Impact of Fennel Essential Oil as an Antibiotic Alternative in Rabbit Diet on Antioxidant Enzymes Levels, Growth Performance, and Meat Quality

In the current study, fennel essential oil was used as an antibiotic alternative compared to gentamycin for enhancing the expression of apoptosis genes and antioxidant enzymes in weaned rabbits as well as meat quality and growth performance. The gene expression of the cell lymphoma 2 (BAX and BCL2), caspase3 (CASP3), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) were estimated in the liver tissue using qRT-PCR. A total of 45 Moshtohor weaned male rabbits aged four weeks were randomly allocated to control, T1, and T2 treatment groups; each consisted of 15 weaned male rabbits with five replicates. Rabbits in the T1 and T2 groups were orally supplied with 1 mL fennel oil and 1 mL gentamycin, respectively. Weaned rabbits under different treatments showed increased body weight (BW) at 8 and 12 weeks of age and average daily gain (ADG) at 4–8 and 4–12 weeks of age compared to the control group. Compared to the controls, the weaned rabbits supplemented with fennel oil and gentamycin had lower total cholesterol, triglyceride, and MDA. In addition, villus length, mRNA of BAX, BCL2, Casp3, and GPX were increased in the different treatments compared to the control. Furthermore, the meat of these rabbits was less tender, had a lower aerobic plate count (APC), pH, and was brighter and redder in color than the control. Under the conditions of the present study, the supplementation of weaned Moshtohor rabbits with fennel oil as a natural alternative for gentamycin enhanced feed conversion and daily gain through enhancing villus length and mucus thickness. Additionally, fennel essential oil reduces oxidative stress by increasing the antioxidant enzymes.

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Effect of nutritional regimen including limit feeding and breed on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality in beef cattle

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas2011-126 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 92 (3) ◽

pp. 327-341 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

E. M. McGregor ◽

C. P. Campbell ◽

S. P. Miller ◽

P. P. Purslow ◽

I. B. Mandell

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Shear Force ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

High Energy ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

Limit Feeding ◽

Daily Gain

McGregor, E M., Campbell, C. P., Miller, S. P., Purslow, P. P. and Mandell, I. B. 2012. Effect of nutritional regimen including limit feeding and breed on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality in beef cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 92: 327–341. The effects of nutritional management regimen and breed on growth performance, carcass attributes, and meat quality were evaluated in 68 British (BRIT) and Continental (CONT) crossbred steers, managed on one of three nutritional regimens: (1) ad libitum access to a 77% corn diet (ALGRAIN), (2) limit feeding initially of the 77% corn diet, followed by ad libitum access to the 77% corn diet (LFGRAIN), and (3) limit feeding initially of a 90% haylage diet, followed by ad libitum access to the 77% corn diet (LFHAYL). Nutritional regimen by breed interactions (P<0.02) were present for average daily gain, dry matter intake (DMI), gain to feed, and shear force. LFHAYL regimen decreased gains to a greater extent for BRIT steers than CONT steers managed on ALGRAIN or LFGRAIN. Feed intakes were similar across nutritional regimens for CONT steers, while DMI was depressed in BRIT on LFHAYL as compared with steers started on ALGRAIN or LFGRAIN. Gain to feed was greater in BRIT cattle on LFGRAIN vs. ALGRAIN, while gain to feed was similar in CONT started on grain (ALGRAIN, LFGRAIN). Shear force was lower for beef from LFHAYL BRIT vs. beef from BRIT on ALGRAIN or LFGRAIN, while the converse was true for CONT. Limit feeding of a high-energy diet may be appropriate for cattle of British background to reduce feed input costs, while ensuring tenderness.

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Garlic skin induced shifts in the rumen microbiome and metabolome of fattening sheep

10.21203/rs.3.rs-60203/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Wen Zhu ◽

Zhen Su ◽

Wei Xu ◽

Hanxue Sun ◽

Jinfeng Gao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Diversity Indices ◽

Rumen Fermentation ◽

Control Group ◽

Rumen Microbiome ◽

Volatile Fatty Acid Concentration ◽

Α Diversity ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract Background Garlic and its constituents exhibit activities on modifying rumen fermentation and improving growth performance. As a by-product of garlic processing, garlic skin contains similar bioactive components as garlic bulb. However, studies in ruminants using garlic skin are scarce. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of garlic skin supplementation on rumen fermentation characterizes, growth performance, ruminal microbes and metabolites in ruminants. Twelve Hu lambs were randomly assigned into one of two treatments: basal diet (CON) or basal diet supplemented with 80 g/kg DM of gallic skin (GAS). The experiment lasted for10 weeks, with the first 2 weeks for adaptation. Results The results revealed that the average daily gain and volatile fatty acid concentration were higher (P < 0.05) in lambs fed GAS than that in the control group. Garlic skin supplementation did not significantly (P > 0.10) affect the α-diversity indices. Increased (P < 0.05) abundances of Prevotella, Bulleidia, Howardella, Methanosphaera but a decreased (P < 0.05) abundance of Fretibacterium were observed in GAS-fed lambs. In addition, the garlic skin supplementation favorably regulated (P < 0.05) pyrimidine metabolism, purine metabolism, vitamin B6 and B1 metabolism. Moreover, high correlations were observed between fluctuant rumen microbiota and metabolites. Conclusions Supplementation of garlic skin improved the growth performance of sheep by modifying rumen fermentation through inducing shifts in the rumen microbiome and metabolome.

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Effects of immunocastration on growth performance, body composition, meat quality, and boar taint

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/99/2016-cjas ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 62 (No. 6) ◽

pp. 249-258

Author(s):

R. Stupka ◽

J. Čítek ◽

K. Vehovský ◽

K. Zadinová ◽

M. Okrouhlá ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Composition ◽

The Other ◽

Boar Taint ◽

Large White ◽

Study Objective ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Daily Gain

The study objective was to evaluate the effect of immunocastration in the period between the first and second vaccinations and subsequently between the second vaccination and slaughter on growth performance, carcass composition, meat quality, and boar taint, and compare results in immunocastrated males (IC), uncastrated boars (UCM), surgically castrated barrows (CM), and gilts (FE). The study included 70 pigs of the Duroc × (Large White × Landrace) crossbreed. Upon the overall assessment of the selected fattening indicators (average daily gain, feed intake), significant differences between CM and the other groups were demonstrated. Meanwhile, no significant differences were found between the IC, UCM, and FE groups. In this test, immunocastrates showed no negative effect from the second vaccination in relation to those carcass value indicators evaluated in comparison with UCM and FE. CM showed adversely lower carcass value parameters compared the other groups. No significant differences in pH, meat colour, drip loss, shear force, and intramuscular fat were found. The values of these indicators obtained for IC converged with those measured in UCM and FE. It was demonstrated that immunocastration prevented the occurrence of undesired boar taint. Androstenone decreased by 77% and skatole by 71% in IC as compared to UCM.

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Effects of pepper extract in suckling lamb feed: Growth performance, metabolism, and oxidative responses

Annals of Animal Science ◽

10.2478/aoas-2021-0055 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Bruno Giorgio de Oliveia Cécere ◽

Vitor Luiz Molosse ◽

Guilherme Luiz Deolindo ◽

Vanessa Dazuk ◽

Anielen Dutra Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Serum Glucose ◽

Control Group ◽

Glucose Levels ◽

Protein Thiols ◽

Leukocyte Counts ◽

Daily Gain ◽

Over Time

Abstract Our objective was to determine whether the inclusion of pepper extract would improve health in suckling lambs, stimulating antioxidant activity, and improving performance. We used Lacaune lambs distributed in four treatments, with four repetitions per treatment and three lambs per repetition: control group (T0) and treatments T1, T2, and T3 that received 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg of pepper extract, respectively. Groups T1 and T2 consumed more significant amounts of silage than group T0, and animals from group T1 consumed more concentrate and, consequently, consumed more solids. The addition of pepper extract enhanced growth performance, with the lowest dose (T1) giving rise to the most significant weight gain, average daily gain, and body weight, compared to T0. Regression analysis showed that the optimum point for pepper extract supplementation was 301.5 mg/kg. The levels of total protein and globulins were significantly higher for animals supplemented with pepper extract (day 28) than the control; the concentrations of albumin and urea increased over time but did not differ significantly among treatments. Serum glucose levels decreased significantly over time; however, the groups supplemented with pepper extract showed higher concentrations than group T0. The hematocrit was significantly higher in groups fed pepper extract; hemoglobin concentrations were also more significant, increasing over time in both groups. The groups that consumed the pepper extract had higher leukocyte counts due to greater lymphocytes and neutrophils. Levels of non-protein thiols increased significantly over time, while lipid peroxidation levels decreased significantly in all groups. The concentrations of reactive oxygen species significantly decreased in the serum of group T3 animals, those fed with pepper extract (day 28), compared to the control. In general, the addition of pepper extract in lamb feed can enhance weight gain, increase antioxidant levels, and stimulate the production of leukocytes and globulins in lambs.

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Effects of using essential oil of Lavandula stoechas in quail feed on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and health status

Veterinary World ◽

10.14202/vetworld.2020.789-795 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 789-795

Author(s):

Ouafa Laghouati ◽

Fodil Arbouche ◽

Yasmine Arbouche

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Essential Oil ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Bacterial Load ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Control Group ◽

Breeding Period ◽

Average Weight ◽

Lavandula Stoechas

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of essential oil of Lavandula stoechas (Lavender) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and health status of quails. Materials and Methods: A group of 600 1-day-old Japanese quail chicks (Coturnix japonica), with an average weight of 6.8±0.2 g and a 1:1 sex ratio, were randomly assigned to four groups (150 chicks/group): three experimental groups which depend on the incorporation of lavender oil (LO) in the different phases of breeding and one control group. The experimental groups received a supplement of 1 g LO per kg of feed distributed sequentially throughout the entire 42-day breeding period. Results: No deaths were recorded throughout the breeding period. Highly significant differences were observed among the groups with regard to body weight measured on day 20 and day 42 (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively). The addition of LO was accompanied by reductions in liver weights; furthermore, LO had a significant effect on the pH, water content, and fat content of the meat (p<0.05). Administration of LO had a measurable effect on the endogenous intestinal population of Lactobacillus, and the bacterial load (including those of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) was significantly reduced. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that supplementing quail feed with LO has a profound effect on their growth as well as antimicrobial effects.

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Effects of pig genotype, immunological castration, and use of ractopamine on growth performance, carcass traits, and pork quality for entire male pigs

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1139/cjas-2017-0166 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 99 (1) ◽

pp. 82-106

Author(s):

J. Park ◽

C.P. Campbell ◽

E.J. Squires ◽

C.F.M. de Lange ◽

I.B. Mandell

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Shear Force ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Control Diet ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Drip Loss ◽

Daily Gain ◽

Entire Male

Entire male (EM) pigs (152; ∼30 kg body weight) were used to examine immunocastration using Improvest and feeding ractopamine on growth performance, carcass and meat quality, and fatty acid composition. Timing for administering second dose of Improvest compared dosing at 4 and 8 wk pre-slaughter. A factorial arrangement evaluated two genotypes [Large Whites and Duroc crossbreds (Durocs)] by five management regimens (EM fed control diet, EM fed ractopamine, second dose Improvest 4 wk pre-slaughter, second dose Improvest 8 wk pre-slaughter, second dose Improvest 4 wk pre-slaughter plus ractopamine). Average daily gain and gain to feed (G:F) were generally greater (P ≤ 0.01) in Durocs. Immunocastration increased (P < 0.01) dry matter intake (DMI); feeding ractopamine decreased (P < 0.02) DMI and increased (P < 0.03) G:F. Immunocastration decreased (P < 0.04) carcass and lean yields; feeding ractopamine increased (P < 0.04) carcass weights, lean yield, muscling, and longissimus shear force while decreasing (P < 0.01) backfats. Immunocastration did not affect loin pH, color, drip loss, and shear force. Timing for second Improvest dose did not affect most growth performance, carcass, and meat quality traits except for greater (P < 0.02) backfats when administering dose 8 wk pre-slaughter. Effects of immunocastration and (or) feeding ractopamine were relatively consistent in both genotypes evaluated.

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Replacing Soybean Meal with Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles plus Rumen-Protected Lysine and Methionine: Effects on Growth Performance, Nutrients Digestion, Rumen Fermentation, and Serum Parameters in Hu Sheep

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11082428 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 2428

Author(s):

Jiao Chen ◽

Xiaolin Niu ◽

Fei Li ◽

Fadi Li ◽

Long Guo

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Soybean Meal ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Rumen Fermentation ◽

Control Group ◽

Ruminal Fermentation ◽

Serum Parameters ◽

Distillers Dried Grains ◽

Hu Sheep ◽

Daily Gain

(1) Background: we investigated the influence of dietary soybean meal (SBM) replaced with distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) plus rumen-protected (RP) lysine and methionine on the growth performance, nutrients digestion, rumen fermentation, and serum parameters of Hu sheep. (2) Methods: ninety Hu sheep were allocated to five groups: the control group (CON) which received the SBM diet, the DDGS group (NSM), the DDGS diet with RP lysine group (DRPL), the DDGS diet with RP methionine group (DRPM), and the DDGS diet with a mixture of RP lysine and methionine group (DRPLM). (3) Results: Final BW and carcass weight of the DRPLM and CON groups were greater (p ≤ 0.05) compared to NSM, DRPL, and DRPM groups. The DRPLM group tended to increase the dry matter intake (DMI, p = 0.06), average daily gain (ADG, p = 0.06), dressing percentage (p = 0.07), and tail fat weight (p = 0.09). The DRPLM group had increased (p ≤ 0.05) apparent digestibility and had altered ruminal fermentation characteristics. (4) Conclusions: replacement of SBM with DDGS in a diet with adequate metabolizable protein and by-pass amino acids (lysine and methionine) could maintain the growth performance of Hu sheep.

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The “Criollo Negro de la Costa Ecuatoriana” pigs: effect of sex and rearing system on performance, carcass and meat traits

Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.5424/sjar/2016141-7681 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. e0601

Author(s):

Martín A. González ◽

Franklin R. Peláez ◽

Andrés L. Martínez ◽

Carmen Avilés ◽

Francisco Peña

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Mineral Composition ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Traits ◽

Morphometric Parameters ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Quality Traits ◽

Daily Gain

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of rearing system (confinement, C vs semi-confinement, SC) and sex (barrows vs females) on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality of “Criollo negro de la costa ecuatoriana” pigs. A total of 32 pigs, 16 barrows and 16 gilts were used. The average daily gain (0.30 kg/day vs 0.22 kg/day), slaughter weight (51.4 kg vs 43.1 kg), morphometric parameters and weights for the most valuable meat cuts were higher in C pigs than in SC pigs, whereas hot and cold carcass yields were higher in SC pigs than in C pigs. The loin and sirloin percentages from C pigs were lower and higher compared with those SC pigs, respectively. Carcass of C pigs showed higher percentage of fat and lower percentage of lean and bone that SC pigs. The rearing system had scarce effects on meat quality traits and mineral composition. Meat from C pigs showed lower scores for color, brightness, and unctuousness, and higher for metallist taste, juiciness and persistence of flavor than SC pigs. Few sensory attributes of cooking chops were affected by sex. Metallist taste was higher in barrows, while brightness and lard flavor were higher in females. It can be concluded that the rearing system had a significant effect on most of the productive and carcass traits, whereas its effect was limited on the meat traits. Sex had little influence on most of the traits studied.

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Effects of forage finishing methods with alfalfa on cattle growth performance and beef carcass characteristics, eating quality, and nutrient composition

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1139/cjas-2019-0121 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-19

Author(s):

C. Lafreniere ◽

R. Berthiaume ◽

L. Giesen ◽

C.P. Campbell ◽

L.M. Pivotto-Baird ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Monounsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Nutrient Composition ◽

Eating Quality ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Diet Management ◽

Daily Gain

Over 2 yr, yearling steers (n = 200) were used to evaluate growth performance, carcass, meat quality, and nutrient composition traits as affected by management regimen comparing three methods of forage finishing (alfalfa pasture, hay, and silage) versus a high corn diet. Management regimen × year interactions (P < 0.01) for average daily gain, dry matter intake, gain-to-feed, carcass weight, and grade fat were due to lower performance for hay-fed cattle in years 1 vs. 2. Carcass, meat quality, and taste panel traits were generally similar (P > 0.10) across method of forage finishing. Trained taste panels found longissimus muscle from grain-fed beef to be more (P < 0.01) tender, juicy, and flavourful than forage finished beef, with lower (P ≤ 0.05) ratings for tenderness and juiciness for hay- vs. silage-finished beef. Corn finished beef contained greater amounts of oleic and monounsaturated fatty acids and lower amounts of omega-3 and polyunsaturated fatty acids than forage finished beef (P ≤ 0.04). Although the method of forage finishing may not affect most performance, carcass, and meat quality (pH, colour, intramuscular fat content, and shear force) traits, there may be concerns with tenderness and juiciness for beef from cattle finished on alfalfa hay.

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Effects of replacement of alfalfa by big-leaf mulberry on growth performance, digestion and meat quality in growing rabbits

World Rabbit Science ◽

10.4995/wrs.2019.11529 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 199

Author(s):

X.Z Wu ◽

P.L. Yang ◽

X.H. Gao ◽

Z.G. Wen ◽

S.F. Dai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Ether Extract ◽

Body Weights ◽

Alfalfa Meal ◽

Effect Of Treatment ◽

Rabbit Meat ◽

Meat Samples ◽

Daily Gain

This study aimed to investigate the effect of sundried big-leaf mulberry (BLM) as a replacement for alfalfa on the growth performance, digestibility of nutrients, nitrogen (N) utilisation and meat quality in New Zealand White rabbits. One hundred and sixty weaned rabbits, aged 35±1 d and with a body weight of 755±26 g, were randomly assigned to the 4 treatments with 20 replicates of 2 rabbits (1 male and 1 female) each. Animal performance was evaluated between the 35th and 77th d of age in 40 animals per treatment. The coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients and N utilisation were measured between 77 to 83 d of age in 30 animals per treatment. The control rabbits were fed a corn-soybean meal-alfalfa meal based diet. The three experimental groups were fed a similar diet in which the alfalfa meal was replaced by 10% (BLM10), 20% (BLM20), or 30% (BLM30) BLM. The final body weights and average daily gain were higher (P<0.05) in BLM20 rabbits compared to control and BLM30 rabbits. Although BLM inclusion had no effects on the CTTAD of dry matter, organic matter and crude protein (P>0.10), the CTTAD of ether extract was higher in rabbits fed the diets based on BLM (P<0.05). No effect of treatment was noted on ingested and faecal N. Urinary (P<0.05) and retained N (P<0.10) were higher in animals fed with BLM30 and BLM20 diets, respectively. Dietary BLM supplementation increased a* (P<0.05) and tended to reduce L* (P<0.10) in rabbit meat samples. It was concluded that replacing alfalfa meal with BLM (20%) can promote growth and increase ether extract digestibility. Additionally, dietary BLM supplementation can increase the redness value of meat.

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