Fueled by consumer preference for natural and antibiotic-free products, phytogenics have become the fastest growing segment of the animal feed additives. Yet, their modes of action are not fully understood. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of 5 phytogenics (3 feed- and 2 water-supplements) on the growth performance of commercial broilers, and their potential underlying molecular mechanisms. Day-old male Cobb 500 chicks (n = 576) were randomly assigned into 48 pens consisting of 6 treatments (Control; AVHGP; SCP; BHGP; AVSSL; SG) in a complete randomized design (12 birds/pen, 8 pens/treatment, 96 birds/treatment). Chicks had ad libitum access to feed and water. Individual body weight (BW) was recorded weekly and feed intake was measured daily. Core body temperatures were continuously recorded using thermo-loggers. At d 35, hypothalamic tissues were excised from the thermo-logger-equipped chickens (n = 8 birds/treatment) to determine the expression of feeding-related neuropeptides. Both feed (AVHGP, SCP, BHGP) and water-supplemented (AVSSL, SG) phytogenics significantly improved feed efficiency (FE) compared to the control birds. This higher FE was achieved via a reduction in core body temperature and improvement of market BW, without changes in feed intake in broilers supplemented with phytogenic water additives as compared to the control group. Broilers fed dietary phytogenics, however, attained higher feed efficiency via a reduction in feed intake while maintaining similar BW as the control group. At the molecular levels, the effects of the phytogenic water additives seemed to be mediated by the activation of the hypothalamic AgRP-ORX-mTOR-S6k1 and inhibition of CRH pathways. The effect of the phytogenic feed additives appeared to be exerted through the activation of AdipoQ, STAT3, AMPK, and MC1R pathways. This is the first report describing the likely central mechanisms through which phytogenic additives improve the growth performance and feed efficiency in broilers.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.npep.2020.102005 | DOI Listing |
Int J Biol Macromol
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Beijing Engineering Technology Research Centre of Raw Milk Quality and Safety Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China. Electronic address:
This study investigated the effects of rumen-degradable starch (RDS) on lactation performance, gastrointestinal fermentation, and plasma metabolomics in dairy cows. Six mid-lactation cows, fitted with rumen, duodenum, and ileum cannulas, were used in a duplicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 28-day periods. The cows were fed a low RDS (LRDS; 62.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicrob Pathog
January 2025
Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Food Safety, Zhejiang University College of Animal Sciences, Hangzhou 310058, China; Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Sanya 572025, China; Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China. Electronic address:
Salmonella presents a significant threat to the health of animals and humans, especially with the rise of strains resistant to multiple drugs. This highlights the necessity for creating sustainable and efficient practical approaches to managing salmonellosis. The most recent and safest approach to combat antimicrobial resistance-associated infections is lytic bacteriophages.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnimal
September 2024
Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia B2N 5E3, Canada. Electronic address:
The feed efficiency (FE) expresses as the amount of feed required per unit of BW gain. Since feed cost is the major input cost in the mink industry, evaluating of FE is a crucial step for competitiveness of the mink industry. However, the FE measures have not been widely adopted for the mink due to the high cost of periodically measuring BW and daily feed intake.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNutrients
January 2025
Center of Excellence Food Technology and Nutrition, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Stelzhamerstraße 23, 4600 Wels, Austria.
Individuals with special metabolic demands are at risk of deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins, which can be counteracted via supplementation. Here, we tested the ability of micellization alone or in combination with selected natural plant extracts to increase the intestinal absorption and bioefficacy of fat-soluble vitamins. Micellated and nonmicellated vitamins D3 (cholecalciferol), D2 (ergocalciferol), E (alpha tocopheryl acetate), and K2 (menaquionone-7) were tested in intestinal Caco-2 or buccal TR146 cells in combination with curcuma (), black pepper (), or ginger () plant extracts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPolymers (Basel)
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mold Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.
Biological surfaces with physical discontinuity or chemical heterogeneity possess special wettability in the form of anisotropic wetting behavior. However, there are several challenges in designing and manufacturing samples with anisotropic wettability. This study investigates the fabrication of PTFE/PDMS grid membranes using Direct Ink Writing (DIW) 3D printing for oil-water separation applications.
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