gustavo Vaz Corrêa Maia ◽

Flávia Maria de Oliveira Borges Saad ◽

Natália Charleaux Roque ◽

Janine França ◽

Lídia Marinho Silva Lima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Yucca Schidigera

Objetivou-se com este trabalho determinar a interferência dos aditivos extrato de Yucca schidigera e zeólitas (Clinoptilolita) na palatabilidade e digestibilidade de rações comerciais e avaliar sua capacidade de redução do odor das fezes e melhora da consistência fecal de cães. Utilizaram-se cães adultos da raça Beagle com peso médio de ±12,51 kg em três experimentos, todos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. No teste de palatabilidade, realizado nos dez dias iniciais, utilizaram-se 16 animais distribuídos em duas dietas (controle, com 1,00% de zeólita; e controle + 375 ppm de Yucca schidigera) e, no teste de redução de odor das fezes, realizado nos seis dias posteriores, utilizaram-se 14 animais distribuídos em sete dietas (uma controle e outras seis, formuladas a partir da dieta controle, porém contendo Yucca schidigera (125, 250 ou 375 ppm) ou zeólitas (0,50; 0,75; ou 1,00%). Essas dietas foram utilizadas também no teste de digestibilidade e escore fecal, realizado com 21 animais durante 20 dias. A inclusão desses aditivos na dieta não prejudica a palatabilidade nem a digestibilidade de matéria seca, proteína bruta, extrato etéreo e energia bruta do alimento fornecido. Os níveis de 0,75% e 1,0% de zeólitas reduz significativamente o odor das fezes e aumenta a consistência fecal quando adicionados a rações comerciais para cães.

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