{"title":"Potential Application of Chitosan and Its Derivatives in Broiler Production-An Updated Overview.","authors":"Sugiharto Sugiharto, Chackrit Nuengjamnong","doi":"10.1111/jpn.14132","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.14132","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The ban on antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in poultry feeds has prompted a search for effective alternatives, one of which is chitosan, which has been studied for poultry health and growth benefits. Not only acting as an antibacterial agent, chitosan can also serve as an antioxidant, immunomodulator, toxin binder and growth promoter for broiler chickens. In addition, the use of chitosan can also improve the physiological conditions, carcass and meat characteristics of broiler chickens. There is currently no optimum level of chitosan as feed additive for broiler chickens. The level or proportion of use of chitosan and its derivatives as feed additives varies greatly from study to study, depending greatly on the types, characteristics, molecular weight, deacetylation degree, sources of chitosan, as well as conditions during the experiments. This review paper provides an updated overview regarding the potential application of chitosan and its derivatives in broiler production as an alternative to AGP.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144316992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pei-Sheng Chiu, Jie Hsu, Shine-Wei Ho, Cheng-Hsuan Huang, Yen-Chun Lee, Yu-Hung Lin
{"title":"Development of the Digestive System and Digestive Enzymes in the Marine Ornamental Fish White-Barred Goby Amblygobius phalaena.","authors":"Pei-Sheng Chiu, Jie Hsu, Shine-Wei Ho, Cheng-Hsuan Huang, Yen-Chun Lee, Yu-Hung Lin","doi":"10.1111/jpn.14135","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.14135","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Analysing the development of a digestive system and enzyme activity is crucial for understanding the digestive physiology of larval fish and determining optimal feeding practices. The white-barred goby (Amblygobius phalaena), a popular marine ornamental fish, has established breeding and larval rearing techniques, but research on its digestive physiology remains limited, which is essential for enhancing commercial production efficiency. This study aimed to elucidate the histological structure of the digestive tract and changes in enzyme activity in white-barred goby larvae to understand the progression of their digestive functions, providing a foundation for future weaning studies. Histological observations revealed that 6-8 h before hatching, the digestive tract appeared as a simple straight tube, with the liver, pancreas and gallbladder already formed. Gastric glands developed by 35 days post-hatch (dph), at which point the larvae reached a total length of 15.70-18.50 mm. The stomach reached full development at 40 dph (20.11-25.12 mm). Analysis of digestive enzyme activity showed that the total activities of trypsin, amylase, lipase and pepsin in white-barred goby larvae gradually increased with growth. Lipase and pepsin specific activities peaked at 40 dph (19.58-25.13 mm). Based on these results, we recommend to introduce artificial feed starting from 35 dph (15.70-18.50 mm). The findings of this study are significant for improving larviculture and establishing the weaning time of white-barred goby larvae.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144274971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Clarisse Coelho, Carolina Vintem, Ana Sofia Silva, Catarina Santos, Ana Margarida Santos, Anderson Leite, Vinicius Souza, Renata Siqueira, Helio Cordeiro Manso Filho, Joana Simões
{"title":"A 6-Week Training Protocol Reduces Energy Consumption in Young Lusitano Horses Used in Dressage.","authors":"Clarisse Coelho, Carolina Vintem, Ana Sofia Silva, Catarina Santos, Ana Margarida Santos, Anderson Leite, Vinicius Souza, Renata Siqueira, Helio Cordeiro Manso Filho, Joana Simões","doi":"10.1111/jpn.14134","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.14134","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The present work aimed to evaluate the influence of a training programme on energy expenditure (EE), cost of transport (COT, cardiac beats to move the body mass during exercise) and metabolic power (Pmet) in young Purebred Lusitano horses used in dressage. With this purpose, nine male horses, ~4 years old, were evaluated before (M1) and after 6 weeks (M2) of a training programme that included 40-80 min of preparatory dressage exercises, 6×/week, individually adjusted. In M1 and M2, the animals were examined in a dressage field test (DFT), when heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR), body temperature (BT) and blood lactate were recorded. In DFT, the horses used a cardiac monitor (Polar H10) for calculation using the formulas: EE (J/kg/min) = 0.0566 × HR<sup>1.9955</sup>, COT = (HR<sub>effort</sub>-HR<sub>basal</sub>)/kg/m × 10<sup>3</sup> and Pmet (beats/min/kg) = (HR - 35)/min/kg. The training led to a significant reduction in EE (799.9 vs. 682.8 J/min; p = 0.037) and COT (0.73 vs. 0.59 bpm/kg/m × 10<sup>3</sup>; p = 0.042), without change in Pmet. Furthermore, a significant increase in peak of speed was observed (5.81 vs. 7.36 m/s; p = 0.0161). It was possible to conclude that the proposed training protocol led to greater efficiency in locomotion costs, with lower EE and COT values.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144274970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pervez Ali, Sarzamin Khan, Hanan Al-Khalaifah, Rafiullah, Rifat Ullah Khan, Shabana Naz, Ibrahim A Alhidary, Ala Abudabos
{"title":"Lactobacillus-Enriched Zophobas morio Larvae Impact Performance, Digestibility, Immunity and Economics in Broilers.","authors":"Pervez Ali, Sarzamin Khan, Hanan Al-Khalaifah, Rafiullah, Rifat Ullah Khan, Shabana Naz, Ibrahim A Alhidary, Ala Abudabos","doi":"10.1111/jpn.14131","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.14131","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The search for safe and effective alternatives to antibiotics in poultry production has intensified due to growing concerns over antimicrobial resistance and food safety. Postbiotics, derived from beneficial microorganisms, have emerged as promising candidates to enhance broiler health and performance. We evaluated the effects of Zophobas morio-based postbiotics on broiler chickens' growth performance, nutrient digestibility, immunity, intestinal health, and economic viability. Z. morio larvae were cultured with Lactobacillus acidophilus (3 × 10⁹ CFU/mL) in wheat bran to produce postbiotics. We used a total of 350 Ross 308 broiler chicks were allocated into five groups, with one control group and four treatment groups supplemented with 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% or 0.8% Z. morio-based postbiotics. Treated groups exhibited significantly improved weight gain, nutrient digestibility, and apparent metabolisable energy compared to the control group. The microbial count of L. acidophilus increased significantly (p < 0.05), while pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli decreased, particularly in the 0.8% postbiotic group. Intestinal morphology, including villus length and width and crypt depth, improved in postbiotic-supplemented groups. Additionally, carcass yield and economic returns were higher in the 0.8% treatment group. Immune responses were enhanced, with higher antibody titers against Newcastle disease (ND) at 0.6% and 0.8% inclusion levels. The study concluded that Z. morio-based postbiotics at the level of 0.8% positively influenced broiler growth performance by enhancing nutrient absorption, boosting immunity, and reducing pathogenic bacteria.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144142493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exploring the Benefits of Jerusalem Artichoke Tubers as a Prebiotic Supplement: Effects on Growth Performance, Rumen Environment and Serum Acute-Phase Proteins in Weaned Crossbred Calves.","authors":"Yancy Mary Issac, Ashok Kumar Pattanaik, Mokshata Gupta, Anju Kala, Sunil Ekanath Jadhav","doi":"10.1111/jpn.14133","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.14133","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recognizing the critical importance of nutritional strategies during the crucial preweaning phase, our investigation focuses on the impact of supplementing Jerusalem artichoke tubers as a prebiotic, shedding light on its potential to drive optimal growth, rumen health and immunity of calves. Twenty-four 15-day-old calves, with an average body weight of 23.64 ± 0.57 kg, were randomly assigned to four groups. Group I served as the control (CON), receiving the basal diet (calf starter and green fodder) without any supplementation. The experimental groups, namely JAP 1, JAP 2 and JAP 3, received the basal diet supplemented with Jerusalem artichoke powder (JAP) at graded levels of 1%, 2% and 3%, respectively, for 60 days. The feeding trial continued for another 60 days, and we evaluated their growth performance, rumen fermentation, microbial enzymes and protozoa population at 120 days. Further, acute phase proteins like serum amyloid A, haptoglobin and fibrinogen were assessed at monthly intervals. The results demonstrated that calves receiving JAP exhibited improvements (p < 0.05) in weight gain, particularly in the JAP 3 group, indicating enhanced nutrient absorption during this critical preweaning period. Importantly, rumen pH remained stable (p > 0.05), while concentrations of propionate and butyrate increased significantly (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the rise (p < 0.05) in ruminal protease activity indicated enhanced protein degradation without disrupting essential rumen functions, including protozoan populations. Notably, acute phase proteins remained stable (p > 0.05), indicating a balanced inflammatory response. These findings highlight the promising potential of Jerusalem artichoke tuber as a natural prebiotic underscoring its efficacy when administered during the critical preweaning phase, strategically capitalizing on the developmental window before complete rumen maturation, thereby enhancing calf growth, reducing diarrhoea incidence, promoting rumen health and contributing to overall well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144142485","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Syed Nasar Ali, Asad Sultan, Ziaul Islam, Muhammad Shahkar Uzair, Mikhlid H Almutairi, Abdulwahed Fahad Alrefaei, Rifat Ullah Khan, Shabana Naz, Demilade Israel Ibiwoye
{"title":"Influence of Different Levels of Ginger-Derived Liquid Protease on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Immune Organs and Gut pH in Broiler Chickens.","authors":"Syed Nasar Ali, Asad Sultan, Ziaul Islam, Muhammad Shahkar Uzair, Mikhlid H Almutairi, Abdulwahed Fahad Alrefaei, Rifat Ullah Khan, Shabana Naz, Demilade Israel Ibiwoye","doi":"10.1111/jpn.14129","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.14129","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study assessed the effects of ginger-derived liquid protease (GDPE) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut health, and histology in broiler chickens (n = 360) over 35 days in a completely randomized design. Four dietary treatments were provided: a control diet and three test groups with varying GDPE concentrations (0.25 ml/kg, 0.5 ml/kg, and 1 ml/kg). Results showed that GDPE supplementation, especially at 0.5 ml/kg (GDPE2) and 1 ml/kg (GDPE3), significantly (p < 0.05) improved feed conversion ratio, dressing percentage, and immune organ weights. The highest (p < 0.05) weight gain occurred in GDPE2, while the lowest (p < 0.05) feed intake was observed in GDPE3. Supplementing with GDPE also reduced (p < 0.05) gut pH and enhanced (p < 0.05) nutrient digestibility, particularly ether extract. Apparent metabolizable energy (AME) increased with GDPE supplementation, reaching its peak in GDPE3 (p < 0.05). Overall, 1 ml/kg GDPE improved growth, nutrient digestibility, immune function, and gut health in broilers.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144093704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Annika Bosch, Armin Manfred Scholz, Franziska Blümel, Johann Ertl, Hubert Spiekers, Thomas Ettle
{"title":"Comparative Study on Milk Production, Milk Components, Feed Intake and Efficiency Parameters of Fleckvieh (German Simmental), Brown Swiss and Fleckvieh × Red Holstein Dairy Cows.","authors":"Annika Bosch, Armin Manfred Scholz, Franziska Blümel, Johann Ertl, Hubert Spiekers, Thomas Ettle","doi":"10.1111/jpn.14124","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.14124","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this study was to compare milk production, milk components and feed intake of Fleckvieh, Brown Swiss and Fleckvieh × Red Holstein dairy cows kept under identical feeding and management conditions. The study examined efficiency parameters in relation to feed, energy, protein, and metabolic weight of the three breeds. Additionally, the changes of body condition throughout the lactation were assessed using body condition score and back fat thickness. Data collected from 24 feeding trials conducted at the Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture between 2011 and 2023 were compiled. Totally, 99,288 daily observations from 212 Fleckvieh, 127 Brown Swiss and 103 Fleckvieh × Red Holstein dairy cows were evaluated. Although Brown Swiss is a more dairy orientated breed compared with Fleckvieh as dual-purpose breed, daily milk yield and energy-corrected milk production were not affected by genotype. Brown Swiss was characterized by a significantly (p < 0.05) higher fat and protein content, somatic cell score, and milk urea content. At the same time, Brown Swiss achieved significantly (p < 0.05) lower values for dry matter intake and therefore consumed a lower amount of protein and energy per day. Due to these differences, the calculated efficiency parameters for Brown Swiss were significantly higher in the present study, making Brown Swiss more efficient in terms of feed, energy, protein, and metabolic weight. The differences in efficiency can be partly explained by differences in body weight and the associated maintenance requirements. The higher milk urea values combined with lower protein intake of Brown Swiss compared with Fleckvieh under same conditions, confirm current research findings and indicate physiological differences of the Brown Swiss breed. From this perspective, it is worth considering whether the reference values for milk urea should be adjusted according to breed, as milk urea values are indicators of nitrogen supply to rumen microbes, the protein supply status of cows, and the estimation of nitrogen excretion.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144093745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Branching Out: Rabbit Models Provide Evidence for the Use of a Willow Cultivar (Salix miyabeana) as a Suitable Forage Material for Monogastric Herbivores in Zoos.","authors":"Ben Martin, Anna K Shoveller, Pauline A L Kosmal","doi":"10.1111/jpn.14130","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.14130","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We assessed the suitability of a willow cultivar for monogastric herbivores in zoos using a rabbit model. Thirty-six male New Zealand White × Californian rabbits at 5 weeks of age were provided with bark and leaf material from a willow cultivar, Salix miyabeana (SX61), in one of four treatments for 6 weeks: UC (unrestricted control of pelleted diet); RC (restricted control of pelleted diet); TL (restricted pellets + fresh willow leaf material); and TB (restricted pellets + fresh willow bark material). Daily feed intake and weekly weights were recorded. Fasted blood samples were taken between 8:00 and 11:00 h, and blood biochemistry and acute phase protein (APP) were quantified at the start and end of the study. After the 6-week study period, rabbits were euthanized, and liver and kidney weights were obtained to assess hepatocellular damage. Blood biochemistry results were mainly within reference ranges and suggest a lack of toxicity or cellular damage due to feeding different amounts of willow ingredients. Greater weight gain was observed in the UC group when compared to the RC (p < 0.01), TB, and TL (p < 0.05) groups at the end of the treatment period. Total dry matter (DM) intake was greater in both TB and TL treatment groups when compared to the RC group but lower than the UC group (p < 0.05) across the treatment period. At the end of the study, phosphorus, magnesium, glucose, and AST were lower in the RC group when compared to all other treatment groups (p < 0.05) with a greater blood urea nitrogen than the TL and TB groups (p < 0.01). The TL group had greater blood potassium concentrations and a lower Na:K ratio than the UC and TB groups (p < 0.01). No differences were observed in the APP response over time and among groups; only fibrinogen was greater in the RC compared to the TB group (p < 0.05). The relative liver weight was higher in the UC group when compared to TB (p < 0.05). Given these results, willow bark and leaves at a high dietary inclusion can be considered safe and effective forage materials for monogastric herbivores in zoos.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144093743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Leen Verbist, Annelies De Cuyper, Guido Bosch, Andreas Zedrosser, Violette Coppens, Sarah Depauw
{"title":"Dietary Macronutrient Profiles of Free-Ranging European Brown Bears Differ Between Climate Regions.","authors":"Leen Verbist, Annelies De Cuyper, Guido Bosch, Andreas Zedrosser, Violette Coppens, Sarah Depauw","doi":"10.1111/jpn.14125","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.14125","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Whether climate region affects macronutrient intake in species is unknown. Because of their wide variety of habitats with varying environmental conditions and local food availability, the free-ranging European brown bear was used as a model species to study the dietary macronutrient profile in relation to climate region (using the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system), season and supplemental feeding of anthropogenic foods. Climates included were cold (regions in Norway, Sweden, Estonia and Slovakia), temperate (regions in Slovenia and Spain) and warm (regions in Croatia and Greece). Regardless of climate region, protein content was higher, and carbohydrate content was lower in spring and summer diets compared to autumn and winter diets. Diets in warm climate regions were marked by a high (digestible) carbohydrate content compared to cold climates and a low protein content compared to cold and temperate climates. A low protein to non-protein ratio, close to the optimum reported for brown bears (0.2 ME basis), was found in autumn in every climate type, and was present all year round in warm climates. At supplemented feeding sites, high (digestible) carbohydrate and low protein contents were observed compared to natural feeding sites. Supplementation also decreased seasonal variation in macronutrient composition. Fat content did not vary across seasons, climate type or with supplemental feeding. Fibre contents varied with season, climate type and supplemental feeding; however, differences were very small. Although seasonal fluctuations of macronutrients follow similar patterns across climate regions, macronutrient profiles differ between climate regions, corroborating that external conditions can influence macronutrient balance in species.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144078122","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mengting Li, Long Li, Xuefeng Yuan, Liang Hong, Lei Pu, Shunyi Qin, Liuan Li, Hua Yang, Jianbin Zhang
{"title":"Effects of Different Weaning Weight on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Indices and Intestinal Health of Piglets.","authors":"Mengting Li, Long Li, Xuefeng Yuan, Liang Hong, Lei Pu, Shunyi Qin, Liuan Li, Hua Yang, Jianbin Zhang","doi":"10.1111/jpn.14128","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.14128","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A 3-week feeding experiment was conducted to explore the effects of different weaning weights on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, serum biochemical indices, and intestinal health of piglets weaned at 21 days of age. Forty healthy (Landrace × Yorkshire) binary crossbred pigs with the same birth age and weaned at Day 21 were assigned to two treatments including L (5.0-5.5 kg) and H (6.5-7.0 kg), each with five replicates and four piglets per replicate. The two groups were fed the same diet. Data revealed that the average daily gain of high-weight piglets after weaning at 21 days was significantly higher than that of low-weight weaned piglets (p < 0.05); The crude fat (EE) and crude protein (CP) of H-piglets was significantly higher than that of l-piglets; There was no significant difference in the contents of total protein (TP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (ALT), cholesterol (CHO), glucose (GLU), immunoglobulin M (IgM), triglyceride (TG), albumin (ALB), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (AST) and UREA between H-piglets and l-piglets after weaning at 21 days (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD) and VH:CD ratio (VRC), and no significant difference in the relative abundance of intestinal flora at phyla and genus level (p > 0.05). In summary, the growth performance of piglets after weaning at 21 days is related to their weaning weight.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144078126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}