New Pellet Feeds for Rabbits with a High Content of Nutrients and With the Addition of Dietary Supplements

This research presented the pellet feed production line. Three pellet feed formulasfor young stock rabbits (28-135 days old) were developed with the addition of experimental dietary supplements grouped into the following protein green complexes (PGC):PGC-92-1including thе following supplements- dried herbal pulp from red clover, herbal alfalfa meal, and Sporotherminprobiotic; PGC-92-2 including the following supplements - protein feed concentrate from wheat stillage filtrate (syrup), herbal alfalfa meal, and Sporothermin probiotic; PGC-92-3 including the following supplements – PGC from red clover, herbal alfalfa meal,andSporothermin probiotic. These were compared with feed formulated without dietary supplements (PGC-92 (Control)). The nutritional value of the concentrate feeds met the requirements assigned for this group of animals. The storage of the formulatedconcentrate feeds took place in industrial conditions (the floor store) in paper bags of 30 kg per group at the temperature of 18-20 ∘C and the relative humidity of 65-70%. Due to itsmoisture content exceeding the standard requirements, the check concentrate feed (Control) revealed a higher content of fungal and bacterial microflora. The fat acidityvalue and the total acidity increased, which indicated the instability of this batch of concentrate feed during storage. The experimental batches of concentrate feed had a stablequality and retained good quality throughout the testing period. The testing of the effects of the studied complexes in fattening young stock rabbits was carried out on the premises of the Lipetsk Rabbit LLC industrial complex with 2000 rabbits. The use ofall-in-onepellet feedsformulated with the addition ofdietary supplements made it possible to increase the slaughter yield by 3.62%, 4.45% and 3.96%, while reducing feed intake per 1 kg of slaughter mass by 0.72 ECU, 0.38 ECU and 0.88 ECU. There was an increase in profit of 17725.25rubles, 16114.38 rubles and 14168.55 rubles, and an increase in the level of profitability by 45.93%, 41.26% and 31.24%, which resulted from a highersafety andgrowth performance of the raised rabbits. Keywords: concentrate feeds, pellet feeds, dietary supplements, protein green complex, feed for rabbits, growth performance

Fermented Alfalfa Meal Instead of “Grain-Type” Feedstuffs in the Diet Improves Intestinal Health Related Indexes in Weaned Pigs

Corn and soybean meal are the two main components in formula feed of farm animals, leading to a serious food competition between humans and livestock. An alternative may be to encourage the utilization of unconventional feedstuff in animal diet. In the current study, we evaluated the utilization of fermented alfalfa meal (FAM) in weaned pigs. Twenty weaned piglets (separately caged) were randomly divided into two groups. Pigs in the control group (CON) were fed corn-soybean meal diet, and part of corn and soya protein concentrate in the diet of another group was replaced by 8% FAM. After 40 days of feeding, the average feed intake of FAM pigs was increased (P > 0.05), and the villus height (VH) of jejunum and duodenum, crypt depth (CD), and VH/CD in FAM pigs was improved compared to the CON group (P < 0.05). The increase (P < 0.05) of goblet cells in the jejunum of FAM pigs was positively correlated with the expression of MUC-2 gene (R = 0.9150). The expression of genes related to immunity (IRAK4, NF-κB, and IL-10) and intestinal barrier (Occludin and MUC-2) in the jejunum, as well as the expression of ZO-1 and MUC-2 in the colon of these pigs, also showed increase (P < 0.05) compared to CON pigs, which was accompanied by the decrease (P < 0.05) of LPS concentration in the serum. The elevated proportion of CD3+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte subsets in spleen (P < 0.05) confirmed the improvement of systemic immune function in FAM pigs. In addition, FAM pigs have a higher β-diversity of microbial community (P < 0.05) and promoted enrichment of probiotics such as Lactobacillus that positively was correlated with acetate concentration in the colon over CON pigs. In summary, partially replacement of expanded corn and soya protein concentrate with FAM (8%) may benefit the intestinal barrier and immune function of weaned pigs without affecting their growth. Our findings also provide evidence of the feasibility of FAM as a dietary component in pigs to reduce the consumption of grain.

Herbal Plants as Feed Additives in Broiler Chicken Diets

This study evaluated the effect of some herbal plants as natural feed additives on broiler production parameters, carcass parts, and breast meat quality. A total of 150 broiler chicks, Cobb 500 hybrid, were allocated to five treatments with 30 broilers /group, for 42 days. The experimental treatments were: Control (C); a diet containing 5% alfalfa meal (A); a diet containing 5% alfalfa meal and 1% basil (AB); a diet containing 5% alfalfa and 1% thyme (AT) and a diet containing 5% alfalfa and 1% sage (AS). Bodyweight was significantly (P<0.05) affected in AS group compared with C and A groups. Feed conversion ratio was significantly higher only in A and AB groups. Experimental groups had significantly greater (P<0.05) gizzard weight. The total polyphenols content and the antioxidant capacity were significantly (P<0.05) higher in AB, AT, and AS groups versus the C group. The cholesterol concentration was significantly (P<0.05) decreased in AB, AT, and AS meat samples compared with C and A samples. Instrumental colour measurements indicated significant alterations (P<0.05) among the groups regarding the values of L*, a*, b*, H°, C*, and ΔE*. The texture analysis showed that hardness, gumminess, and chewiness were significantly (P<0.05) higher in AB, AT, and AS groups than in C and A groups.

62 Feeding Chicory-plantain Silage and Se-yeast to Lactating Ewes Subjected to Intramammary Infection: Effect on the Immune System

The objective was to test the effect on the immune status by feeding a combination of chicory-plantain and Se-yeast in lactating ewes subjected to intramammary infection (IMI) with 2×107CFU of Strep uberis in both glands. For the purpose we enrolled 28 Polypay lactating sheep from a prior study where they were randomly allocated to receive chicory (CS) or grass (GC) silage and either 3.6 mg of Se/day as Se-yeast (DiaMune, Diamond V) (Y) or isoenergetic-isonitrogenous alfalfa meal (C) for 2 months. For the present study, ewes were kept on the original dietary regiment except the CT group received a chicory-plantain silage(50% each). Blood was collected prior to and for 10 days after IMI for a complete blood count(VetScan HM5), leukocytes migration, and rectal temperature (RT). Data were analyzed using GLIMMIX (SAS)with time, silage type, and Se and their interactions as the fixed effects and ewe as random effect with significance declared at P ≤ 0.05. RT was lower in chicory vs. grass before IMI and Se limited the RT increase after IMI. Total WBC levels tended (P = 0.06) to increase in animals fed with Se after IMI, which was driven by a larger number of lymphocytes. Hematocrit, red blood cells, and hemoglobin were strongly decreased by IMI. The mean cell volume was overall larger in ewes fed with chicory-plantain silage while mean cell hemoglobin was larger in animal fed with grass silage. The platelet distribution width was affected by silage*Se interaction due to a positive effect by Se in grass-fed but negative in chicory-plantain-fed ewes. Migration of neutrophils was larger in animals fed with chicory-plantain before IMI but similar between groups after IMI. Overall, these findings indicate that Se supplementation can increase lymphocytes with no effect on neutrophils while activity of neutrophils is positively affected by feeding chicory-plantain silage.

Influences of different sources and levels of crude fiber on performances, fatty acids profile and carcass traits in growing-fattening pigs’ diet

The present study has investigated the potential of including different sources and levels of fiber (6.5% and 7.5%) in growing-fattening pigs’ diet. The nine weeks feeding trial was conducted on nine hybrids TOPIGS castrated males with an initial average weight of 25.25±2.11 kg, randomly assigned to 3 experimental groups with 3 replicates per group. The control group (C) was fed with a corn, wheat and soybean basal diet and it was characterized by 3.5% crude fiber (CF), the experimental groups E1 had 6.5% CF (4% alfalfa meal and 12.36 % sunflower meal) and E2 had 7.5% (6% alfalfa and 18.38% sunflower meal) decreasing the dietary rate inclusion of soybean meal from C (21.42% soybean meal). Bodyweight (initial, final), average daily feed intake (ADFI), leftovers were registered and average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated during the experiment. At the end of the study, the pigs were slaughtered for the determination of carcass traits and meat quality parameters. The productive performances were not influenced by the source or level of the fiber content. The saturated fatty acid (SFA) values were significantly different (P<0.05) in E1 group for shoulder and belly samples compared to C and for breast samples on E2. Higher MUFA concentrations significantly different (P<0.05) were noticed for ham, sirloin, rack, shoulder, breast on E1. PUFA, Ω:6 concentration shown significant differences (P<0.05) within E2 to all meat samples collected, except the neck. The best carcass classification results were recorded in the E1 with 6.5% cellulose (50% Class S and 50% Class E) according to the SEUROP system classification. The study concluded that the dietary percentages of alfalfa meal and sunflower meal did not compromise productive performances but the average muscle thickness and meat percentage registered lower values compared with group C. Further studies with the same raw materials but changing the inclusion percentages should have experimented with emphasis on carcass traits results.

Consumption of Dietary Fiber from Different Sources during Pregnancy Alters Sow Gut Microbiota and Improves Performance and Reduces Inflammation in Sows and Piglets

ABSTRACT In pregnant and lactating sows, metabolism and immunity undergo drastic changes, which can lead to constipation, abortion, and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and reduce production performance. Dietary fiber can regulate animal gut microbiota, alleviate inflammatory responses, and improve performance. Here, 48 sows (Large × Landrace) were randomly allocated to groups including, control, and with alfalfa meal (AM), beet pulp, and soybean skin dietary supplementation for 60 days of gestation. The AM diet decreased IUGR, increased food intake during lactation, and promoted the reproductive performance and physical condition of sows. Further, the AM diet significantly reduced markers of intestinal permeability (reactive oxygen species and endotoxin) in sow serum, and of systemic inflammation (interleukin-6 [IL-6] and tumor necrosis factor alpha) in sow feces and serum, as well as piglet serum, while it increased the anti-inflammatory marker, IL-10, in sow serum and feces. The AM diet also significantly affected gut microbiota by increasing the relative abundance of proinflammatory bacteria, while decreasing anti-inflammatory bacteria. Moreover, the total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content was higher in feces from sows fed an AM diet, with butyric acid content significantly higher during lactation, than in controls. Sow performance was correlated with intestinal permeability, inflammation, and gut microbiota, which were also vertically transmitted to piglets. Our results are significant for guiding feed management in the pig breeding industry. Further, the “sows to piglets” model provides a reference for the effect of dietary fiber on the gastrointestinal function of human mothers and infants. IMPORTANCE Although the direct effects of dietary fiber on gut microbiota composition have been studied extensively, systematic evaluation of different fiber sources on gut health and inflammatory responses of sows and their offspring has rarely been conducted. Excessive reactive oxygen species produced by overactive metabolic processes during late pregnancy and lactation of sows leads to increased endotoxin levels, disordered gut microbiota, decreased SCFA production, and secretion of proinflammatory factors, which in turn causes local inflammation of the gut, potential damage of the gut microbial barrier, increased gut permeability, increased blood endotoxin levels (resulting in systemic inflammation), and ultimately decreased sow and piglet performance. Our results showed that supplementation of the diet with alfalfa meal in mid and late pregnancy can reverse this process. Our findings lay a foundation for improving the gut health of sows and piglets and provide insights into the study of the gastrointestinal tract function in human mothers and infants.

Effects of dietary supplementation of alfalfa meal and rice bran on growth performance, carcass characteristics and intestinal microbiota in broilers

The composition of gastrointestinal tract microbiota can be changed by dietary manipulation, to prevent gut health issues and to promote animal performance. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of rice bran and alfalfa meal on growth performance and intestinal microbiota in broilers. A total of 252 Cobb 500 broilers, aged 14 days, were randomly assigned into 3 groups: control (CON), 5 % rice bran (RB), 5 % alfalfa meal (AM), and housed in an environment-controlled hall 42 days. Throughout the experimental period, grow performance parameters were monitored and at the end relative weights of internal organs were measured. Samples of intestinal content were collected for bacteriological determinations. Feed intake, daily weight gain and viability were not significantly affected by the dietary supplements. Alfalfa meal and rice bran decreased the populations of Escherichia coli and staphylococci in small intestine content, and Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli and staphylococci in caecal content of broilers. The count of lactobacilli in both small intestine and caecal content registered a significantly increase in experimental groups, compared to CON group. Supplementation of diets with rice bran and alfalfa meal tended to increase the population of beneficial bacteria and inhibit the potential pathogens.

Thicker Shell Eggs with Enriched N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Lower Yolk Cholesterol Contents, as Affected by Dietary Nettle (Urtica cannabina) Supplementation in Laying Hens

The nettle Urticacannabina (U.cannabina) is not only a functional edible food for humans but also a potential alternative feed resource for poultry, providing protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary U.cannabina on the production of high-quality eggs with enriched n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and lower cholesterol contents. One hundred and twenty laying hens were assigned to three groups [control, 15% alfalfa meal supplementation (TRTA), and 15% U.cannabina supplementation (TRTU)]. The results showed that the feed intake, yolk color, and shell thickness were increased (p < 0.05) in the U.cannabina group. Moreover, cholesterol contents of the yolk and serum were lower in the U.cannabina group (p < 0.05). The total n-3 PUFA concentration in the yolk was increased while the ratio of n-6/n-3 was reduced in the U.cannabina group (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of U.cannabina increased shell thickness, yolk n-3 PUFA levels, and yolk color, and reduced cholesterol contents of the yolk and serum without any negative impacts on health or laying performance.