Unexpected Cu and Zn speciation patterns in the broiler feed-animal-excreta system revealed by XAS spectroscopy.

Trace minerals such as copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) are animal nutrition supplements necessary for livestock health and breeding performance, yet they also have environmental impacts via animal excretion. Here we investigated changes in Cu and Zn speciation from the feed additive to the broiler excreta stages. The aim of this study was to assess whether different Cu and Zn feed additives induce different Cu and Zn speciation patterns, and to determine the extent to which this speciation is preserved throughout the feed-animal-excreta system.

Environmental Impacts and Their Association With Performance and Excretion Traits in Growing Pigs.

The selection of pigs for improved production traits has been, for a long time, the major driver of pig breeding. More recently, because of the increasing concern with the environment, new selection criteria have been explored, such as nitrogen (N) excretion. However, many studies indicate that life cycle assessment (LCA) provides much better indicators of environmental impacts than excretion.

Effects of dietary lycopene on the protection against oxidation of muscle and hepatic tissue in finishing pigs.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of lycopene supplementation on the carcass traits, meat quality, concentration of lipid oxidation products and antioxidant potential in the meat and liver of finishing barrows and gilts.

Methods: A total of 40 barrows and 40 gilts were allotted in a completely randomized block design, arranged in a 2×5 factorial scheme, consisting of two sexes (barrows and gilts) and five dietary levels of lycopene (0, 12.5, 25.