• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.8
• /
• pp.1137-1144
• /
• 2019

Objective: This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of Agave tequilana inulin and Lactobacillus casei (L. casei) on growth performace, hematological variables, serum metabolites, and total coliforms in nursing lambs. Methods: The experimental design was completely randomized; treatments were T1, control (pre-starter concentrate, PC), T2: T1+2% inulin, and T3: T1+2% inulin+L. casei; treatments were compared with Tukey test ($p{\leq}0.05$); and 45 new born $Kathadin{\times}Dorset lambs$ ($4.8{\pm}0.8kg$ birth weight) were the experimental units (15 per treatment). The variables were daily weight gain (DWG), dry matter intake and diarrheas incidence (%) during 56 d. Twenty-four hours after birth and at the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected to evaluate hematological variables and serum metabolites. Besides, the populations of total coliforms and lactobacilli were estimated in fecal samples. Results: Addition of agave inulin and L. casei increased ($p{\leq}0.05$) DWG 356, 384, and 415 g/d, weaning weight 24.92, 26.18, and 28.07 kg, as well as lactobacilli population 5.79, 6.32, and $6.48Log_{10}cfu/g$, for T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Lambs fed L. casei had decreased ($p{\leq}0.05$) populations of total coliforms (T1 = 6.18, T2 = 5.77, and $T3=5.07Log_{10}cfu/g$), diarrheas incidence (T1 = 11.67%, T2 = 8.33%, and T3 = 5.0%), and serum cholesterol concentration (11% in T2 and 13% in T3, compared to control). Conclusion: The combination of Agave tequilana inulin and L. casei increases weight gain and improves intestinal health by reducing coliforms and diarrheas incidence in $Katahdin{\times}Dorset$ lambs during the pre-weaning period.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.119-131
• /
• 2023

Objective: This study was to assess the effects of different doses of an essential oil blend (EOB) on growth performance, diarrhea occurrence (DO), hematological and blood biochemical profile, intestinal morphometry, morphology and microbiology, relative weight and length of organs, digestive content pH, and liver antioxidant status in weaning piglets. Methods: A total of 135 barrows (7.09±0.29 kg body weight) were allotted randomly in a randomized complete block design based on body weight with nine replications and three animals per pen. Dietary treatments were a negative control (NC): basal diet; positive control (PC): NC plus 125 mg performance-enhancing antibiotic (enramycin 8%)/kg diet; NC plus 100 mg EOB/kg diet (EO100); NC plus 200 mg EOB/kg diet (EO200); and NC plus 400 mg EOB/kg diet (EO400). Diarrhea occurrence was monitored daily, and performance at the end of each phase. Results: Gain to feed ratio was greater (p<0.05) in starter II pigs fed EO400 and EO200 than in those fed EO100. Pigs fed EO400 had lower (p<0.05) DO than those fed NC and EO100 in the total period. Pre-starter II pigs fed NC had (p<0.05) lower serum total protein and plasma protein than pigs fed PC. Pigs fed EO100 showed smaller (p<0.05) mean corpuscular volume (MCV) than pigs fed EO400. Starter II pigs fed EO400 had (p<0.05) greater MCV and lower mean corpuscular hemoglobin and erythrocytes than those fed EO100. There was a greater concentration (p<0.05) of band cells for PC, similar to EO400 and EO200. Performance-enhancing antibiotic and EOB to diets increased (p<0.05) liver superoxide dismutase activity. Conclusion: Adding 200 and 400 mg EOB/kg diet decreased DO and was advantageous to hematological and blood biochemical profile and liver antioxidant status without being detrimental to growth performance and gastrointestinal health in nursery pigs.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.45 no.5
• /
• pp.777-786
• /
• 2003

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementary Blended essential oil(CRINA$^{\circledR}$) on the performance, nutrient availability, fatty acid composition of leg muscle, small intestinal microflora and blood parameters in broiler chickens. One thousand unsexed day-old broiler chickens were assigned to five treatments : control(T1), 5ppm avilamycin(starter diet) & 5ppm flavomycin(grower diet) T2, 5ppm avilamycin(starter diet) & 50ppm CRINA$^{\circledR}$(grower diet) T3, 50ppm CRINA$^{\circledR}$(starter & grower diet) T4, 50ppm CRINA$^{\circledR}$+ 500ppm lactic acid$^{\circledR}$ (starter & grower diet) T5. Each treatment had four replications of 50 birds each. Growth performance was significantly improved by dietary supplements(T2-T5). There were no significant differences among treatment T2, T3, T4 and T5. Feed intake was not significantly different among treatments. Dietary supplementation of CRINA$^{\circledR}$(T3, T4, T5) resulted in significant(p〈0.05) improvement in feed/gain(F/G) during finishing period (4-5weeks). The birds fed CRINA$^{\circledR}$ supplemented diet(T4) showed significantly(p〈0.05) higher availability of crude fat, methionine and methionine + cystine than those fed antibiotics supplemented diet(T2). Mortality was not significantly affected by treatments. The colony forming unit(CFU) of E.coli in small intestinal content was significantly lower in antibiotics & CRINA$^{\circledR}$(T3) compared to CRINA$^{\circledR}$ treatment(T4)(P〈0.05). CFU of Cl. perfringens was low in CRINA$^{\circledR}$(T4) but not different significantly with other treatments. Serum triglyceride level of birds fed CRINA$^{\circledR}$ + lactic acid diet(T5) was significantly lower(p〈0.05) than those fed antibiotics supplemented diet(T2). Cholesterol level of the birds fed antibiotics(T2) or CRINA$^{\circledR}$ + lactic acid supplemented diet(T5) was significantly higher(p〈0.05) than other treatments. HDL level of birds fed control diet was significantly lower(p〈0.05) than that of others. The levels of serum IgG were not significantly different among treatments. Major fatty acids composition of leg muscle fat was significantly influenced by treatments. Control group showed significantly higher palmitic acid(C$_{16:0}$) and steraric acid(C$_{18:0}$) content than other treatments(p〈0.05). Content of oleic acid(C$_{18:1}$), however, was significantly lower in the control than others treatments. Content of linolenic acid(C$_{18:3}$) was significantly higher in CRINA$^{\circledR}$+ lactic acid(T5) than antibiotics & CRINA$^{\circledR}$(T3) treatments. Total saturated fatty acids content was higher and total unsaturated fatty acids were lower in the leg muscle fat of the control than that of other treatments. It is concluded that CRINA$^{\circledR}$ supplementation improved growth rate and F/G ratio in broilers. The combination of CRINA$^{\circledR}$ with either antibiotics or lactic acid did not show any additive or synergistic effects in broiler chickens .

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.569-576
• /
• 2007

Four hundred and fifty tilapias ($6.77{\pm}0.23$ g) were assigned randomly to six groups to evaluate the feasibility of the tested antibacterial peptides (ABPs) and oligosaccharides as substitutes for antibiotics. The control group was fed with a commercial tilapia diet; other five groups were fed with the same commercial diet supplemented with konjac glucomannan (KGLM), cluster bean galactomannan (CBGAM), and three animal intestinal ABPs derived from chicken, pig and rabbit at 100 mg/kg respectively. After 21 days of feeding, growth, disease resistance, and in vivo anti-adherence were determined. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of tested agents on adhesion of Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria (A.vbs) strain BJCP-5 to tilapia enteric epithelia in vitro was assessed by cell-ELISA system. As a result, the tested agents supplemented at 100 mg/kg show significant benefit to tilapia growth and disease resistance (p<0.05), and the benefit may be correlated with their interfering in the contact of bacteria with host mucosal surface. Although none of the tested agents did inhibit the growth of BJCP-5 in tryptic soy broth at $100{\mu}g/ml$, all of them did inhibit the adhesion of A.vbs to tilapia enteric epithelia in vivo and in vitro. In vitro mimic assays show that three ABPs at low concentrations of $25{\mu}g/ml$ and $2.5{\mu}g/ml$ have the reciprocal dose-dependent anti-adherence effect. The inhibition of ABPs may be correlated with a cation bridging and/or receptor-ligand binding, but not with hydrophobicity. The KGLM and CBGAM inhibited the adherence of BJCP-5 to tilapia enteric epithelia with dose-dependent manner in vitro, and this may be through altering bacterial hydrophobicity and interfering with receptor-ligand binding. Our results indicate that the anti-adherence of the tested ABPs and oligosaccharides may be one of the mechanisms in promoting tilapia growth and resistance to A.vbs.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.187-196
• /
• 2007

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary single or mixed supplementation of plant extract, fermented medicinal plants and Lactobacillus on performance, nutrient availability, blood characteristics, cecal microflora and intestinal digestive enzymes activity in broiler chickens and to prove the possibility of plant derived compounds and Lactobacillus as an antibiotic growth promoter alternative. A total of eight hundred forty, 1-d-old male broiler chicks (Ross strain) were randomly divided into 7 groups with 4 replicates of 30 birds each. The treatments were NC (antibiotic-free diet), PC (basal diet with 0.05% antibiotics and 0.03% anticoccidials), PE (basal diet with 0.1% plant extract), FMP (basal diet with 0.1% fermented medicinal plants), LB (basal diet with 0.1% probiotics), PE+LB (basal diet with 0.1% plant extract and 0.1% probiotics) and FMP+LB (basal diet with 0.1% fermented medicinal plants and 0.1% probiotics). The final body weight, body weight gain and feed conversion rate in all treated groups tended to be improved or significantly improved as compared to those of NC (P<0.05). PE was significantly high in the final body weight, body weight gain of all treated groups (P<0.05). But the growth performance was significantly lower in all treated groups except PE than PC (P<0.05). No synergic effect in growth performance was found when plant extracts and Lactobacillus were mixed and fed to broilers. The ratio of albumin to globulin was significantly lower in all groups than NC (P<0.05). And the stress indicator (lymphocyte/heterophil ratio) of NC was significantly reduced than other treatments (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed on the numbers of cecal microbes and Lactobacillus. The number of cecal E. coli and Salmonella in FMP and LB were significantly reduced (P<0.05). The activity of intestinal digestive enzymes except to sucrase of treated groups significantly decreased compare to those of controls (P<0.05). These results suggest the possibility that plant extracts and Lactobacillus could be used as the alternative of antibiotic growth promoters by improving the performance of broiler chicks.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.257-266
• /
• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Licorice has been shown to possess cancer chemopreventive effects. However, glycyrrhizin, a major component in licorice, was found to interfere with steroid metabolism and cause edema and hypertension. The roasting process of licorice modifies the chemical composition and converts glycyrrhizin to glycyrrhetinic acid. The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-carcinogenic effects of the ethanol extract of roasted licorice (EERL) and to identify the active compound in EERL. MATERIALS/METHODS: Ethanol and aqueous extracts of roasted and un-roasted licorice were prepared. The active fraction was separated from the methylene chloride (MC)-soluble fraction of EERL and the structure of the purified compound was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The anti-carcinogenic effects of licorice extracts and licochalcone A was evaluated using a MTT assay, Western blot, flow cytometry, and two-stage skin carcinogenesis model. RESULTS: EERL was determined to be more potent and efficacious than the ethanol extract of un-roasted licorice in inhibiting the growth of DU145 and MLL prostate cancer cells, as well as HT-29 colon cancer cells. The aqueous extracts of un-roasted and roasted licorice showed minimal effects on cell growth. EERL potently inhibited growth of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast, B16-F10 melanoma, and A375 and A2058 skin cancer cells, whereas EERL slightly stimulated the growth of normal IEC-6 intestinal epithelial cells and CCD118SK fibroblasts. The MC-soluble fraction was more efficacious than EERL in inhibiting DU145 cell growth. Licochalcone A was isolated from the MC fraction and identified as the active compound of EERL. Both EERL and licochalcone A induced apoptosis of DU145 cells. EERL potently inhibited chemically-induced skin papilloma formation in mice. CONCLUSIONS: Non-polar compounds in EERL exert potent anti-carcinogenic effects, and that roasted rather than un-roasted licorice should be favored as a cancer preventive agent, whether being used as an additive to food or medicine preparations.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.394-400
• /
• 2004

To investigate the efficacy of alternatives to antibiotics, the present study was conducted to compare the effects of antibiotic, lactic acid, a blend of commercial essential oils (EOs) and EOs in combination with lactic acid on growth performance and the functional activity of the gut in broiler chickens. A total of 168 broiler chickens were given the basal diet supplemented with 10 ppm colistin (T1), 0.1% lactic acid (T2), 25 ppm EOs (T3), 25 ppm EOs+0.1% lactic acid (T4), 50 ppm EOs (T5) or 50 ppm EOs+0.1% lactic acid (T6) in the period 3 to 35 days of age. As a result, the broiler chickens assigned to T4 group throughout the experimental period had apparently (p<0.05) greater body weight and total gain than these assigned to T1, T2, T3 and T5 groups. However, there was no difference in growth performance among the birds fed the diets supplemented with antibiotic (T1), lactic acid (T2) and EOs (T3 and T5) alone. The weights of digestive organs and the number of lactobacilli and E. coli in the lower ileum were not affected by dietary treatments. Total trypsin activity was significantly (p<0.05) greater in T4 than T1, T2, T3 and T5 groups. Total and specific pancreatic $\alpha$-amylase activities were significantly (p<0.05) enhanced in the broiler chickens fed T4 diet compared with these fed T1, T2 and T3 diets. However, there were no differences in growth performance and digestive enzyme activities including pancreatic trypsin and $\alpha$-amylase between T4 and T6 groups fed the diets supplemented with either low or high EOs levels in combination of lactic acid. In conclusion, a blend of commercial EOs combined with lactic acid showed significant increases in digestive enzyme activities of the pancreas and intestinal mucosa, leading to increase in growth performance.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.17 no.1 s.81
• /
• pp.110-115
• /
• 2007

It has been previously described that transcription factor early growth response gene product 1 (EGR-1) functions as a tumor suppressor gene. This study was conducted to demonstrate that EGR-1 induction by phytochemical apigenin and its derivative isovitexin can mediate the growth suppression of the intestinal epithelial tumor cells. Apigenin and isovitexin induced EGR-1 gene expression both in the dose and time-dependent manners. Moreover the induction was relatively late around 9-12 hr after treatment of HCT-116 cells, while several anti-inflammatory agent such as NSAIDS and catechins elicit the ECR-1 gene expression at much earlier time about 1-3 hr after treatment. In terms of signal transduction, ERK1/2 was critical for apigenin-induced EGR-1 gene expression and its promoter activation. When EGR-1 gene expression was blocked with EGR-1 small interference RNA, the cytotoxicity of apigenin in the human epithelial cells was attenuated, suggesting the involvement of EGR-1 in the anti-tumoric activity of apigenin. To link the EGR-1 induction to EGR-1-regulated gene products in colon cancer, NSAID-Activated Gene 1 (NAG-1) was demonstrated to be elevated by apigenin and isovitexin at 24-48 hr after treatment. Taken together, apigenin-activated ERK1/2 mediated EGR-1 gene induction, which was associated with suppression of the cellular viability by apigenin compound.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.34 no.12
• /
• pp.1951-1962
• /
• 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate single cell protein (SCP), produced from Methylococcus species, as a protein source on the growth performance, carcass traits and gut health of broiler chickens. Methods: Ten iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets containing 0 (Control), 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% SCP replacing either soybean meal (T₁ to T₅) or fish meal (T₆ to T₁₀) were formulated. Each diet prepared for starter (0 to 14 days), grower (15 to 21 days), and finisher (22 to 42 days) phases was offered to four replicates of 10 chicks each (n = 400). Growth performance at different phases and carcass characteristics and intestinal morphology on 42nd day of trial were measured. Results: Body weight gain in groups fed 2.5% and 5% SCP diets were comparable to control during different phases and cumulatively, however lower (p<0.01) in 7.5% and 10% SCP diets. Feed conversion ratio was better (p<0.01) in 2.5% and 5% SCP diets. Dressing percentage, abdominal fat percentage and meat:bone ratio were not affected (p>0.05) by SCP inclusion in the diets. However, breast percentage was higher (p<0.01) in 2.5% and 5% SCP groups and thigh percentage higher in 7.5% and 10% SCP groups. Total microbial count in duodenum, jejunum and ileum were not affected (p>0.05) by SCP inclusion up to 10% in diets. Duodenal villi length and crypt depth were highest (p<0.01) in group fed 5% SCP diets and lowest in group fed 10% SCP diets. Jejunal villi length and crypt depth as well as ileal villi length were lowest (p<0.01) in group fed 10% SCP diets. Body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio and gut health were better (p<0.01) in broilers fed fish meal based diets compared to soybean meal based diets. Conclusion: It was concluded that inclusion of SCP up to 5% replacing soybean meal in broiler diets is beneficial in improving growth rate, breast yield and gut health status.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.289-296
• /
• 2002

A broiler experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementing yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia pastoris) on the growth performance, small intestinal microflora and immune response in broiler chickens. One thousand hatched broiler chickens(Ross$^{(R)}$) were assigned to 6 treatments: control (basal diet), CTC; chlorotetracycline 100ppm, YC-SC; yeast culture(Saccharomyces cerevisiae) 0.3%, YC-PP; yeast culture(Pichia pastoris) 0.3%, RPPC-0.1; refined Pichia pastoris culture 0.1%, RPPC-0.3; refined Pichia pastoris culture 0.3%. There were no significant differences in growth, feed intake, feed efficiency and mortality among the treatments. However, chickens fed diets with yeast cultures showed numerically higher weight gain than those fed the control diets. Supplementation of yeast cultures and CTC improved feed efficiency and decreased mortality compared to control. Nutrient digestibilities were not affected by the dietary treatments. Total number of Lactobacilli in small intestine was higher while that of Cl. perfringens was lower with yeast culture treatments than control. Small intestine E. coli population of RPPC-0.3 treatment was significantly lower than that of the control. The serum IgG concentration tended to be higher in broilers fed yeast cultures than those fed the control and CTC diet. In conclusion, the supplementation of yeast culture products showed, although not significant but, numerical advantages in productivity and profile of microbial flora and serum IgG compared to the control and CTC supplementation.