Effect of Storage Time On the Hatchability of Eggs of Two-Line Dual-Purpose Combination for Production of Male Chickens for Meat

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of the storage time on the hatching traits of eggs obtained from a two-line dual-purpose combination for production of male chickens that will be utilized for meat. The trial was carried out in the experimental poultry farm of the Institute of Animal Science-Kostinbrod, with a total of 150 Lohmann Brown Classic layers, at the age of 54 weeks. Hatching eggs were gathered for three weeks and were stored for 5, 10 and 15 days at 15-18°C ambient temperature prior incubation. The storage time had no effect on the fertility of the set eggs, however, it adversely affected the hatchability. Prolonged storage led to significant decline in the total hatchability (P=0.0027) and the hatchability of the fertile eggs (P<0.0001) which was lowest after 15 days of storage prior incubation. The viability of the chickens was influenced by the storage of the eggs prior incubation (P<0.0001), and decreased considerably when the chicks were hatched from eggs stored for 15 days.

Performance and Blood Metabolites of Growing Pigs Fed Paniculum Miliaceum Diet

During 30 days, the effects of millet grain regimen on performance indicators and blood metabolites in growing pigs were studied. A total of 40 Topigs pigs with similar age (81±3d) and weight (13.58±0.36 kg) were divided into two groups: control (C), based on the corn-triticale (25%)-soybean meal and experimental (M, where the millet replaces triticale). The production parameters and plasma samples were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Spotchem EZ SP-4430 analyzer from Arkray-Japan was used to assess the blood lipid, protein, enzyme, and mineral profiles. We noticed that the M diet maintains appropriate performance (33.22 vs. 31.30 final BW; 0.646 vs. 0.608 average daily gain; 1.39 vs. 1.29 average daily feed intake and, respectively 0.46 vs. 0.47 Gain: Feed ratio) and plasma metabolic profile with the C diet (P>0.05). In conclusion, the 25% millet added to the growing pigs' diet did not affect the performance indicators or body health.

Camelina Meal and Chromium Picolinate Effects on Broiler Thigh Meat Nutritional Properties

The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of trivalent chromium and camelina meal on proximate composition, mineral content and fatty acids profile of broiler chicken thigh meat. An experiment with 2 x 3 factorial arrangement was performed on 240 Ross 308 broiler chicken aged 14 days. Six dietary treatments were elaborated as follows: 0 and 3% inclusion rate of Camelina meal and 0, 200 and 400 μg/kg chromium picolinate (CrPic). Supplementation of broiler diets with 3% Camelina meal led to significantly (P<0.05) increased crude fat concentrations in thigh samples compared to control group or with single chromium supplemented groups. In thigh samples, Zn and Fe concentrations increased under CrPic influence and fatty acids profile was influenced by Camelina meal presence in the diets. In Camelina meal supplemented groups, were registered significantly increased omega 3 fatty acids concentrations compared to control group or single chromium supplemented groups. The results of the present study found that Camelina meal and chromium picolinate supplements in broilers diets improved the nutritional properties of thigh meat, especially essential minerals content and fatty acids profile.

Effect of Temperature-Humidity-Index on Milk Performances of Local Born Holstein Dairy Cows Under Saharan Climate

The objective is to study the effect of heat stress on milk yield (MY) relative to milking records (n=18178) of native Holsteins (n=187), in the region of Ghardaia, according to periods of HS, using the temperature-humidity index (THI). With THI >72 during 07 months in the study area, which significantly (P<0.001) decrease the MY (-15.5% corresponding to 21.73 kg). Also, calving periods led to a significant drop (P < 0.001) in overall MY (7030.35 kg) of the order of (-14.6%), and over the lactation length (353.43 d), which explains 41% of the variations in MY. In addition, the non-significant effect (P=0.212) of the lactation range on the increase in MY, moreover, the lactation length shows a non-significant (P = 0.108) decrease (-4.68%) during heat stress (HS). Furthermore, the significant effect (P <0.001) of the interaction (Milking frequency × THI) on MY, when THI variates from < 74 to > 84, with regression of (-16.82% and -08.82%) of the MF (2X and 3X), respectively. Again, the NH cow is less sensitive to hyperthermia, so THI explains only 2% of the variation in MY levels. Thus, NH in arid regions have the ability to acclimatize to Saharan environmental conditions.

Effects of High Fiber Ingredients with Enzyme/Phytoadditive Addition on Laying Hens Productive Performances, Egg Nutritional Quality and Intestinal Morphology

Fibre inclusion in laying hen diets it is considered a solution to reduce feed formulation costs by improving nutrients absorption and metabolization within the gastrointestinal tract. A 5-wk study was conducted on 200, Tetra SL layers (28 weeks) randomly allocated in 5 groups (C, E1, E2, E3, E4, respectively), with initial average weights of 1732.26±109.35 g/hen, housed (4 hens/cage; 10 cages/group; 40 hens/group). All groups had the same basic feed compound structure (corn, oil, soybean meal and sunflower meal). The conventional diet (C group) contained 2780 kcal/kg Metabolizable energy (ME); 17.5% Crude protein (CP); 4.39% Crude fibre (CF). The experimental diets added 16.56% sunflower meal and 20% rice bran, increasing the dietary cellulose up to 7%. The fibre digestibility was improved using on E2 (0.015% enzyme); E3 (0.015% phytoadditive) and E4 (0.015% enzyme + 0.015% phytoadditive). The high fibre diets had no negative impact on productive performances and egg quality parameters. Yolk cholesterol significantly decreased (P<0.05) on E1, E3 and E4 groups compared to C, E2 groups. Villi height increased significantly (P<0.05) on E2 group compared to all other groups. In conclusion, the high dietary crude fibre (7%), additional enzymes/phyto additives, can improve the nutrient digestibility and intestinal morphology with beneficial effects on health and egg quality.

Nitrous Oxide Prediction in Manure from Pigs Given Mustard x Grapeseed Oil Cakes as a Replacement for Sunflower Meal

During the last century, the emission of nitrous oxide (N2O) from the livestock sector increased significantly. N2O is a greenhouse gas with 298-fold higher global warming potential (GWP) than CO2. Pigs accounted for about 26% of N2O emissions. The formation of N2O occurs through nitrification and denitrification processes in manure. This study aimed to estimate N2O production in the manure of growing-finishing pigs by using our experimental data in the model. The associative effects of dietary mustard and grapeseed oil cakes (MxG), as an alternative for sunflower meal (SFM), on performance and efficiency traits were also determined. Forty growing-finishing pigs were randomly allocated in two groups (2 replicates per group) fed two diets: C diet (based on SFM, 15 wt) and E diet (based on M and G mixture, 7:8 wt:wt). Our model includes as initial input data: body weight (BW), feed intake, nitrogen intake, dietary dry matter, and fibre intake. Using literature prediction equations, including total nitrogen output (TNO) as the main parameter, we established N2O production expressed as equivalent CO2 (E-CO2). A decline with 3% for BW (P=0.44), respectively 9.0% for average daily gain (ADG, P=0.21) in pigs given MxG was recorded. Correlated with growth parameters, efficiency traits (feed intake, feed: gain ratio, N and fibre intake) were decreased as well (P>0.05). Dietary addition of MxG led to a 5% lower level of N2O production in manure. The reduction of TNO was not significant (<7.14% in the E diet compared to the C diet). In our trial, a relatively low N intake percentage is retained in the pigs body (35.56% in the C group and 35.98% in the E group, P>0.05). Based on these results, we conclude that the inclusion of 15% MxG mixture in pigs diets, although slightly declining growth parameters, is a valuable nutritional solution by their contribution to lowering N2O and N output in the manure.

Estimation the Genetic Parameters for Milk Yield in Romanian Spotted, Simmental Type Cattle Breed

The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters for test-day traits milk yield and the breeding value in Romanian Spotted, Simmental type cattle. Random regression test-day animal model was used to estimate the genetic parameters. The number of records were 2062 test-day from 302 cows. The data were obtained from Romanian Breeding Association Romanian Spotted, Simmental type. The heritability estimates values for milk yield ranged between 0.377 and 0.417. The heritability for fat test-day yield in our study was low the values ranged between 0.117 and 0.236 and for protein test-day yield was medium, the values ranged between 0.308 and 0.372. The breeding value for the best ten cows for milk yield ranged from 1946.57 to 3250.38 kg, for fat yield were between 64.92 and 98.86 kg and for protein ranged from 67.26 to 102.21 kg. The correlations between test-day milk yields ranging from 0.28 to 1. Genetic correlations between test day fat and protein yields were high.

Evaluation of the Effect of Synbiotic in Piglets’ Diet on the Nutritional Quality of Pork

The purpose of the study was to increase the nutritional quality of pork, and to investigate the effect of the synbiotic on the oxidative stability of lipid. A 4 weeks experiment was performed on 8 weaned piglets (age 47 days, TOPIGS), divided into 2 groups (C, E). The control group (C) received a conventional diet, while the experimental group (E) included a diet supplemented with organic Zn and 10 g/kg synbiotic mixture. The productive parameters were evaluated. After slaughtered, muscle (tenderloin, shoulder, loin, ham and belly) and organs samples (liver, spleen and kidney) were collected. The muscle and organs samples were analysed regarding the proximate chemical analysis (dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, and ash). The antioxidant capacity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were performed on shoulder and ham samples at first day of the trial, 4 and 7 days after refrigeration. The crude fat determined in the loin samples, recorded a significant increase in the E group compared to the C group. The ash was higher in the shoulder samples from C group than in E group. At 7 days of refrigeration, the MDA concentration was significantly lower in the shoulder and ham samples from E group than those from C group. The conclusion was that the diet supplemented with organic Zn and 10 g/kg synbiotic mixture contributed to the delay of the lipid oxidation process of the shoulder and ham samples during the refrigeration period.

The Effects and Mechanisms of Action of Zearalenone in Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Fusariotoxins are fungal secondary metabolites produced mainly by Fusarium and Giberella species, zearalenone (ZEA) being one of the most widespread members of this class. Exposure to ZEA affects the health of animals and humans, predominantly by disrupting the activity of the reproductive system due to its structural resemblance to estrogen, but it also affects other systems such as the digestive, nervous and immune systems. The main route through which ZEA enters the body is by ingestion, the intestinal epithelium being the first tissue exposed to the toxin. The intestinal barrier not only has a mechanical role in defending the body, it is also able to secrete effector molecules involved in the immune and inflammatory response such as cytokines. In this in vitro study, performed on the line Caco-2, the effects of ZEA on inflammation of the intestinal epithelium were studied by quantifying gene expression and protein concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8. Also, the mechanism of inflammation that ZEA can affect at intestinal level was investigated by monitoring the level of mRNA and the protein expression of the nuclear receptors NF-κB and Nrf-2. The results of this study demonstrate that ZEA has an anti-inflammatory character on human intestinal epithelial cells Caco-2, reducing the gene expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8. Also, ZEA led to a decrease in the protein concentration of IL-6 and IL-8. The anti-inflammatory response seems to be induced by modulation of gene and protein expresion of NF-κB and Nrf-2 nuclear receptors.

Evaluation of Lactobacillus spp. Based on Phenotypical Profile as Direct-Fed Microbial Candidate for Poultry Nutrition

The present study was conducted to isolate, identify and characterize a lactic acid bacteria strain from turkey ileum content (46-day-old). The new strain was phenotypical confirmed as Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) and conserved under the code IBNA 09. Bacterial profile of L. acidophilus was compared with other strains known as L. paracasei CCM 1837 and L. plantarum ATCC 8014, based on cultural, morphological, biochemical and enzymatic activity (amylase and cellulase). The strains appear as Gram positive bacilli, thin, non-spore-forming, isolated, diplo form, in short chains or in small irregular piles on Man Rogosa and Sharp (MRS) broth and agar medium. The identification and biochemical traits were performed by catalase assay, API 50 CHL V 5.1 soft (L. acidophilus biotype 2, 99.9% ID; good identification to the genus L. paracasei spp. paracasei 1 or 3, 48-51% ID; L. plantarum 1, 99.9% ID) and ABIS online (L. acidophilus ~ 88%; L. paracasei spp. paracasei, ~ 90%; L. plantarum, ~91%). The highest total score of extracellular amylase activity was recorded by L. acidophilus IBNA 09 at 24-48 h (5.10 ± 0.176 U/mL, 4.99 ± 0.409 U/mL), follow by L. paracasei CCM 1837(0.12 ± 0.002 U/mL, 0.15 ± 0.001 U/mL). During entire period, cellulase production was observed only for L. acidophilus (0.28 ± 0.019 U/mL), comparative with L. paracasei where the activity was observed in the first 24 h, respectively at 72 h for L. plantarum. These results suggest that L. acidophilus IBNA 09 possesses potential probiotic traits as a suitable candidate for amylase and cellulase production, and starter culture can improve cereal fermentation and the process of digestion in poultry nutrition.