Search Results (61)

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) levels of calf starter and weaning time on growth, rumen fermentation characteristics, serum metabolites, and rumen microbial diversity of Holstein calves. A total of 24 newly born male Holstein calves were randomly distributed to four groups in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of NDF levels (14% and 24%) and weaning time (d 44 and d 54). There was no interaction between starter NDF levels and weaning time for any trait except rumen acetic acid in the immediate post-weaning phase (p = 0.013). Starter NDF levels had no effect on growth, feed intake, and hay intake. Late-weaned calves had greater (p = 0.050) weight gain in the pre-weaning phase whereas, early-weaned calves showed greater weight gain (p = 0.004) and starter intake (p = 0.004) in the post-weaning phase although overall weight gain, and starter and hay intakes were not affected by weaning time. Rumen pH, ammonia nitrogen, and most volatile fatty acids remained unaffected by starter NDF levels and weaning except isobutyric acid which was greater in calves fed 24% NDF starter (p = 0.001) in the immediate post-weaning and isovaleric acid which was greater in early-weaned calves (p = 0.044) at the end of experiment. Serum metabolites were largely affected (p < 0.05) by starter NDF levels and weaning time in the pre-weaning phase only. Alpha diversity of rumen microbes was greater and chaotic in 14% NDF starter group (early- and late-weaned) in the pre-weaning phase which converged in the immediate post-weaning phase and diverged on starter NDF basis at the end of experiment. Microbial ecology at phylum and genus levels composition were greatly driven by starter NDF levels in the pre-weaning phase, by weaning time in the immediate post-weaning phase, and two distinct bifurcated microbial ecologies based on starter NDF levels appeared at the end of experiment. In conclusion, the comparable growth with distinct microbial diversity but largely in favor of 24% NDF starter suggests that calves can be subjected to early weaning with 24% starter NDF levels for smooth transition from liquid to solid feed in Holstein calves. Full article

Pomegranate peel, a rich agro-industrial by-product, contains abundant phenolic compounds with strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. However, the low stability and bioavailability of these compounds limit their efficacy in animal nutrition. This study investigated the effects of pomegranate peel phenolic extract (PE), either in raw form (PE300) or nano-encapsulated using gum–gelatin nano-capsules (NPE300), on health and growth parameters in newly weaned rabbits. Fifty-four male rabbits (40 days old) were assigned to three treatment groups: PE0 (control), PE300 (300 mg PE/L drinking water), and NPE300 (300 mg nano-encapsulated PE/L drinking water). Over six weeks, growth performance, hematological and immunological profiles, antioxidant status, microbial populations, and carcass traits were evaluated. NPE300 treatment demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity in vitro, with larger inhibition zones against all tested pathogens compared to PE300. In vivo, NPE300 significantly improved body weight gain (945.8 g) and feed efficiency, while also enhancing immune function, evidenced by higher white and red blood cell counts, phagocytic activity, and increased plasma IgG and IgM levels. Antioxidant markers showed that NPE300 significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels and tended to improve total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, intestinal Clostridia counts were reduced, and beneficial microflora significantly increased in the NPE300 group. Carcass weight with edible parts, fur weight, kidney weight, and cecum length were also elevated under NPE300 treatment. In conclusion, nanoencapsulation of PE using gum–gelatin carriers enhanced its bio-efficacy, supporting better redox balance, immunity, gut health, and growth performance in rabbits. These findings support the application of nano-encapsulated PE as a promising natural growth promoter in rabbit production. Full article

Foodborne pathogens represent a significant public health risk in both developed and developing countries. Among these pathogens, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major cause of diarrhea in humans and one of the leading causes of mortality in newly weaned pigs. The main sources of ETEC contamination include environments with poor hygiene and contaminated water, meat, cereals, and vegetables. Therefore, this review manuscript focuses on the pathogenesis of ETEC in humans and pigs. The main virulence factors responsible for ETEC-associated infections, such as colonization factors and toxins, will be described for both species, with particular emphasis on the toxins as well as, their classification and structural characterization. More specifically, this study will outline the main physiological alterations and adaptive mechanisms induced by these enterotoxins, namely heat-stable toxin (ST) and heat-labile toxin (LT), in the three most affected systems: the gastrointestinal system, the enteric nervous system (ENS), and the immune system. This set of findings provides a deeper insight into the pathogenesis of this relevant foodborne pathogen, which is crucial for empowering food scientists and stakeholders to more effectively mitigate associated risks. As such, it provides valuable understanding of toxin activity, serving as a means to raise awareness of food safety practices and strengthening risk communication, surveillance and intervention strategies, thereby ensuring consumer protection. Additionally, this knowledge enables the development of preventive strategies to reduce ETEC infections, thereby decreasing the need for clinical management among consumers exposed to this bacterium. Ultimately, it contributes to the preservation of public health, the reduction of antimicrobial use, and the lowering of antimicrobial resistance gene prevalence. Full article

The appearance rate of nutrients into systemic circulation affects hormones like insulin and through that efficiency of growth. This also affects mineral requirements critical for metabolism, notably phosphate (P), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K). Fasting animals have a downregulated metabolism, upon which P, Mg, and K are exported from their cells into the blood and are subsequently excreted in their urine. Abrupt resumption of feed intake, especially of highly glycemic feeds, creates an acute need for these minerals, which can result in deficiency symptoms, particularly with P deficiency. In human medicine, this is called refeeding syndrome: a large meal after a period of fasting can prove fatal. Young animals seem to be especially sensitive, likely driven by their ability to grow rapidly and thus to drastically upregulate their metabolism in response to insulin. Symptoms of P deficiency are fairly a-specific and, consequently, not often recognized. They include edema, which makes it appear as if piglets are growing well, explaining the high gain/feed rate typically seen immediately after weaning, even when piglets are eating at or below the maintenance requirements. Phosphate deficiency can also result in hypoxia and hypercarbia, which may trigger ear necrosis, Streptococcus suis infections, or even death. Hypophosphatemia can also trigger rhabdomyolysis, which may contribute to tail-biting, but this requires further study. Arguably, when fasting cannot be avoided, diets for newly weaned piglets should be formulated to avoid these problems by lowering their glycemic load and by formulating diets according to the piglets’ actual requirements inspired by their genuine intake and health and not simply by extrapolating from older animals. Full article

Obesity and pediatric fatty liver disease are increasingly prevalent, yet the underlying mechanisms linking these conditions to heightened inflammatory and immune responses remain poorly understood. Using a murine model reflecting early-life obesity and hepatic steatosis, we tested the hypothesis that obesity-driven hepatic inflammation intensifies systemic immune responses and exacerbates vascular dysfunction following innate immune activation. Newly weaned C57BL/6 mice were fed either a high-saturated-fat, high-cholesterol diet (HFD) or a control diet (CD) for four weeks, modeling adolescence in humans. HFD-fed mice exhibited hepatic and splenic enlargement, elevated plasma cholesterol levels, increased activity levels of liver enzymes (alanine and aspartate aminotransferases), and higher plasma serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations. Following a sublethal dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the expression of hepatic inflammatory genes (VCAM-1 and iNOS) was significantly elevated in HFD-fed mice, indicating an exaggerated local immune response. Mice fed an HFD also showed significant impairment in endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation compared to CD mice and saline-treated controls, while endothelium-independent responses remained intact. These vascular changes occurred in the context of hepatic inflammation, suggesting that early-life diet-induced steatosis sensitizes the vasculature to inflammatory insult. These findings suggest that obesity-driven hepatic inflammation primes exaggerated systemic immune responses to innate immune stimuli, potentially contributing to the vascular dysfunction and variable clinical morbidity observed in pediatric inflammatory conditions. Full article

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is a newly discovered enteropathogenic coronavirus primarily responsible for diarrhea and mortality in piglets, with the potential to infect humans, thereby posing a significant threat to both human health and the global pig industry. Currently, there is no commercially available live-attenuated vaccine for PDCoV. In this study, an isolated virulent PDCoV strain, DHeB1, was continuously passaged in LLC-PK1 cells for up to 110 passages. The virus growth kinetics in cell culture and complete genome sequences of various passages (F11, F40, F70, F90, and F110) were determined. The results indicated significant increases in virus titers at passages F40 and F90. Sequence analysis revealed that only a few single-nucleotide mutations (some of which resulted in amino acid changes) and one nucleotide insertion were observed throughout successive passages. Notably, the eight and seven amino acid mutations that emerged in F40 and F70, respectively, remained stable in subsequent passages and were predominantly located in the S glycoprotein. The pathogenicity of F11, F40, F70, and F90 was assessed in 5-day-old piglets, revealing markedly reduced clinical symptoms, histopathological lesions, and intestinal PDCoV antigen distributions in piglets inoculated with F70 or F90. Importantly, F90 exhibited little to no virulence in piglets. The immunogenicity of F70, F90, and F110 was further evaluated in weaned piglets, with results indicating that the neutralizing antibody titers induced by F70 and F90 were comparable and significantly higher than those induced by F110. Collectively, these findings suggest that the PDCoV strain DHeB1 has been attenuated and can be used to develop a live-attenuated vaccine against PDCoV. Full article

The inherent deficiency of phospholipids in Artemia limits its nutritional value as live prey for marine fish larvae. In our previous study, we optimized a phospholipid enrichment method by incubating Artemia nauplii with 10 g of soybean lecithin per m³ of seawater for 12 h, significantly enhancing their phospholipid content. Purpose: The present study evaluated the impact of this enrichment on yellow drum (Nibea albiflora) larvae, focusing on growth performance, intestinal morphology, body composition, weaning success, and desiccation stress resistance. Methods: The larvae (12 days post-hatching, dph) were fed either soybean lecithin-enriched (SL group) or newly hatched (NH group) Artemia nauplii for 10 days. Results: By the end of the experiment, the SL group exhibited a markedly greater body weight and standard length compared to the NH group (p < 0.05). This growth improvement was due to enhanced intestinal morphology, characterized by a significantly higher mucosal fold height, microvillus density, and microvillus length (p < 0.05). Intestinal RNA sequencing identified 160 upregulated and 447 downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the SL group compared to the NH group. Soybean lecithin enrichment reduced the expression of lipogenesis-related genes (fasn, scd, elovl1) while upregulating lipid catabolism genes (ppara, cpt1, cpt2), indicating increased lipid breakdown and energy production. After a 5-day weaning period onto a commercial microdiet, the SL group continued to show significantly superior growth performance. In an afterward desiccation stress test, larvae from the SL group demonstrated significantly higher survival rates, potentially due to the decreased expression of intestinal cytokine genes (ccl13, mhc1, mhc2) observed in the RNA-seq analysis. Conclusions: This study highlights that feeding soybean lecithin-enriched Artemia nauplii enhances growth performance and desiccation stress in yellow drum larvae by promoting lipid catabolism, improving intestinal structure, and regulating immune responses. Full article

Maternal unbalanced diets cause adverse metabolic programming and affect the offspring’s liver microRNA (miRNA) profile. The liver is a site of β-carotene (BC) metabolism and a target of BC action. We studied the interaction of maternal Western diet (WD) and early-life BC supplementation on the epigenetic remodeling of offspring’s liver microRNAs. Mouse offspring of WD-fed mothers were given a daily placebo (controls) or BC during suckling. Biometric parameters and liver miRNAome by microarray hybridization were analyzed in newly weaned animals. BC sex-dependently impacted the liver triacylglycerol content. The liver miRNAome was also differently affected in male and female offspring, with no overlap in differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs between sexes and more impact in females. Bioinformatic analysis of DE miRNA predicted target genes revealed enrichment in biological processes/pathways related to metabolic processes, regulation of developmental growth and circadian rhythm, liver homeostasis and metabolism, insulin resistance, and neurodegeneration, among others, with differences between sexes. Fifty-five percent of the overlapping target genes in both sexes identified were targeted by DE miRNAs changed in opposite directions in males and females. The results identify sex-dependent responses of the liver miRNA expression profile to BC supplementation during suckling and may sustain further investigations regarding the long-term impact of early postnatal life BC supplementation on top of an unbalanced maternal diet. Full article

The objective of this study was to evaluate the health, growth performance, and antibody titers of previously vaccinated newly weaned calves administered a respiratory and clostridial vaccine compared to no vaccination upon arrival. Single-sourced, newly weaned beef steers [n = 70; initial body weight (BW) = 254 ± 5.9 kg] were allotted to 10 pens (n = 5 pens/treatment; 7 steers/pen). Steers were blocked by BW in a randomized complete block design and assigned to one of two treatments: VAC (vaccinated for respiratory and clostridial species upon arrival) or NOVAC (not vaccinated upon arrival). Steers were individually weighed on d 0 (arrival), 1, 21, and 42 for growth performance measures. Whole blood samples were collected (n = 3 steers/pen) on d 1, 21, and 42 via jugular venipuncture for antibody titer responses. Depression scores (DS) of 0 (normal) to 4 (moribund) were recorded daily for each individual steer for 21 d. Dry matter intake as a percentage of BW tended (p = 0.07) to increase for the NOVAC group compared to the VAC group. No treatment × day interactions (p ≥ 0.50) were observed for DS or antibody titers. Growth performance was unaffected by vaccination but vaccinated calves had greater antibody titer responses throughout the 42 d study. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary bacteriophage administration on diarrhea and intestinal impairment induced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) in a newly weaned mouse model. Forty-four newly weaned C57BL/6 mice were divided into four treatment groups, where they were provided either the control diet or the bacteriophage-supplemented diet, with or without ETEC infection. The results show that the bacteriophage administration resulted in increased body weight, decreased diarrhea score, and improved jejunal histopathology in ETEC-infected mice. The bacteriophage administration enhanced the intestinal barrier function of the ETEC-infected mice, as indicated by the reduced serum DAO level and the increased expression of Claudin-1, Occludin, and ZO-1 at both the mRNA and protein levels in the jejunum. Also, the bacteriophage administration resulted in a decrease in serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels, a down-regulation of TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA levels in the jejunum, and the inhibition of jejunal TLR-4/NF-κB pathway activation induced by ETEC infection. Moreover, the bacteriophage administration increased the levels of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and total short-chain fatty acids in the caecum content. The bacteriophage administration increased the Shannon index, increased the abundance of Bacteroidota and Muribaculaceae, and decreased the abundance of Verrucomicrobiota and Akkermansiaceae in the colon contents of the ETEC-infected mice. Spearman’s correlation analysis indicates that the protective effects of bacteriophage on ETEC-induced intestinal impairment, inflammation, and intestinal barrier function are associated with regulating the abundance of Bacteroidota and Muribaculaceae in the colon contents of mice. Collectively, bacteriophage administration alleviates ETEC-induced diarrhea and intestinal impairment through regulating intestinal inflammation and gut microbiota in newly weaned mice. Full article

In this study, a newly developed small wireless bolus biosensor, equipped with a triaxial accelerometer and temperature sensors, was applied to assess physiological changes in calves. The biosensor was orally implanted in calves, and its retention rate and location in the forestomach were examined. Data transmitted at 10 min intervals were analyzed to determine the characteristics of the calves at 10 and 100 days of age. Additionally, the daily averages of the vector magnitude (DV), changes in V over time (DV1), and reticular temperature (DRT) were analyzed during the experimental period. The biosensor was orally administered to twelve calves (six beef and six dairy) within 22 days of birth. Except for two regurgitated devices, the sensors transmitted data normally in a wireless manner for 15 weeks, recording physiological changes in the calves. The location of the biosensors was confirmed to be the reticulum. The analysis revealed that the V and V1 values were influenced by the physical characteristics of the biosensor’s location. During weaning, DV and DV1 values first increased and then decreased compared to pre-weaning, while the DRT increased post-weaning and remained elevated. These findings suggest that these types of biosensors can be used for monitoring calf health; however, further research is needed to determine their ability to detect pathological states. Full article

Weaning stress can trigger diarrhea, cause intestinal damage, and disrupt the intestinal flora of piglets, ultimately resulting in retarded growth or even the death of the animals. Traditional Chinese medicine residues encompass numerous bioactive compounds and essential nutrients; however, their efficient utilization remains a challenge. Consequently, our study sought to explore the impact of traditional Chinese medicine residues, specifically Isatidis Root residue (IRR), on the growth performance, intestinal function, and occurrence of weaning diarrhea in newly weaned piglets. Forty healthy, castrated Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire males, weaned at 21 days old and exhibiting similar body conditions, were randomly allocated into five groups, with eight piglets in each group. The results indicated that the dietary inclusion of IRR at concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 4.0% notably decreased the incidence of diarrhea in weaned piglets compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Serum LDL-C and globulin (GLB) contents were reduced in response to dietary IRR concentrations (0.5% to 4.0%), while serum albumin (ALB) and albumin/globulin (A/G) contents were enhanced (p < 0.05). Dietary 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0% IRR resulted in significant increases in villus height (VH) and villus height/crypt depth (V/C) ratios in the jejunum, V/C ratios in the ileum, and the number of villi goblet cells both in the jejunum and ileum. IRR also led to a significant decrease in the crypt depth (CD) of the jejunum and ileum (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the expression of IL-6 in the jejunum was significantly increased in IRR-fed piglets (0.5% to 4.0%) (p < 0.05). IRR demonstrated inhibitory effects on harmful bacteria in the gastrointestinal microbiome, including Campylobacter, Actinobacillus minor, and Ralstonia pickettii, indicating its broad-spectrum bacteriostatic properties. In conclusion, dietary IRR alleviated diarrhea in weaned piglets and improved gut function and microbial compositions. Full article

This study examined the effects of incorporating fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) into the diet of newly weaned piglets on mineral digestibility and bone health. Experimental diets containing varying levels of FRSM (8%, 12%, 15%, and 25%) were introduced to the piglets at 18 days of age, prior to weaning at 28 days. These diets were continued until the piglets were euthanized at 42 days of age. Mineral absorption was assessed using the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) method and blood plasma element analysis, while bone mineral content and mechanical properties were evaluated through densitometry and three-point bending tests. The results showed that intermediate levels of FRSM (12–15%) significantly enhanced the digestibility of key minerals, including phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, and iron. This improvement was linked to increased femoral mineral content and bone stiffness, as well as a higher yield point, likely due to enhanced collagen synthesis. Additionally, there was an increase in bone fracture load and fracture stress, potentially due to changes in the organization of the bone mineral phase, as no changes in bone mid-shaft mineral density or geometry were observed. These findings suggest FRSM as a promising dietary component for improving mineral bioavailability and bone health in piglets. Full article

Astaxanthin (AST) is a natural compound derived from shellfish, microorganisms, and algae, with several healthy properties. For this reason, it is widely used in the diet of humans and animals, such as pigs, broilers, and fish, where its addition is related to its pigmenting properties. Moreover, AST’s ability to reduce free radicals and protect cells from oxidative damage finds application during the weaning period, when piglets are exposed to several stressors. To better elucidate the mechanisms involved, here we generate ad hoc pig and rainbow trout in vitro platforms able to mimic the intestinal mucosa. The morphology is validated through histological and molecular analysis, while functional properties of the newly generated intestinal barriers, both in porcine and rainbow trout models, are demonstrated by measuring trans-epithelial electrical resistance and analyzing permeability with fluorescein isothiocyanate–dextran. Exposure to AST induced a significant upregulation of antioxidative stress markers and a reduction in the transcription of inflammation-related interleukins. Altogether, the present findings demonstrate AST’s ability to interact with the molecular pathways controlling oxidative stress and inflammation both in the porcine and rainbow trout species and suggest AST’s positive role in prevention and health. Full article

The noninvasive neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NIV-NAVA) is a newly developed noninvasive ventilation technique with promising clinical and ventilatory outcomes for preterm infants. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate whether NIV-NAVA has better clinical and ventilatory outcomes than nasal continuous airway pressure (NCPAP) or noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPP) on premature infants. MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL were searched, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared NIV-NAVA with NCPAP or NIPP for preterm infants (gestational age: <37 weeks) were included. We evaluated the following outcomes in the neonatal intensive care unit: the desaturation rate, failure of noninvasive modality requiring intubation when received as the primary mode or the need for re-intubation after extubation from mechanical ventilation in the secondary mode (weaning), length of stay, and fraction of inspired oxygen. The mean difference and risk ratio were used to represent continuous and dichotomous outcomes, respectively. We included nine RCTs involving 339 preterm infants overall. NIV-NAVA showed similar clinical and ventilatory outcomes to NCPAP or NIPP, except for the maximum diaphragmatic electrical activity. The rate of failure of the noninvasive modality was not statistically different between NIV-NAVA and NCPAP. The pooled estimates for the maximum electrical activity were significantly reduced in NIV-NAVA compared with those in NIPP. The findings suggest that NIV-NAVA may be as safe and effective as NCPAP and NIPP for preterm neonates, particularly those who may not tolerate these alternative noninvasive methods. However, further trials are recommended for greater evidence. Full article