Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition最新文献

{"title":"Differences in Feeding Management of Pet Rabbits by Owners and Hobby Breeders and Their Impact on Animals' Health: A Survey.","authors":"Federica Sportelli, Carla Giuditta Vecchiato, Giacomo Biagi, Daniel Brugger, Lisa Sondershaus, Ludovica Maria Eugenia Mammi","doi":"10.1111/jpn.70070","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.70070","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Over the last decades, the population of pet rabbits in Europe has increased significantly, but to date studies into feeding management of these species have been mainly conducted in production animals. This study aimed to evaluate the feeding practices of both pet rabbit owners and hobby breeders in Germany and how these may affect animal health. For this purpose, a survey was conducted from July to August 2020 to collect data regarding breeding, nutritional management and animal health: 431 participants replied. Results obtained from the questionnaires highlighted several differences. Based on our results, hay is provided in large amounts by almost all participants, meeting the rabbits' need for high fibre intake. However, rabbit breeders typically provide less hay and fresh food (e.g. grass, herbage, forage plants, vegetables, fruit), and more concentrates (e.g. pellets, muesli, commercial mixes, cereals) than pet rabbit owners. Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases were common in both groups. A link was noted between feeding practices and health conditions like diarrhoea, constipation, being overweight, dental problems and the development of urolithiasis. Although recent data on rabbit obesity indicate an increasing prevalence of this condition, most breeders and owners consider their animals' body condition to be normal. Nevertheless, in this study, obesity was associated with individual housing, which is more used by hobby breeders. Results from this study suggest that owners and breeders manage rabbit feeding differently and that these choices may impact animal health.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147815020","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":"Endocrine-Nutritional Synergy Between Sex Inversion and Microencapsulated Bioactives Enhances Growth, Intestinal Development, and Oxidative Stability in Nile Tilapia Larvae.","authors":"Jaísa Casetta, Eliane Gasparino, Caroline Isabela da Silva, Simone Siemer, Gabriela Hernandes Cangianelli, Ricardo Souza Vasconcellos, Ricardo Pereira Ribeiro, Graciele Caroline Mari, Jaqueline Roesler, Juliana Sofientini, Diogo de Oliveira Marques, Stefania Claudino-Silva","doi":"10.1111/jpn.70046","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jpn.70046","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study evaluated the combined effects of sex inversion and microencapsulated supplementation with organic acids and essential oils on growth performance, tissue morphology, gene expression, and oxidative status in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) larvae. A 2×2 factorial design included non-inverted (NI), sex-reversed (I), microencapsulated-supplemented (NI + M), and combined (I + M) groups. The trial lasted 28 days and used 2400 Nile tilapia larvae (GIFT strain), 6 days post-hatching, stocked at 100 larvae per tank. The experimental diets included 60 mg of 17α-methyltestosterone per kg⁻¹ of feed for sex reversal and/or 100 mg of a microencapsulated blend of organic acids and essential oils per kg⁻¹ of feed. The treatments significantly influenced zootechnical performance: weight gain was higher in sex-reversed groups at both 14 and 28 days (p < 0.001). Total length differed at D14 (I > I + M ≈ NI + M > NI; p = 0.039) and at D28 (p < 0.001). Growth modeling showed distinct patterns: NI + M had the highest asymptote (A = 198.32) with slow growth, I + M an intermediate-high asymptote (A = 123.79) with moderate growth, and NI a very low asymptote (A = 2.00) with rapid initial growth. Gene expression revealed elevated Mstn expression in NI (p = 0.0012) and higher GH in I and I + M (p = 0.0002); GHR1 and MyoD1 did not differ. Histomorphometry showed a significant interaction for villus height (interaction p = 0.004), with I + M having the highest post-hoc values (I + M vs NI, p < 0.0001). Villus width increased due to independent effects of inversion (p < 0.0001) and supplementation (p = 0.0003). Muscle height exhibited an interaction (p = 0.0098) with I + M highest, while muscle width was greater in inverted and supplemented animals (p < 0.00001). Carbonylated protein levels showed a significant interaction (p = 0.0063); NI had the highest levels and microencapsulation reduced protein carbonylation in non-inverted fish. Principal component analysis explained 71.8% of total variance and separate treatments along PC1, mainly associated with villus morphology, GH expression, and total length. Together, the results indicate that hormonal and nutritional modulation interact to enhance growth, tissue development, and redox homeostasis during early ontogeny of Nile tilapia.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"339-350"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13172653/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146149885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Comparative Analysis of Maillard-Derived α-Dicarbonyl Compounds and Advanced Glycation End Products in Fresh, Wet, Kibble, and Freeze-Dried Dog Foods.","authors":"Tolgahan Kocadağlı, Ciara Clarke, Vural Gökmen","doi":"10.1111/jpn.70053","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jpn.70053","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Thermal processing of pet foods can lead to the formation of harmful Maillard reaction products (MRPs), which may compromise nutritional quality and pose health risks to companion animals. This study compared the levels of MRPs in 41 commercial dog foods, including fresh (n = 15), kibble (n = 13), wet (n = 10), freeze-dried (n = 2), and cold-pressed (n = 1) types. Acrylamide was found in only two kibble samples (40 and 76 µg/kg), while 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural and 2-furfural were not detected in any sample. Fresh foods had significantly higher lysine content (56 ± 13 g/kg dry matter [DM]) and lower lysine blockage (3.2 ± 0.7%) compared to kibble (23 ± 9 g/kg DM; 4.9 ± 1.2%) and wet foods (42 ± 14 g/kg DM; 3.0 ± 1.5%) (p < 0.05). Advanced glycation end products, Nε-carboxymethyllysine (CML) and Nε-carboxyethyllysine (CEL), were highest in wet foods (92 ± 36 mg/kg DM and 128 ± 39 mg/kg DM, respectively), indicating a greater thermal input (p < 0.05). α-Dicarbonyl compounds such as glyoxal and methylglyoxal were also significantly higher in wet samples (7.0 ± 2.5 and 15.8 ± 7.5 mg/kg DM, respectively) compared to fresh foods (2.8 ± 0.9 and 2.6 ± 0.8 mg/kg DM) (p < 0.05). This is the first report on the amounts of α-dicarbonyl compounds in commercial dog food. These findings emphasize the importance of carefully balancing food safety, nutritional quality, and processing conditions in pet food manufacturing.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"417-426"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13172647/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147290098","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cystine Promotes the Development of Hair Follicle in Rabbits by Regulating Wnt Signalling Pathway.","authors":"Ce Liu, Xiaojing Liu, Liankun Li, Weiyi Wang, Weiwei Mi, Shuxia Gao, Haitao Sun, Gongyan Liu","doi":"10.1111/jpn.70050","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jpn.70050","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Amino acids are extremely important nutrients in the feed for fur-bearing animals, and this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of cystine on the development of hair follicles in Rex rabbits. A total of 224 Rex rabbits at the age of 90 days were randomly divided into 4 groups and fed the diets supplemented with 0 (Control), 0.2%, 0.4%, or 0.6% cystine, and the rabbits were fed for 60 days. The hair follicle density on the dorsal skin and the gene expression and protein phosphorylation levels of components of Wnt signalling pathways were determined. In addition, the dermal papilla cells (DPCs) were isolated from the skin of Rex rabbits and cultured with cystine in vitro to determine the gene expression and protein phosphorylation levels of Wnt signalling pathways. The results showed that addition of cystine in the diets could increase the fur quality (p < 0.05), and the appropriate of cystine in Rex rabbits' diets was 0.2%. In addition, cystine added to the cell culture medium changed the DPCs cycle progression and promoted cell proliferation. Furthermore, cystine could affect the Wnt10b, CTNNB1, and Dickkopf-1 gene expression of Wnt signalling pathways in the skin and DPCs of rabbits (p < 0.05), and decreased the levels of phosphorylated CTNNB1 and GSK-3β of Wnt signalling pathways in the skin and DPCs of rabbits (p < 0.05). Dietary cystine supplemental level could promote the fur quality of Rex rabbits, and the appropriate of cystine in Rex rabbit diets was 0.2%. Furthermore, the molecular mechanism of cystine modulates hair follicle development, probably occurs through activation of Wnt signalling pathways, promotes DPCs proliferation, and increases the hair density of Rex rabbits.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"398-409"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147288877","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":"Chestnut Tannins in Laying Hen Diets: Nutrient Digestibility and Indications Towards Altered Fat Metabolism.","authors":"Kobe Buyse, Evelyne Delezie, Luc Goethals, Noémie Van Noten, Christof Van Poucke, Geert P J Janssens, Marta Lourenço","doi":"10.1111/jpn.70051","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jpn.70051","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite their general reputation as antinutritional due to their protein-binding capacity, tannin compounds could be used in limited dosages in animal nutrition. Hydrolysable chestnut tannin extracts (CT) possess less protein-binding traits, strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties impacting digestive physiology and intestinal health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of CT supplementation on nutrient digestion and lipid metabolism of laying hens. Two basal diets differing in nutrient matrix were formulated to test the hypothesis that CT effects are diet-dependent: a highly digestible corn-soybean meal-soy oil diet (C) and a less digestible wheat-rapeseed meal-palm oil diet (W). Each diet was supplemented with either 0 (T0) or 500 mg/kg CT (T500), resulting in four treatment groups of nine hens each (C-T0, C-T500, W-T0, W-T500). Addition of CT increased fat digestibility in the C diet but not in the W diet, while crude energy digestibility and metabolizable energy were reduced in CT-supplemented C diets. Protein digestibility remained unaffected by CT addition. Plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and antioxidant capacity (ORAC) increased in the C-T500 group but decreased in W-T500 hens, indicating diet-dependency of the effect of CT. There was a trend towards lower total bile salt concentrations in CT-supplemented groups. The ratio of deconjugated to conjugated bile salts tended to decrease, and the ursodeoxycholic acid: chenodeoxycholic acid ratio (UDCA:CDCA) increased, suggesting microbial modulation. Acylcarnitine profiles indicate enhanced β-oxidation and mitochondrial fatty acid utilization. Hydrolysable tannins from chestnut wood exert diet-dependent effects on nutrient utilization and lipid metabolism in laying hens. When combined with a highly digestible, unsaturated fat source such as soy oil, CT enhances fat digestibility and β-oxidation. These findings suggest that CT could modulate bile acid metabolism and antioxidant capacity, and depending on the lipid source, determine the net physiological impact of tannin supplementation.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"410-416"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147288885","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":"Effect of Different Rearing Systems on Carcass Characteristics, Meat Quality, Antioxidant Capacity and Ileal Microbiota of Slow-Growing Langshan Chickens.","authors":"Xin Li, Tong Xing, Liang Zhao, Jiaolong Li, Lin Zhang, Feng Gao","doi":"10.1111/jpn.70048","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jpn.70048","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to compare and analyse the effects of rearing systems on the carcass traits, meat quality and ileal microbiota of Langshan chickens. A total of 132 healthy male Langshan chickens at 70 days of age were selected and randomly divided into two groups: the conventional cage group (CC) and the free-range group (FR). Each group had six replicates, with 11 chickens in each replicate. All the experimental chickens were fed the same basal diet, had free access to food and water and were raised until 119 days of age for sample collection. The CC group had a higher yield of semi-eviscerated, eviscerated and abdominal fat than those in the FR group. Compared with the CC group, the FR group exhibited increased shear force and muscle fibre diameter in the leg muscles, in contrast to significant decreases in drip loss, b* value and MDA content. Microbial analysis indicated that the FR system significantly reduced the alpha diversity of the ileal microbiota and led to a markedly higher relative abundance of the Escherichia-Shigella. Conversely, the CC chicken was enriched with probiotics such as Lactobacillus spp. In conclusion, while the FR system improved the meat quality of leg muscles, it compromised slaughter yield and increased ileal Escherichia-Shigella colonization. These findings suggest that rearing systems distinctly shape slaughter performance, meat quality and gut microbiota, highlighting the need for targeted management strategies to optimize the shortcomings of these rearing methods and achieve sustainable production of Langshan chickens.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"368-376"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146149842","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":"Evaluation of Using Fermented Okara (Soybean By-Product) as a Feed Ingredient in Commercial Pig Production.","authors":"Shu-Hua Hsu, Chao-Wei Huang, Bishnu Prasad Bhattarai, Shi-Yong Liu, Chung-Feng Chiang, Chia-Chen Pi, Yu-Chieh Cheng, Xin Zhao, Yu-I Pan, Jai-Wei Lee","doi":"10.1111/jpn.70039","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jpn.70039","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Okara is an insoluble soybean byproduct, and much of it is discarded due to its high perishability. This study investigated the efficacy of fully replacing fermented soybean meal in a control diet (PC) with fermented okara at an equal crude protein level (EC) or at an equal amount level (EQ) on growth performance and meat quality in 315 pigs, starting from weaners to finishers. Results indicated that EC and EQ groups led to significantly (p < 0.05) improved growth performance primarily during the grower and finisher stages. Both EC and EQ groups had significantly (p < 0.05) increased duodenal villus height. Moreover, EC group had significantly (p < 0.05) elevated concentration of acetic acid and reduced branched-chain fatty acids (iso-butyric acid and 2-methylbutyric acid) when compared to PC. There was an increase in volatile fatty acid-producing bacteria at the genus level, such as Prevotella, Lactobacillus, Megasphaera and Streptococcus in EC group. More importantly, no adverse effects on meat quality were observed in pigs fed with fermented okara. Taken together, utilization of fermented okara as an alternative protein source for animals not only improves performance and gut health, but also facilities a recycling economy to promote sustainable agriculture practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"293-303"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145762924","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":"Alternative Protein Sources in Poultry and Pig Nutrition-A Review.","authors":"Lukáš Čumplík, Dana Zálešáková, Jakub Novotný, Lenka Kudlová, Leoš Pavlata, Ondřej Šťastník","doi":"10.1111/jpn.70047","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jpn.70047","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Proteins are an essential nutrient for the viability of all animals, enabling organisms to grow, regenerate and defend themselves against pathogenic organisms. Soybean and soybean-based materials are commonly used to supplement protein in animal nutrition. However, soybeans are among the most expensive ingredients in feed mixtures, and the expansion of their planting areas has led to rainforest deforestation. Soybean cultivation is also associated with soil degradation, extensive use of chemicals and fossil fuels and global warming. This is partly because soybeans are grown primarily in specific regions of the world and therefore must be transported over long distances. This is a costly process that has a significant negative impact on the environment and does not meet sustainability requirements. At the same time, global population growth is increasing protein consumption, putting even more pressure on the environment. It is therefore necessary to look for different alternative feeds that could replace soybeans or at least reduce their dominance in the feed supply. Several studies mention new non-traditional feeds that could help solve this problem. This review provides an overview of available information on alternative protein sources and their use in poultry and pig nutrition, thereby assisting in their selection. The characteristics of selected alternative protein feeds (such as insects, algae, lupine, peas, faba beans, single-cell protein and nettle) and their effects on the performance or health parameters of the animals mentioned are described below.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"351-367"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13172666/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146149856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unravelling the Potential of Microbial Carotenoids in Fish Health and Productivity.","authors":"Tejas Jagannath Naik, Ramaballav Roy, Bhakti Balkrishna Salgaonkar","doi":"10.1111/jpn.70037","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jpn.70037","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Aquaculture plays a pivotal role in meeting the escalating demand for seafood. However, the susceptibility of fish to diseases poses a substantial threat to the productivity and profitability of aquaculture operations. Disease outbreaks necessitate the development of strategies to improve fish health without relying on antibiotics. This review focuses on harnessing the potential of natural sources of carotenoids, specifically those derived from microbial sources, as supplements in aquaculture feed. Microbial carotenoids effectively bolster fish health, rendering them resistant to pathogens and also improving the quality of fish being farmed. Additionally, carotenoids contribute to increased pigmentation in fish, enhancing visual appeal, especially in ornamental fishes. The authors have also touched upon elucidating the mechanisms through which carotenoids enhance fish health. This work consolidates existing knowledge and underscores the potential for further research to broaden our understanding of microbial carotenoids in aquaculture.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"304-323"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145768163","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":"Current Trends, Future Prospects and Constraints of Whole Microalgae and Their Fractions as a Functional Feed Ingredient for Animals.","authors":"Sietse Jan Koopmans, Simon Roques, Edoardo Zaccaria, Annemarie Mens, Soumya Kanti Kar","doi":"10.1111/jpn.70042","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jpn.70042","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Microalgae are a highly diverse group of unicellular organisms that grow in a wide range of aquatic environments and are widely used as dietary supplements for both human and animal applications. Microalgae are rich in lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and other valuable bioactive components such as pigments, antioxidants and vitamins. Those components have shown bioactivity not only by affecting cell, organ and tissue functionality but also have notable antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties, positioning microalgae as a potential natural antibiotic substitute. Although production costs of microalgae are high, it has been shown that relatively low (< 1%) inclusion levels of microalgae in the diet of animals affect physiological functions and performance. Microalgae can be fed as whole biomass but also as a fraction (the lipid, protein, carbohydrate or rest fraction). Feedings a fraction of microalgae may be beneficial when only a specific bioactivity of a fraction is required in animals, thereby reducing the cost of feed. For instance, when microalgae are fractionated for human applications, the resulting byproducts or 'side-stream fractions', present a cost-effective feed alternative for livestock. In addition, feeding microalgae or their fractions during periods when young animals are more susceptible to health issues can not only enhance cost-effectiveness but also potentially support their recovery. The aims of this review are (i) to present an overview of the mode of action of the lipid, protein and carbohydrate (rest) fractions of microalgae on whole body physiology, (ii) to summarize previous research on the bioactivity of dietary fractions of microalgae in livestock production and (iii) to propose novel strategies to use whole microalgae biomass or their fractions as functional feed to support resilience in young growing animals during vulnerable health episodes.</p>","PeriodicalId":14942,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition","volume":" ","pages":"324-338"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13172657/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145965685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}