Animal Feed Science and Technology最新文献

{"title":"Replacement of soya bean meal and corn by field peas in young bulls fattening diets: Performance, rumen fermentation, nitrogen use and metabolism","authors":"Isabel Casasús ,&nbsp;Daniel Villalba ,&nbsp;Margalida Joy ,&nbsp;Sandra Costa-Roura ,&nbsp;Mireia Blanco","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116273","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116273","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study explored the interest in field peas replacing soya bean meal and corn at different rates in beef fattening diets by assessing impacts on animal performance, ruminal fermentation, nitrogen use and economic output. Thirty-two Parda de Montaña young bulls (210 ± 24.3 kg BW) were randomly assigned to one of four treatments (0 %, 15 %, 30 %, 45 % peas in isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets). After 23 d adaptation, fattening was divided into Growing (first 134 d) and Finishing (from d 135–500 kg - target slaughter BW). Daily weight gains were higher (P &lt; 0.001) and the DM intake and feed conversion ratio were lower (P &lt; 0.001) during Growing vs. Finishing. Ruminal NH₃-N concentrations were lower and total VFA were higher during Growing vs. Finishing (P &lt; 0.001). Increasing proportion of field peas did not affect daily gains or carcass traits, tended to have a cubic effect on DM intake (P = 0.06) and a quadratic effect on days on feed (P = 0.09), but did not affect the feed conversion ratio. Ruminal fluid pH decreased and total VFA increased linearly with increased pea inclusion, whereas NH₃-N concentration (P = 0.06) and the proportions of propionic (P = 0.06) and butyric acids (P = 0.06) tended to display quadratic patterns, but acetic acid was not affected (P = 0.18). N intake did not differ among diets, but faecal N excretion decreased linearly (P = 0.002) and urine N excretion increased linearly (P = 0.02) with increasing proportion of pea. The gross margin obtained with 30 % peas was the best in four scenarios considering different relative feed ingredient prices. These results support the interest in including up to 30 % field peas in beef fattening diets but given the shift in the route of N excretion from faeces to urine, irrespectively of the period, these alternatives’ environmental interest should be assessed at a territorial scale.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"322 ","pages":"Article 116273"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143488485","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Validation of prediction equations to estimate the nutritive value of broiler chicken diets based on their chemical composition","authors":"S. Thiruchchenthuran ,&nbsp;F. Zaefarian ,&nbsp;M.R. Abdollahi ,&nbsp;T.J. Wester ,&nbsp;P.C.H. Morel","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116272","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116272","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>An experiment was conducted to validate the accuracy of previously published prediction equations developed to estimate the coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID) and ileal digestible content (IDC) of nitrogen (N), crude fat, starch, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), energy, and dry matter (DM) in broilers using the chemical composition of diets. Twenty new diets were formulated to have a wide range of chemical characteristics relevant to commercial diets. The CAID of N, crude fat, starch, Ca, P, energy, and DM of the diets were determined in broiler growers fed <em>ad libitum</em> from 15 to 22 days post-hatch. The chemical composition and <em>in vivo</em> digestibility values were used to validate the prediction equations developed from a previous study. Comparison between the determined values and predicted values was used to assess the accuracy of prediction equations using the coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error of prediction, concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and mean bias (MB). The most accurate prediction was achieved in terms of R² and CCC for CAID of energy and DM (R² = 0.57 and 0.66, CCC = 0.45 and 0.47, respectively) as well as for IDC of N, starch, energy, and DM (R² = 0.90, 1.00, 0.65, and 0.66, CCC = 0.48, 0.97, 0.51, and 0.47, respectively). The R² and CCC values obtained for CAID of N, crude fat, starch, Ca, and P and IDC of Ca and P were not consistent with the expectation of predictive performance. The R² for IDC of crude fat was high (0.94), however, CCC was moderate (0.43). The determined MB values showed that some equations underpredicted (CAID and IDC of N, crude fat, starch, energy, and DM) and some overpredicted (CAID of Ca and P and IDC of P) the observed values of <em>in vivo</em> study. In conclusion, the equations obtained for CAID of energy and DM as well as IDC of N, starch, energy, and DM could be considered the best fit according to R² and CCC. Moreover, this study highlights the importance of validation with external data before applying each prediction equation to practical situations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"322 ","pages":"Article 116272"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143480567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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":"Models for predicting NDFap and iNDF in tropical conditions","authors":"Sebastião de Campos Valadares Filho,&nbsp;Antonio de Sousa Brito Neto,&nbsp;Felipe Henrique de Moura,&nbsp;Douglas Teixeira Saraiva,&nbsp;Nathália Veloso Trópia,&nbsp;Samira Silveira Moreira,&nbsp;Dhones Rodrigues de Andrade,&nbsp;Pauliane Pucetti","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116271","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116271","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Our objective was to develop and evaluate equations for estimating neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein residue (NDF_ap) and indigestible neutral detergent fiber (_iNDF). All feeds data were obtained from information cataloged in the Brazilian Tables of Feed Composition for Cattle (CQBAL 4.0). In addition, information from ruminal digesta, omasal digesta and feces derived from 14 studies was used, which included the chemical characteristics studied in this approach. Eight subsets of data were constructed to predict: NDF_ap of roughages, concentrates, ruminal digesta, omasal digesta, and feces; _iNDF of roughages, concentrates and feces. Within each data subset, 80 % of the information was used for model development and 20 % for model evaluation. To predict the NDF_ap the existence of a linear relationship between the NDF_ap and NDF contents was assumed, and simple linear regression equations were fitted. A Pearson correlation analysis and Stepwise selection process was performed between _iNDF and the potential predictor variables. The evaluation of the equations was carried out using the Model Evaluation System Software. The subset data represented a wide variation in NDF_ap content of roughage (237.9–777 g/kg), concentrates (27.2–600 g/kg), rumen digesta (341.7–673.9 g/kg), omasal digesta (19.1–662.6 g/kg) and feces (243.1–721.8 g/kg); and in the _iNDF content of roughage (80–394.7 g/kg), concentrates (2.4–370 g/kg) and feces (72.7–624.6 g/kg). The linear relationships between the observed and predicted values of NDF_ap for roughages, concentrates, ruminal digesta, omasal digesta and feces presented an intercept not different from zero (P ≥ 0.19) and a slope not different from one (P ≥ 0.13), and high values of R² and CCC. All equations generated to predict roughage _iNDF were suitable, presenting P ≥ 0.08 for intercept equal to zero and/or slope equal to one in the plot of the relationship between observed and predicted values. For _iNDF of concentrates and feces, the power function was the only equation that showed good predictive performance (P ≥ 0.21 for intercept and slope). The models developed in this study will provide support in estimating the energy value of feeds, especially in conditions where direct assessments are limited.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"322 ","pages":"Article 116271"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143452937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of probiotic live yeast in a barley grain-based diet on rumen microbial communities, fermentation, and histology of artificially reared lambs","authors":"Alexandros Mavrommatis ,&nbsp;Marco Severgnini ,&nbsp;Paola Cremonesi ,&nbsp;Panagiota Kyriakaki ,&nbsp;Christos Christodoulou ,&nbsp;Konstantinos Petropoulos ,&nbsp;Lysiane Dunière ,&nbsp;Basiliki Kotsampasi ,&nbsp;Bianca Castiglioni ,&nbsp;Christos Balaskas ,&nbsp;Eric Chevaux ,&nbsp;Eleni Tsiplakou","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116269","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116269","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with a probiotic live yeast <em>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</em> on rumen microbial communities, enzymatic activities, volatile fatty acid concentrations, and histology in artificially reared lambs fed a diet rich in fermentable carbohydrates. After colostrum administration, forty-two Chios lambs were divided into two homogenous groups (<em>n</em> = 21); the control (C) and probiotic supplemented group (P) and were artificially reared until the 45th day (d) of age. From the 30th until the 106th d of lambs’ age, both groups were fed alfalfa hay and barley grain-based concentrate mix <em>ad libitum</em>. Moreover, 100 g of concentrate including 0.1 g of <em>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</em> CNCM I-1077 live yeast (10¹⁰ CFU/g) was offered to P lambs to ensure a constant intake of the yeast. Although no difference was evident for the alpha-diversity, several interesting features were found for beta-diversity. <em>Butyrivibrio, Pseudobutyrivibrio,</em> and acetate producer <em>Sphaerochaeta</em> were significantly more abundant (P = 0.029, P = 0.029 and P = 0.008, respectively) in P- compared to C-fed lambs at 100 d, while population of lactate users were varying significantly in P- and C- fed lambs at 100 d [higher abundance of <em>Megasphaera</em> in C- (P = 0.001) and <em>Anaerovibrio</em> in P-fed lambs (P = 0.046), respectively]. <em>Acidaminococcaceae</em> and <em>Clostridia UCG-014</em> were found in a lower abundance (P = 0.059 and P = 0.008, respectively) in P- compared to C-fed lambs at 100 d. Both ruminal pH and the activities of fibrolytic enzymes did not differ amongst the dietary treatments, while total volatile fatty acid concentrations were increased (P &lt; 0.001) in P- compared to C-fed lambs at 100 d. As regards the serosa, the muscular layers, the intramural vasculature and innervation, our results showed no effect in rumen histology due to the dietary treatment, however, changes were evident in the mucosa where all constituent layers of the epithelium presented distinctly and with similar thickness, especially around papillae, the collagen and reticular fibers were more densely and evenly packed, and prekeratins and keratins delineated more distinctly epithelial pegs in P-fed when compared to C-fed lambs. The inclusion of live yeast <em>S. cerevisiae</em> CNCM I-1077 promoted rumen microbiota stability and limited extensive keratinization of the epithelium due to a highly fermentable carbohydrate diet formulation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"322 ","pages":"Article 116269"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143452936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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":"Mixed native forages promote antioxidant status and healthy lipid metabolism in goats by significantly increasing their intake of plant secondary metabolites, as revealed by metabolomics","authors":"Dicky Aldian ,&nbsp;Laila Dini Harisa ,&nbsp;Ke Tian ,&nbsp;Shuichi Ito ,&nbsp;Shigeo Takashima ,&nbsp;Atsushi Iwasawa ,&nbsp;Masato Yayota","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116260","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116260","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Feed diversity may lead to improvements in animal productivity and physiological health. However, the exact metabolic regulation achieved by feeding animals diverse native forages has not been clarified. Thus, by performing untargeted metabolomics, we investigated feed intake, metabolism and oxidative stress in animals after the consumption of diverse native forages. Twelve crossbred Shiba × Saanen goats were divided into groups on the basis of a completely randomized design with six replicates for each treatment. The treatments included a mixture of native forage hay varieties (mainly composed of <em>Miscanthus sinensis</em> and <em>Pleioblastus</em> sp<em>.</em>; NAT) and sudangrass hay (SDN). The digestibility of crude protein and organic matter in the NAT group was greater (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01) than that in the SDN group. The ruminal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content was greater in the NAT group (39.12 mM) (<em>P</em> = 0.04) than in the SDN group (34.00 mM). The quercetin concentration was greater in the ruminal fluid of animals fed NAT (<em>P</em> = 0.04) than in that of animals fed SDN. Furthermore, the total cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen, and NH₃ levels in the serum of the NAT group were greater (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) than those in the serum of the SDN group. Moreover, the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the levels of linolenic, oleic, and docosahexaenoic acid were greater (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) in the NAT group than in the SDN group. In conclusion, increased ruminal digestion and improvements in the antioxidant status and lipid metabolism were observed in goats fed diverse native forage hay varieties compared with goats fed SDN.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"322 ","pages":"Article 116260"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143437691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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":"Available phosphorus levels modulate growth performance, serum indices, metabolome, rumen fermentation, and microorganism in Hu lambs","authors":"Shijia Pan ,&nbsp;Jifu Zou ,&nbsp;Huiling Mao ,&nbsp;Zhihong Hu ,&nbsp;Shijie Sun ,&nbsp;Wenxuan Wu ,&nbsp;Jinyong Yang ,&nbsp;Zhigao An ,&nbsp;Chong Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116259","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116259","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phosphorus (Pi) is an essential nutrient, which plays an important role in maintaining normal physiological function. Pi deficiency could reduce growth performance and affect health. The aim of this study was to investigate growth performance, serum indices, metabolism and rumen parameters, and microbiota of Hu lambs. For this purpose, a total of 36 healthy 2-month-old Hu lambs were randomly allocated to three groups: low Pi (LP): 1 g/kg; medium Pi (MP): 2 g/kg; high Pi (HP): 3 g/kg. The results indicated that the dry matter intake and average daily gain of Hu sheep increased in HP compared with MP and LP (P &lt; 0.05). In terms of serum indices, there were higher serum concentrations of albumin, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, magnesium, and Pi in HP compared to LP, while blood urea nitrogen was higher in MP than in LP and HP (P &lt; 0.05). At the same time, it has a higher salivary Pi concentration in HP compared to LP (P &lt; 0.05). In addition, serum metabolome was changed, which led to the up-regulating three key pathways in amino acid metabolism in HP (P &lt; 0.05). The concentrations of iso-butyrate and valerate in HP were lower than LP (P &lt; 0.05). The microbial protein of MP was higher than that of HP, and HP was higher than that of LP (P &lt; 0.05). <em>Firmicutes</em> were significantly higher in MP and HP, while <em>Actinobacteriota</em> were more abundant in LP (P &lt; 0.05). Feeding different available phosphorus levels resulted in the changes of growth efficiency that may be associated with differential metabolites and rumen microbiota in Hu lambs. Therefore, the appropriate Pi content should be specifically considered to improve growth performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"322 ","pages":"Article 116259"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143445414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dietary lysine deficiency causes intestinal immune dysfunction partially via Janus kinases (JAKs)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) signalling pathways of on-growing grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)","authors":"Yangyang Hu ,&nbsp;Lin Feng ,&nbsp;Weidan Jiang ,&nbsp;Pei Wu ,&nbsp;Yang Liu ,&nbsp;Shengyao Kuang ,&nbsp;Ling Tang ,&nbsp;Lu Zhang ,&nbsp;Haifeng Mi ,&nbsp;Xiaoqiu Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116258","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116258","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lysine is the limiting amino acid in aquatic animals, primarily derived from protein sources in feed, including fish meal, rapeseed meal, soybean meal, and casein. The intestinal immune function is crucial for maintaining the health and normal growth of organisms, particularly in fish. Further investigation was conducted to explore the potential impact of dietary lysine deficiency on intestinal disease resistance, immune response and signaling mechanisms in grass carp (<em>Ctenopharyngodon idella</em>) infected with <em>Aeromonas hydrophila</em>. A total of 540 fish (initial body weight: 164.85 ± 0.79 g) were allotted to 1 of 6 treatments with 3 replicates and 30 fish per replicate. The 30 fish were placed in a fishing net (140 cm × 140 cm × 140 cm). Fish were fed 6 isonitrogenous diets with varying lysine levels (5.6, 8.5, 11.6, 14.4, 17.5, and 20.7 g/kg diet) over a period of 60 days, followed by a 6-day challenge experiment. During the feeding trial, the fish were fed their corresponding diets 4 times daily. At the conclusion of the experiment, 24 fish from each treatment group (8 fish from each replicate) were selected for sampling based on their average weight. The research manifested that dietary lysine deficiency (5.6 g/kg diet) resulted in: (1) significantly (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) decreased the growth performance (body length, body condition factor and feeding rate) and intestinal development (intestinal length, intestinal weight, intestinal length index and intestinal somatic index); (2) markedly (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) decreased the resistance to pathogenic <em>Aeromonas hydrophila</em> infection, as evidenced by the highest rates of enteritis morbidity and notable histopathological alterations in the intestine; (3) significantly (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) reduced the intestinal immune response through alterations in various immune components, including antibacterial peptides, complement 3 (C3) and immunoglobulin M (IgM); and (4) dramatically (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) aggravated the intestinal inflammation through alterations in the expression profiles of inflammatory-related cytokines, which are linked to the regulation of Janus Kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling. In contrast, the intestinal transcriptional abundances of interleukin (<em>IL</em>)<em>-12p35</em>, <em>STAT2</em>, <em>STAT3a</em> and <em>STAT6</em> were not regulated by dietary lysine. Furthermore, we estimated that the dietary lysine requirement levels for on-growing grass carp are between 13.93 and 14.51 g/kg of diet, based on various immune and physiological parameters.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"321 ","pages":"Article 116258"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143372103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Probiotic-inoculated biochar as a feed additive for dairy sheep: Effect on apparent digestibility, microbial protein supply, methane emissions and productive performance","authors":"Hanen Benhissi,&nbsp;Mounir Medjadbi,&nbsp;Saleh Eddine Charef,&nbsp;Raquel Atxaerandio,&nbsp;Roberto Ruiz,&nbsp;Nerea Mandaluniz,&nbsp;Idoia Goiri,&nbsp;Aser García-Rodríguez","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116257","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116257","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Two experiments were performed to investigate the effect of feeding probiotic-inoculated biochar on nutrient digestibility, microbial protein supply, methane emissions and productive performance in dairy sheep. The first trial consisted of a cross over design with two 24-day periods in respiratory chambers. The initial 14 days of each period were for dietary adaptation and the subsequent 10 days served for measurement of dry matter (DM) intake, apparent digestibility, microbial protein supply and CH₄ production. Six dry non pregnant Latxa sheep were used. All sheep were fed a grass hay and a concentrate (hay to concentrate ratio 70:30) containing 0 (CTR, n = 3) or 50 (BIO, n = 3) g biochar/ kg of concentrate DM. Biochar was inoculated with probiotics (<em>Lactobacillus casei</em>, <em>Lactobacillus plantarum</em> and <em>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</em>). Sheep fed inoculated biochar showed similar DM intake but increased apparent digestibility of DM (P = 0.014) and neutral detergent fibre (P = 0.003) compared to CTR-fed sheep. Inoculated biochar increased total purine derivatives excretion (P = 0.009) and microbial N supply (P = 0.008) and tended to increase the efficiency of microbial protein supply (P = 0.061). Daily net CH₄ production was increased by 11 % (P = 0.003) and CH₄ production per kg of digested DM was reduced by 9 % (P = 0.003) in inoculated biochar group compared to CTR. In the second trial, twenty-four multiparous Latxa ewes were used to examine the effect of feeding the same treatments on ewe productive performance and CH₄ production. All sheep were offered grass hay <em>ad libitum</em>, and the concentrates were the same as those described in the first trial. The experimental period extended for 45 days, with the initial 7 days allocated for covariate determination, the subsequent 13 days for diet adaptation, and the remaining 25 days for measurements of DM intake, milk production and composition and CH₄ production. Feeding inoculated biochar had no effect on daily DM intake, daily milk yield or feed conversion efficiency (P &gt; 0.1). Sheep fed inoculated biochar showed similar content of crude protein (P = 0.108) and lactose (P = 0.741) in milk, but higher milk fat content (P &lt; 0.001) compared to CTR. Daily net CH₄ production was 11 % higher in inoculated biochar fed animals than in CTR group (P = 0.049). In conclusion, probiotic-inoculated biochar increased apparent digestibility of dietary DM and improved microbial protein supply and milk fat content, without impacting milk yield. Feeding inoculated biochar had no favorable impact on daily net CH₄ production, but reduced enteric CH₄ production per kg of digested DM.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"321 ","pages":"Article 116257"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143218136","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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":"Salt-regulated prepartum supplementation and parity effects on maternal performance, wool growth, and lamb development in Merino ewes grazing in semi-arid steppes","authors":"Marcela Cueto ,&nbsp;Jimena Fernandez ,&nbsp;María Macarena Bruno-Galarraga ,&nbsp;Alejandro Gibbons ,&nbsp;Maximiliano Riquelme ,&nbsp;Daniel Castillo ,&nbsp;Micaela Tesan ,&nbsp;Barbara Schaap ,&nbsp;María Laura Villar ,&nbsp;Sebastián Villagra","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116223","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116223","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The impact of prepartum supplementation using a balanced diet incorporating salt as an intake regulator was assessed on maternal live weight, body condition, wool production, maternal and lamb behavior, and lamb growth up to 50 days of age in multiparous and primiparous Merino ewes under extensive grazing. On day −65 prepartum (Day 0 = Partum), 80 pregnant Merino ewes carrying a single fetus (40 multiparous; 40 primiparous) from fixed-timed artificial insemination, were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments, each with one repetition: grazing only (Control group) or grazing plus ad libitum supplementation with a balanced food containing salt as an intake regulator (Suppl group) for 60 days (Days −65 to −5 prepartum). Behavioral and performance variables were monitored in ewes and lambs from −65 days prepartum until 50 days postpartum. Blood metabolites (glucose, total proteins, and urea) were assessed in ewes during the same period. On day −35 prepartum, ewes were subjected to shearing. From day −50 prepartum until 30 days postpartum, ewe BW was significantly higher in the Suppl multiparous group compared to the other groups (P &lt; 0.05). A marginal increase of 220 g in greasy fleece weight was observed in Suppl ewes after 30 days of supplementation (P &lt; 0.1). However, no significant effects were observed in maternal or lamb behavior, lamb birthweight or lamb survival (P &gt; 0.05). A marginal increase in lamb weight on days 30 and 50 postpartum was observed in the Suppl group compared to the Control group (P &lt; 0.1). An increase in total proteins and urea was observed on day −5 prepartum in the Suppl group compared to the Control group (P &lt; 0.05). Lambs from primiparous ewes took longer to suck compared with lambs from multiparous ewes (P &lt; 0.05). Also, lamb birthweight, lamb weight on days 30 and 50 postpartum were significantly higher in lambs from multiparous ewes compared to lambs from primiparous ewes (P &lt; 0.05). Neonatal mortality was higher in primiparous than in multiparous ewes, with survival rates of 65 % and 91 %, respectively (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, Suppl primiparous ewes evidenced an improved maternal body status during the peripartum period. Prepartum supplementation showed a marginal increase in greasy fleece weight. However, no significant effects were observed on maternal behavior, lamb survival or lamb growth. Primiparous ewes exhibited a 26 % higher neonatal mortality than multiparous ewes, likely attributable to their inexperienced maternal behavior.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"320 ","pages":"Article 116223"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143231048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physicochemical properties, short chain fatty acids production and in vitro fermentation of fibrous ingredients using cecal inoculum from sows","authors":"Bruno Bracco Donatelli Muro ,&nbsp;Rafaella Fernandes Carnevale ,&nbsp;Felipe Norberto Alves Ferreira ,&nbsp;Clarice Speridião Silva Neta ,&nbsp;Francisco Alves Pereira ,&nbsp;Rafaela Scalise Xavier de Freitas ,&nbsp;Danny Alexsander Rojas Moreno ,&nbsp;Diego Feitosa Leal ,&nbsp;Matheus Saliba Monteiro ,&nbsp;Ives Cláudio da Silva Bueno ,&nbsp;Caio Abércio da Silva ,&nbsp;Cesar Augusto Pospissil Garbossa","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116220","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116220","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated and compared the physicochemical properties, <em>in vitro</em> fermentability, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production of 13 fibrous ingredients using sow cecal inoculum. The ingredients analyzed included two commercial lignocelluloses (Arbocel® and OptiCell®), wheat bran, oat bran, beet pulp, soybean hull, citrus pulp, citrus pulp with benzoic acid (Citroflake®), dry distillers’ grains (DDG), guar gum, apple pulp, an extruded mix of tropical grasses (SmartFiber®), and a vegetable pulp mix. Bromatological composition and physicochemical properties (water-holding capacity (WHC), viscosity, and bulking) were determined alongside <em>in vitro</em> dry matter degradability (ivDMdeg) and fermentation parameters. Guar gum exhibited the highest hydration-related properties (WHC: 31.78 g/g; viscosity: 6.92 cP; bulking: 997.37 mL/g, P &lt; 0.05), while DDG showed the lowest WHC and bulking (2.22 g/g and 1.76 mL/g, respectively; P &lt; 0.05). Maximum gas production and fermentation rate were highest in guar gum and lowest in lignocelluloses and oat bran (P &lt; 0.05). Oat bran also had the longest fermentation lag time (17.27) followed by guar gum, beet pulp and soybean hull, while citrus pulp and Citroflake® had the shortest (P &lt; 0.05). Total SCFA production was highest in guar gum (114.1 mM), followed by beet pulp, citrus pulp, Citroflake®, apple pulp, vegetable pulp, wheat bran, and soybean hull, while lignocelluloses produced the least (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, guar gum, beet pulp, citrus pulp, and soybean hull demonstrated the highest potential to influence the biochemical pathways of sows by producing significant amounts of short-chain fatty acids. Additionally, their high water-holding capacity, viscosity, and bulking properties suggest these ingredients might also enhance satiety, supporting metabolic health and welfare in sows.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"320 ","pages":"Article 116220"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143231402","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}