scholarly journals 34 Effects of rumen-protected Capsicum oleoresin on growth performance and immune response in growing beef cattle

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 43-44
Author(s):  
Mariana Fontana Westphalen ◽  
Joonpyo Oh ◽  
Alexander N Hristov ◽  
Tara Felix
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Energy Status ◽  
Effect Of Treatment ◽  
Recorded Performance

Abstract Objectives were to determine effects of rumen-protected Capsicum (RPC) on growth performance and immune response in growing beef cattle. Cattle were stratified by sex (steers = 24; heifers = 12) and body weight (BW; heavy or light) and randomly assigned to treatments: Control (no additive), or RPC (15 mg/kg of dry matter intake (DMI)). Cattle were transitioned over 21 days to a final diet of 80% grain mix and 20% corn silage. Cattle were weighed on test (d0 and 1), at end of adaptation (d21), at midpoint (d48 and 49), and off test (d98 and 99). Blood samples were collected on days 0, 21, and 98 for analysis of parameters related to immune function and energy status. Health treatments were recorded. Performance and blood variables (as repeated measures) were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Pen was the experimental unit. Health data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure; animal was the experimental unit. There was no interaction (P > 0.10) of treatment and sampling day, nor main effect of treatment (P > 0.10), for any blood parameters measured. There were no treatment effects (P > 0.10) on DMI or feed efficiency. From d0 to 21, average daily gain (ADG) tended to be greater (P = 0.13) for animals fed RPC and was 22.9% greater (P = 0.10) for animals fed RPC from d22 to 49. While only 14% of the heavy animals were treated two or more times, 66% of light animals were treated two or more times (P < 0.01), of which 77% were fed Control. Supplementing RPC improved early feedlot ADG. Although there were no changes in blood parameters, ADG improvement may be related to health status.

scholarly journals 191 Effects of injectable vitamin C at weaning and prior to transit on growth performance and immune function of beef steers

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 152-153
Author(s):  
Aubree M Beenken ◽  
Erin L Deters ◽  
Colten W Dornbach ◽  
Stephanie L Hansen ◽  
Joshua C McCann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin C ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Diarrhea Virus ◽  
Plasma Ascorbate ◽  
Antibody Titers

Abstract Ninety-one early-weaned (65 ± 11 d) Angus steers (92 ± 4 kg) were blocked by age to a 2 × 2 factorial examining effects of injectable vitamin C (VC) at weaning and/or prior to transport to the feedlot on antibody titers and growth performance. Injections (20 mL/steer) of VC (250 mg sodium ascorbate/mL) or saline (SAL) were given at time of weaning on d 0 (WEAN) and/or prior to a 6 hr trucking event to a feedlot on d 49 (TRANS). Steers were given booster vaccinations on d 0. Steers were weighed on d 0, 1, 14, 48, 49, 64, 106, and 107. Blood was collected (12 steers/treatment) on d 0, 1, 2, 14, 49 (pre- and post-transit), 50, and 51. Data were analyzed via Proc-Mixed of SAS (experimental unit = steer; n = 22–23/treatment) with fixed effects of block, WEAN, TRANS, and WEAN × TRANS. Plasma ascorbate concentrations for weaning (d 0, 1, and 2) and transit (d 49-pre-trucking, 49-post-trucking, 50, and 51) were analyzed as repeated measures (repeated effect = day). Plasma ascorbate concentrations were greater on d 1 and 2 for steers that received VC at weaning (VC = 19.6, SAL = 8.8 ± 1.26 µM; WEAN × day P < 0.01). Similarly, ascorbate concentrations were greater on d 49 post-trucking, 50, and 51 for steers that received VC pre-transit (TRANS × day P = 0.01). Treatments did not affect bodyweight or average daily gain throughout the trial (P > 0.32). There were no effects of treatment on serum Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus type 2 antibody titers on d 14 or 51 (P > 0.33). An injection of VC administered to early weaned beef steers at weaning or pre-transit increases plasma ascorbate concentrations but does not improve growth performance or antibody response to vaccination booster.

160 Injectable Vitamin C Prior to Transit and Transit Duration Effects on Feedlot Performance, Inflammation, and Muscle Fatigue of Beef Steers

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 121-121
Author(s):  
Aubree M Beenken ◽  
Erin L Deters ◽  
Stephanie L Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin C ◽  
Muscle Fatigue ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Serum Lactate ◽  
Sodium Ascorbate ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Feedlot Performance

Abstract This study examined the effects of injectable vitamin C (VC) before transport and duration of transit on feedlot performance, inflammation, and muscle fatigue in cattle. One hundred thirty-one, Angus-cross steers (409 ± 4 kg) were stratified by bodyweight (BW) to a 2 × 2 factorial of intramuscular injection (INJ; 20 mL/steer): VC (250 mg sodium ascorbate/mL) or saline (SAL) and road transit duration (DUR): 18 (18; 1,770 km) or 8 h (8; 727 km). On d 0, steers were weighed and received INJ of SAL or VC immediately before transport. Upon return (d 1), BW and blood were collected before steers returned to pens with GrowSafe bunks. Steers were weighed on d 0, 1, 7, 15, 30, 31, 54, and 55. Data were analyzed via ProcMixed of SAS (experimental unit = steer; 32–34 steers/treatment) with fixed effects of INJ, DUR, and the interaction. Blood was collected on d -5, 1, 2, and 3 (9 steers/treatment); blood parameters were analyzed as repeated measures. Average daily gain (ADG) and BW were greater on d 7 and 15 for SAL-18 compared to all other treatments (INJ × DUR, P < 0.01). Final BW, overall ADG, and gain:feed were greater for 18 than 8 (P < 0.01). Injection did not affect BW (P > 0.13) but VC decreased overall dry matter intake compared to SAL (P = 0.03). Steers transported for 18 h had greater serum lactate, haptoglobin, and non-esterified fatty acid concentrations on d 1 compared to steers transported for 8 h (DUR × DAY, P < 0.01). Day 1 plasma ascorbate concentrations were greater for VC and returned to baseline concentrations by d 2 (INJ × DAY, P < 0.01). In contrast to previous work, VC did not improve post-transit performance; however, longer transit duration increased indicators of muscle fatigue and inflammation.

scholarly journals Effects of increasing dietary inclusion of camelina cake on growth performance of growing-finishing pigs

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
A M Hilbrands ◽  
L J Johnston ◽  
R B Cox ◽  
F Forcella ◽  
R Gesch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Soybean Meal ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Finishing Pigs

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to determine the dietary inclusion rate of camelina cake (CC) that would support the growth performance of growing-finishing pigs similar to that of a corn-soybean meal-based diet. Pigs (n = 192; BW = 35.2 kg; Duroc x (Yorkshire x Landrace)), balanced for sex and initial weight, were assigned to pens (8 pigs/pen) and pens were assigned randomly to one of four dietary treatments (6 pens/treatment). Treatments consisted of a non GMO corn-soybean meal control diet (CON), or CON containing 5% (5CC), 10% (10CC), or 15% (15CC) camelina cake. Feed disappearance on a pen basis and individual body weights of pigs were recorded every other week to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio (G:F) on a pen basis. Prior to harvest, real-time ultrasonic measurements of back fat depth and loin eye area were collected on all live pigs. Pigs were harvested as a single group at about 23 weeks of age at a commercial abattoir. Data were analyzed using Proc Glimmix with dietary treatment as a fixed effect and pen serving as the experimental unit. Growth performance data collected over time were analyzed using repeated measures within the Proc Glimmix procedure. Overall, pigs fed CON exhibited similar ADG to those consuming 5CC and higher ADG than pigs consuming 10CC and 15CC diets (1.10 kg vs. 1.05 kg for 10CC and 1.02 kg for 15CC; P < 0.05 for both mean comparisons). Pigs fed CON consumed more feed than pigs fed any of the CC diets (ADFI = 2.66 kg for CON vs. 2.46 kg for 5CC, 2.46 kg for 10CC and 2.47 kg for 15CC; P < 0.05 for all). These differences resulted in heavier (P < 0.05) CON-fed pigs at marketing than 10CC or 15CC-fed pigs. There were no differences in any carcass traits analyzed. From these data, we conclude that feeding up to 5% CC in corn-soybean meal-based diets did not negatively influence growth performance, or carcass traits of growing-finishing pigs.

216 Effect of Dietary L-valine Supplementation on Growth Performance, Immune Response, and Microbial Metabolites in Weaned Pigs Raised in Varying Sanitary Conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 113-114
Author(s):  
Bonjin Koo ◽  
Martin Nyachoti
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Microbial Metabolites ◽  
Weaned Pigs ◽  
Sanitary Condition ◽  
Sanitary Conditions

Abstract This study investigated the effects of dietary L-valine supplementation and sanitary conditions on growth performance, immune response, and microbial metabolites in weaned pigs. Thirty-two weaned pigs (6.98 ± 0.47 kg) were randomly assigned to treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement based on dietary Val level and sanitary condition (clean or unclean). The pigs were fed either a basal diet containing the standard levels of Val suggested by NRC (2012) or the basal diet with an additional 0.1% of L-Val. A room designated as the clean room was washed weekly, whereas the designated unclean room was not washed throughout the experiment and 5 kg of manure from the nursery pig barn was spread on the pen floors on day 1. All data were analyzed using a mixed procedure of SAS, with the individual pen as the experimental unit. The pigs raised in unsanitary conditions exhibited a lower average daily gain and average daily feed intake and a higher incidence of diarrhea than those raised in sanitary conditions during the 14-day experimental period (P < 0.05). The pigs in the unclean group also had a lower concentration of butyrate in the jejunum and a higher concentration of ammonia-N in the colon than those in the clean group (P < 0.05). Dietary valine supplementation reduced plasma interleukin (IL)-1α and IL-1 receptor antagonist concentrations as well as isovalerate and ammonia-N concentrations in the colon (P < 0.05). Interactions between dietary Val supplementation and sanitary conditions were observed in the abundance of mRNA-encoding β-defensins 113, 125, and 129 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary Val supplementation beneficially modulates inflammatory response and microbial metabolites regardless of sanitary condition, while transcriptional levels of β-defensins are regulated by dietary Val supplementation in a manner dependent on housing hygiene conditions.

scholarly journals 44 Pre-transit vitamin C injection improves post-transit performance of beef steers

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 34-34
Author(s):  
Erin Deters ◽  
Stephanie L Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin C ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Sodium Ascorbate ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Subsequent Performance

Abstract This study sought to determine the effects of injectable vitamin C (VC), pre- or post-transit, on blood parameters and feedlot performance of beef steers. Seventy-two, Angus-cross steers were blocked by weight (356 ± 18 kg) and randomly assigned to intramuscular injection treatments (20 mL/steer): saline pre- and post-transit (CON), VC (Vet One; 250 mg sodium ascorbate/mL) pre-transit and saline post-transit (PRE), or saline pre-transit and VC post-transit (POST). Following pre-transit injections (d 0), steers were transported for ~18 h (1,675 km). Upon return (d 1), steers received post-transit injections and were sorted into pens (6 steers/pen) equipped with GrowSafe bunks. Steers were weighed on d 0, 1, 7, 30, 31, 56, and 57. Blood was collected on d 0, 1, 2, and 7. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using ProcMixed of SAS (experimental unit = steer; 24 steers/treatment); treatment and block were fixed effects. Blood variables were analyzed as repeated measures. Injectable VC did not affect BW shrink due to transit (P = 0.28). Compared to CON-steers, PRE or POST-steers exhibited greater dry matter intake from d 31-57 and overall (d 1-57; P ≤ 0.02). Average daily gain was greatest for PRE-steers from d 7-31 and overall (P ≤ 0.05), resulting in PRE-steers being heaviest on d 30/31 (P = 0.03) and tending to be heaviest on d 56/57 (P = 0.07). Plasma ascorbate concentrations were decreased immediately post-transit for CON and POST-steers but increased for PRE-steers (treatment × day; P < 0.01). Plasma ferric reducing antioxidant potential and malondialdehyde were decreased post-transit while serum non-esterified fatty acid and haptoglobin were increased; all blood parameters returned to baseline by d 7 (day; P < 0.01). Timing of injectable VC administration appears to influence how cattle respond to transit as pre-transit administration improved subsequent performance of steers.

scholarly journals 39 Effects of increasing iron dextran dosage at birth on the hematological profile and growth performance of piglets during the lactation period

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 41-41
Author(s):  
Tyler B Chevalier ◽  
Harold J Monegue ◽  
Merlin D Lindemann
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Complete Blood Count ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Hemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Iron Dextran ◽  
Blood Profile ◽  
The Individual

Abstract The objective of the experiment was to critically monitor the blood profile and growth performance of piglets during the lactation period after receiving various amounts of injectable iron at birth. A total of 70, newborn pigs (initial BW 1.51 ± 0.26 kg) from 7 litters were assigned to 1 of 5 iron dosage treatments on d 0. Injectable iron dosage treatments were 0, 50, 100, 200, and 300 mg iron from iron dextran. BW and blood samples were collected on d 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 14, 17, and 22 (weaning) and blood was analyzed for a complete blood count (CBC). Blood was only sampled from 50 of the 70 pigs as the pigs not sampled were used for tissue collection at weaning and postweaning. Data were analyzed as repeated measures using the individual pig as the experimental unit. As early as d 1 after the injection, hemoglobin concentration (Hb) improved (linear: P < 0.05). The Hb response was both linear (P < 0.001) and quadratic (P ≤ 0.01) from d 3 through weaning at d 22. For the 50 and 100 mg iron treatments, Hb peaked at d 6, whereas Hb for the 200 and 300 mg iron treatments peaked on d 17. Other CBC measures followed a similar pattern of improvement from d 2-3 through weaning as the iron dosage increased. Average daily gain was greater (linear: P = 0.04 and quadratic: P = 0.05) from d 0 to 22 which, in turn, led to a linear improvement (P ≤ 0.05) in weaning BW. Increasing iron injection dosage at birth leads to an improved blood profile and greater ADG during the nursing period (d 0-22). The dosage provided also affects the timing and magnitude of the peak Hb response.

scholarly journals Effects of Rocket Seed Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, and Their Mixture on Growth Performance, Feed Utilization, Digestibility, Redox Status, and Meat Fatty Acid Profile of Growing Rabbits

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 662
Author(s):  
Sabrin Abdelrahman Morshedy ◽  
Ahmed M. Abdelmodather ◽  
Mohamed M. Basyony ◽  
Soliman A. Zahran ◽  
Mohamed A. Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Wheat Germ ◽  
Seed Oil ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Feed Utilization ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wheat Germ Oil

Vegetable oils are a source of natural antioxidants, including tocopherols, sterols, phenolic compounds, coenzymes, and polyunsaturated fatty acids that provide nutritional value, organoleptic properties, and significantly delay or prevent lipid oxidation. Eighty-four V-line rabbits at 5 weeks of age with an initial body weight (BW) of 535.60 ± 13.48 g were assigned randomly to four experimental groups (seven replicates in each group with three rabbits each). The first group served as a control and received 0.3 mL/kg BW of distilled water (CON), while the second and third groups received 0.3 mL/kg BW of rocket seed oil (RSO) and wheat germ oil (WGO), respectively. The fourth group received a mixture of oils consisting of 0.15 mL of RSO and 0.15 mL of WGO/kg BW (MOs). The experiment lasted 7 weeks. The study investigated the effects of RSO, WGO, and their mixture on growth performance, feed utilization, antioxidant status, and immune response of growing rabbits. The results indicated that the rabbits that were administered orally with RSO and WGO or their mixture had higher (p ≤ 0.05) final BW, weight gain, and average daily gain when compared to the control group. In addition, the feed conversion ratio improved significantly with RSO, WGO, and MOs treatments. Different oil treatments improved nutrient digestibility, nutritive value, and nitrogen balance. Moreover, the rabbits that received RSO, WGO, and their mixture had an improvement the meat fatty acid composition compared to the control rabbits. Oral administration of RSO, WGO, and their mixture significantly improved serum protein fractions, decreased blood urea nitrogen, and had a positive effect on serum total lipids, HDL-c, and LDL-c. Furthermore, the treatments of RSO, WGO, and MOs had a significant improvement in the antioxidative status and immune response.

159 Evaluation of Bacillus Subtilis PB6 Probiotic (CLOSTAT® 500) on Feedlot Phase Growth Performance, Efficiency of Dietary Net Energy Utilization, and Fecal and Subiliac Lymph Node Salmonella Prevalence

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 119-120
Author(s):  
Zachary K Smith ◽  
Paul Rand R Broadway ◽  
Keith Underwood ◽  
Warren C Rusche ◽  
Julie Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Lymph Node ◽  
Lymph Nodes ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Energy Utilization ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Fecal Samples

Abstract Yearling beef steers (n = 238; initial BW=402 ± 31.2 kg) were used to evaluate a Bacillus subtilis probiotic on growth performance, dietary net energy (NE) utilization, carcass characteristics, and fecal and subiliac lymph node Salmonella prevalence during a 140-d finishing period. Steers were allotted to 24 pens (n = 9 to 10 steers/pen) and assigned to one of two treatments (12 pens/treatment): no probiotic (CON) or 0.50 g·steer-1·d-1 of a Bacillus subtilis PB6 probiotic (CLOSTAT® 500, Kemin Industries, Des Moines, IA; CLO). Steers were transitioned to a 90% concentrate diet (DM basis) over 14-d. Steers were fed once daily at 0700 h; bunks were managed according to a slick bunk management. Fecal samples were collected on d 1, 28, 56, 112, and 140 from each pen (n = 5 steers/pen) via rectal palpation and composited by pen for determination of Salmonella prevalence. Upon harvest, subiliac lymph nodes were obtained from 60 steers in CON and 57 steers in CLO. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design; pen was the experimental unit; α of 0.05 determined significance. No differences were detected (P ≥ 0.25) between treatments for live or carcass-adjusted average daily gain, dry matter intake, gain efficiency, dietary NE utilization, nor calculated dietary NE content based upon performance. No differences were detected between treatments for any carcass traits (P ≥ 0.15). Salmonella was not recovered in any fecal samples except on d 112, where steers from CLO had a numerically lower (P = 0.17; 8.3 vs. 25.0%) incidence of fecal Salmonella compared to CON and on d 140 fecal, where Salmonella incidence did not differ (P = 0.34; 0.0 vs. 8.3%) for CON and CLO, respectively. Salmonella was not recovered in any subiliac lymph nodes. These data indicate that CLO did not influence growth performance or Salmonella prevalence.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a novel threonine source for nursery pig diets

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalton Humphrey ◽  
Spenser Becker ◽  
Jason Lee ◽  
Keith Haydon ◽  
Laura Greiner
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Covariance Structure ◽  
Treatment Phase ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Nursery Pigs

Abstract Four hundred and eighty (PIC 337 X 1050, PIC Genus, Hendersonville, TN) pigs were used to evaluate a novel threonine source (ThrPro, CJ America Bio, Fort Dodge, IA) for nursery pigs from approximately 7 to 20 kg body weight (BW). After weaning, pigs were sorted by sex and fed a common diet for 1 wk. Upon completion of the first week, pigs were sorted into randomized complete blocks, equalized by weight, within 16 replications. Pigs were allocated to one of three dietary treatments: positive control (POS)—standard ileal digestible threonine-to-lysine ratio (SID; Thr:Lys) 0.60, negative control (NEG)—SID Thr:Lys ≤0.46, and alternative Thr source (TEST)—SID Thr:Lys 0.60. The alternative Thr source included fermentative biomass and was assumed to contain 75% Thr and a digestibility coefficient of 100% based on the manufacturer’s specifications. All other nutrients met or exceeded the NRC recommendations. Growth and intake data were analyzed as repeated measures with a compound symmetry covariance structure using the MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) with pen as the experimental unit. Treatment, phase, the interaction between treatment and phase, and block were included as fixed effects in the model. Differences in total removals were tested using Fisher’s Exact Test of PROC FREQ. Results were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05 and considered a trend at P > 0.05 and P ≤ 0.10. During the first 14 d, pigs fed TEST had decreased gain-to-feed ratio (G:F; 0.77 vs. 0.80, P = 0.022) compared to POS and increased G:F (0.77 vs. 0.73, P < 0.001) compared to NEG. Over days 14–28, pigs fed TEST had similar G:F (0.71 vs. 0.70, P = 0.112) compared to POS and increased G:F (0.71 vs. 0.63, P < 0.001) compared to NEG. Overall (days 0–28), pigs fed TEST had similar average daily gain (ADG; 0.47 vs. 0.47 kg/d, P = 0.982) and G:F (0.76 vs. 0.74, P = 0.395) compared to POS and increased ADG (0.47 vs. 0.43 kg/d, P < 0.001) and G:F (0.76 vs. 0.67, P < 0.001) compared to NEG. The average daily feed intake was not significantly different across treatments for the entirety of the study. In conclusion, the replacement of crystalline L-Thr with a novel Thr source resulted in similar growth performance in nursery pigs from approximately 7 to 20 kg.

scholarly journals Probiotic level effects on growth performance, carcass traits, blood parameters, cecal microbiota, and immune response of broilers

2016 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 1011-1021 ◽  
Author(s):  
MOHAMMADREZA POURAKBARI ◽  
ALIREZA SEIDAVI ◽  
LEILA ASADPOUR ◽  
ANDRÉS MARTÍNEZ
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Probiotic Supplementation ◽  
Cecal Microbiota ◽  
Feed Conversion Rate

Probiotic effects on growth performance, carcass traits, blood parameters, cecal microbiota, and immune response of broilers were studied. Two hundred one-day-old male chickens were allocated to one of five treatments (four replicates of 10 birds per treatment): control, and the same control diet supplemented with 0.005%, 0.01%, 0.015% and 0.02% probiotics. Probiotics in feed at 0.01% or higher levels of supplementation improved body weight gain (+12%) and feed conversion rate (-5%) compared with the control. There were no effects on carcass traits, but the relative weights of drumsticks and wings showed increasing and decreasing linear responses, respectively, to probiotic supplementation level. Blood plasma glucose and albumin contents linearly increased (from 167.1 to 200.5 mg dl-1, and from 1.70 to 3.25 g dl-1) with increasing probiotic supplementation. Triglycerides and cholesterol contents were lower in probiotic supplemented treatments (average contents 71.3 and 125.3 mg dl-1 vs. 92.6 and 149.9 mg dl-1 in the control). Probiotics decreased cecal Escherichia coli counts, but had no effects on immunity related organs or immune response. The linear trends, either positive or negative, observed in many of the parameters studied, suggest that more studies are needed to establish the optimal concentration of probiotics in broiler feed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document