Tom 22 (2022): Zeszyt 4 (October 2022)

World population is increasing at a tremendous rate so is the demand for animal-based protein. Aquaculture is a promising industry that has the potential to supply high quality protein for mankind with minimum environmental impact. In the past decade, aquaculture practices have been shifting from extensive to intensive culture. To achieve maximum production per unit area, high stocking densities are maintained in intensive aquaculture. If not managed properly, this may lead to stress in fish. Fish under stress condition show decreased growth, suppressed appetite, weakened immunity and increased susceptibility to infections. Chemicals, vaccines and antibiotics are used for the treatment of diseased fish. Use of synthetic chemicals, vaccines and antibiotics is not sustainable because pathogens develop resistance against them and they have high residues. Moreover, certain chemicals used for the treatment of fish diseases are not safe for humans therefore are banned in some countries. Plant parts and their extracts are used in traditional medicines to cure many diseases and to improve health of mankind. In aquaculture industry, use of plants and their derivatives in fish feed to improve health status of fish is increasing. Several plants improve growth and overall health status of fish, some provide protection against pathogens by improving the immune system while others increase appetite by direct action on neuro-endocrine axis of fish. This review provides an in depth and up-to-date information about use of medicinal plants and their derivatives to improve growth and physiological status of fish and their possible mechanism of action.

Wild ungulates are of fundamental importance for balancing ecosystems, as well as being the species of economic interest. Increasing concern over the accelerated population reduction of these species has resulted in the development of assisted reproduction techniques, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), as a tool for conservation and multiplication. In the present scenario, IVF protocols were developed based on the methodologies used for domestic ungulates. Nevertheless, owing to the physiological and reproductive differences among the species, several factors associated with IVF and its relationship with the characteristics of the species of interest require clarification. In vitro conditions for the collection and selection of female and male gametes, oocyte maturation, sperm capacitation, co-incubation of gametes, and embryonic development can influence IVF results. Therefore, the present review considers the main advances in the methodologies already used for wild ungulates, emphasizing the strategies for improving the protocols to obtain better efficiency rates. Additionally, we discuss the conditions of each IVF stage, with emphasis on aspects related to in vitro manipulation and comparability with the protocols for domestic ungulates.

Rapeseed is an important oil crop worldwide, with an annual production of more than 70 million tons. Rapeseed meal (RSM) is a by-product of rapeseed oil production and is second after soybean meal (SBM) in the world production of protein meal. Rapeseed meal derived from black-seeded winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) usually contains between 35 and 40% of crude protein (CP), which is considered to be one of the more valuable plant proteins. It has a good balance of essential amino acids and a very high protein efficiency ratio (PER=3.29). However, full utilisation of this protein is difficult due to presence of the non-protein components of the seed which are associated with it. These are called antinutritional factors and they limit the utilisation of RSM in monogastric animal nutrition. The main antinutritional factors in RSM are dietary fibre, glucosinolates, phytic acid, and phenolic compounds (sinapine, tannins). For many years, research has been conducted in many centres around the world to improve the nutritional value of RSM, which will consequently increase its use in feeding monogastric animals. The attempts that have been undertaken include breeding strategy, optimisation, modernisation and better control of the oil extraction process, as well as technological treatments of seeds and meal. This review provides information on how RSM has evolved in recent years, as well as on its nutritive value, particularly protein, fibre and glucosinolate content. Techniques which have been used to improve the nutritional value of rapeseed products are also discussed. However, the used methods do not allow for full replacement soybean meal by RSM in monogastric animal nutrition.

Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) is an extremely useful, modern and relatively inexpensive approach to discovering high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which seem to be the most promising markers for identifying hybrid individuals between different species, especially those that can create backcrosses. In addition, GBS could become an invaluable tool in finding backcrosses, even several generations back. Its potential for the use of restriction enzymes and species is almost unlimited. It can also be successfully applied to species for which a reference genome is not established. In this paper, we describe the GBS technique, its main advantages and disadvantages, and the research carried out using this method concerning interspecies hybridisation and the identification of fertile hybrids. We also present future approaches that could be of interest in the context of the GBS method.

Osteoglossomorpha is a significant taxon for studies of evolution and various aspects of fish biology as an evolutionarily old group of fish. The taxon exhibits anatomical, morphological and physiological diversity and various adaptations such as air breathing or electroreception as well as modifications visible in sight and olfactory organs. A peculiarity of this group is the presence of four types of spermatozoa, namely complex introsperm and uni-, bi-, and aflagellate aquasperm. Given the unique morphology and large dimensions of some species, osteoglossomorphs are popular in aquaristics as ornamental fish, and in fisheries because they are an important source of food in many countries. The aim of this paper is to focus on some aspects of the biology and unique features as well as the importance for humans of this unusual group of fish.

Shrimp culture is the most lucrative sector in aquaculture industry; however, for its sustainable development the environment conservation should be concerned. New developed technologies are required to achieve aquaculture to its sustainable goals. Among the different novel sustainable technologies, the biofloc technology (BFT) and more recently the aquamimicry system are considered as reliable methods in burgeoning development of shrimp culture. The establishment of the BFT needs a certain carbon to nitrogen (C: N) ratio so that heterotrophic bacteria able to utilize nitrogenous metabolites, and preserve the water quality in the standard ranges suitable for shrimp culture. In addition, the produced floc can be used as supplementary food for shrimp. On the other hand, the establishment of the aquamimicry system relies on organic carbon without providing a specific C: N ratio. In this system, a synergistic relationship between a prebiotic source, which usually consists of an oligosaccharide derived from the fermentation of a carbon source (e.g., rice bran), and a probiotic source such as Bacillus sp. can provide natural conditions by blooming phytoplankton and zooplankton organisms, especially copepods. These live foods can be used as complementary foods for shrimp. Furthermore, the proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the aquamimicry system can provide stable culture condition for growth and welfare of shrimp. Based on the findings of recent literature, using the aquamimicry system for shrimp production is a more sustainable, eco-friendly, and greener than the conventional systems.

Obesity has been a problem in the last decades since the development of certain technologies has led to a faster pace of life, resulting in nutritional changes. Domestic pigs are an excellent animal model in recognition of adiposity-related processes, corresponding to the size of individual organs, the distribution of body fat in the organism, and similar metabolism. The present study applied next-generation sequencing to identify adipose tissue (AT) transcriptomic signals related to increased fat content by identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including long non-coding RNAs in Złotnicka White pigs (n=16). Moreover, besides commonly used functional analysis, we applied the Freiburg RNA tool to predict DE lncRNA targets based on calculation hybridisation energy. And in addition, DE lncRNAs were recognized based on information available in databases. The obtained results show that close to 230 gene expressions were found to be dependent on fat content, including 8 lncRNAs. The most interesting was that among identified DE lncRNAs was transcript corresponding to human MALAT1, which was previously considered in the obesity-related context. Moreover, it was determined that in ENSSSCG00000048394, ENSSSCG00000047210, ENSSSCG00000047442 and ENSSSCG00000041577 lncRNAs are contained repeat insertion domains of LncRNAs (RIDLs) considered as important gene expression regulatory elements, and ENSSSCG00000041577 seems to be the host for mir1247(NR_031649.1). The analysis of energy hybridisation between DE lncRNAs and DEGs using the Freiburg IntaRNAv2 tool, including isoforms expressed in AT, showed that ENSSSCG00000047210 lncRNA interacted with the highest number of DEGs and ENSSSCG00000047210 expression was only correlated with positive fat-related DEGs. The functional analysis showed that down-regulated DEGs involved in ECM proteoglycan pathways could be under the control of both positive and negative fat-related lncRNAs. The present study, using pigs as an animal model, expands current knowledge of possible gene expression regulation by lncRNAs in fat tissue and indicates for MALAT1 role in the fat deposition determination, whose function is still often questioned or doubtful.

The goal of our study was to estimate genetic diversity of Arabian horses from Polish state studs which could have changed due to the extensive use of foreign sires in Polish breeding after 1989. The analysis focused on 1,388 Arabian mares born from 1996 to 2013 in the Białka, Janów Podlaski and Michałów studs. Basic parameters of pedigree, mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite analyses were considered in the study. In the pedigree analysis, changes in the gene pool over the years were noted through the considerable increase of contribution of new founders’ genes and the considerable decrease of inbreeding level. The microsatellite analysis confirmed progressive changes in the gene pool but, contrary to expectations, only three new microsatellite alleles were detected, and a decreased level of heterozygosity was observed. In turn, mtDNA analysis showed a stable genetic situation in the studs throughout the period analysed. The results of the analyses present a diverse picture of the population, which is clearly divided into the three subpopulations of Białka, Janów Podlaski and Michałów, although the pictures presented differed depending on the analytical methods used. Genetic differences among the studs should be considered a positive feature of the Polish population. In order to preserve the present level of population genetic diversity, changes in breeding policy are needed that aim to stop the loss of genes of the historical ancestors of Polish Arabian horses.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the genetic structure of the reconstituted native Carpathian goat breed based on information from microsatellite markers. The study analysed of 14 microsatellite markers recommended by the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG) for goats individual identification and parentage testing. Blood samples were taken from 249 Carpathian goats from 14 farms. All microsatellite markers deployed in this analysis showed sufficient polymorphism to assess genetic variation in Carpathian goats and the ISAG-recommended panel for goat individual identification and parentage testing is a highly useful one. The present study showed the status of the genetic structure of the reconstituted population of Carpathian goats. Carpathian goats maintained in Poland were characterized by relatively high genetic diversity (the average of alleles per locus was 9.143), high values of heterozygosity and a low level of inbreeding coefficient. The obtained parameters indicate the correctness of the breeding activities carried out within the framework of the programme for the protection of genetic resources and give guidelines for taking further steps related to the breeding of this valuable native breed.

Cell cycle synchronization of donor cells is an important step in mammalian somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). This study was designed to compare the efficiency of serum starvation (Ss) and contact inhibition (cI) on cell cycle synchronization of jaguarundi, manul, and domestic cat skin fibroblasts, in the production of G0/G1 cells suitable for SCNT in felids. Ss was performed after the growing (G) cells reached 40–50% (G50+Ss), 60–70% (G70+Ss) and full confluency (Fc), i.e. in association with cI (cI+Ss). Frozen-thawed cells were cultured to the given state of confluency (d0; controls), and subjected to Ss or cI for 1, 3, and 5 days (d). In manul, the effect of Ss on arresting fibroblasts in the G0/G1 phase was noted after just 1d of culture at G70 confluence, while G50+Ss and cI+Ss were effective after 5d of treatment. In jaguarundi, 1–5d of G50+Ss and 5d of G70+Ss increased the percentage of G0/G1 cells versus d0 (P<0.01), with 5d of G70+Ss producing more (P<0.05) quiescent cells than after the same period of G50+Ss, cI+Ss and cI. In the domestic cat, Ss was efficient only after 3 and 5d of G50+Ss. In all species, cI alone failed to increase the proportion of G0/G1 cells compared to d0, however in the domestic cat, 5d of cI was more efficient than the same period of G50+Ss. In jaguarundi, >93% of cells were already in G0/G1 phase at d0 of Fc, suggesting that culture to Fc could be also a valuable method for fibroblast cell cycle synchronization in this species. In contrast to cI, prolonged Ss generated cell loss and could induce apoptosis and/or necrosis. In conclusion, Ss was the more efficient method for skin fibroblast cell cycle synchronization at the G0/G1 phase in manul, jaguarundi and the domestic cat. The response of cells to the treatments was species-specific, depending on cell confluence and duration of culture. This research may find application in preparing donor karyoplasts for SCNT in felids.

The aim of the experiment was to assess the correlation between sperm quality parameters and field fertility after AI with sex-sorted (X-bearing) bull semen. A total of 32 ejaculates from 26 Holstein-Friesian bulls were analyzed to assess sperm motility parameters (CASA), viability (SYBR-14/PI), apoptotic-like changes (YO-PRO-1/PI), chromatin structure (SCSA), and ATP content. In order to determine sperm fertilizing ability, 816 heifers and 727 cows were inseminated. Ultrasound diagnosis of pregnancy was performed on day 35 after insemination. For each ejaculate, the percentage of pregnant females was calculated separately. The results revealed that the pregnancy rate ranged from 20.0 to 85.7% for heifers and from 7.7 to 66.7% for cows. On the basis of the pregnancy rate (PR) obtained, the ejaculates were divided into 3 groups: high PR (about 25% of ejaculates), medium PR (about 50% of ejaculates) and low PR (about 25% of ejaculates). Significant differences were detected for amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and beat cross frequency (BCF) between high- and low-fertility ejaculates in heifers. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between the BCF and the pregnancy rate for heifers (r = 0.53, P<0.01) and there was a trend towards significance for ALH (r = −0.37, P = 0.07). There was no relationship between the sperm quality parameters and pregnancy rate of cows. In conclusion, the present study identified markers of sexed bull sperm function that were related to the fertility of inseminated heifers.

Ketosis is a major metabolic disorder that can lead to huge economic losses in postpartum dairy cows by influencing milk production and reproduction performance. Therefore, it is very important to understand the characteristics and significance of plasma GH levels and dynamic changes in postpartum dairy cows for finding pathogenesis of subclinical ketosis (SK). The present study aimed to determine the role of growth hormone (GH) from the onset of SK to the fifth week postpartum and to explain the variations in GH, and metabolic markers namely, β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and glucose (GLU) at early and later SK stages in postpartum Holstein cows. A 5-wk test and an intraday 12-h test were conducted in postpartum Holstein cows. Both tests were carried out every three hours from 10:00–22:00 for 7–14 days postpartum (12-h test: n = 16) to determine plasma concentrations of GH, BHBA, NEFA and GLU. The 5-wk test results showed that GH, BHBA and NEFA concentrations were significantly higher in the SK group during the five-weeks postpartum (p < 0.01); GLU concentration was significantly lower in the SK group (p < 0.01). Intraday 12-h test results revealed that the feeding time affected the plasma concentrations of GH, BHBA, NEFA and GLU. After 1-h of feeding time, GH concentrations decreased, while BHBA, NEFA and GLU concentrations increased. After 4-h of feeding time GH, BHBA and NEFA had the highest plasma concentrations, and GLU the lowest. In both experiments, GH was positively correlated with BHBA, NEFA, and negatively correlated with GLU. It can be suggested that GH has a potential role in development and aetiology of subclinical ketosis.

Coriander seeds are among the functional herbal supplements, but their effects on aquatic animals are still lacking. Herein we evaluated the effects of coriander seeds on the growth performance, growth hormone, antibacterial capacity, and immune response of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Fish with initial mean weights of 5.08 ± 0.12 g/fish were allocated in four groups (in triplicate) and fed dietary coriander at 0, 5, 10, and 20 g/kg for 150 days. The growth performance, feed utilization, and survival rate of fish-fed dietary coriander meaningfully increased (P<0.05). The protein efficiency ratio gradually increased (P<0.05) in fish-fed coriander seeds compared with the control. On the other hand, the feed conversion ratio was gradually decreased (P<0.05) in fish-fed coriander seeds comparing with the control. The survival rate was markedly increased (P<0.05) in European sea bass fed dietary coriander regardless of the inclusion level. Further, no differences were seen among fish fed varying levels of coriander (P<0.05). The level of blood growth hormone was markedly higher (P<0.05) in European sea bass fed dietary coriander at 20 g/kg than fish-fed 0 and 5 g/kg. The abundance of intestinal Vibrio spp. and fecal coliform were obviously lower (P<0.05) in fish fed 10 and 20 g/kg than fish fed the coriander-free diet. Further, fish fed 20 g/kg had lower (P<0.05) Vibrio spp. and Faecal Coliform counts than fish fed 10 g/kg. Fish fed dietary coriander had significantly higher (P<0.05) hematocrit, hemoglobin, red blood cells (RBCs), and white blood cells (WBCs) than fish fed the control. The lysozyme and phagocytic activities were meaningfully increased (P<0.05) in fish fed 10 and 20 g/kg compared with fish fed 0 and 5 g/kg of dietary coriander. In conclusion, dietary coriander could be included in the diets at 10–20 g/kg to improve the growth performance, growth hormone, feed utilization, and immune response of European sea bass.

The present study evaluated the effects of different carbohydrates materials used as carbon sources on water quality, biofloc quality, and growth and productive performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in biofloc (BFT)-based cement ponds (25 m x 10 m x 1.2 m; with 250 m³ volume). Nile tilapia fingerlings (44.9±1.9 g) were distributed into nine ponds at a density of 40 fish per 1 m³ (10000 fish/pond) to represent three treatments in triplicates. The control ponds received no carbon source addition; meanwhile sugarcane molasses (MO) and wheat flour (WF) were added to ponds. A commercial diet (30% crude protein) was offered to fish in each pond at levels of 3% and 2% of live body weight of fish in the control and BFT-based ponds, respectively, for 12 weeks. The amounts of feed were divided equally to three equal portions and offered to fish at 9:00, 13:00, and 17:00 h. The control ponds’ water was replaced by 50% every day with new water; meanwhile in MO and WF ponds, water loss via evaporation or leakage was compensated to reach the 1.0 m depth only. The pH value as well as unionized ammonia and nitrite levels, in the present study, were significantly lower, meanwhile nitrate and total suspended solids levels were significantly higher in MO and WF-treated ponds than the control one. The WF treatment resulted in significantly larger biofloc volume and higher total bacterial count compared to the MO treatment. The highest growth and production indices of Nile tilapia were observed in the BFT-based treatments as compared with the control group; particularly at the WF treatment followed by the MO treatment. In conclusion, the WF addition to cement fishponds is a more beneficial carbonaceous source for the efficient water quality, biofloc biomass, and growth and productivity of Nile tilapia reared in BFT-based system.

The effects of banana shrimp Fenneropenaeus merguiensis stocking density on water quality, growth performance, survival rate and body composition was assessed in a biofloc system with limited water exchange. The study was conducted for 32 days with an average larvae weight of 10 ± 0.85 mg in fiberglass tanks containing 120 L of water at four stocking densities. Five experimental treatments consisted of a control (density 1000 shrimps/ m³) with 50% daily water exchange and four biofloc treatments with limited water exchange (0.5% daily) at four stocking levels (1000 shrimps, T1; 2000 shrimps, T2, 3000 shrimps, T3 and 4000 shrimps, T4/ m³) were considered. According to the results, total ammonia nitrogen (0.99 mg/L) and nitrite levels showed higher amounts in the control compared with the other treatments (P<0.05). Growth performance and survival rate (95.55%) in the biofloc treatment with a density of 1000 shrimps/ m³ were higher than the other treatments (P<0.05). The proximate composition of shrimp body and biofloc produced in rearing tanks depended on the stocking density, so the shrimp body ash increased along with the enhancement of stocking density. The lowest amount of ash (31.53± 0.81%) and protein (26.38 ± 1.26) of bioflocs was observed in T1 treatment. The present study showed that stocking density affects the water quality, growth performance, survival rate and body composition of banana shrimp larvae in a biofloc system. More improved indices of water quality, growth performance and survival rate were observed with the least stocking density of 1000 shrimps/m³ in the limited water exchange system.

Recently, the high cost of aquafeed affected fish farming feasibility in some countries, including Egypt. The imported soybean meal and corn ingredients consume a large amount of the hard currency, thereby increasing feed prices. Thus, the current study investigated the different sources of soybean and corn on the performances of Nile tilapia. Fish fed with the diet I (based on Egyptian soybean meal cultivar and cornmeal cultivar) or diet II (based on imported soybean meal cultivar and cornmeal cultivar) in a 90-day feeding trial. The results showed no marked effects on the growth performance, protein efficacy ratio, and FCR in the case of fish-fed diet I or diet II. No histological alterations were observed in the skeletal muscle, hepatopancreas, spleen, and intestines, while the diet I-fed group showed normal architecture of the above-listed organs. The expression of liver and muscle IGF-1 showed no changes in fish-fed diet I or diet II. No diet-related variations were observed in IL-1β expression in the spleen but increased regulation in the liver of the diet II group compared to the diet I group. Furthermore, significant upregulation of SOD and HSP70 genes was seen in the spleen and liver of the diet II-fed group. We conclude that the inclusion of the Egyptian soybean meal cultivar and cornmeal cultivar (diet I) did not reduce the growth performance and immune-related genes compared with the imported soybean meal cultivar and cornmeal cultivar (diet II).

Probiotics can functionally improve fish wellbeing and are suggested as antioxidative agents to protect fish from xenobiotics toxicity. Herein, dietary Lactobacillus casei (IBRC-M 10,711) was included in the diets of goldfish (Carassius auratus) to protect against malathion toxicity. Fish (12.47 ± 0.06 g) were randomly allocated to six groups (triplicates), as follows: T1) control; T2) fish exposed to 50% of malathion 96 h LC₅₀; T3) L. casei at 10⁶ CFU/g diet; T4) L. casei at 10⁷ CFU/g diet; T5) fish exposed to 50% of malathion 96 h LC₅₀ + L. casei at 10⁶ CFU/g diet; T6) fish exposed to 50% of malathion 96 h LC₅₀ + L. casei at 10⁷ CFU/g diet. After 60 days, goldfish fed T4 had the highest final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG), and specific growth rate (SGR), and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) among the groups (P < 0.05). However, the T2 group showed lower FBW, WG, and SGR and higher FCR than fish in T1 (P < 0.05). Fish in the T4 group had the highest blood total proteins, albumin, and globulin, while fish in T2 had the lowest levels (P < 0.05). Fish in the group T2 had the highest triglycerides, cholesterol, cortisol, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in the blood, while fish fed T4 had the lowest values (P < 0.05). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) showed the highest activities in T3 and T4 groups, and the lowest SOD was seen in the T2 group, whereas the lowest CAT was seen in the T2, T5, and T6 groups (P < 0.05). Fish in the T5 and T6 groups had higher glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities than fish in T1 and T2 groups but T3 and T4 groups showed the highest values (P < 0.05). T2 group had the highest malondialdehyde (MDA) level, while T3 and T4 groups had the lowest MDA level (P < 0.05). Blood immunoglobulin (Ig) and lysozyme activity were significantly higher in T3 and T4 groups and lower in the T2 group than in the control (P < 0.05). The alternative complement pathway (ACH₅₀) was significantly higher in T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 groups than in the T1 group (P < 0.05). Skin mucus Ig was significantly higher in T3 and T4 groups and lower in the T2 group than in the control (P < 0.05). The highest lysozyme activity, protease, and ACH₅₀ in the skin mucus samples were in the T4 group, while the lowest values were in the T2 group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary L. casei protects goldfish from malathion-induced growth retardation, oxidative stress, and immunosuppression.

The effects of different dietary levels of algae (Sargassum angustifolium) extract were investigated on the antioxidant system of common carp, Cyprinus carpio. Fish (30.2 ± 2.1 g) were fed 0 (control), 5, 10 and 15 g/kg basal diet of Sargassum angustifolium extract (SAE) for 60 days and then exposed to an environmentally relevant concentration of diazinon (2 mg/l) for 24 h. The biochemical assays were conducted in two times including at the end of feeding period and after 24 h exposure to diazinon. According to the results, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the liver remained unchanged (P>0.01) during feeding period, while significantly increased in response to diazinon in control and fish fed 5 and 10 g/kg diet SAE (P<0.01). The hepatic metabolic enzymes (AST: Aspartate aminotransferase, ALT: alanine aminotransferase, LDH: lactate dehydrogenase, CK: creatine kinase) showed no significant changes in all groups during feeding period, while these enzymes increased in Non-SAE supplemented fish and those fed 5 and 10 g/kg SAE after exposure to diazinon (P<0.01). Although little elevations were observed in the activity of hepatic antioxidant enzymes (CAT: catalase, SOD: superoxide dismutase, GPx: Glutathione peroxidase) in fish fed SAE, these elevations were not significant (P>0.01). After exposure to diazinon, antioxidant enzymes significantly decreased in control and fish fed 5 g/kg diet SAE, while the fish of 10 and 15 g/kg diet SAE treatments showed significant elevations (P<0.01). The antioxidant-related genes (sod, cat, gpx) significantly expressed more in response to dietary SAE compared to control (P<0.01). After exposure to diazinon, all groups showed significant elevations in antioxidant-related genes (P<0.01). In conclusion, the results of the present study revealed the antioxidant enhancing effects of SAE at dietary levels of 10 and 15 g/kg diet, which this effect may be attributed to some antioxidant components in the chemical composition of the macro-algae or to the direct effect of SAE on antioxidant defence system of the fish.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of carrot pomaces dried at two temperatures as a feed component on growth performance, environmental sustainability, and meat quality in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Three diets were developed: a control without pomace (CON); CPL with 15.5% carrot pomace dried at 40°C and CPH with 23.6% carrot pomace dried at 120°C. A total of 240 two-year-old common carp (average body weight of individual: 1025 g) were randomly distributed into 12 tanks, four per treatment, including 20 fish per tank. The experiment was performed using an outdoor open flow aquaculture system. The growth trial lasted 60 days, after which fish samples were taken for analysis of meat quality parameters. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of the final body weight, protein efficiency ratio, or survival rate. However, in terms of weight gain, specific growth rate, and feed conversion ratio, fish fed the CPH diet exhibited significant worsening. Moreover, the fillets of fish from the CPH group exhibited a darker coloration compared to the CON diet. It is concluded that high temperature drying of carrot pomace added to carp diet negatively affected fish quality. It should be also emphasized that inclusion of the both carrot pomaces tested in this study significantly increased the usage of fish meal per kilogram of fish body weight gain. These results showed a reduced efficacy of using carrot pomace in practical and sustainable common carp nutrition.

The growth rate, tissue development and health status of turkeys are affected by the dietary supply of essential amino acids (AAs) such as lysine (Lys), methionine (Met) and arginine (Arg). According to various guidelines, the diets fed to turkeys in the first 4 weeks of the rearing period should contain 1.60–1.76% Lys, 1.60–1.80% Arg and 0.55–0.70% Met. This study investigated the effects of different ratios of Arg and Met in starter diets with 1.60% of Lys content, i.e. a low level, on the whole-body composition of turkeys and nutrient retention efficiency. The experiment lasted for 28 days and it had a two-factorial randomized design with three levels of Arg (90%, 100% and 110%) and two levels of Met (30% or 45%), relative to the content of dietary Lys, with six groups of eight replicates per group and 18 turkeys per replicate. Different dietary Arg and Met levels, relative to Lys, did not affect AA concentrations in the body protein or the proximate whole-body composition (crude protein, crude fat, gross energy and ash) of turkeys. The higher Met level positively influenced energy, protein and Arg utilization and their retention efficiency as well as the growth performance of turkeys. An increase in the dietary level of Arg to 100% and 110% of Lys content had no influence on the growth performance of turkeys and it reduced the retention efficiency of Arg. Differences in the body weight gain, feed intake and Lys utilization of turkeys fed diets with different Arg levels resulted also from the strong interaction between Met and Arg levels. At the lower level of Met in the diet, a decrease in Arg relative to Lys from 100% to 90% resulted in decreased (P = 0.003) feed intake (from 50.34 g to 46.72 g) and growth rate (from 31.84 g to 29.79 g), which was not noted for the higher Met content (45% relative to Lys). At the lowest level of Arg in the diet (90% of Lys content), a decrease in Met relative to Lys from 45% to 30% caused a decrease in Lys retention efficiency (from 61.51% to 56.29%). The results of this study suggest that the higher content of Met in the diet (45% to Lys) and the Arg level corresponding to 90% of Lys content contribute to optimizing nutrient retention efficiency in turkeys during the first 28 days of their life.

The extent to which lupin seeds can replace soybean meal in diets for broiler chickens is limited, and one of the reasons for this may be a lack of careful consideration given to the age-related amino acid availability differences in the feed formulation process. This study aimed to determine and compare standardised ileal digestibility (SID) coefficients of amino acids (AA) in raw seeds of the Lupinus luteus (YL) and the Lupinus angustifolius (NLL) cultivars as sole sources of AA in the diet of broiler chickens aged 14 or 28 days. An additional purpose was to check the influence of exogenous mono-component protease added to lupin-based assay diets on AA SID in birds at both ages. Each assay diet was offered to six replicatecages. On both sampling days, the contents from the lower half of the ileum were collected for determination of the apparent digestibility values. The SID coefficients were calculated using the age-appropriate basal ileal endogenous AA losses determined from birds fed a N-free diet. Results indicated a substantial advantage of YL over the NLL in SID of Met, Cys, His, Leu, Gly, Asp, Glu, Pro, Tyr and the average of total AA for 14-d-old chickens. With the exception of Cys and Tyr, there was no significant difference between these Lupinus species in the SID of AA in 28-d-old birds. The significant age-related differences within species were found only for the seeds of NLL, where the higher SID for Met, His, Ala, Pro, and the averages of total and indispensable AA were noted in birds aged 28 d. The protease increased SID of most AA from L. luteus in older broilers, whereas for L. angustifolius its efficacy was more pronounced in younger birds, giving the SID values similar to those determined at 28 d on an enzyme-unsupplemented diet. In conclusion, the SID coefficients of indispensable AA determined at 14 or 28 days of age for yellow lupin should not be applied to the precise formulation of starter-type feeds containing seeds of NLL.

Objective of the experiment was to study the effect of deficiency, adequate and excess dietary phosphorus supply on growth performance, retention and utilisation of phosphorus, length, mass and geometry measurements of the femur shaft, content of protein, ash, phosphorus in viscera, edible (meat and fat) and inedible (bones and skin) parts of the body in pigs ageing from 33 to 110 days. It was found that compared to animals fed according to phosphorus requirement the deficiency and excess of dietary phosphorus did not influenced o total feed intake (mean 120.6 kg) and feed conversion (mean 1.9 kg/kg gain). However phosphorus deficiency lowered total gain of the body mass (P=0.0072), diminished weight of the inedible part of the carcass (P=0.0229), decreased the content of body protein (P=0.0171), ash (P=0.0001), and phosphorus (P=0.0001). Whereas, over-supply of dietary phosphorus did not cause any change of these component. Utilisation of the total phosphorus was diminished (P=0.0001) in pigs fed diet with both excess (by 16.26%) and deficiency (by 12.28%) of the phosphorus, but excess had much lower negative impact than its’ deficiency. When available form of this element was considered over-supply still reduced (P=0.0001) its utilisation the most (by 26.58%) but deficiency made utilisation the best (7.77%). Both dietary deficiency and over-supply of the phosphorus diminished (P=0.0001) femur mass (by 25 and 11 g, respectively). Thus negative impact of phosphorus deficiency was much stronger. Moreover, phosphorus deficiency diminished (P=0.0015) bone length (by 0.5 cm), however, excess did not change this feature. Response of animals to a decrease bone mass and length due disturbances in phosphorus supply (both deficiency and excess) was the increase the vertical external diameter of the femur shaft.

The present study evaluates the effect of partial replacement of concentrate with Moringa oleifera silage (MOS) in the diet of lactating Damascus goats on milk production, nutrient utilization and ruminal fermentation. Fifteen lactating ewes were stratified in a quintuplicate 3 × 3 Latin square design (3 diets × 3 periods) for 90 days and fed a diet composed of a concentrate mixture and rice straw in 60:40 (DM basis) in the control group for 30 days in each period. In the other two diets, MOS was included in the control diet at 20 (MOS20 diet) or 40% (MOS40 diet) replacing the same amounts of concentrate on DM basis. Feeding MOS containing diets linearly (P<0.05) decreased non-structural carbohydrates intake, while it increased the intakes of crude protein and acid detergent fiber as well as the digestibility of the nutrients compared to the control. Moreover, MOS diets linearly increased (P<0.01) ruminal pH, concentrations of ruminal total volatile fatty acids, acetate and propionate, and concentrations of serum glucose and high-density lipoprotein. Increased milk production, concentrations of milk fat and total conjugated linoleic acid, and feed efficiency were observed with feeding MOS diets. It is concluded that concentrate feed mixture in diets of lactating Damascus goats can be replaced with M. oleifera silage up to 40% to improve their lactational performance.

Currently, alternative plant oils with pro-health properties are sought. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of feeding strawberry, raspberry and rapeseed oils in rats’ diet on the fatty acid profile of muscle tissue. Adult rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=7) and fed with the addition of rapeseed, raspberry or strawberry seed oil, respectively, or control group. After a 6-week treatment period, the fatty acid profile in m. latisssimus dorsi, was analyzed using gas chromatography. The dietary strawberry or raspberry seed oil led to a significant increase in C-18:2 n-6 ad C-18:3 n-3 level in muscle fat when compared to control group. At the same time, in the group receiving raspberry oil, an unfavorable phenomenon of lowering the EPA content was observed, while a tendency towards a decrease in DHA level was observed in groups supplemented with both raspberry and strawberry oil. Both oils as a source of PUFA n-3 and n-6, increased ALA n-3 and LA n-6 fatty acids in latissimus dorsi muscle, but due to different activity of enzymes taking apart in conversion of polyunsaturated fatty acids to their long chain derivatives in rats, the research on pig model would be advisable.

This study aimed to evaluate the growth and performance of genetically improved tilapia reared at different temperatures. Four hundred and eighty fingerlings of Genomar Supreme Tilapia, GST (8.39 ± 0.60 g) were equally separated into three indoor water recirculation systems maintained at 22, 26 and 30 ºC. Each of four tanks contained 500 liters with 40 fish per tank in natural photoperiod. The fish were fed ad libitum with the same feed for each growth phase, weighing the total feed supplied. After 30 min of feeding, leftover feed was collected, dried in an oven and weighed. Ten fish from each tank were weighed at days 1, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 210. Survival, weight gain, feed conversion and feed intake in each period were determined. Fish reared at 30 ºC and 26 ºC showed a higher specific growth rate than that of fish reared at 22ºC (P≤0.05). Feed intake increased along temperature and feed conversion and was poorest in fish reared at 26ºC (P≤0.05). Final fish weight estimates at day 210 by the Gompertz model were 597.84, 819.26 and 1079.39 g for 22, 26 and 30 ºC, respectively. At 30 ºC, fish had a higher absolute growth rate (7.76 g day⁻¹) and lower weight (459.30 g) and age (95.85 days) at the inflection point. Tilapia at 22 ºC had a higher weight (539.57 g) and age (197 days) and lower absolute growth rate (4.52 g day⁻¹). It was concluded that GST tilapia can potentially improve aquaculture in all Brazilian regions based on different rearing temperatures.

This study tested the possibility of using non-targeted analysis of volatile organic compounds by headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with chemometrics as a potential tool for differentiating leg meat of oat- and wheat-fed (ad libitum) White Kołuda geese. Thirty-six classification models were obtained for which the correct classification rate and classification accuracy for oatfed and wheat-fed geese were calculated based on a seven-fold cross-validation. Generally, the most advantageous method of the sample preparation was the high-temperature heat treatment version, whereas the highest correct classification rate was obtained when the chemometric analysis was carried out on the female, then male, and finally male + female variant of group comparisons (P<0.01). Furthermore, log-transformation appeared to be a slightly better data preprocessing technique in comparison to systematic ratio normalization. The obtained classification models can potentially differentiate the meat of oat-fattened from wheat-fattened White Kołuda geese.

Rabbits are classified as obligate herbivores. However, under natural conditions, some members of the family Leporidae incorporate animal products into their diets. Therefore, it seems biologically justified to supplement the diets of farmed rabbits with feeds of animal origin as sources of protein, fat and minerals. The aim of this review was to describe, from a historical perspective, the use of various feeds of animal origin in rabbit nutrition. The applicability of by-products from mammal, poultry, fish and invertebrate processing for rabbit feeding was evaluated, including the future prospects for their use. A review of the available literature revealed that various animal-based feeds can be valuable protein sources in rabbit diets, but their inclusion levels should not exceed 5-10%. Studies investigating their efficacy have been conducted since the 1970s. In some regions of the world, the use of animal-derived protein in livestock feeds was prohibited due to the risk of spreading bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). However, the interest in animal by-products as protein sources in livestock diets is likely to increase since the above ban has been lifted.