Search Results (3,540)

Clays are increasingly incorporated as feed additives for ruminants, partly inspired by animals’ natural geophagic behaviour. However, their effects on rumen function and productivity remain inconsistent in the literature. This meta-analysis synthesised 39 controlled studies (73 treatment means) to quantitatively evaluate the effects of clay supplementation on fermentation, digestibility, metabolic health, and productivity. Clay supplementation improved rumen fermentation efficiency, as indicated by reductions in methane emissions (−20.45%; p < 0.001) and ammonia-N (−11.51%; p = 0.033), along with an increase in propionate production (+4.35%; p = 0.046). These findings are consistent with proposed mechanisms not directly evaluated in this meta-analysis. Total volatile fatty acid concentration (+3.25%; p = 0.20) and rumen pH (+0.25%; p = 0.75) were not significantly altered by clay supplementation. Digestibility responses were moderately improved, particularly for neutral detergent fibre (+7.32%; p = 0.011) and organic matter (+3.06%; p < 0.001). These improvements may reflect enhanced microbial colonisation and substrate utilisation. Blood urea nitrogen decreased (−5.64%; p = 0.002) with minimal systemic effects, consistent with a primarily rumen-localised mode of action. These responses were associated with increases in weight gain (+7.96%; p = 0.002) and milk fat yield (+9.19%; p = 0.030). Meta-regression identified inclusion level and clay type as significant sources of variability (p < 0.05 for multiple outcomes). The findings indicate that clay supplementation supports methane abatement while improving rumen fermentation, digestibility, health, and productivity in ruminants. Full article

Broiler litter quality is an important determinant of animal welfare, environmental conditions, and production efficiency. This study evaluated the effects of incorporating a biodegradable superabsorbent polymer (SAP) into chopped straw (CS) litter on broiler welfare, production performance, litter characteristics, environmental conditions, and meat quality. A total of 1000 Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly allocated to four treatments: a control group (CON) and three groups receiving SAP at 30, 60, or 100 g/m² in the pen (H30, H60, or H100). Birds were reared for 42 days under commercial conditions. Growth performance, welfare indicators, gaseous emissions, litter characteristics, slaughter traits, and breast muscle quality were assessed. SAP supplementation had no adverse effects on body weight, feed conversion ratio, mortality, slaughter performance, or meat quality. Although litter dry matter content was lower in the H60 and H100 due to the water-retention capacity, NH₃ concentration at the bird level was significantly reduced. SAP supplementation also improved selected animal welfare indicators, particularly by increasing the proportion of birds with score 0 of footpad dermatitis (FPD) from 46–59% to 69–79%. These findings indicate that biodegradable SAPs represent a promising litter amendment for improving broiler welfare and housing conditions without compromising production performance or meat quality. Full article

Agricultural by-products and Chinese medicine crop residues, as non-traditional animal feed, have great potential to alleviate the scarcity of traditional feed and reduce the environmental burden. In this study, the effects of adding fermented ginseng by-products to the diet on growth performance, meat quality, flavor characteristics and metabolism of Hongyu roosters were evaluated. A total of 100 Hongyu roosters were randomly assigned to either a control (Con) group fed a basal diet or a fermented ginseng by-products (Fe) group fed a basal diet supplemented with 3% fermented ginseng by-products, with five replicates per group, for 100 days. The results demonstrated that the fermented diet significantly enhanced final body weight and average daily gain (ADG) while reducing the feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05). The percentages of breast and thigh muscles and breast muscle fiber diameter were significantly increased. The results also exhibited enhanced water-holding capacity, coupled with significantly decreased shear force and drip loss (p < 0.05). Electronic nose and tongue analyses confirmed enriched meat aroma and optimized taste profiles, which aligned with elevated levels of flavor-precursor amino acids and essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. Serum metabolomics found purine metabolism and the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids to be pivotal pathways. Metabolites related to nucleotide and lipid metabolism were regulated. In conclusion, fermented ginseng by-products serve as an effective functional feed to improve poultry growth performance and meat quality. Full article

To explore the optimization effects of fixed aquatic water treatment materials combined with immunomodulatory agents on the ecosystem and farming efficiency of Litopenaeus vannamei in high-water-level ponds, this study established experimental ponds (with fixed aquatic water treatment materials and feed supplemented with chitosan oligosaccharides) and control ponds (no fixed water treatment materials applied, fed with basal feed only). Through a comparative trial over a complete farming cycle, the study systematically analyzed changes in plankton community structure and diversity, water physicochemical factors, shrimp growth performance, immune indicators, and muscle nutritional composition. The results showed that in the experimental group, diatoms (Ditylum brightwellii and Skeletonema) dominated the plankton community, while the density of harmful blue-green algae (Oscillatoria and Trichodesmium) significantly decreased, and planktonic animal diversity improved in the later stages. Among the water physicochemical indicators, the experimental group exhibited a 50% reduction in nitrite levels by the later stages, significantly higher than the 33.33% reduction in the control group. Total ammonia nitrogen levels remained lower than those in the control group, with a smaller increase in the later stages. Total phosphorus levels were significantly lower in the experimental group after 80 days, and the later-stage decline in chemical oxygen demand was 11.65% higher than that in the control group. Shrimp body weight increased significantly by 13.23%, while hepatosomatic index, musculosomatic index, and immune enzyme (acid phosphatase and total antioxidant substances) activity also improved markedly. The content of unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid and oleic acid) in the muscles significantly increased. The study demonstrated that the combined application of fixed aquatic water treatment materials and chitosan oligosaccharide preparations can optimize the farming water environment, enhance shrimp growth performance and quality, and provide technical support for the ecological cultivation of Litopenaeus vannamei. Full article

The ruminal epithelium plays a central role in nutrient absorption, epithelial barrier function, and mucosal immune defense. However, the molecular mechanisms by which dietary Perilla frutescens seeds (PFS) regulate ruminal epithelial immunity remain poorly understood. This study investigated the transcriptomic responses of the sheep ruminal papilla to dietary PFS supplementation. Forty-five male Tan sheep were assigned to three dietary treatments (n = 15 per group): a low-concentrate diet (LC), a high-concentrate diet (HC), and the LC diet supplemented with 3% PFS (LC + PFS). After an 84-day feeding trial, ruminal papilla tissues from six animals per group were randomly subjected to RNA sequencing and integrated bioinformatic analyses, covering all three pairwise comparisons (LC vs. HC, HC vs. LC + PFS, and LC vs. LC + PFS). The LC vs. LC + PFS comparison served as the direct assessment of PFS effects under the same basal diet, whereas HC vs. LC + PFS was treated as a cross-dietary comparison. LC vs. HC yielded 387 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), HC vs. LC + PFS yielded 104 DEGs, and LC vs. LC + PFS yielded 33 DEGs, with predominant enrichment in metabolic and stress-adaptive pathways (AMPK, MAPK, PI3K-Akt). The latter were mainly associated with metabolic and structural pathways. Propionate and valerate were negatively correlated with several interferon-signaling and antigen-presentation genes. Collectively, the direct LC vs. LC + PFS comparison demonstrates that PFS supplementation under physiological conditions is associated with targeted metabolic modulation. Meanwhile, the cross-dietary HC vs. LC + PFS comparison reveals that, relative to high-concentrate feeding, the PFS-supplemented low-concentrate feeding regimen is transcriptionally associated with enhanced immune surveillance capacity in a non-inflammatory manner. These findings provide transcriptomic evidence supporting the potential of PFS as a modulator of ruminal epithelial homeostasis and offer a foundation for further investigation into its application as a functional feed ingredient. Full article

This study focused on dietary supplementation with flaxseed in fattening pigs to observe health benefits and important biological findings, including cell membrane integrity, proliferation, and angiogenesis. Animals received flaxseed for 6 or 3 weeks prior to slaughter. Pigs were divided into a control group (standard diet) and experimental groups F6 (6 weeks) and F3 (3 weeks), which received flaxseed in the feed. Spectroscopy followed by an electrophoretic method was used to study the levels of basic biochemical parameters, including LDH. Subsequently, gas chromatography revealed fatty acid concentrations in the pigs’ livers, and finally, immunohistochemical analysis was used to detect CD31 and PCNA antigens in the liver and jejunum. The highest weight gain was measured in the F6 group. After slaughter, blood samples revealed a decreased glucose level in the F6 group, maintained levels of basic biochemical parameters, and decreased concentrations of LDH in blood, heart, liver, and skeletal muscle extracts, thus improving cell membrane integrity. A long-term supplementation period led to better utilization of essential fatty acids, an improved n-6:n-3 ratio, and other atherogenic indices related to cardiovascular health. Flaxseed also affected the expression of CD31 and PCNA proteins in the liver and jejunum, mainly in the F6 group. Full article

The use of non-traditional oilseeds for food purposes has increased significantly in recent years. Due to the high content of unsaturated fatty acids, the production of cold-pressed oils from pumpkin and hemp seeds is growing at a steady pace. This results in the accumulation of a by-product (oilseed press cake), from which high-quality proteins can be derived. Protein hydrolysates based on these raw materials offer further potential for valorization. This review summarizes classical and modern methods for obtaining protein isolates from pumpkin and industrial hemp oilseed cakes, as well as possible approaches for their modification to enhance their nutritional and functional properties. Furthermore, it provides an overview of the methods for producing protein hydrolysates rich in bioactive peptides. The presence of peptides with antioxidant, antihypertensive, or hypoglycemic properties makes hydrolysates a valuable source of nutraceutical components with potential applications in the development of functional foods or dietary supplements. However, most studies to date have been conducted using in vitro systems. Further research involving animal models or clinical observations is required to determine dosage regimens and applications of these hydrolysates. Regarding protein isolates, the challenges for their broader use in the food industry are related to increasing solubility, removing anti-nutritional factors, and improving techno-functional properties. Full article

Itaconic acid has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. However, its specific mechanisms of action against pathogenic bacteria, especially in the context of purine metabolism, remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the impact of itaconic acid on the purine metabolism of PCN033, a highly pathogenic porcine extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) strain. Our in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that itaconic acid significantly inhibited the proliferation of PCN033. Multi-omics analyses, including transcriptome and metabolome sequencing, revealed that itaconic acid severely disrupted the purine metabolism pathway of PCN033. Further mechanistic studies identified PRPP amidotransferase (PurF), a key enzyme in de novo purine synthesis, as a direct target of itaconic acid. Molecular docking and click chemistry experiments provided compelling evidence that itaconic acid specifically binds to the second cysteine residue (2C) of PurF, leading to the inhibition of its enzymatic activity. These data reveal a novel and critical mechanism by which itaconic acid exerts its antibacterial effects in response to bacterial infection. Importantly, our in vivo data show that supplementation with itaconic acid alleviated weight loss, organ damage, and inflammatory responses induced by PCN033 infection in mice and nursery pigs. These novel findings enhance our understanding of the antibacterial mechanisms of itaconic acid. Supplementation with itaconic acid could serve as a therapeutic strategy for treating pathogenic bacterial infections in humans and other animals. Full article

Parturient paresis remains a major economic challenge in global ruminant production, causing acute periparturient hypocalcemia and predisposing high-yielding animals to a cluster of secondary pathologies. Traditional narratives often treat regulatory pathways in isolation, whereas this review synthesizes multi-organ endocrine networks to address the kinetic dysynchrony between mammary calcium drain and homeostatic recruitment velocity. Beyond the classical parathyroid hormone–vitamin D axis, we integrate the mammary–gut–bone axis into a unified endocrine model, highlighting the critical role of the serotonin–parathyroid hormone-related protein rheostat for skeletal mineral mobilization and the fibroblast growth factor 23–Klotho axis in prepartum phosphorus-induced feedback suppression. We evaluate the molecular mechanisms underlying target-organ receptor resistance, driven by vitamin D receptor downregulation and epigenetic aging, which precipitate homeostatic feedback failure. Regarding clinical management, this synthesis contrasts reactive parenteral interventions with proactive nutritional priming strategies, such as negative dietary cation–anion difference acidification, zeolite-based gastrointestinal binders, and exogenous vitamin D or 5-hydroxytryptophan supplementation. Additionally, the role of microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids in gut-bone communication and the potential of genomic selection to breed livestock with heritable metabolic resilience are explored. Ultimately, this comprehensive framework emphasizes a paradigm shift from emergency treatment to precision nutritional and genetic prophylaxis to mitigate PP across diverse ruminant species. Full article

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) root and black soybean (Glycine max) are plant-derived feed ingredients rich in bioactive phytochemicals, including puerarin, isoflavones, and anthocyanins. These compounds are recognized for their antioxidant and physiological regulatory properties, supporting their potential as dietary components in livestock nutrition. In this study, we evaluated the effects of the Pueraria–black soybean compound powder (KRBS) as a dietary additive on female reproductive performance using a cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced ovarian dysfunction mouse model. The results showed that the high-dose KRBS group (CTX+H-KRBS) had a significantly increased ovarian index (p < 0.05), and all KRBS-treated groups recovered estrous cycle regularity (p < 0.01). Molecular analysis showed that KRBS significantly upregulated Amh expression (p < 0.05), decreased Bax expression, and increased Bcl2 expression, while reducing Esr1 and Vegfa expression in uterine tissues to levels comparable to those in the control group (p < 0.05). These molecular changes suggest that KRBS may alleviate CTX-induced ovarian dysfunction through the regulation of apoptosis-related gene expression, including Bax and Bcl2. These findings indicate that KRBS supplementation alleviates CTX-induced ovarian dysfunction through improvements in follicular development, reduction in serum FSH toward control levels, and apoptosis-related gene expression. These effects support the potential application of KRBS as a plant-based dietary supplement for preserving ovarian function. Full article

Background: Large yellow tea (LYT), a distinctive variety made from mature leaves, has recently gained attention for its remarkable health benefits. However, whether these benefits can be transmitted from mother to offspring remains unexplored. Purpose: This study investigated whether maternal LYT consumption confers intergenerational protection against metabolic and behavioral disorders induced by perinatal bisphenol A (BPA) exposure in F1 offspring. Methods: A mouse model of perinatal BPA exposure (0.03% in diet) was established with or without maternal LYT supplementation (2.5% in diet). Metabolic parameters were assessed through biochemical assays and gene expression analysis (RT-PCR). Energy expenditure and spontaneous activity were monitored using a Comprehensive Lab Animal Monitoring System (CLAMS). Hippocampal proteomic profiling was performed using label-free quantitative proteomics. Results: LYT significantly reduced maternal BPA body burden, potentially via limiting absorption, enhancing glucuronidation metabolism, and promoting excretion. Notably, LYT exhibited bidirectional metabolic regulation, alleviating gestational hyperglycemia in dams while restoring hypoglycemia in offspring, and normalizing underweight and hypolipidemia. Mechanistically, the SIRT6 (sirtuin 6)/FOXO1 and SIRT6/SREBP1 pathways may be involved in regulating gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis. Concurrently, LYT rectified BPA-induced hyperactivity and reduced excessive energy expenditure. Proteomic analysis revealed that LYT partially restores BPA-induced dysregulation of cholesterol metabolism and glutamatergic/GABAergic synaptic pathways, which may contribute to rebalancing synaptic homeostasis. Conclusions: These findings suggest that maternal LYT supplementation confers intergenerational protection against BPA-induced metabolic and behavioral disorders in mice, potentially acting through enhanced toxin clearance, bidirectional metabolic regulation, behavioral normalization, and partial restoration of hippocampal synaptic homeostasis. This study provides a theoretical basis for developing natural dietary interventions to mitigate developmental toxicant-induced health risks. Full article

Cardiovascular disease causes the largest number of deaths across the world. The weak regenerative ability of adult hearts originates from limited cell proliferation and polyploidization of postnatal cardiomyocytes, which severely hinders tissue repair after myocardial injury. Fetal development represents a critical window during which maternal physiological and metabolic status can shape long-term offspring cardiac structure and function. Maternal exercise represents a safe nonpharmacological prenatal intervention that confers long-term benefits to offspring health. Available evidence indicates that maternal exercise enhances placental apelin secretion and elevates α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) levels in fetal brown adipose tissue, liver, and skeletal muscle. The apelin and α-KG signaling cascade participates in epigenetic regulation and confers protective effects on offspring metabolic health. Independent animal experiments have further validated that supplementation with either apelin or α-KG alleviates myocardial infarction (MI)-induced cardiac injury in adult mice, with α-KG showing direct evidence of reactivating cardiomyocyte proliferation. Nevertheless, it remains poorly elucidated whether maternal exercise could modulate fetal cardiomyocyte proliferative capacity in offspring through apelin- or α-KG-associated signaling. This narrative review integrates current evidence and proposes a testable framework in which maternal exercise influences fetal cardiac growth and regenerative potential through placental, metabolic, and epigenetic signaling. Because direct evidence remains limited, this model should be regarded as a hypothesis that requires further experimental validation. Full article

Aqueous Chlorella extract (CE) is a functional feed additive derived from widely cultivated microalgae. It is rich in proteins, polysaccharides, pigments, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and other bioactive compounds. CE possesses great potential to improve the health status and physiological performance of aquatic animals. This study investigated the effects of dietary CE on inflammatory response, non-specific immunity, antioxidant capacity, lipid metabolism, immune gene expression, intestinal histomorphology and intestinal microbiota in Litopenaeus vannamei. Shrimp were fed diets containing 0%, 1%, or 5% CE for 60 days. The 1% CE treatment produced stronger responses in several non-specific immune and antioxidant-related indicators and induced broader changes in immune-related gene expression. In contrast, the 5% CE treatment showed more pronounced changes in inflammation-related factors, lipid metabolism, and intestinal morphology. CE supplementation also altered intestinal microbial composition and predicted microbial functions, with different response patterns between the two inclusion levels. A distinctive feature of this study is the integrated identification of inclusion-level-specific response patterns across host physiological and intestinal microbial endpoints, rather than a simple increase in effects with increasing CE inclusion. Overall, the 1% treatment was more closely associated with immune and antioxidant-related responses, whereas the 5% treatment was more closely associated with anti-inflammatory, lipid-regulatory, and intestinal effects. These findings demonstrate the potential of CE as a functional aquafeed additive for improving aquatic animal health and provide a scientific basis for its application in sustainable shrimp aquaculture. Full article

With the aim of evaluating the effects of combining a natural additive composed of a blend of essential oils plus vitamin D3 (EOD3) with Bacillus subtilis (BS) or with the antibiotic virginiamycin (VM) on growth-performance and carcass traits of finishing lambs subjected to high ambient heat load, 48 intact male lambs (initial weight = 33.71 ± 3.21 kg) were used in a feeding trial lasting 61 d. Treatments consisted of supplementing (as a feed basis) a total mixing finishing diet (90:10 concentrate-to-forage ratio) as follows: (1) without feed additives (Control); (2) supplemented with EOD3 (a blend of 100 mg essential oils plus 0.10 mg vitamin D3/kg diet); (3) diet supplemented with EOD3 plus 2 g Bacillus subtilis PB6/kg diet to provide 2.2 × 10⁸ CFU (EOD3+BS); and (4) basal diet supplemented with EOD3 plus 25 mg virginiamycin/kg diet (EOD3+VM). The temperature–humidity index (THI) during the experiment averaged 82.52 ± 1.10. Compared to non-supplemented lambs, lambs that received EOD3 alone showed greater (p < 0.03) average daily gain (ADG; 15.3%), gain-to-feed ratio (GF; 12.3%), and observed-to-expected dietary NE ratio (5.9%). The combination of EOD3 with BS resulted in identical ADG but a numerically larger DMI (7.1%, p = 0.087) than the EOD3 treatment, leading to lower (p = 0.024) GF and a lower (p < 0.01) observed-to-expected dietary NE ratio. In contrast to our expectation, combining VM and EOD3 did not increase growth response (p = 0.69), GF (p = 0.49), or dietary energy utilization efficiency (p = 0.09) when compared to EOD3 alone. Because the lambs that received supplemental EOD3 alone and their combinations showed greater final weight, hot carcass weight was heavier than in controls; however, no effects were observed on the other carcass variables evaluated, including whole cuts and shoulder tissue composition. Lambs that received EOD3 and their combinations showed a lower relative intestinal mass than controls (p < 0.04). This result confirms the role of EOD3 as a tool to minimize the negative impact of high ambient temperature on the performance of fattening lambs. Combining EOD3 with Bacillus subtilis or with VM did not improve energy utilization efficiency or carcass traits compared with EOD3 supplementation alone in lambs fattening under high ambient heat load. Further research is needed to better understand the interactions among different additives and to propose more effective supplementation strategies in animals subjected to different environmental conditions. Full article

Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLE), including polysaccharides, polyphenols, amino acids and other extracts, are increasingly being used as feed additives in ruminant nutrition due to their high profiles of bioactive compounds. This comprehensive narrative review aims to review current research on their use in ruminant production regarding their productive performance, immune status, rumen microbiota and fermentation. Dietary supplementation with MOLE enhances growth rates and feed conversion efficiency, as well as immune status, milk yield and rumen microbiology, in ruminants by improving nutrient digestibility and metabolic efficiency. Additionally, MOLE exerts significant immunomodulatory effects, and studies indicate that immunoglobulins, antioxidants, cytokines, and enzymes reduce oxidative stress markers and incidence of subclinical diseases in dairy animals. Furthermore, supplementation with MOLE often increases milk fat and protein content while reducing somatic cell counts (SCCs) in milk. MOLE enhance the function of the rumen fermentation profile by increasing volatile fatty acid (VFA) production, especially propionate, and also regulating the stability of rumen pH. Additionally, it also selectively promotes microbial community diversity, enhances the population of cellulolytic bacteria and has a suppression function in protozoa and methanogens. Moreover, MOLE also contributes to improving fiber degradation and reducing the emissions of methane. In conclusion, MOLE is considered as a viable natural strategy to promote productivity, immune function, health, and environmental sustainability while decreasing methane production in ruminant production. Full article