Vitamin D Is Not a Limiting Nutrient Regarding Growth Performance and Tibia Parameters in the Rearing Period of Laying Hens Bred for High Laying Performance Compared to Non-Selected Resource Populations.

Bone damages in laying hens are of great concern in poultry farming. Besides various risk factors like housing systems or nutrient supply during egg production, it has often been hypothesized that genetically high-performing laying hens may be more prone to bone damages. The relevance of dietary support during the rearing period of pullets for optimal bone development has been little addressed so far.

Influences of dietary-reduced nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on chemical body composition, N and P retention and health traits of contemporary barrows.

Farmgate balances are used as a tool for monitoring nutrient surpluses at farm level. In Germany, preparation of farmgate balances is legally mandatory and also requires data on chemical body composition, especially concentration of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), of farm animals. It is well known that increased N and P efficiency results in lowered N and P excretions with the manure and therefore mitigates negative consequences of high N and P release into the environment (e.

Short-term exposure of dairy cows to pyrrolizidine alkaloids from tansy ragwort ( Gaertn.): effects on health and performance.

The increasing spread of ragworts is observed with concern. Ragworts like tansy ragwort ( Gaertn.) or marsh ragwort () contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) which may induce hepatotoxic effects.

Upcycling of recycled minerals from sewage sludge through black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens): Impact on growth and mineral accumulation.

Phosphorous (P) resources are finite. Sewage sludge recyclates (SSR) are not only of interest as plant fertilizer but also as potential source of minerals in animal nutrition. However, besides P and calcium (Ca), SSR contain heavy metals.

Genotype-dependent impact of dietary vitamin D on laying hens.

Vitamin D has an integral part in calcium and phosphorus homoeostasis, which in turn plays a key role in egg production of hens. The present study aimed to investigate whether an additional vitamin D supplementation improves the laying performance and egg quality of hens according to their genetic potential. For this purpose, four layer lines (low performing: R11 and L68; high performing: WLA and BLA) supplemented either with 300 or 3000 IU vitamin D per kg feed were compared concerning serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), laying performance and egg quality.

Weaning age influences indicators of rumen function and development in female Holstein calves.

Background: Prenatal and postnatal conditions are crucial for the development of calves. Primiparous cows are still maturing during pregnancy, thus competing with the nutritional needs of their offspring. Therefore, mature cows might provide a superior intrauterine condition.

Evaluation of Inner Exposure of Horses to Zearalenone (ZEN), Deoxynivalenol (DON) and Their Metabolites in Relation to Colic and Health-Related Clinical-Chemical Traits.

Mycotoxin contaminated feed has been associated with colic of horses caused by intestinal disorders. Whether such disease conditions alter the intestinal toxin metabolism and transfer across a compromised mucosal barrier is unknown. A screening approach was used to relate blood residue levels of DON, ZEN and their metabolites to the status of the horses (sick vs.

Dose-Response Effects of 3-Nitrooxypropanol Combined with Low- and High-Concentrate Feed Proportions in the Dairy Cow Ration on Fermentation Parameters in a Rumen Simulation Technique.

Methane (CH) from ruminal feed degradation is a major pollutant from ruminant livestock, which calls for mitigation strategies. The purpose of the present 4 × 2 factorial arrangement was to investigate the dose-response relationships between four doses of the CH inhibitor 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) and potential synergistic effects with low (LC) or high (HC) concentrate feed proportions (CFP) on CH reduction as both mitigation approaches differ in their mode of action (direct 3-NOP vs. indirect CFP effects).

No hints at glyphosate-induced ruminal dysbiosis in cows.

Glyphosate-based herbicides are among the most used non-selective herbicides worldwide and inhibit synthesis of aromatic amino acids in plants, bacteria, and fungi. Given the broad usage, controversies concerning potential effects of glyphosate on health and especially on gut microbiomes arose. For cattle, it has been proposed based on in vitro data that glyphosate has detrimental effects on the ruminal microbiome, which manifest as a specific inhibition of bacteria involved in fiber degradation and as an enrichment of specific pathogens.

Effects of 3-nitrooxypropanol and varying concentrate feed proportions in the ration on methane emission, rumen fermentation and performance of periparturient dairy cows.

The climate-relevant enteric methane (CH) formation represents a loss of feed energy that is potentially meaningful for energetically undersupplied peripartal dairy cows. Higher concentrate feed proportions (CFP) are known to reduce CH emissions in cows. The same applies to the feed additive 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), albeit through different mechanisms.

Effects of glyphosate residues and different concentrate feed proportions in dairy cow rations on hepatic gene expression, liver histology and biochemical blood parameters.

Glyphosate (GLY) is worldwide one of the most used active substances in non-selective herbicides. Although livestock might be orally exposed via GLY-contaminated feedstuffs, not much is known about possible hepatotoxic effects of GLY. As hepatic xenobiotic and nutrient metabolism are interlinked, toxic effects of GLY residues might be influenced by hepatic nutrient supply.

Dietary l-carnitine Supplementation Modifies the Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Phase Reaction in Dairy Cows.

l-carnitine plays an important role in energy metabolism through supporting the transport of activated fatty acids to the subcellular site of β-oxidation. An acute phase reaction (APR) is known as an energy consuming process. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are often used in animal models to study intervention measures during innate immune responses such as APR.

Effects of Pre-Calving Body Condition and Different Concentrate Feed Proportions on Immune-Associated and Hematological Parameters in Pluriparous Dairy Cows.

The present study aimed at evaluating the influences of different concentrate feed proportions in the ration offered to dairy cows with different body condition scores (BCS) before calving. Therefore, 60 pluriparous cows were divided 42 days before expected calving into two groups with a higher or an adequate BCS. After calving, both groups were further subdivided into a group fed a ration with either a low concentrate feed proportion (C, 35% at dry matter basis) or a high (60% at dry matter basis) one.

Elevated Atmospheric CO Concentration Has Limited Effect on Wheat Grain Quality Regardless of Nitrogen Supply.

Elevated atmospheric CO concentrations (e[CO]) can decrease the grain quality of wheat. However, little information exists concerning interactions between e[CO] and nitrogen fertilization on important grain quality traits. To investigate this, a 2-year free air CO enrichment (FACE) experiment was conducted with two CO (393 and 600 ppm) and three (deficiency, adequate, and excess) nitrogen levels.

Effects of a Dietary L-Carnitine Supplementation on Performance, Energy Metabolism and Recovery from Calving in Dairy Cows.

Dairy cows are metabolically challenged during the transition period. Furthermore, the process of parturition represents an energy-consuming process. The degree of negative energy balance and recovery from calving also depends on the efficiency of mitochondrial energy generation.

Effects of Different Concentrate Feed Proportions on Ruminal Ph Parameters, Duodenal Nutrient Flows and Efficiency of Microbial Crude Protein Synthesis in Dairy Cows During Early Lactation.

The aim of the study was to examine different pH parameters, such as variations throughout the day, depending on differing concentrate feed proportions. Moreover, special attention was payed to individual variation in microbial efficiencies (microbial crude protein/fermented organic matter) and their relation to ruminal pH, nutrient flows and digestibilities. For this, cows were grouped according to microbial efficiency (more, n = 5, vs.

Detoxifying deoxynivalenol (DON)-contaminated feedstuff: consequences of sodium sulphite (SoS) treatment on performance and blood parameters in fattening pigs.

A 10-week feeding experiment was carried out examining the effects of deoxynivalenol (DON)-contaminated maize treated with different sodium sulphite (SoS) concentrations on performance, health and DON-plasma concentrations in fattening pigs. Two maize batches were used: background-contaminated (CON, 0.73 mg/kg maize) and Fusarium-toxin contaminated (DON, 44.

Effects of Feed Particle Size and Hydro-Thermal Processing Methods on Starch Modification, Nutrient Digestibility and the Performance and the Gastrointestinal Tract of Broilers.

Influences of feed particle size (coarse, fine) and hydro-thermal processing methods (HTPM) (without-non-compacted feed, pelleting, expanding and pelleting) on feeding value and the performance and digestive tract of 624 broilers were studied. HTPM increased the starch disintegration of feed. Starch disintegration and electron microscopy indicated the highest degree of starch modification in expanded and pelleted feed.

Effects of a Change from an Indoor-Based Total Mixed Ration to a Rotational Pasture System Combined with a Moderate Concentrate Feed Supply on Immunological Cell and Blood Parameters of Dairy Cows.

In spring, transition from a total mixed ration (TMR) to a full grazing ration with moderate concentrate supply influences cow's metabolism. It has been shown that feeding moderate amounts of concentrate during fulltime grazing did not prevent energy shortage and lipomobilization, alterations in energy metabolism, decreasing milk production and loss in body weight. As diet change and energy balance are closely related to immune reactivity, in this trial the effect of transition to pasture on specific immune parameters of cows was documented.

Fine grinding or expanding of feed as pre-treatment for pelleting in dependence on dietary rapeseed expeller proportion: Nutritional consequences for broilers.

Although commercial broiler feed is usually differently conditioned before pelleting, the nutritional consequences of fine grinding or expanding as pre-pelleting treatments are poorly defined so far. Therefore, the effects of these two pre-treatments on nutrient digestibility, broiler performance and digestive tract of broilers were tested. In order to investigate possible interactions between pre-treatments and diet composition two diets differing in rapeseed expeller proportion were tested in a two by two factorial design.

Kinetic studies on clinical and immunological modulations by intramuscular injection of Escherichia coli LPS in laying hens.

The present study investigated clinical and immunological modulations due to intramuscular injection of Escherichia coli LPS in 49-wk-old laying hens over 48 h post injection (p.i.).

Effects of a Change from an Indoor-Based Total Mixed Ration to a Rotational Pasture System Combined With a Moderate Concentrate Feed Supply on Rumen Fermentation of Dairy Cows.

In spring, transition from a total mixed ration (TMR) to pasture requires rumen adaptions for the cow. It had been shown that transition period does not necessarily mean an increased risk for subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). After adaption to pasture, however, supplying low amounts of concentrate did indicate increased risk, but caused no adverse effects on rumen morphology and absorption capacity.

Changes of ruminal pH, rumination activity and feeding behaviour during early lactation as affected by different energy and fibre concentrations of roughage in pluriparous dairy cows.

The aim of this study was to assess differences of ruminal pH and rumination activity between the prepartal and postpartal period of cows and to investigate changes of feeding behaviour and ruminal fermentation depending on postpartal rations with slight differences in roughage energy and fibre concentration. Therefore, 11 rumen-cannulated German Holstein cows were used from 3 weeks antepartum until 16 weeks postpartum. During the dry period, all cows received the same diet.

Effects of a Change from an Indoor-Based Total Mixed Ration to a Rotational Pasture System Combined with a Moderate Concentrate Feed Supply on the Health and Performance of Dairy Cows.

In spring, the transition from a total mixed ration (TMR) to pasture requires metabolic adaptions for the cow. It had been shown that supply of low amounts of concentrate after transition to full-time grazing caused energy deficits, resulting in a lower milking performance and changes in a variety of variables indicative for energy metabolism. The present study aimed to investigate how a moderate concentrate supply (4.