• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제32권6호
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• pp.776-782
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• 2019

Objective: Fasting may lead to changes in the microbiota and activity in the rumen. In the present study, the effects of fasting on rumen microbiota and the impact of fasting on in vitro rumen fermentation were evaluated using molecular culture-independent methods. Methods: Three ruminally cannulated Holstein steers were fed rice straw and concentrates. The ruminal fluids were obtained from the same steers 2 h after the morning feeding (control) and 24 h after fasting (fasting). The ruminal fluid was filtrated through four layers of muslin, collected for a culture-independent microbial analysis, and used to determine the in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics. Total DNA was extracted from both control and fasting ruminal fluids. The rumen microbiota was assessed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Microbial activity was evaluated in control and fasting steers at various intervals using in vitro batch culture with rice straw and concentrate at a ratio of 60:40. Results: Fasting for 24 h slightly affected the microbiota structure in the rumen as determined by DGGE. Additionally, several microorganisms, including Anaerovibrio lipolytica, Eubacterium ruminantium, Prevotella albensis, Prevotella ruminicola, and Ruminobacter amylophilus, decreased in number after fasting. In addition, using the ruminal fluid as the inoculum after 24 h of fasting, the fermentation characteristics differed from those obtained using non-fasted ruminal fluid. Compared with the control, the fasting showed higher total gas production, ammonia, and microbial protein production (p<0.05). No significant differences, however, was observed in pH and dry matter digestibility. Conclusion: When in vitro techniques are used to evaluate feed, the use of the ruminal fluid from fasted animals should be used with caution.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제34권7호
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• pp.1157-1168
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different amounts of wheat bran (WB) inclusion and postbiotics form by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and phytase co-fermented wheat bran (FWB) on the growth performance and health status of broilers. Methods: Study randomly allocated a total of 300 male broilers to a control and 4 treatment groups (5% WB, 5% FWB, 10% WB, and 10% FWB inclusion, respectively) with each pen having 20 broilers and 3 pens per treatment. Results: The WB does not contain enzymes, but there are 152.8, 549.2, 289.5, and 147.1 U/g dry matter xylanase, protease, cellulase and β-glucanase in FWB, respectively. Furthermore, FWB can decrease nitric oxide release of lipopolysaccharide stimulated chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells by about two times. Results show that 10% FWB inclusion had significantly the highest weight gain (WG) at 1 to 21 d; 5% FWB had the lowest feed conversion rate at 22 to 35 d; 10% WB and 10% FWB inclusion have the highest villus height and Lactobacillus spp. number in caecum; and both 5% and 10% FWB can increase ash content in femurs. Compared to control group, all treatments increase mucin 2, and tight junction (TJ), such as occludin, claudin-1, zonula occludens-1, and mRNA expression in ileum by at least 5 folds. In chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase-1 mRNA expression decreases from 2 to 5 times, and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit mRNA expression also increases in all treatment groups compared to control group. The mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), nuclear factor-κB, and IL-1β, decreases in 5% and 10% FWB groups compared to control group. Conclusion: To summarize, both WB and FWB inclusion in broilers diets increase TJ mRNA expression and anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation, but up to 10% FWB groups have better WG in different stages of broiler development.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제18권5호
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• pp.649-660
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• 2005

The effects of Lactobacillus buchneri 40788 and buffered propionic acid on preservation, intake and digestibility of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and timothy (Phleum pratense) hay were investigated. During baling, forages were treated with L. buchneri 40788 (1.2${\times}$10$^6$ CFU/g) as a liquid (LLB) or as a granular preparation (GLB), with buffered propionic acid (10 mL/kg, BPA), or left untreated (control). Triplicate 500 kg round bales of each treatment were put up at two moisture levels for each forage: 17%${\pm}$0.33% and 20%${\pm}$0.30% for timothy and 17%${\pm}$0.20% and 19%${\pm}$0.27% for alfalfa (mean${\pm}$SD). Bales were sampled for chemical and microbiological analyses after 0, 30 and 60 d of storage. Compared to controls, all preservatives reduced (p<0.05) heating of both forages at all moisture levels with the exception of alfalfa baled at 19% moisture. After 60 d of storage, GLB reduced (p<0.05) moulds in 17% timothy hay as compared to other treatments, but at 20% moisture, moulds were reduced in LLB- and BPA-treated timothy as compared to controls. In alfalfa at 17% moisture, total bacteria were lower (p<0.05) in GLB-treated bales than LLB or control bales, but yeast and total bacteria were only reduced in BPA-treated alfalfa at 19% moisture. In situ DM disappearance of timothy (both moisture levels) and alfalfa (19% moisture level) increased (p<0.05) with LLB treatment compared to control. Digestibility of both forages did not differ (p>0.05) among treatments, however, voluntary DM intake of LLB-treated timothy (1.32 kg/d) was 22.3% higher (p<0.05) than control, and 14.1% higher than BPA-treated timothy. Treating timothy and alfalfa hay with L. buchneri 40788 or buffered propionic acid may improve the nutritive value of the hay when baled at 17 to 20% moisture.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.375-382
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• 2014

The competency of garlic and pennywort to improve broiler chicken growth and influence intestinal microbial communities and fatty acid composition of breast meat were studied. Two hundred forty, "day-old" chicks were randomly allocated to 4 treatment groups consisting of 6 replications of 10 chicks in each pen. The groups were assigned to receive treatment diets as follows: i) basal diet (control), ii) basal diet plus 0.5% garlic powder (GP), iii) basal diet plus 0.5% pennywort powder (PW) and iv) 0.002% virginiamycin (VM). Birds were killed at day 42 and intestinal samples were collected to assess for Lactobacillus and Escherichia coli. The pectoralis profundus from chicken breast samples was obtained from 10 birds from each treatment group on day 42 and frozen at $-20^{\circ}C$ for further analyses. Fatty acid profile of breast muscles was determined using gas liquid chromatography. Feed intake and weight gain of broilers fed with GP, PW, and VM were significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to control. Feeding chicks GP, PW, and VM significantly reduced Escherichia coli count (p<0.05) while Lactobacillus spp count were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the gut when compared to control group on day 42. Supplemented diet containing pennywort increased the C18:3n-3 fatty acid composition of chickens' breast muscle. Garlic and pennywort may be useful in modulating broiler guts as they control the enteropathogens that help to utilize feed efficiently. This subsequently enhances the growth performances of broiler chickens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.224-230
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• 2006

Japanese Quails were used to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with vitamin E (dl-a-tocopheryl-acetate), lycopene, and their combination on egg production, egg quality, concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), vitamin E, A and cholesterol in serum and egg yolk. Quails (n = 120; 55 d old) were divided into four groups (n = 30/group) and fed a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with lycopene (100 mg/kg diet), vitamin E (250 mg dl-${\alpha}$-tocopheryl-acetate/kg diet) or a combination of lycopene and vitamin E (100 mg/kg lycopene plus 250 mg dl-${\alpha}$-tocopheryl-acetate/kg diet). Vitamin E and lycopene did not affect (p>0.05) body weight, feed intake or egg weight. Egg production and Haugh unit were greater (p<0.05) in each supplemental group compared with the control group (p<0.05). Serum and liver MDA levels were decreased in supplemented groups compared with the control group. Separately or as a combination, supplemental lycopene and vitamin E increased serum and egg yolk vitamin E and A but decreased cholesterol concentrations (p<0.05). In general, when a significant effect was found for a parameter, the magnitude of the responses to vitamin and lycopene supplements was greatest with the combination of the lycopene and vitamin E, rather than that observed with each supplement separately. Results of the present study indicate that supplementing with a combination of dietary lycopene and vitamin E reduced serum and yolk cholesterol concentrations and improved antioxidant status.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제26권9호
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• pp.1247-1254
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• 2013

The effects of Sheng Hua Tang (SHT) on uterine involution and ovarian activity were investigated in postpartum dairy cows. SHT (70 g) was given to dairy cows (n = 10) to evaluate its effects for five days from the first postpartum day. Postpartum cows fed with a basal diet without SHT were used as the control group (n = 10). Ultrasounds and blood tests were recorded for four weeks from postpartum day seven with a 3-d interval. The results showed that the areas and diameters of endometria were significantly (p<0.01) reduced in the group that received SHT compared to the control group on the seventh postpartum day. The group that received SHT had an intrauterine fluid volume mean of $1.2{\pm}0.6cm^3$, which was significantly lower than that of the control group, $2.3{\pm}0.8cm^3$ (p<0.01) on the 13th postpartum day. In addition, the uterine tension score was a mean of $1.0{\pm}0.0$ in the group that received SHT, which was also significantly lower than that of the control group, $1.5{\pm}0.5$ (p<0.01) on the 19th postpartum day. Taken together, the Chinese herbal medicine remedy, SHT, promoted uterine involution and ovarian activity in postpartum dairy cows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.479-482
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• 2005

The nutritional worth of Sarson Saag Waste (SSW), a cannery waste, was assessed in comparison with conventional complete diet as a total mixed ration (TMR), and a conventional green fodder, Avena sativa. Each diet was offered ad libitum, supplemented with mineral mixture and common salt, to 4 male murrah buffaloes. The control TMR was made iso-nitrogenous to SSW. Simultaneously, each diet was offered to 3 rumen fistulated male buffaloes for assessing the biochemical changes in the rumen. The nutrient digestibility of unconventional SSW was comparable to that of conventional green fodder-A. sativa but significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of control TMR. The tri-chloro acetic acid (TCA) precipitable-N in the strained rumen liquor of animals fed SSW was considerably higher than that of animals fed A.sativa. The urinary excretion of total purine derivatives was comparable in animals fed SSW and conventional green fodder but significantly (p<0.05) higher than those fed conventional control TMR. The significantly (p<0.05) lower purine nitrogen index (PNI) in animals fed control TMR resulted in significantly (p<0.05) lower microbial protein synthesis than that in animals fed SSW and conventional green fodder. The N-excretion as per cent of nitrogen intake was significantly (p<0.05) lower in animals fed SSW as compared to either of the conventional feeds tested, resulting in significantly (p<0.05) higher Nretention and apparent biological value. SSW supplemented with mineral mixture could serve as an excellent source of nutrients for ruminants.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.397-403
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• 1996

Two hundred 10-day-lid, male Arbor Acres broiler chicks divided randomly into 4 groups of 50 chicks each were used. Different feeding treatment was carried out for each group. Chicks in treatment 1 were fed a basal diet(Starter feed)(control); treatment 2, a basal diet + 0.1% B. subtilis culture; treatment 3, a basal diet + 0.2% lactobacilli culture in the feed; and treatment 4, a basal diet + 5 g lactobacilli in the drinking water. The viable bacterial counts for each treatment were approximately $10^9cells/kg$ feed. The weight gain in chickens given feeds incorporated with B. subtilis and lactobacilli was significantly(p < 0.05) higher than those of the control. With regard to feed efficiency, there was a definite tendency towards a higher feed : gain lower(p < 0.05) feed : gain ratio. A significantly(p < 0.05) larger population of Lactobacillus was found in the small intestine of chickens fed with feed incorporated with B. subtilis at 21 and 28 days and with lactobacilli at 14, 21 and 28 days. Populations of intestinal E. coli in broilers given feed added with B. subtilis were not significantly(p < 0.05) different from those of the control, but in chickens fed lactobacilli-added feed, their populations wee significantly lower(p < 0.05) at 14 and 21 days. No significant differences were found among the treatments and the control in the occurrence of Salmonella and Campylobacter during the whole experimental period.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.683-690
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• 2013

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of resveratrol and essential oils from medicinal plants on the growth performance, immunity, digestibility, and fecal microbial shedding of weaned piglets. A total of 48 weaned piglets (8 kg initial weight, 28-d-old) were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments with 3 replications of 4 piglets each. The dietary treatments were NC (negative control; basal diet), PC (positive control; basal diet+0.002% apramycin), T1 (basal diet+0.2% resveratrol), and T2 (basal diet+0.0125% essential oil blend). All piglets were orally challenged with 5 ml culture fluid containing $2.3{\times}10^8$ cfu/ml of Escherichia coli KCTC 2571 and $5.9{\times}10^8$ cfu/ml Salmonella enterica serover Typhimurium. The PC group (p<0.05) showed the highest average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) throughout the experimental period, although feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved in the T1 group (p>0.05). Serum IgG level was increased in the T1 group, whereas TNF-${\alpha}$ levels was reduced in the supplemented groups compared to control (p<0.05). The PC diet improved the dry matter (DM) digestibility, whereas PC and T2 diets improved nitrogen (N) digestibility compared to NC and T1 diets (p<0.05). Fecal Salmonella and E. coli counts were reduced in all treatment groups compared to control (p<0.05). Fecal Lactobacillus spp. count was increased in the T2 group compared to others (p<0.05). Dietary treatments had no significant effect on fecal Bacillus spp. count throughout the entire experimental period. Based on these results, resveratrol showed strong potential as antibiotic alternatives for reversing the adverse effects of weaning stress on growth performance, immunity and microbial environment in E. coli and Salmonella-challenged piglets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.511-513
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• 2004

Effects of the dietary supplementation of Codonopsis lanceolata root on triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the serum, liver, breast muscle and bile in male Cobb$\times$Cobb chicks were investigated. The chicks (15-42 days old) were fed diets supplemented with 0, 0.25 and 0.5% Codonopsis lanceolata root. No differences were observed in body weight, feed conversion ratio, gall bladder weight or abdominal fat deposition among the control group and the two treatment groups. Liver weights were higher in chicks fed a 0.5% Codonopsis lanceolata diet than in those fed the control diet (p<0.05). However, serum levels of both glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were not different among the three groups. Broiler chicks fed either 0.25% or 0.5% dietary Codonopsis lanceolata root showed decreased serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol compared to the control group (p<0.05). Supplementation with either 0.25% or 0.5% dietary Codonopsis lanceolata root decreased the triglyceride and total cholesterol levels in liver and breast muscle compared to the control group (p<0.05). Biliary cholesterol increased by 15% in chicks fed 0.5% dietary Codonopsis lanceolata root, suggesting that the biliary excretion of cholesterol had been elevated by dietary Codonopsis lanceolata root (p<0.05). In conclusion, these results indicate that dietary Codonopsis lanceolata root can decrease triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the serum, liver and breast muscle of broilers.