Resumo Objetivou-se mensurar o desempenho zootécnico e a qualidade de ovos de codornas japonesas alojadas sob diferentes densidades e alimentadas com rações contendo parede celular de levedura (PCL). Foram utilizadas 576 codornas japonesas (Coturnix japonica) com 43 semanas de idade e 76% de postura, com peso inicial de 158,50 ± 5,41 g distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso em esquema fatorial 3 × 2 (três níveis de PCL: 0; 500 e 750 g.ton−1 e duas densidades de alojamento: 81,5 e 92,4 cm2/ave), com seis repetições de 17 e 15 codornas por unidade experimental, respectivamente. Foram avaliados: consumo de ração, produção de ovos/ave/dia, produção de ovos/ave alojada, produção de ovos comercializáveis, massa de ovos, conversão alimentar por dúzia e por massa de ovos e viabilidade das aves; peso do ovo, peso específico, porcentagem de gema, de albúmen e de casca e espessura da casca. Não houve interação entre os níveis de inclusão de PCL e densidade de alojamento para os parâmetros avaliados, exceto para peso do ovo. Codornas alojadas em gaiolas com 92,4 cm2/ave alimentadas com 500 g.ton−1 de PCL apresentaram maior peso do ovo. A espessura de casca foi influenciada de forma independente pela densidade de alojamento, a menor densidade (92,4 cm|2/ave) promoveu maior espessura de casca. A inclusão de 500 g.ton−1 de PCL na ração de codornas japonesas alojadas sob densidade de 92,4 cm2/ave melhora o peso dos ovos e a espessura da casca. Objetivouse Objetivou se PCL. . (PCL) 57 Coturnix japonica 4 76 postura 15850 158 50 158,5 541 5 41 5,4 três 0 75 gton1 gton ton 1 g.ton− 815 81 81, 924 92 92, cm2/ave, cm2ave cmave , cm2 ave cm cm2/ave) experimental respectivamente avaliados ovosavedia dia ovos/ave/dia ovosave alojada comercializáveis aves ovo específico gema (92, cm|2/ave (PCL 7 1585 158, 54 5, g.ton 8 9 (92 (9 (

Abstract The objective of this study was to measure the zootechnical performance and egg quality of Japanese quails housed at different densities and fed diets containing yeast cell walls (YCWs). Five hundred and seventy-six quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were distributed at 43 weeks of age, and 76% were laid, with an initial weight of 158.50 ± 5.41 g, in a completely randomized design in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement (three YCW levels: 0, 500, and 750 g.ton−1 and two housing densities: 81.5 and 92.4 cm2/quail), with six replicates of 17 and 15 quail per experimental unit, respectively. The following parameters were evaluated: feed intake, egg production/bird/day, egg production/housed quail, marketable egg production, egg mass, feed conversion per dozen eggs, egg mass and viability, egg weight, specific egg weight, percentage of yolk, albumen and shell, and shell thickness. The means of the three cycles of 21 days were subjected to analysis of variance using the statistical software Sisvar. There was no significant interaction effect between YCW inclusion level and cage density on zootechnical performance parameters or egg quality, except for egg weight, which suggested that YCW addition, regardless of cage density, did not affect the results. It was observed that the eggs of quails housed in cages with 92.4 cm2/bird feed and 500 g.ton1 YCW had greater egg weights. Shell thickness was independently influenced by cage density, and the lowest density (92.4 cm2/bird) promoted greater shell thickness. The inclusion of 500 g.ton1 of yeast cell wall material in the diet of Japanese quails housed at a density of 92.4 cm2/bird improved egg weight and shell thickness without negatively affecting the other parameters of egg quality or zootechnical performance. YCWs. YCWs . (YCWs) seventysix seventy Coturnix japonica 4 age 76 laid 15850 158 50 158.5 541 5 41 5.4 g levels 0 75 gton1 gton ton 1 g.ton− 815 81 81. 924 92 92. cm2/quail, cm2quail cmquail cm2/quail , cm2 cm cm2/quail) unit respectively evaluated intake productionbirdday production bird day production/bird/day productionhoused viability yolk Sisvar addition results cm2bird cmbird ton1 g.ton weights (92. (YCWs 7 1585 158. 54 5. 8 9 (92 (9 (

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar e comparar os valores de energia metabolizável e os coeficientes de metabolizabilidade de três tipos de óleo de milho (bruto, semi-refinado e ácido) em frangos de corte. Foram usados 240 frangos da linhagem Cobb500™, distribuídos aleatoriamente em gaiolas metabólicas com quatro tratamentos, 10 repetições e 6 aves por unidade experimental. As aves foram alimentadas com rações específicas para cada tratamento, e a coleta total de excretas foi realizada dos dias 23 a 27. Os valores de energia bruta (EB), energia metabolizável aparente (EMA) e energia metabolizável aparente corrigida pelo balanço de nitrogênio (EMAn) foram calculados para cada tipo de óleo. Os coeficientes de metabolizabilidade do extrato etéreo (CMEE) também foram determinados. A análise estatística dos resultados foi realizada por meio do teste de Tukey ao nível de 5% de probabilidade. Houve diferença significativa para os valores de EMA e CMEE (P<0,05). O óleo de milho bruto apresentou maiores valores EMA quando comparado ao óleo de milho ácido. O mesmo comportamento foi verificado para o CMEE (P<0,05). Os valores encontrados para os óleos foram: óleo de milho bruto - EB: 9330 kcal/kg, EMA: 8916,84 kcal/kg, EMAn: 8905,60 kcal/kg, CMEE: 97,14%; óleo de milho semi refinado - EB: 9480 kcal/kg, EMA: 8547,99 kcal/kg, EMAn: 8303,46 kcal/kg, CMEE: 96,64%; óleo de milho ácido - EB: 9114 kcal/kg, EMA: 7197,73 kcal/kg, EMAn: 7515,68 kcal/kg, CMEE: 96,17%. bruto, (bruto semirefinado corte 24 Cobb500 Cobb Cobb500™ tratamentos 1 experimental tratamento 2 27 EB, EB , (EB) (EMA EMAn (EMAn (CMEE determinados 5 probabilidade P<0,05. P005 P P<0,05 . 0 05 (P<0,05) 933 kcalkg kcal kg kcal/kg 891684 8916 84 8916,8 890560 8905 60 8905,6 97,14% 9714 97 14 948 854799 8547 99 8547,9 830346 8303 46 8303,4 96,64% 9664 96 64 911 719773 7197 73 7197,7 751568 7515 68 7515,6 9617 17 96,17% Cobb50 (EB P00 P<0,0 (P<0,05 93 89168 891 8 8916, 89056 890 8905, 97,14 971 9 94 85479 854 8547, 83034 830 4 8303, 96,64 966 91 71977 719 7 7197, 75156 751 7515, 961 96,17 Cobb5 P0 P<0, (P<0,0 89 97,1 85 83 96,6 71 75 96,1 P<0 (P<0, 97, 96, P< (P<0 (P< (P

Abstract This study aims to determine and compare the metabolizable energy values and metabolizability coefficients of three types of corn oil (crude, semi-refined, and acid) for broiler chickens. 240 Cobb500™ chickens were randomly allocated into metabolic cages, resulting in four treatments, ten replicates, and six birds per experimental unit. The birds fed on diets specific to each treatment. Total excreta was collected from the day 23rd to the 27th. Gross energy (GE), apparent metabolizable energy (AME), and nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) were calculated for each oil type. The metabolizability coefficient values of ether extracts (MCEE) were also determined. Statistical analysis was performed using Tukey test at a 5% probability. There was a significant difference in AME and MCEE values (P<0.05). Crude corn oil showed higher AME and MCEE values than acid corn oil. The findings are crude corn oil - GE: 9,330 kcal/kg, AME: 8,916.84 kcal/kg, AMEn: 8,905.60 kcal/kg, MCEE: 97.14%; semi-refined corn oil - GE: 9,480 kcal/kg, AME: 8,547.99 kcal/kg, AMEn: 8,303.46 kcal/kg, MCEE: 96.64%; acid corn oil - GE: 9,114 kcal/kg, AME: 7,197.73 kcal/kg, AMEn: 7,515.68 kcal/kg, MCEE: 96.17%. crude, (crude semirefined, semirefined semi refined, refined 24 Cobb500 Cobb cages treatments replicates unit treatment rd 27th th GE, GE , (GE) AME, (AME) nitrogencorrected nitrogen corrected AMEn (AMEn type (MCEE determined 5 probability P<0.05. P005 P P<0.05 . 0 05 (P<0.05) 9330 9 330 9,33 kcalkg kcal kg kcal/kg 891684 8 916 84 8,916.8 890560 905 60 8,905.6 97.14% 9714 97 14 9480 480 9,48 854799 547 99 8,547.9 830346 303 46 8,303.4 96.64% 9664 96 64 9114 114 9,11 719773 7 197 73 7,197.7 751568 515 68 7,515.6 9617 17 96.17% 2 Cobb50 (GE (AME P00 P<0.0 (P<0.05 933 33 9,3 89168 91 8,916. 89056 90 6 8,905. 97.14 971 1 948 48 9,4 85479 54 8,547. 83034 30 4 8,303. 96.64 966 911 11 9,1 71977 19 7,197. 75156 51 7,515. 961 96.17 Cobb5 P0 P<0. (P<0.0 93 3 9, 8916 8,916 8905 8,905 97.1 94 8547 8,547 8303 8,303 96.6 7197 7,197 7515 7,515 96.1 P<0 (P<0. 891 8,91 890 8,90 97. 854 8,54 830 8,30 96. 719 7,19 751 7,51 P< (P<0 89 8,9 85 8,5 83 8,3 71 7,1 75 7,5 (P< 8, 7, (P

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the energy values and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids of corn, corn protein meal (CPM), corn germ (CG), and dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS) in broiler diets. In the first experiment, the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) values were determined using the total excreta collection method. A total of 240 14-day-old broiler chicks were randomly distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments, including four different feed ingredients and a reference diet, each with eight replicates of six birds. In the second experiment, to determine the coefficient values of amino acids, 240 birds aged 14 to 28 days were randomly assigned to five treatments, including four different feed ingredients and a nitrogen-free diet, each with eight replicates of six birds. At 28 days of age, birds were slaughtered, and the digesta were collected to determine the standardized ileal digestibility coefficients and, subsequently, the digestibility of amino acids. The AMEn for corn, CPM, CG, and DDGS is 3178, 2171, 2473, and 3398 kcal/kg, respectively. The metabolizability coefficient of the AMEn percentages are 68.03% for corn, 46.62% for CPM, 44.15% for CG, and 73.39% for DDGS. The average digestibility of essential amino acids in corn, CPM, CG, and DDGS is 92.55, 52.63, 73.07, and 81.51%, respectively. For non-essential amino acids, the average digestibility in corn, CPM, CG, and DDGS is 90.59, 54.36, 70.20, and 79.47%, respectively, with an overall average of 85.21%. SID (SID CPM , (CPM) CG (CG) distillers (DDGS diets experiment AME (AME nitrogencorrected nitrogen corrected (AMEn method 24 14dayold dayold day old treatments diet 1 2 nitrogenfree free age slaughtered subsequently 3178 2171 2473 339 kcalkg kcal kg kcal/kg respectively 6803 68 03 68.03 4662 46 62 46.62 4415 44 15 44.15 7339 73 39 73.39 9255 92 55 92.55 5263 52 63 52.63 7307 07 73.07 8151 81 51 81.51% nonessential non 9059 90 59 90.59 5436 54 36 54.36 7020 70 20 70.20 7947 79 47 79.47% 8521 85 21 85.21% (CPM (CG 317 217 247 33 680 6 0 68.0 466 4 46.6 441 44.1 733 7 3 73.3 925 9 5 92.5 526 52.6 730 73.0 815 8 81.51 905 90.5 543 54.3 702 70.2 794 79.47 852 85.21 31 68. 46. 44. 73. 92. 52. 81.5 90. 54. 70. 79.4 85.2 81. 79. 85.

ABSTRACT This research aimed to evaluate the influence of a commercial prebiotic in different concentrations upon several parameters. To carry out the experiment, 640 male one-day-old broiler chicks were distributed in four treatments (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 kg/ton of yeast cell wall) with eight replicates of 20 birds per experimental unit, in randomized blocks. Prebiotic effects were assessed on performance, carcass yield and prime cuts, in addition to the litter quality (its content of nitrogen and phosphorus). There were significant improvements for weight gain and feed conversion ratio in experimental growth periods. However, prebiotic level at 1.0 kg/ton is enough to provide improvement in performance and similar yield parameters than the control group. Also, 1.5 kg/ton prebiotic inclusion in the diet promotes environmental benefits by reducing the phosphorus amount in the litter by 51%. Above 1.0 kg/ton prebiotic addition in broiler diets can be safely recommended, because it promotes both performance and environmental benefits. experiment 64 onedayold one day old 0, 0 (0 05 5 0.5 10 1 15 1. kgton kg ton wall 2 unit blocks cuts its phosphorus. . phosphorus) periods However group Also 51 51% recommended 6 ( 0.

Resumo O estudo avaliou o efeito de diferentes doses de fitase e duas dietas (milho e farelo de soja, e farinha de carne e ossos) no desempenho de frangos de corte e na digestibilidade de nutrientes das rações. Foram utilizados 1320 frangos de corte Cobb 500 para o experimento de desempenho, 216 frangos de corte Cobb 500 para o ensaio de metabolismo, e 252 pintos de corte para a determinação dos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparentes e estandardizados dos aminoácidos das dietas. As aves foram pesadas individualmente e distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, totalizando seis tratamentos divididos em esquema fatorial 2x3 (duas dietas e três níveis de fitase compondo os tratamentos): dietas vegetais com 500, 1000 e 1500 FTU de fitase (T1, T2, T3); e dietas com farinha de carne e ossos com 500, 1000 e 1500 FTU de fitase (T4, T5, T6). O ganho de peso médio final e ganho de peso dos animais que consumiram dietas com farinha de carne e ossos e fitase a 500 FTU/kg foi similar com os que consumiram 1000 FTU/kg de fitase. E a digestibilidade dos aminoácidos para os animais que consumiram dietas com milho e farelo de soja e fitase com 500 FTU/kg foi similar com os que consumiram 1000 FTU/kg, e estatisticamente o nível de 1500 FTU/kg foi igual ao nível de 500 FTU/ kg. Altas doses de fitase não promoveram melhora no desempenho e digestibilidade dos nutrientes, bem como nos valores de EMAn, com isso, recomenda-se a suplementação de fitase a 500 FTU/kg. rações 132 50 21 metabolismo 25 casualizado x 2x tratamentos) 100 150 T1, T1 T (T1 T2 T3 T3) T4, T4 (T4 T5 T6. T6 . T6) FTUkg kg EMAn isso recomendase recomenda se 13 5 2 10 15 (T 1

Abstract The study evaluated the effect of different doses of phytase and two diets (corn and soybean meal, and meat and bone meal) on the performance of broiler chickens and the digestibility of nutrients in feed. A total of 1320 Cobb 500 broilers were used for the performance experiment, 216 Cobb 500 broilers for the metabolism test, and 252 broiler chicks to determine the apparent and standardized digestibility coefficients of amino acids in the diets. The birds were individually weighed and distributed in a completely randomized design, comprising six treatments divided into a 2×3 factorial scheme (two diets and three levels of phytase composing the treatments): vegetable diets with 500, 1000, and 1500 FTU of phytase (T1, T2, T3); and meat and bone meal diets with 500, 1000, and 1500 FTU of phytase (T4, T5, T6). The average final weight gain and weight gain of animals that consumed diets with meat and bone meal and phytase at 500 FTU/kg were similar to those that consumed 1000 FTU/kg of phytase. The digestibility of amino acids for animals that consumed diets with corn and soybean meal and phytase at 500 FTU/kg was similar to those that consumed 1000 FTU/kg; statistically, the level of 1500 FTU/kg was equal to that of 500 FTU/kg. High doses of phytase did not promote improvements in performance and nutrient digestibility, as well as EMAn values; therefore, phytase supplementation at 500 FTU/kg is recommended. feed 132 50 experiment 21 test 25 design 23 2 3 2× treatments) 150 T1, T1 T (T1 T2 T3 T3) T4, T4 (T4 T5 T6. T6 . T6) FTUkg kg 100 statistically values therefore recommended 13 5 15 (T 10 1

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the energy values and metabolizability of different lipid sources in the diet of Japanese quail at the laying phase. The quail were distributed in a completely randomized design with ten replications of seven poultry per treatment, totaling six treatments: basal feed (control) and basal feed containing 10% soybean oil, corn oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, and poultry fat. The values of nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) and the metabolizability coefficient (MC%) were evaluated. No significant difference was found between the different lipid sources for AMEn (kcal/kg) and MC (%). The value of metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen for soybean oil was 8,790 kcal/kg; 8,773 kcal/kg for corn oil; 8,784 kcal/kg for canola oil; 8,788 kcal/kg for sunflower oil; and 8,681 kcal/kg for poultry fat in laying Japanese quail. The digestibility coefficients were 93.88% for soybean oil, 93.53% for corn oil, 93.32% for canola oil, 93.74% for sunflower oil, and 93.06% for poultry fat. phase treatment treatments control (control 10 nitrogencorrected (AMEn MC% (MC% evaluated kcalkg kcal kg (kcal/kg %. % . (%) 8790 8 790 8,79 8773 773 8,77 8784 784 8,78 8788 788 8681 681 8,68 9388 93 88 93.88 9353 53 93.53 9332 32 93.32 9374 74 93.74 9306 06 93.06 1 (MC (% 879 79 8,7 877 77 878 78 868 68 8,6 938 9 93.8 935 5 93.5 933 3 93.3 937 7 93.7 930 0 93.0 ( 87 8, 86 6 93.

Resumo A pesquisa foi conduzida com objetivo de avaliar o efeito residual de diferentes fontes lipídicas na dieta de codornas japonesas (Coturnix japonica) na fase de recria sob o desempenho e a qualidade de ovos na fase inicial de postura. Na primeira etapa foram utilizadas 400 codornas japonesas com idade de 21 dias, as aves foram distribuídas em tratamentos seguindo um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com dez repetições, de oito aves, em cinco tratamentos: ração basal (RB) com 2,5% de óleo de soja, RB com 2,5 % de óleo de milho, RB com 2,5% de óleo algodão, RB com 2,5% de óleo de girassol e RB com 2,5% de óleo de canola. Aos 42 dias mantendo o delineamento inicial, todas aves receberam ração basal com óleo de soja, para que fosse avaliado o efeito residual da fase anterior sobre o desempenho e a qualidade dos ovos na fase inicial de postura (43 - 84 dias). As diferentes fontes lipídicas não afetaram o desempenho das aves na fase inicial de produção. Para a qualidade dos ovos, os parâmetros de altura, diâmetro e índice de gema, gravidade e UH foram melhores no tratamento com utilização de óleo de girassol. Houve efeito residual da utilização de fontes lipídicas de origem vegetal na dieta em fase de recria de codornas japonesas sobre as características da qualidade dos ovos. As fontes lipídicas oriundas das sementes de soja, milho, algodão, canola e girassol podem ser utilizadas como ingredientes energéticos na dieta de recria de codornas poedeiras por nâo serem prejudiciais ao desempenho inicial das aves. A longevidade na produção dos ovos das aves alimentadas com diferentes fontes lipídicas na fase de recria foi semelhante. Coturnix japonica 40 2 repetições (RB 25 5 soja 2, milho algodão 4 43 (4 8 dias. . dias) altura gema semelhante (

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the residual effect of different lipid sources in the diet of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) in the rearing phase on the performance and egg quality in the initial phase of egg-laying. In the first stage, 400 Japanese quails aged 21 days were used, being distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, with five treatments and ten replicates of eight birds/replicate Treatments consisted of basal ration (BR) with 2.5% soybean oil; BR with 2.5% corn oil; BR with 2.5% cottonseed oil; BR with 2.5% sunflower oil; and BR with 2.5% canola oil. At 42 days, maintaining the initial design, all quails received a basal ration with soybean oil, in order to evaluate the residual effect of the previous phase on the performance and egg quality in the initial phase of egg-laying (43 - 84 days). The different lipid sources did not affect the performance of quails in the initial phase of production. For egg quality, yolk height, yolk diameter, yolk index, gravity, and Haugh unit (HU) showed better results in the treatment using sunflower oil. There was a residual effect of the use of lipid sources of vegetable origin in the rearing phase diet of Japanese quails on egg quality traits. Lipid sources from soybean, corn, cottonseed, canola, and sunflower seeds can be used as energy sources in the rearing diet of egg-laying quails for not being harmful to their initial performance. The longevity in egg production of quails fed with different lipid sources in the rearing phase was similar. Coturnix japonica egglaying. egglaying laying. laying stage 40 2 design birdsreplicate birds replicate (BR 25 5 2.5 oil 4 43 (4 8 days. . days) height diameter index gravity HU (HU traits similar 2. (

ABSTRACT This report examines the effects of calcium anacardate (CA) on the morphology, histology, and proteomics of the testes and epididymal ducts of breeding quail. To that end, 22 140-day-old males were grouped in four treatments, each with different concentrations of CA: 0% (control), 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75%. The testicles of the animals were weighed and measured, and proteins from the testicles were separated by 1D SDS-PAGE and analyzed via mass spectrometry. Overall, 35 bands were identified in the testicular tissue gels of European quail. Of these, 13 were significantly different, with treatment 0.75% CA being different from the control in all bands. Significant differences among the mean heights of the seminiferous epithelium and diameters of the epididymal duct were observed. In the control group, the average height of the seminiferous epithelium was 71.2 µm, and in 0.75% CA, it was 45.6 µm. Supplementing feed with CA altered the expression of specific proteins, such as superoxide dismutase and heat shock proteins, of the seminal plasma of quail, in addition to facilitating histological alterations regarding the height of the seminiferous epithelium and the diameter of the epididymal duct, improving the reproductive parameters. (CA morphology histology quail end 2 140dayold dayold 140 day old treatments 0 control, , (control) 025 25 0.25% 050 50 0.50% 075 75 measured D SDSPAGE SDS PAGE spectrometry Overall 3 these 1 0.75 observed group 712 71 71. µm 456 45 6 45. parameters 14 (control 02 0.25 05 5 0.50 07 7 0.7 4 0.2 0.5 0.

ABSTRACT Apparent calcium (Ca) retention and digestibility coefficients are affected by limestone particle size in the diet of laying hens. This study aimed to determine the apparent retention and digestibility coefficients of Ca in limestone of different particle sizes in laying hens. The study comprised 288 Lohmann Brown laying hens (50 weeks of age; 1,964 ± 98 g) distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement [three Ca concentrations (10, 20, and 30 g kg–1) × two limestone particle sizes (480 and 1,978 µm)] with eight repetitions per treatment and six birds per experimental unit. The experiment included five days for adaptation and five days for total excreta collection. All birds were slaughtered at the end of the ten days to collect the ileal contents. The total or ileal Ca content was plotted against the Ca of diets concentration using linear regression analysis. The regression line slope represented the apparent retention (CaR) and digestibility coefficients of Ca (CaD) in limestone. There was interaction between Ca concentration in the diet and limestone granulometry on CaD (p = 0.001) and CaR (p < 0.001). The CaD and CaR of fine- and coarse-grained limestone increased linearly with increasing Ca concentrations in the diet. The apparent digestibility coefficients estimated for laying hens fed with fine-grained and coarse-grained limestone were 0.72 and 0.35, respectively. The apparent retention coefficients estimated for laying hens fed fine-grained and coarse-grained limestone were 0.96 and 0.47, respectively.

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with capsaicinoids on the performance and gene expression of broilers. At 18 days of age, 120 male broilers chickens (Cobb 500) were distributed in a completely randomized design with three treatments, eight replicates, and five birds per experimental unit. The treatments were a basal diet or basal diet with the addition of 1 or 2 mg of capsaicinoids/kg of diet. The birds had free access to water and feed throughout the experimental period (18 to 26 days of age). Broiler performance was evaluated at 26 days of age, and one bird per experimental unit was selected to collect serum and jejunum samples. Jejunum samples were used to analyze the mRNA content. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, and the means were compared with Tukey’s test at a significance of 0.05. There was no effect of capsaicinoid supplementation on performance, serum metabolites, or the expression of glutathione peroxidase mRNA in the jejunum of broilers. However, broilers supplemented with capsaicinoids showed a higher mRNA expression of Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase and a reduced mRNA expression of nuclear factor-κB in the jejunum. Supplementation with 1 and 2 mg/kg capsaicinoids did not improve the performance of broilers from 18 to 26 days of age but increased the mRNA expression of Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase and reduced the mRNA expression of nuclear factor-κB in the jejunum of broilers.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of purified lignin on the performance, relative organ weights, serum metabolites, and gene expression profiles of broiler chickens subjected to cyclic heat stress (HS). At 22 days old, 280 broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments, ten repetitions, and seven birds per experimental unit. The birds were subjected to daily cyclic HS. A high temperature of 32±1 °C was maintained for 10 h/day (08:00–18:00 h), while a temperature of 22±1 °C was maintained for the remaining time. Treatments were a basal diet or basal diet with the addition of 5, 10, or 15 g of purified lignin/kg of diet. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and means were compared by Tukey's test at 0.05 significance. There was no effect of lignin supplementation on performance, carcass yield, relative weights of the bursa, spleen, and liver, or serum levels of glucose, triglycerides, uric acid, malondialdehyde, triiodothyronine, or tetraiodothyronine. The abundance of mRNA of heat shock protein 70, nuclear factor-κB, glutathione peroxidase, and Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase in the liver was similarly unaffected by treatments. Purified lignin supplementation does not improve performance or the antioxidant response of broiler chickens subjected to HS.

ABSTRACT Three experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of dietary combination of different enzymes (phytase + protease) on performance, metabolizable energy, and amino acid digestibility of broiler chickens fed diets with nutritional reduction. A total of 1,400, 336, and 384 male chickens were distributed in a completely randomized design, in the experiments of performance, metabolism, and digestibility, respectively. Treatments were divided as follows: positive control (PC), negative control - NC1 (PC minus 0.16% Ca, 0.15% available P (aP), and 0.5% crude protein (CP)), NC2 (PC minus 0.16% Ca, 0.15% aP, and 1% CP), NC1 added with phytase deriving from citrobacter and protease deriving from Bacillus licheniformis (CBE), NC1 added with phytase deriving from E. coli and protease deriving from microbial fermentation (SE), NC2 added with CBE, and NC2 added with SE. A protein-free diet was included in the digestibility experiment. The nutritional restriction did not affect feed intake of birds in the first experiment; however, the restriction inhibited body weight gain and feed conversion ratio in all phases. In experiment 2, the nutritional restriction decreased AME and AMEn values, although the addition of phytase and protease in diets improved both parameters, mainly in NC2. Treatment NC2 impaired the standardized digestibility of total essential amino acids of animals subjected to experiment 3, although the addition of enzymes helped to recover the digestibility to levels similar to PC. Supplementation of phytase in association with protease is effective to improve performance, energy metabolism, and standardized amino acid digestibility of broilers fed diets with nutrient restriction.

ABSTRACT: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of dietary calcium levels and supplementation with organic trace minerals selenium, copper, iron, zinc and manganese on performance, tissue deposition and litter mineral concentration. A total of 2,496 one-day-old male Cobb 500 broilers were randomly assigned to a 3 × 4 factorial experimental design with three levels of dietary Ca [8, 10 and 12 g kg–1, while maintaining the same Ca:nPP (non-phytate phosphorus) ratio (2:1)] and four levels of micromineral supplementation (0.62, 0.72, 0.82 and 0.92 g kg–1). There was a total of 12 treatments, with eight replicates of 26 birds per pen. Micromineral supplementation (MS) was achieved by adding different levels of the product Bioplex TR Se® and Ca supplementation was achieved by adding increasing levels of limestone and dicalcium phosphate. An interaction between Ca and MS levels was observed (p < 0.05) for the parameters of performance, liver Cu concentration, breast Se and Cu concentrations and litter Se, Mn and Zn concentrations. No interactions were observed (p > 0.05) for Ca, P or ash concentrations in the tibia, which were influenced only by dietary Ca levels (p < 0.05). The Ca level of 10 g kg–1 promoted higher Ca and P concentration in the tibia and lower micromineral excretion in the litter. The combination of MS level of 0.82 g kg–1 with Ca level of 10 g kg–1 led to the best BWG response. The supplementation conditions that led to higher micromineral levels in the liver and breast varied for each mineral.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary nucleotide supplementation on growth performance, serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and uric acid levels, immune-related organs, and intestinal morphometric parameters of broiler chickens under pre- and post-inflammatory challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Ninety-six seven-day-old male broiler chicks were randomized in a 2×2 factorial design composed of two dietary types (supplemented with 0 and 0.3 g of purified nucleotides/kg of feed) and two inflammatory conditions (with and without LPS administration) with eight replicates per treatment and three birds per cage. The experimental period was divided into two phases: 7-20 days of age (pre-LPS challenge) and 21-35 days of age (post-LPS challenge). Data were analyzed using one-way and two-way ANOVA for the pre- and post-challenge phases, respectively. During the pre-challenge phase, dietary nucleotide supplementation improved body weight (982 vs. 1009 g/bird), daily weight gain (58.1 vs. 60.1 g/bird), feed conversion rate (1.28 vs. 1.25 g/g), and serum concentration of IgG (1.17 vs. 1.76 mg/mL) of broilers. During the post-challenge phase, nucleotide supplementation increased serum IgG of broilers at 28 days of age (3.01 vs. 4.34 mg/mL). For the intestinal morphometric parameters, nucleotide supplementation increased villus height (299.3 vs. 315.6 μm). Dietary nucleotide supplementation improves the performance of broilers from seven to 20 days of age (pre-LPS challenge). However, from 21 to 35 days of age, supplementation of 0.3 g of purified nucleotides/kg of feed, independent of inflammatory challenge, does not contribute to improve performance of broilers. Additionally, nucleotide supplementation increases IgG production and villus height in the jejunum of broilers.

ABSTRACT An experiment was carried out to verify the response to the Ca reduction levels of diets with different vitamin D sources on performance, bone mineral deposition, serum concentrations, digestibility, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of broiler chickens in the period from 1 to 42 days reared in thermoneutral environment. A total of 504 male broilers with one day of age and average weight of 43.27±1.08 g were housed in climatic chambers and distributed in a completely randomized design. The study consisted of a 4 × 2 factorial, with four Ca reduction levels (0, 10, 20, and 30%) and two vitamin D sources (2760 IU of D3 or 25-OH-D3). The performance of animals at 21 and 42 days of age was not affected by Ca reduction by up to 30%, regardless of the vitamin source used. Dietary reduction from 10% decreased serum Ca concentrations. The use of vitamin D3 provided a serum P level greater than the 25-OH-D3. Calcium reduction decreased serum 25-OH-D3 levels. No effect of vitamin source or Ca levels on broiler carcass characteristics was observed at 42 days. The vitamin source did not influence meat quality, while Ca reduction of the diet provided lower losses by thawing and cooking and higher initial pH values. The b* color was reduced in diets with lower Ca levels of the diet. Reducing Ca up to 30% does not affect the performance and carcass characteristics, regardless of the vitamin D source used. The quality of broiler meat is improved with the Ca reduction in the diet, but the vitamin used has no effect on such characteristics. We can conclude, based on the results of performance, blood, and bone, that the performance variables are not adequate to determine the actual requirement of Ca, since as it is a priority to maintain performance, bone mineral mobilization occurs, which may compromise the carcass quality of the birds.