Animals

Previous studies have demonstrated that polysaccharides used as feed additives can promote poultry growth. This study evaluated the effects of different doses of Curculigo orchioides Polysaccharide (COP) on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune function, intestinal health and related mechanisms in 1 to 35 days old Wenchang female chicks. A total of 120 female Wenchang chickens (1 day old) were assigned to three treatment groups, with 5 replicates per group and 8 chickens per replicate. The Wenchang chickens were fed a basal diet (control) supplemented with either a low dose of Curculigo orchioides Polysaccharide (400 mg/kg) or a high dose (800 mg/kg) for 5 weeks. Purified COP is composed of mannose (68.97%), glucose (24.38%), galactose (6.34%), and arabinose (0.32%). Results showed that high-dose COP supplementation significantly increased Wenchang chicken body weight (p < 0.05) and feed intake (p < 0.05); reduced feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05); increased small intestinal villus height and tight junction protein expression levels; enhanced muscle fiber cross-sectional area (p < 0.05); improved total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.01); decreased serum malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.01), tumor necrosis factor-α (p < 0.0001), and pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 levels (p < 0.05); and elevated antibody titers against Newcastle disease virus at 21, 28, and 35 days (p < 0.01). It also elevated the protein phosphorylation levels of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway (p < 0.0001) and enriched beneficial gut microbiota that may mediate this pathway activation. Analysis of the cecal microbiota in Wenchang female chicks revealed that the high-dose COP group enriched Oscillospira and Lactobacillus. In conclusion, high-dose COP improves growth performance and antioxidant capacity of Wenchang chicks, enhances immunity against NDV, enriches beneficial gut microbiota, and promotes growth by activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Infection of susceptible horses with Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi), the causative agent of strangles, is associated with commingling. Exposure may occur among horses at equestrian events, sales, or horses moved among different equine stabling environments. Strangles can affect all horses on a farm, leading to the death of up to 10% of cases depending on their immunity status at the time of infection, the development of complications, the success of biosecurity measures, and the use of vaccination. The current retrospective study used ELISAs to measure the exposure of horses to S. equi at a farm that experienced an outbreak of strangles shortly after the introduction of a new horse on the same day that the majority of the 17 resident horses were vaccinated with Strangvac for the first time. One vaccinated horse, which subsequently tested positive for S. equi and EHV-4, developed a cough, elevated body temperature, and nasal discharge 11 days after the first vaccination. Two other horses developed fever for one day at 22 days post-first vaccination, but only one had serological evidence of exposure to S. equi. All vaccinated horses had high antibody titres to vaccine components, whilst 7 of the 17 resident horses, and the new arrival, tested seropositive for exposure to S. equi. Although 3 out of the 17 vaccinated horses developed mild signs of disease before second vaccination, serological data support the effectiveness of vaccination in resident populations of horses to minimise the risk of strangles following the introduction of a new horse.

This review analyzes current research on short-term culture of sea urchin from barrens through formulated feed, addressing the need for sustainable aquaculture practices and ecological restoration of kelp forests. We compare the results of multiple studies to identify the optimal feed composition to induce gonad growth and coloration. Our analysis suggests that macroalgae are the best feed ingredients to improve gonad growth and coloration; however, environmental and economic challenges persist in expanding sea urchin production with these types of ingredients. Plant-based protein sources like soy have emerged as a potential cost-effective alternative to fish products; nevertheless, the presence of antinutritional factors in soy products limits their inclusion in formulated feed. Regarding the composition and amount of lipids, we found that they are critical macronutrients in gonad development. The review also explores the potential of sea urchin aquaculture in mitigating urchin barrens and restoring kelp forests, highlighting the interplay between ecological and economic factors. We identify key knowledge gaps and propose future research directions, including large-scale economic viability assessments, novel feed additives, and integrated multitrophic aquaculture systems. These findings have significant implications for developing sustainable and economically viable sea urchin aquaculture, potentially transforming urchin barrens into productive ecosystems while meeting market demand for roe.