Effects of Dietary Interventions on Farm Animal Welfare and Production

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Agriculture agriculture	3.3	4.9	2011	19.2 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Animals animals	2.7	4.9	2011	16.1 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Dairy dairy	-	4.4	2020	27.8 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Toxins toxins	3.9	7.5	2009	20.3 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Poultry poultry	-	-	2022	28.8 Days	CHF 1000	Submit

16 pages, 987 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Co-Supplementation of Diet with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Thymol: Effects on Growth Performance, Antioxidant and Immunological Responses of Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

by Morteza Yousefi, Hossein Adineh, Ali Taheri Mirghaed and Seyyed Morteza Hoseini

Animals 2025, 15(3), 302; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15030302 - 22 Jan 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 808

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of thymol and yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity and immunological responses and gut immunological transcripts in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Two hundred and seventy fish (6.62 ± 0.18 g) were distributed in 18 [...] Read more.

This study assessed the effects of thymol and yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity and immunological responses and gut immunological transcripts in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Two hundred and seventy fish (6.62 ± 0.18 g) were distributed in 18 aquaria (15 fish per aquarium) as a 2 × 3 factorial design. The fish were fed on diets containing 0 and 1 × 10⁸ cfu/g of yeast and 0, 250 and 500 mg/kg of thymol for 60 days. The results showed that dietary yeast supplementation led to significantly improved fish weight gain and feed efficiency (p < 0.05). Thymol and yeast supplementation affected the hepatic antioxidant status, leading to lower lipid peroxidation and higher glutathione reserves (p < 0.05). Thymol and yeast supplementation led to significantly lowered plasma aspartate aminotransferase levels (p < 0.05). Dietary yeast supplementation led to significantly elevated plasma and mucus lysozyme, plasma alternative complement, immunoglobulin and mucus alkaline phosphatase levels. In contrast, thymol supplementation led to significantly increased plasma lysozyme and mucus alkaline phosphatase levels (p < 0.05), whereas it had no significant effects on other immunological parameters. The mucus bactericidal activities were improved by dietary yeast but both supplements enhanced the plasma bactericidal activity (p < 0.05). Thymol and yeast supplementation significantly up-regulated the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, transforming growth factor-beta, beta-defensin and heat shock protein-70 in the hindgut (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary yeast supplementation was particularly effective in enhancing fish growth performance and non-specific immunity, while thymol supplementation primarily led to improved antioxidant capacity. Notably, a dietary dose of 250 mg/kg of thymol alone failed to affect the gut transcription as much as 500 mg/kg; however, the co-supplementation of 250 mg/kg of thymol and yeast led to comparable results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Effects of Dietary Interventions on Farm Animal Welfare and Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 3977 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Providing Enrichment to Broilers in an Animal Welfare Environment on Productivity, Litter Moisture, Gas Concentration (CO₂ and NH₃), Animal Welfare Indicators, and Stress Level Concentration

by Chan-Ho Kim, Woo-Do Lee, Ji-Seon Son, Jung-Hwan Jeon, Se-Jin Lim and Su-Mi Kim

Agriculture 2025, 15(2), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15020182 - 15 Jan 2025

Viewed by 996

Abstract

As animal welfare becomes more active in livestock industry, research is being conducted on ways to improve poor housing environments, reduce stress, and meet welfare standards. Among these, environmental enrichment methods are effective in reducing stress and creating a welfare-friendly rearing environment, but [...] Read more.

As animal welfare becomes more active in livestock industry, research is being conducted on ways to improve poor housing environments, reduce stress, and meet welfare standards. Among these, environmental enrichment methods are effective in reducing stress and creating a welfare-friendly rearing environment, but there are few cases of actual application to farms. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of providing pecking materials (grain blocks), known as one of the environmental enrichment methods, to commercial broiler farms. This study used two facilities that could accommodate 32,000 one-day-old broilers (Arbor acres) per building, and two groups (control and treatment groups) were designed after creating two identical areas within each building (total two treatments, two replicates, 16,000 birds per replicate). Two identical zones within the house were created by installing a partition in the center; one side was provided with grain blocks (one grain block per 1000 birds), and the other side was not. Analysis items included productivity (body weight, uniformity), environmental variables (litter and air), welfare indicators (leg, gait score, feather cleanliness score), and serum corticosterone levels. Analysis of all items was conducted twice, on the 19th and 27th, taking into account the farm’s feed change date and slaughter schedule. Other environmental conditions (density, lighting, ventilation, temperature, humidity, feed, and water) were the same. As a result, no difference in productivity was observed according to enrichment, and the quality of litter and air was similar. Also, there was no significant difference in welfare indicators. Interestingly, however, provision of the environment enrichment lowered serum corticosterone levels (p < 0.05). The implications of our study are that grain blocks as a pecking material are an effective way to reduce stress without adversely affecting broiler performance and rearing environment. However, it is still necessary to explore optimal enrichment materials that can help not only the welfare level but also the broiler performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Effects of Dietary Interventions on Farm Animal Welfare and Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 302 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interactions Between Trace Elements and Macro Minerals in Pregnant Heifers

by Raquel S. Dias Betini, Secundino López, Yuri R. Montanholi and James France

Agriculture 2025, 15(2), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15020167 - 13 Jan 2025

Viewed by 1073

Abstract

There is a lack of information on mineral interactions that take place during a heifer’s pregnancy when nutrient demand is high. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the interactions between the macro minerals calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sulphur [...] Read more.

There is a lack of information on mineral interactions that take place during a heifer’s pregnancy when nutrient demand is high. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the interactions between the macro minerals calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) and the trace elements copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn) and cobalt (Co) in pregnant heifers. Twenty-four pregnant heifers (age 18.2 ± 0.14 months; 87.5 ± 4.74 days in gestation; 497 ± 8.5 kg of body weight) were used in a 7 d digestibility trial (indirect method using lignin as a marker) during which they were fed a diet that provided minerals in accordance with NASEM requirements for gestating beef cattle. At the end of the digestibility trial, blood (jugular venipuncture) and liver (biopsy) samples were collected from each heifer. Multiple linear regression models were developed based on the main correlations and by considering collinearity effects between variables. Iron intake positively affected Mo concentration in serum, which was >10 µg/dL for most of the animals. Apparent absorption of Fe was negatively affected by Mo intake and Ca to P ratio in feed, whereas Se absorption was negatively affected by Fe intake and positively by Mo intake. The absorption coefficients of Mo and Fe were inversely related, emphasizing the interactions between these elements. Serum Fe and Cu in the liver were positively correlated, while liver Fe was inversely related to liver Mn. Fewer interactions were observed between the macro minerals. In conclusion, within the interactions observed, those between Fe and Mo deserve special attention, as high dietary Fe is commonly found in typical ruminant diets, and high serum Mo may indicate molybdenosis. Furthermore, high Fe intake appears to impact Se and Mn utilization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Effects of Dietary Interventions on Farm Animal Welfare and Production)

14 pages, 711 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Dietary Gallic Acid on Growth Performance, Meat Quality, Antioxidant Capacity, and Muscle Fiber Type-Related Gene Expression in Broiler Chickens Challenged with Lipopolysaccharide

by Taidi Xiong, Zhilong Chen, Mubashar Hassan, Cui Zhu, Junyan Wang, Shujun Tan, Fayuan Ding, Zhonggang Cheng, Jinling Ye, Qiuli Fan, Danlei Xu, Shouqun Jiang and Dong Ruan

Animals 2024, 14(24), 3670; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14243670 - 19 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1082

Abstract

In this study, broilers were selected as the research object to investigate the effects and mechanisms of dietary gallic acid (GA) supplementation on growth performance, meat quality, antioxidant capacity, and muscle fiber-related gene expression. A total of 750 one-day-old healthy 817 male crossbred [...] Read more.

In this study, broilers were selected as the research object to investigate the effects and mechanisms of dietary gallic acid (GA) supplementation on growth performance, meat quality, antioxidant capacity, and muscle fiber-related gene expression. A total of 750 one-day-old healthy 817 male crossbred broiler chickens were divided into five treatment groups, with six replicates per group. Birds in the control (CON) group and LPS-challenged treatment (LPS) group were fed a basal diet, and birds in the other three treatment groups received the basal diet with 150, 300, or 450 mg/kg added GA (GA150, GA300, GA450). On days 14, 17, and 20, chickens in the LPS, GA150, GA300, and GA450 groups received intramuscular injections of LPS, while chickens in the CON group received saline. The results showed that the addition of GA to the diet could effectively increase the average daily gain (ADG) of broilers from 1 to 50 days of age, and had a trend (p = 0.078) of increasing the average daily feed intake (ADFI). Adding 450 mg/kg GA to the diet significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the drip loss and pH value of pectoral muscles 45 min after slaughter, and significantly increased (p < 0.05) the lightness value of pectoral muscles 45 min post-slaughter. With an increase in GA level, the content of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) in pectoral muscles decreased linearly (p < 0.05), and the concentration of C22:6n-3 increased linearly (p < 0.05). GA effectively improved (p < 0.05) the antioxidant capacity of muscles and significantly increased (p < 0.05) the activity of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) in pectoral muscles after LPS stimulation, exhibiting linear and quadratic changes (p < 0.05). It also significantly increased (p < 0.05) the activity of hydrogen peroxide and decreased the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), while it linearly decreased (p < 0.05) the content of malondialdehyde (MDA). In addition, the dietary supplementation of GA significantly increased (p < 0.05) the expression levels of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) I and MyHC IIa in pectoral muscles and significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the expression level of MyHC IIx. In summary, the dietary addition of GA can alleviate the effect of the stress response on the growth performance of broiler chickens and improve antioxidant capacity and meat quality. The appropriate amount of dietary GA at each stage was 300 mg/kg. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Effects of Dietary Interventions on Farm Animal Welfare and Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 288 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Effects of Early Low-Phosphorous Nutritional Conditioning on Broiler Chicken Performance, Bone Mineralization, and Gut Health Under Adequate or Phosphorous-Deficient Diets

by Núria Tous, Maria Francesch, Joan Tarradas, Ignacio Badiola, Ana M. Pérez de Rozas, Emma Fàbrega, Maria Ballester, Raquel Quintanilla and David Torrallardona

Animals 2024, 14(22), 3218; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14223218 - 9 Nov 2024

Viewed by 986

Abstract

Phosphorous is essential for many metabolic functions and the constitution of bones. Poultry have limited ability to use phosphorous from diets, which is mainly excreted and causes environmental concern. For this reason, diets are commonly supplemented with inorganic phosphorus and phytases. It has [...] Read more.

Phosphorous is essential for many metabolic functions and the constitution of bones. Poultry have limited ability to use phosphorous from diets, which is mainly excreted and causes environmental concern. For this reason, diets are commonly supplemented with inorganic phosphorus and phytases. It has been suggested that chickens can adapt to an early nutrient restriction by increasing its efficiency of utilization, an adaptation that has been defined as nutritional conditioning. The aim of this study was to investigate a strategy of phosphorous nutritional conditioning by feeding low phosphorous diets during the first week of life as a strategy to improve the efficiency of phosphorous utilization later in life. To test this, 600 male broiler chickens were fed either a standard (control group) or a phosphorous-deficient diet (conditioned group) during the first week of life. Later in life, the effect of conditioning was tested using standard or P-deficient diets during the finishing phase (21–43 d). Conditioning did not affect overall performance, despite finding evidence for reduced relative phosphorous excretion between days 19 to 21, increased duodenal gene expression for the phosphorous transporter SLC34A2 at day 30 (−6% and +17%, respectively), and tendencies for improved phosphorous digestibility (+7%) and tibia mineralization (+6%) at the end of the trial. It is concluded that phosphorous nutritional conditioning early in life can increase subsequent dietary phosphorous utilization and bone mineralization in poultry, although it may not be able to counteract severe phosphorous deficiencies. Further research is required to assess the extent to which phosphorous supplementation in post-conditioning diets may be reduced with this strategy without compromising performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Effects of Dietary Interventions on Farm Animal Welfare and Production)

11 pages, 296 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Crude Glycerol Increases Neutral Detergent Fiber Degradability and Modulates Rumen Fermentative Dynamics of Kikuyu Grass in Non-Lactating Holstein Cows Raised in Tropical Conditions

by Diana Marcela Valencia-Echavarria, Yury Tatiana Granja-Salcedo, Jorge Guillermo Noriega-Marquez, Luis Alfonso Giraldo Valderrama, Julián Andrés Castillo Vargas and Telma Teresinha Berchielli

Dairy 2024, 5(3), 480-490; https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy5030037 - 16 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1292

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of increasing levels of crude glycerol (CG) on the effective degradability of neutral detergent fiber (EDNDF) in Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. Ex Chiov (kikuyu forage) and ruminal fermentation parameters in grazing dairy cows. Four non-lactating cannulated Holstein cows were [...] Read more.

This study evaluated the effects of increasing levels of crude glycerol (CG) on the effective degradability of neutral detergent fiber (EDNDF) in Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. Ex Chiov (kikuyu forage) and ruminal fermentation parameters in grazing dairy cows. Four non-lactating cannulated Holstein cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Treatments consisted of CG infusion in the rumen at the following levels: 0 (G0), 500 (G500), 1000 (G1000), and 1500 (G1500) g/animal/day. Two kikuyu forages harvested (D) at 35 (DR35) and 45 (DR45) days of regrowth were incubated in the rumen for 72 h. The infusion of CG into the rumen increased (p < 0.05) EDNDF in both incubated forages. Total volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and pH values in the ruminal fluid were unaffected (p > 0.05) by the infusion of CG. However, propionate and butyrate molar proportions increased (p < 0.05) at the expense of acetate at all CG levels. In addition, the NH₃-N levels decreased (p < 0.05) by approximately 20% with the infusion of 1000 and 1500 g of CG. In conclusion, supplementation with CG increases ruminal EDNDF, improving rumen fermentation dynamics in cows grazing kikuyu forage under tropical conditions. This greater EDNDF was achieved for both harvesting times. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Effects of Dietary Interventions on Farm Animal Welfare and Production)

20 pages, 8205 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Supplementation of Crossbred Pigs with Glycerol, Vitamin C, and Niacinamide Alters the Composition of Gut Flora and Gut Flora-Derived Metabolites

by Panting Wei, Wenchen Sun, Shaobin Hao, Linglan Deng, Wanjie Zou, Huadong Wu, Wei Lu and Yuyong He

Animals 2024, 14(15), 2198; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14152198 - 28 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1802

Abstract

The addition of glycerin, vitamin C, and niacinamide to pig diets increased the redness of longissimus dorsi; however, it remains unclear how these supplements affect gut microbiota and metabolites. A total of 84 piglets (20.35 ± 2.14 kg) were randomly allotted to [...] Read more.

The addition of glycerin, vitamin C, and niacinamide to pig diets increased the redness of longissimus dorsi; however, it remains unclear how these supplements affect gut microbiota and metabolites. A total of 84 piglets (20.35 ± 2.14 kg) were randomly allotted to groups A (control), B (glycerin-supplemented), C (vitamin C and niacinamide-supplemented), and D (glycerin, vitamin C and niacinamide-supplemented) during a feeding experiment. Metagenomic and metabolomic technologies were used to analyze the fecal compositions of bile acids, metabolites, and microbiota. The results showed that compared to pigs in group A, pigs in group D had lower virulence factor expressions of lipopolysaccharide (p < 0.05), fatty acid resistance system (p < 0.05), and capsule (p < 0.01); higher fecal levels of ferric ion (p < 0.05), allolithocholic acid (p < 0.01), deoxycholic acid (p < 0.05), tauroursodeoxycholic acid dihydrate (p < 0.01), glycodeoxycholic acid (p < 0.05), L-proline (p < 0.01) and calcitriol (p < 0.01); and higher (p < 0.05) abundances of iron-acquiring microbiota (Methanobrevibacter, Clostridium, Clostridiaceae, Clostridium_sp_CAG_1000, Faecalibacterium_sp_CAG_74_58_120, Eubacteriales_Family_XIII_Incertae_Sedis, Alistipes_sp_CAG_435, Alistipes_sp_CAG_514 and Methanobrevibacter_sp_YE315). Supplementation with glycerin, vitamin C, and niacinamide to pigs significantly promoted the growth of iron-acquiring microbiota in feces, reduced the expression of some virulence factor genes of fecal pathogens, and increased the fecal levels of ferric ion, L-proline, and some secondary bile acids. The administration of glycerol, vitamin C, and niacinamide to pigs may serve as an effective measure for muscle redness improvement by altering the compositions of fecal microbiota and metabolites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Effects of Dietary Interventions on Farm Animal Welfare and Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 857 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Climate Change and Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential Impact Indicators of Cow Milk: A Comparison of Different Scenarios for a Diet Assessment

by Federico Froldi, Lucrezia Lamastra, Marco Trevisan and Maurizio Moschini

Animals 2024, 14(12), 1725; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14121725 - 7 Jun 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1308

Abstract

An estimate of the environmental impact of dairy farms in Northern Italy producing milk for hard cheese (protected designation of origin) has been obtained through a comprehensive life cycle assessment. The estimate focused on climate change (CC) and photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP) [...] Read more.

An estimate of the environmental impact of dairy farms in Northern Italy producing milk for hard cheese (protected designation of origin) has been obtained through a comprehensive life cycle assessment. The estimate focused on climate change (CC) and photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP) indicators, which were evaluated according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines and interpreted with the aid of the feeds’ composition evaluated using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (Foss NIR-System 5000) as well as with a diet evaluation according to the NRC (National Research Council) or the CNCPS (Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System) nutrient requirement modeling. Herds were classified into high-, mid-, and low-performing based on the daily milk yield per cow. A lower impact on indicators was observed as herd performance increased. The high-performing herds had a lower contribution from enteric fermentation (6.30 × 10⁻¹ kgCO₂-eq), and the more milk that they produced allowed for a differentiation of CC from land use and transformation (2.39 × 10⁻¹ kgCO₂-eq), compared to low-performing herds (3.66 × 10⁻¹ kgCO₂-eq). Compared to the IPCC approach, the CC and POCP indicator estimates were reduced when addressing the feed’s quality, particularly in mid- and high-performing herds. The results could be helpful in the dairy sector as they provide an insight into how diet quality affects the environmental impact of milk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Effects of Dietary Interventions on Farm Animal Welfare and Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

8 pages, 258 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Influence of Deliverable Form of Dietary Vitamin D₃ on the Immune Response in Late-Lactating Dairy Goats

by Adela Mora-Gutierrez, Maryuri T. Núñez de González, Selamawit Woldesenbet, Rahmat Attaie and Yoonsung Jung

Dairy 2024, 5(2), 308-315; https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy5020025 - 22 May 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1921

Abstract

Mastitis-causing bacteria can establish persistent infections in the mammary glands of commercially important dairy animals despite the presence of strong specific humoral and cellular immune mechanisms. We investigated the effect of vitamin D₃ in the diet at a set level, but in [...] Read more.

Mastitis-causing bacteria can establish persistent infections in the mammary glands of commercially important dairy animals despite the presence of strong specific humoral and cellular immune mechanisms. We investigated the effect of vitamin D₃ in the diet at a set level, but in two different forms (i.e., unencapsulated and encapsulated by complex coacervation with sulfur-saturated bovine lactoferrin-alginate using microbial transglutaminase-catalyzed crosslinking) on the immune response in late-lactating dairy goats. Dairy goats (n = 18) were randomly assigned to three experimental groups (n = 6). Dairy goats were orally administered 0.35 mg of vitamin D₃/day in the unencapsulated form and 0.35 mg of vitamin D₃/day in the encapsulated powder form. Another group received the basal diet. The experimental period lasted 6 weeks. The blood serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ [25-(OH)-D₃], lactoferrin, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and interferon-gamma (INF-γ) were measured. There were major differences in these parameters between dietary groups. However, the delivery of vitamin D₃ in the encapsulated powder form to dairy goats resulted in a marked increase in 25-(OH)-D₃ concentration in serum, while the serum level of lactoferrin also increased. Alternatively, the serum levels of IgA and the immunomodulatory cytokine INF-γ were elevated following supplementation with the encapsulated vitamin D₃. The observed effects suggest that the deliverable form of dietary vitamin D₃ results in differences in the immune response in late-lactating dairy goats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Effects of Dietary Interventions on Farm Animal Welfare and Production)

9 pages, 478 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Palm Oil Deodorizer Distillate on the Ruminal Environment of Sheep

by Diego Assis das Graças, Eziquiel de Morais, Alyne C. S. Lima, Shirley M. de Souza, Luciano F. Sousa, Diego C. Franco, Artur L. C. Silva and André G. Maciel e Silva

Animals 2024, 14(9), 1269; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091269 - 24 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1596

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the impact of palm oil deodorizer distillate (POD) on the ruminal environment, including (i) microbial community, (ii) ruminal degradability, and (iii) apparent digestibility in sheep. The data used were derived from twenty rumen-cannulated sheep fed five isoproteic and [...] Read more.

This study aimed to assess the impact of palm oil deodorizer distillate (POD) on the ruminal environment, including (i) microbial community, (ii) ruminal degradability, and (iii) apparent digestibility in sheep. The data used were derived from twenty rumen-cannulated sheep fed five isoproteic and isofiber diets based on elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Roxo) silage supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100 g kg⁻¹ POD on a dry matter (DM) basis. Rumen fluid samples were collected three hours after feeding directly from the ventral sac of the rumen via a cannula and then subjected to DNA extraction, which was subsequently used for 16S rDNA amplification, followed by sequencing and diversity analysis. In this study, the microbial diversity was dominated by Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, followed by Euryarchaetoa, Actinobacteria, and Tenericutes, in the ruminal environment, and was slightly modified when supplemented with the POD up to 100 g/kg (10%), leading to only a slight decrease in the diversity index. The ruminal degradability, ruminal fermentation parameters, and apparent digestibility were slightly compromised by the inclusion of up to 25 g of POD per kg of DM, and larger inclusions interfered with the ruminal degradability of fibrous fractions and the apparent digestibility of dry matter. This lipid supplement showed good results for feeding sheep and is an inexpensive and abundant alternative in the regional market. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Effects of Dietary Interventions on Farm Animal Welfare and Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 483 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Willow (Salix acmophylla Boiss.) Leaf and Branch Extracts Inhibit In Vitro Sporulation of Coccidia (Eimeria spp.) from Goats

by Manal Haj-Zaroubi, Nariman Mattar, Sami Awabdeh, Rawad Sweidan, Alex Markovics, Joshua D. Klein and Hassan Azaizeh

Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 648; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050648 - 23 Apr 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1917

Abstract

Willow (Salix spp.) trees, found worldwide, contain secondary metabolites that are valuable as dietary supplements for animal feed and as antiparasitic compounds. We quantified secondary metabolites (phenolics, flavonoids, and salicylic acid) in ethanolic extracts from leaves and branches of three Salix acmophylla [...] Read more.

Willow (Salix spp.) trees, found worldwide, contain secondary metabolites that are valuable as dietary supplements for animal feed and as antiparasitic compounds. We quantified secondary metabolites (phenolics, flavonoids, and salicylic acid) in ethanolic extracts from leaves and branches of three Salix acmophylla Boiss. genotypes and investigated their potential to inhibit Eimeria sp. sporulation, a major concern in ruminants. The total phenolic content of willow leaves and branches was similar in two of three different genotypes. The total flavonoid content of the branches was significantly higher than that of leaves of the same genotype; however, the salicylic acid content was significantly higher in leaves than in branches. Importantly, all extracts exhibited significant inhibition of Eimeria sporulation, where over 70% inhibition was obtained at concentrations as low as 750 mgL⁻¹. The sporulation inhibition by branch or leaf extracts exceeded 80% for leaves and 90% for branches at concentrations above 1250 mgL⁻¹. The study highlights the potential of using Salix extracts as bioactive compounds for biological control of coccidiosis in ruminants. We conclude that all parts and all investigated genotypes of S. acmophylla can provide secondary metabolites that act as a coccidiostat to treat Eimeria in goats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Effects of Dietary Interventions on Farm Animal Welfare and Production)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

13 pages, 921 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of N-Carbamylglutamate Supplementation during the Last Third of Gestation on the Growth and Development of Fetuses Born to Nutrient-Restricted Twin-Bearing Ewes

by Víctor H. Parraguez, Susan McCoard, Camila Sandoval, Francisca Candia, Paul Maclean, Wade Mace, Xinqi Liu and Francisco Sales

Animals 2024, 14(6), 946; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14060946 - 19 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1419

Abstract

N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) is postulated to improve fetal growth in nutrient-restricted gestations when supplemented from day 35 to 110 of gestation, but the effects of supplementation from 100 days of gestation to birth have not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to [...] Read more.

N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) is postulated to improve fetal growth in nutrient-restricted gestations when supplemented from day 35 to 110 of gestation, but the effects of supplementation from 100 days of gestation to birth have not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral NCG supplementation from 100 days of gestation (dga) to term in naturally nutrient-restricted grazing twin-bearing ewes, on the maternal body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), placental morphology, fetal body and organ weights and blood biochemistry and antioxidant status in the ewe and fetuses. Eighteen twin-bearing ewes maintained under grazing management were randomly allocated to either a treatment group (NCG; n = 10), orally dosed once daily with 60 mg/kg of NCG from day 100 until 140 dga, or an unsupplemented control group (CON; n = 8). At 140 dga, blood gases, redox status, maternal and fetal plasma and fetal biometrics were obtained after caesarian section. The serum concentration of NCG was increased 15-fold in the NCG ewes compared to the CON. No major effects on dam or fetal body weight nor on blood biochemistry or antioxidant parameters were observed. These results indicate that NCG supplementation in mid-to-late gestation to grazing ewes was unable to rescue the negative production effects of severe natural nutritional restriction on both the dam and fetuses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Effects of Dietary Interventions on Farm Animal Welfare and Production)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Topic Menu

Topic Editors

Effects of Dietary Interventions on Farm Animal Welfare and Production

Topic Information

Keywords

Participating Journals

Published Papers (12 papers)

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI