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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Weight increase following administration of insulin to rats with reduced feed intake].

Young male Wistar rats, adapted to single daily administration of feed (from 8.00 to 10.00 a.m.) were studied for the intake of feed, weight gains, and feed consumption per weight gain unit after administration of Superdep insulin in the dose of 10 u kg-1 of body weight. The time limitation of access to food reduced the over-all intake of feed and weight gains and adversely affected the utilization of feed, expressed as consumption per 1 g of weight gain. The administration of insulin partly compensated the adverse effect of the reduced feed intake; this was manifested by better utilization of feeds by the experimental group, in comparison with the control animals.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

Effect of protamine zinc insulin on feed intake and weight gain in broiler chicks.

Ten-day old Robro broiler chicks were used to test the effect of daily subcutaneous injections of two insulin levels (5- and 10-IU . kg-1 BW) administered for two different periods (5 and 21 days). Birds which received either 5- or 19-IU insulin significantly increased their feed intake over those of the controls (P less than 0.05). However, the lower insulin dose was found to be more effective in increasing both the feed consumption and weight gain of the birds, especially if administered for a long period. Between the injection periods, the high insulin dose seemed to have a greater carry-over effect. On the other hand, the administration of 5- or 10-IU insulin for either 5 or 21 days had no effect on efficiency.

Animals

Bayesian Genome-Wide Association Study of Feed Efficiency Traits in Pigs.

Feed efficiency traits are increasingly important in pig production for improving profitability and environmental sustainability. Understanding their genetic basis is crucial for uncovering underlying biological mechanisms and informing selection strategies. In this study, we analyzed residual feed intake (RFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and average daily feed intake (ADFI) in 201 animals. Three separate Bayesian GWASs were conducted using 29,844 SNPs in a case-control design, with the lowest and highest 15% of the phenotypic distribution selected as controls and cases (N = 30 per group), respectively, for each trait. The results confirmed the polygenic nature of the traits, identifying 4 SNPs for RFI on Sus scrofa chromosomes (SSC) 3, 13, and 15 with high posterior probability for the direction of their effects; 4 SNPs for FCR on SSC 8, 14, and 17; and 8 SNPs for ADFI on SSC 1, 2, 6, 8, and 11. A candidate gene search identified 41 potential genes involved in diverse biological processes, including feed efficiency, intestinal development, tissue remodeling and integrity, nutrient transport and absorption, metabolic homeostasis, cellular signaling, energy sensing, and neurological regulation. These genes formed a highly interconnected network, highlighting the complexity of feed efficiency and the interplay among multiple physiological, metabolic, and regulatory pathways.

Bayesian analysis

Genome-wide association studies for feed efficiency, production and feeding behavior traits in Canadian purebred Duroc pigs.

This study aimed to identify potential genetic variants and candidate genes associated with feed efficiency (FE), production, and feeding behavior traits in Canadian purebred Duroc pigs. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were conducted using 8,861 individuals and an imputed Affymetrix PigGen Canada 50K panel v2.0 using a linear mixed model (LMM) and a Bayesian B model. This analysis used an adjusted P-value threshold (ranging from 6.6 × 10-5 to 1.3 × 10-4) using a false-discovery rate to determine significance. The number of significant SNPs identified for each trait was as follows: average daily gain (ADG, 48), daily feed intake (DFI, 85), feed conversion ratio (FCR, 101), residual feed intake (RFI, 37), residual gain (RG, 64), residual intake and gain (RIG, 55), backfat thickness (BF, 100), loin depth (LD, 6), Kleiber's ratio (KR, 0), total time spent eating per day (TPD, 7), and number of visits to the feeder per day (NVD, 6). Several traits (BF, DFI, FCR, RFI, RG, and RIG) showed strong overlapping signals on chromosomes 7 and 10 with 24 shared significant SNPs, indicating potential shared genetic mechanisms. These traits also had 71 overlapping candidate genes, such as PACSIN1, PTCH1, ADIPOR1, and ITPR3, associated with glucose, lipid, and cholesterol metabolism. Well-known candidate genes in literature associated with growth and fatness such as MC4R and CDH20 were also identified to be associated with ADG, BF, FCR, and DFI in this study. Gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed that a set of the candidate genes were involved in the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling pathways. Overall, this study contributed to understanding the genetic architecture and provided a biological foundation for improving FE, production, and feeding behavior traits in Canadian Duroc pigs, facilitating the selection of more efficient pigs.

Sus scrofa

PBB fed to immature chickens: its effect on organ weights and function and on the cardiovascular system.

In a series of polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) feeding trials in White Leghorn cockerel chicks, the effects of PBB on various physiological parameters and organ weights were determined. These measurements included: growth, thyroid function, ECG, cardiac output, blood pressure, hematocrit, erythropoietin levels, and spleen, bursa of Fabricius, thyroid, testes, comb, liver weights. In addition, tissues were histologically examined. PBB, in the commercial grade form of hexabromobiphenyl, was administered continuously in the diet at levels ranging from 50 to 250 ppm. Pair-feeding studies were conducted to ascertain the effects of the drug per se since preliminary trials indicated that PBB administration resulted in decreased feed intake. Chronic administration resulted in depressed body weight as a result of decreased feed intake; decreased comb, testes, spleen, and bursa weights; increased liver and thyroid weight; hydropericardium and ascites; decreased hematological values due to depressed plasma erythropietin levels; decreased heart rate, packed cell volume, hemoglobin and cardiac output; decreased voltage amplitude of the ECG and a shift in the mean electrical axis. No significant differences were found in blood pressure (mean arterial and pulse pressure), stroke volume, or respiratory rate.

Animal Feed

Effect of dietary lactic acid on rumen lactate metabolism and blood acid-base status of lambs switched from low to high concentrate diets.

Two experiments were conducted with ruminally fistulated wether lambs to determine the effect of lactic acid addition to a hay diet on rumen lactate metabolism, blood acid-base status and subsequent adaptation to a high concentrate diet. In Exp. 1, lambs were fed mature brome hay (H), H plus 5% (w/w) D,L lactic acid (H5L) or H plus 10% lactic acid (H10L) (three lambs per treatment) for 14 days (phase I) then switched to a 90% concentrate diet for 2 days (phase II). In Exp. 2, lambs were fed alfalfa-brome hay (H) (six lambs), H plus 2.5% lactic acid (H2.5L) (six lambs) or H plus 5% lactic acid (H5L) (four lambs) during phase I, then switched to a 70% concentrate diet (3 days) followed by a 90% concentrate diet (10 days) (phase II). During both experiments rumen fluid samples were taken periodically for pH and lactate analyses and in vitro L- or D-lactate disappearance (IVLD) studies. Blood samples were taken to measure acid-base status, serum lactate, and serum calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Dietary lactic acid enhanced IVLD during phase I of both experiments. L and D isomer IVLD rates were similar and followed zero-order kinetics. In Exp. 2, IVLD increased rapidly during phase II in response to increased concentrate level in the diet; the enhanced rates of H2.5L and H5L lambs were sustained for the first 3 days of phase II. Blood data from both experiments indicated a deleterious effect of dietary lactic acid on blood acid-base balance; however, this treatment effect was not manifested in any symptoms of acute acidosis. There was a decrease (P less than .05) in serum calcium during phase II of both experiments. In Experiment 1, serum calcium increased linearly (P less than .05) in response to dietary lactic acid level. In Exp. 1, rumen fluid total lactate and L-lactate were lower (P less than .05) for H5L vs H lambs during phase II. However, all lambs in Exp. 1 experienced acute acidosis; four of the nine lambs subsequently died. There was evidence of acidosis in Exp. 2, but there were no clear treatment effects during phase II on rumen fluid pH or lactate, or feed intake. All lambs adapted to the high concentrate diets as evidenced by rumen lactate levels and feed intakes. In both experiments, the proportion of L-lactate in rumen fluid decreased from almost 100 to about 50% of total lactate by the end of phase II.

Acid-Base Equilibrium

PBB fed to adult female chickens: its effect on egg production, reproduction, viability of offspring, and residues in tissues and eggs.

Two experiments with light breed laying chickens fed polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) as FireMaster FF-1. The first involved feeding PBB at dietary levels of 0.2, 1, 5, 25, 125, 625, and 3125 ppm, the second involved levels of 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120. Each group had 24 hens, and each experiment had a control group of 24 hens. PBB diets were fed for 5 weeks. Feed intake, production, reproduction, tissue residues and viability of offspring were monitored during that time and a subsequent 8 weeks. Production, hatchability, and viability of offspring were significantly affected by feeding PBB at 45 ppm. Marked inanition occurred at levels of 625 and 3125 ppm, and there was some loss of feed intake at 125 ppm. There was a return to normal production and hatchability in 3 to 4 weeks after PBB withdrawal of diets with levels of 125 ppm or less. Dose--response lines are presented for PBB in muscle, liver, kidney, adipose tissue, and eggs. Withdrawal curves for PBB from these tissues are also given.

Animal Feed

Pathophysiological changes in urine and blood from calves experimentally infected with Sarcocystit cruzi.

Two 8-week experiments were conducted to determine the relationships between nutritional stress and pathophysiological changes in male Holstein calves infected with Sarcocystis cruzi. Calves were infected by oral inoculation with 200 000 S. cruzi sporocysts. In the first experiment weight gain reduction was greatest in inoculated calves during weeks 4 and 5 after inoculation. Feed intake was reduced during the 5th week. Erythrocyte count was reduced during week 5 and haemoglobin was reduced during week 6. The 24-h excretion of urinary and urea nitrogen from the inoculated calves was increased by treatment. In the 2nd experiments, both the feed-restricted and inoculated calves lost weight during weeks 4 and 5; feed intake was lower from week 5 to 8 inclusive. Urine volume from inoculated calves was lower during week 8. Lower urine excretions of sodium and potassium resulted from S. cruzi inoculation. There was a non-significant trend for higher urinary zinc excretion in the inoculated group during week 4. Urine nitrogen excretion from inoculated calves was higher during week 6. The urinary excretion of 3-methylhistidine from the inoculated calves was higher during week 4 and excretion of guanine was higher during weeks 4, 5 and 8. S. cruzi has several specific pathophysiological effects on calves beyond those induced by nutritional stress.

Animals

Growth rate and secretion of pituitary hormones in relation to age and chronic treatment with thyrotropin-releasing hormone in prepubertal dairy heifers.

Holstein heifers were treated with synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) or saline twice daily from one week through 6 mo of age. Plasma concentrations of prolactin (PRL) and thyrotropin (TSH) were elevated (P less than .01) within 30 min after the first TRH injection (1 week of age). At 1 and 3 mo of treatment, PRL and TSH increased in response to TRH, although the TSH response was reduced (P less than .01) as compared to the first day of treatment. Although plasma growth hormone (GH) appeared to be elevated following the first TRH injection, this effect was not statistically significant (P less than .05), nor was it significantly influenced by treatment following subsequent TRH injections. None of the 3 hormones, PRL, TSH or GH, was elevated following the final TRH injection at 6 mo of age. In contrast, plasma concentrations of PRL and TSH were increased in a control heifer injected with TRH at 6 mo. These data indicate that hormonal responsiveness to TRH stimulation decreases with continued twice daily treatment at doses of TRH used in the present studies. Examination of weight gains indicated that chronic treatment with TRH was associated with increased growth rate through 6 mo of age (10.6% increased average daily gains P less than .10), which was exhibited in a steeper slope (P less than .05) of the growth curve in the TRH group. Feed intake was slightly greater in TRH heifers, although feed efficiency (kg feed/kg gain) was not different between the two groups. Plasma concentrations of PRL increased (P less than .01) with age (r = +0.938) in control heifers while plasma TSH and GH were not significantly related to age. This observation establishes a positive correlative relationship between PRL secretion and the approach of puberty in the dairly heirfer. It was also noted that elevation of PRL secretion by TRH treatment was associated with significant advancement of age at first observed estrus (9.4 vs. - 10.5 mo) suggesting that a functional relationship between PRL secretion and puberty may exist in dairy heifers.

Aging

Response of broiler chickens to low level intake of polychorinated biphenyl isomers.

Commercial-type broiler starter and finisher feeds containing 0, .1, 1.0, 5.0, 10.0, or 20.0 ppm of polychlorinated biphenyl isomers (PCBs) as Aroclor 1254 (Monsanto) were fed to male broiler chicks (Arbor Acres 70 X Cobb) from hatching to 8 weeks of age. Feed intake and body weights were recorded on a weekly basis. The birds were killed at 8 weeks of age and samples of leg and breast muscle and adipose tissue were removed from each bird for PCBs analysis by gas chromatography (Pesticide Anal. Manual, FDA, '74). Linear log-log dose response curves with confidence limits were fitted to all data. There was a progressive, significant reduction in growth in response to increasing levels of PCBs fed. PCBs toxicity symptoms were seen at 10 and 20 ppm levels. All tissues showed significant, progressive accumulations of PCBs in response to increased dose.

Adipose Tissue

A Review on Heat Stress in Broiler Chickens: Mechanisms, Effects and Mitigation Strategies.

BACKGROUND: Heat stress (HS) is a major environmental challenge for broilers, particularly under rising global temperatures and high humidity. Broiler chickens are highly susceptible because of their rapid growth rate, high metabolic heat production, limited thermoregulatory capacity and genetic selection for fast growth. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to synthesise current evidence, evaluate the effectiveness of existing mitigation strategies, identify key knowledge gaps and provide future research directions to improve broiler resilience, welfare and productivity under increasingly HS conditions. METHODS: This review synthesised evidence published between 2010 and 2025 on the physiological, metabolic, intestinal, immunological and productive consequences of HS and evaluated mitigation strategies. RESULTS: The reviewed studies demonstrate that HS reduces feed intake by approximately 10%-30%, suppresses body weight gain and feed efficiency and increases mortality, with severity depending on temperature, humidity and broiler genotype. HS disrupts carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism; induces acid-base imbalance and oxidative stress; compromises intestinal barrier integrity; alters gut microbiota; suppresses immune function; and reduces meat quality. Nutritional interventions, including dietary electrolyte balance, antioxidants, vitamins, selenium, zinc, phytogenic compounds, probiotics, betaine and optimised feeding strategies, environmental management and genetic approaches, including naked-neck and frizzle genes, can partially alleviate these adverse effects. However, inconsistencies among studies persist because of differences in broiler strains, environmental conditions, dietary formulations and experimental protocols. CONCLUSION: HS substantially compromises broiler health, welfare, productivity and meat quality. Nutritional, environmental and genetic approaches can partially mitigate its adverse effects; however, further research is needed to improve broiler resilience under increasingly HS conditions.

Animals

Multi-omics integrative analysis provides insight into potential molecular responses to sustained high water flow in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) cultured in recirculating aquaculture.

To investigate the potential molecular responses by which water flow intensity affects the growth of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), a control group (CG, actual water velocity 0.3&#xa0;cm/s) and three sustained flow treatment groups were established, including a low-flow group (LF, 1 body length per second, bl/s), a medium-flow group (MF, 2 bl/s), and a high-flow group (HF, 3 bl/s). After 12&#xa0;weeks of culture in the RAS, growth performance was compared among groups under different flow intensities. The best-performing group and the control group were then selected for the determination of intestinal digestive enzyme activities, as well as transcriptomic and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing analyses of muscle tissue. The results showed that the specific growth rate and feed intake of the HF group were significantly higher than those of the other groups (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05), whereas no significant difference in feed conversion ratio was observed among groups. Compared with the CG group, lipase activity was significantly higher in the HF group (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05), while &#x3b1;-amylase and trypsin activities showed increasing trends without significant differences. RNA-seq identified a total of 273 differentially expressed genes, including 72 upregulated genes and 201 downregulated genes in the HF group relative to the CG group. These genes were mainly enriched in glycolysis, pyruvate metabolism, ATP metabolism, the pentose phosphate pathway, the insulin signaling pathway, the PPAR signaling pathway, and the adipocytokine signaling pathway, indicating that sustained high water flow induced a muscle transcriptional response characterized by remodeling of energy metabolism and substrate utilization. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing analysis showed that DNA methylation in common carp muscle occurred predominantly in the CpG context. Differentially methylated regions between the HF and CG groups were mainly distributed in transcription-related regulatory regions, including promoters, CpG islands, and CpG island shores. In promoter regions, the number of hypermethylated regions in the HF group relative to the CG group was markedly higher than that of hypomethylated regions. Integrated analysis further identified two candidate genes showing both promoter differential methylation and differential expression, namely LOC109094644 and bcorl1, suggesting that adaptation to high water flow may involve IGF-related growth regulation and remodeling of upstream transcriptional programs. The qPCR results were consistent with the transcriptomic data. Taken together, within the tested range, a sustained water flow of 3 bl/s was more conducive to the growth of common carp in the RAS, which may be associated with enhanced lipid digestion and utilization, remodeling of the muscle energy metabolic network, changes in promoter methylation, and the coordinated regulation of key candidate genes. This study provides a theoretical basis for clarifying the exercise adaptation mechanism of common carp in recirculating aquaculture and for optimizing flow velocity parameters.

Animals

Effect of inositol, lecithin, vitamins (B12 with choline and E), and iodinated casein on induced fatty liver-hemorrhagic syndrome in laying chickens.

Egg production, liver lipid, and liver hemorrhagic score were not significantly altered by diets that contained inositol (at 1 or 2 g./kg. diet) and fed ad libitum, or force-fed to S.C. White Leghorn hens to produce fatty liver-hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS). FLHS was not prevented by lecithin, iodinated casein alone or with inositol. The vitamins B12, choline and E appeared to reduce FLHS and liver lipid in the one group tested. The dose-response relationship between feed intake, liver hemorrhagic score and liver lipid content was again demonstrated.

Animal Feed

Regulation of intestinal calcium-binding protein in rats: role of parathyroid hormone.

Intestinal calcium-binding protein (CaBP) levels of rats fed a high (1.5%) Ca diet were the same whether the animals were parathyroidectomized (PTX), sham-operated controls pair-fed with the PTX animals, or sham-operated controls fed ad libitum. Consequently, a given base level of CaBP seems to be parathyroid hormone independent and not closely related to feed intake. On the other hand, whereas the ad libitum fed controls more than doubled their intestinal CaBP in response to a 2-day low-calcium (0.02%) regimen, neither the parathyroidectomized animals nor the pair-fed sham-operated controls were able to do so. Since the latter two groups consumed less feed and therefore less vitamin D than the ad libitum fed animals, the inability to increase CaBP in response to a low-calcium diet may have been caused by a restricted vitamin D intake rather than by the absence of parathyroid hormone.

Animals

Growth of Aureobasidium pullulans on straw hydrolysate.

Growth characteristics and cell properties of Aureobasidium (Pullularia) pullulans were studied. The organism grew well on an acid hydrolysate of ryegrass straw over a wide range of pH and temperature. The optimum temperature and pH for the growth of the organism were 32 degrees C and 5.5, respectively. A cell yield of 1.5 g/liter of straw hydrolysate was obtained. The dried cell mass contained 42.6% crude protein, 0.4% crude fat, and 6.4% nucleic acids. The essential amino acid profile of the microbial protein was comparable to that of Candida utilis. A rat feeding study indicated that the A. pullulans cells were not toxic and that the feed intake, weight gain, and protein efficiency ratio values were superior to those obtained with C. utilis. Once the question of mathogenicity is resolved, A. pullulans could be useful for production of single-cell protein from cellulosic wastes.

Animal Feed

Early hepatic protein responses to dietary restriction-refeeding in Japanese quail: A proteomic investigation.

Feed intake and refeeding after nutrient scarcity induce rapid metabolic adaptations in the poultry liver; however, hepatic proteomic recovery pathways in the early hours post-refeeding remain poorly defined. This study aimed to characterize early liver protein signatures in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) recovering from nutritional stress under two refeeding conditions. Eighteen 12-week-old male quails (245.20&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;0.213&#xa0;g) were assigned to three groups (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;6): control fed ad libitum (12.13&#xa0;MJ/kg), 24&#xa0;h feed deprivation followed by 6&#xa0;h refeeding, and 24&#xa0;h low metabolizable energy (6.30&#xa0;MJ/kg) diet followed by 6&#xa0;h refeeding. In total, 854 proteins were identified, of which 515 met the filtering criteria. The low metabolizable energy refeeding showed higher abundance of proteins linked to ATP binding and carbohydrate/carboxylic acid metabolism, alongside detoxification-related proteins, while suppressing translation/RNA-binding machinery and antioxidant pathways. Feed-deprived refeeding enriched in oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial complex I assembly with reduced cytoplasmic translation, NMD-related components, and sulfur compound metabolism. A direct comparison indicated divergent recovery strategies: low metabolizable energy refeeding mainly reflected oxidoreductase activity and translation initiation, whereas feed-deprived refeeding potentially enriched mitochondrial ATP production and glutathione-based defenses. Our analysis indicate that 6&#xa0;h of refeeding initiates an early, incomplete recovery toward hepatic homeostasis, with the severity of prior nutritional restriction dictating distinct liver metabolic priorities. Collectively, these findings might provide a preliminary understanding of the hepatic mechanisms involved in recovery from nutrient deprivation and may help in the development of feeding strategies for managing metabolic recovery in poultry. However, these findings should be considered hypothesis-generating pending further validation.

Animals