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Evaluation of Feeds and Additives on Metabolic or Metabolomic Research on Animal Production

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Dr. Héctor Aarón Lee-Rangel

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Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria, Centro de Biociencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78321, Mexico
Interests: animal nutrition; metabolism; fetal programming; productivity; animal science; metabolomic
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Dr. German D. Mendoza

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Maestría en Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco, México C.P. 04960, Mexico
Interests: nutraceutical herbal additives; nutrigenomics; metagenomics; simulation models

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Animal production is one of the main axes in worldwide food security; to reach the desired performance, it is necessary to carry enough nutrients for maintenance, growth, lactation, egg lay, and good health. The quality of diets depends on the ingredients or additives used. For this reason, the nutritional values of feed ingredients should be accurately evaluated for sustainable animal production. Due to this, non-conventional ingredients and feed additives are widely being used to assess the functions of feed efficiency, animal health, growth performance, immune function, metabolism, metabolomic alterations, immune function, and ruminal microbiota in the fermentation process, all resulting in animal performances or quality product.

This Issue will focus on research evaluating the feasibility of using non-conventional ingredients and novel feed additives. Topics of interest include the following:

Cattle;
Sheep and goats;
Swine, poultry, rabbit;
Feed additives;
Non-conventional ingredients;
Plant secondary metabolites;
Feed evaluation;
Animal performance;
Greenhouse gases;
Gut health;
Nutrient metabolism;
Sustainability;
Metabolism;
Metabolomic.

Dr. Héctor Aarón Lee-Rangel
Dr. German D. Mendoza
Guest Editors

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Research

24 pages, 4132 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Botanical Blend of Turmeric, Capsicum, and Pepper Extracts on Colostrum and Milk Yield and Quality, Passive Transfer of Immunity, and Performance of Beef Cow–Calf Pairs

by Grace H. Jardon, Madison R. Kovarna, Jeff S. Heldt, Emma H. Wall and Ana Clara B. Menezes

Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(3), 250; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12030250 - 6 Mar 2025

Viewed by 1691

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of a botanical supplement (a formulated proprietary blend of turmeric, capsicum, and black pepper oleoresin in a fat carrier; PHYT), fed pre- and post-calving, on colostrum and milk yield and the quality, passive transfer of immunity, and performance of cow–calf pairs. Twenty-three (BW = 532 ± 9.13 kg; age 36 mo) crossbred Angus cows were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: (1) not supplemented (CON, n = 7); (2) supplemented with 250 mg/head/day (PHYT250, n = 8); or (3) supplemented with 500 mg/head/day (PHYT500, n = 8) of the botanical supplement. The cows were individually fed the supplement from 30 days (±6 days) pre-calving to 60 days post-calving. Colostrum was collected on d 0 (pre-suckling), and d 1, d 2, and d 3 post-calving. The total milk from all quarters was collected 45 and 90 d post-calving and at weaning. Colostrum and milk volumes were recorded, and samples were analyzed for percentages of fat, protein, milk urea nitrogen, other solids, and lactose. Colostrum samples were analyzed for concentrations of IgG, IgA, and IgM, and milk samples were analyzed for IgG concentration using radial immunodiffusion. Blood samples were collected from dams and calves, and serum was analyzed for concentrations of IgG (cows and calves) and IgA (calves). Cow and calf BW were measured periodically until weaning. Supplementation with PHYT linearly increased fat in colostrum (CON = 3.29, PHIT250 = 4.23, and PHYT500 = 4.17 ± 0.77%; p = 0.05) and IgA in calf serum (96.91, 151.69, and 183.42 ± 29.78 mg/dL for CON, PHYT250, and PHYT500, respectively; p = 0.04) and tended to linearly increase concentrations of fat in milk (CON = 3.84, PHYT250 = 4.05, and PHYT500 = 4.71 ± 1.04%; p = 0.07), IgG in calf serum (2082.31; 2196.29; and 2577.78 ± 213.08 mg/dL for CON, PHYT250, and PHYT500, respectively; p = 0.09), and IgM in colostrum (CON = 179.04; PHYT250 = 170.79; PHYT500 = 218.30 ± 16.08 mg/dL; p = 0.09). A quadratic response was observed for calf ADG (p = 0.03), where CON (0.99 ± 0.03 kg/d) was less than PHYT250 (1.10 ± 0.03 kg/d), and intermediate values were observed for PHYT500 (1.01 ± 0.03 kg/d). In summary, supplementation with PHYT led to a linear increase in colostrum fat and IgA levels in calf serum. Additionally, supplementation tended to linearly elevate fat concentrations in milk, IgG levels in calf serum, and IgM levels in colostrum. Our results suggest that supplementing beef cows in late gestation and early lactation with 250 or 500 mg/head/d of PHYT improves colostrum quality and calf health and performance. Further investigation is needed to determine both the biological significance and the economic benefits of botanical additives in beef production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evaluation of Feeds and Additives on Metabolic or Metabolomic Research on Animal Production)

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14 pages, 4704 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Macroalgae Compound Characterizations and Their Effect on the Ruminal Microbiome in Supplemented Lambs

by Adriana Guadalupe De la Cruz Gómez, Huitzimengari Campos-García, German D. Mendoza, Juan Carlos García-López, Gregorio Álvarez-Fuentes, Pedro A. Hernández-García, José Alejandro Roque Jiménez, Oswaldo Cifuentes-Lopez, Alejandro E Relling and Héctor A. Lee-Rangel

Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 653; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120653 - 14 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1020

Abstract

The impact of macroalgae species on rumen function remains largely unexplored. This present study aimed to identify the biocompounds of the three types of marine macroalgae described: Macrocystis pyrifera (Brown), Ulva spp. (Lettuce), Mazzaella spp. (Red) and their effect on species-specific modulations of the rumen microbiome. The macroalgae were characterized using GC-MS. Twelve Rambouillet lambs were randomly assigned to one of four experimental diets (n = 3 per treatment): (a) control diet (CD); (b) CD + 5 g of Red algae; (c) CD + 5 g of Brown algae; and (d) CD + 5 g of Lettuce algae. After the lambs ended their fattening phase, they donated ruminal fluid for DNA extraction and 16S rRNA gene V3 amplicon sequencing. Results: The tagged 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and statistical analysis revealed that the dominant ruminal bacteria shared by all four sample groups belonged to phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidota. However, the relative abundance of these bacterial groups was markedly affected by diet composition. In animals fed with macroalgae, the fibrinolytic and cellulolytic bacteria Selenomonas was found in the highest abundance. The diversity in chemical composition among macroalgae species introduces a range of bioactive compounds, particularly VOCs like anethole, beta-himachalene, and 4-ethylphenol, which demonstrate antimicrobial and fermentation-modulating properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evaluation of Feeds and Additives on Metabolic or Metabolomic Research on Animal Production)

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