P. Y. Zhao

Effect of diets with different energy and lysophospholipids levels on performance, nutrient metabolism, and body composition in broilers

&NA; This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of diets with different energy and emulsifier (Lipidol, active ingredient: lysophospholipids; LPL) levels on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, body composition, and serum profile in broilers. A total of 864 one‐day‐old male Ross 308 broilers (45.3 ± 0.6 g) was used in a 28‐day experiment. Broilers were allotted to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement design with 2 levels of energy (starter: ME = 2,950 kcal/kg for energy reduced diet and 3,050 kcal/kg for basal diet; finisher: ME = 3,100 kcal/kg for energy reduced diet and 3,200 kcal/kg for basal diet) and 3 levels of emulsifier supplementation (zero, 0.05, and 0.10%) according to their initial BW. There were 8 replicate cages per treatment with 18 broilers per cage. Broilers fed basal diets had higher (P < 0.05) body weight gain (BWG, d zero to 14) and lower (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR, d zero to 14 and d zero to 28) than those fed reduced energy diets. Broilers fed LPL supplementation diets also had higher (P < 0.05) BWG (d zero to 14) and lower (P < 0.05) FCR (d zero to 14, d 15 to 28, and d zero to 28) than those fed without LPL supplementation diets. On d 14, the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, nitrogen (N), and gross energy (GE) was increased (P < 0.05) by LPL supplementation. The low density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides concentrations also were decreased (P < 0.05) by LPL supplementation on d 14. The relative weight of abdominal fat was higher (P < 0.05) in basal diet treatments, but lower (P < 0.05) in LPL supplementation treatments. In conclusion, LPL supplementation can increase growth performance and nutrient digestibility, decrease cholesterol and triglycerides concentration in the starter period, and decrease the abdominal fat percentage in broilers.

Effect of fermented medicinal plants on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal noxious gas emissions, and diarrhea score in weanling pigs

BACKGROUND Antibiotics used as growth promoters in livestock have been banned in the European Union since 2006. Alternatives of antibiotics have focused on phytogenic plants, such as herbs and medicinal plants. No studies have evaluated the use of fermented medicinal plants (FMP) made up of Gynura procumbens, Rehmannia glutinosa and Scutellaria baicalensis in weanling pigs. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to determine the effects of FMP on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal noxious gas emissions and diarrhea score in weanling pigs. RESULTS FMP supplementation increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain, average daily feed intake, gain:feed, apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and gross energy compared with NC treatment, while a linear effect (P < 0.05) was observed on those criteria. Ammonia, total mercaptans and hydrogen sulfide concentrations were decreased (P < 0.05) by the supplementation of FMP compared with NC. Additionally, diarrhea score was lower (P < 0.05) by FMP addition compared with NC during days 0-7 and days 8-14. CONCLUSION These results suggested that FMP could be used as an alternative to antibiotics by enhancing growth performance and nutrient digestibility, and decreasing fecal noxious gas emission and early diarrhea score of weanling pigs.