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Dr. VALENTINA CAPRARULO
Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Translazionale, Università degli Studi di Brescia

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0 Animal Nutrition
0 Methane
0 Nitrous Oxide
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Feed additives
Natural extracts
dairy cows
Alternative to antibiotics

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Journal article
Published: 12 June 2021 in Animals
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The effects of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus reuteri and their combination were assessed in weaned piglets. Three hundred and fifty weaned piglets (Landrace × Large White), balanced in terms of weight and sex, were randomly allotted to four experimental groups (25 pens, 14 piglets/pen). Piglets were fed a basal control diet (CTRL, six pens) and a treatment diet supplemented with 2 × 108 CFU/g of L. plantarum (PLA, 6 pens), 2 × 108 CFU/g L. reuteri (REU, six pens) and the combination of both bacterial strains (1 × 108 CFU/g of L. plantarum combined with 1 × 108 CFU/g of L. reuteri, P+R, 7 pens) for 28 days. Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly. Diarrhoea occurrence was assessed weekly by the faecal score (0–3; considering diarrhoea ≥ 2). At 0 and 28 days, faecal samples were obtained from four piglets per pen for microbiological analyses and serum samples were collected from two piglets per pen for serum metabolic profiling. Treatments significantly reduced diarrhoea occurrence and decreased the average faecal score (0.94 ± 0.08 CTRL, 0.31 ± 0.08 PLA, 0.45 ± 0.08 REU, 0.27 ± 0.08 P+R; p< 0.05). The PLA group registered the lowest number of diarrhoea cases compared to other groups (20 cases CTRL, 5 cases PLA, 8 cases REU, 10 cases P+R; p< 0.01). After 28 days, the globulin serum level increased in PLA compared to the other groups (24.91 ± 1.09 g/L CTRL, 28.89 ± 1.03 g/L PLA, 25.91 ± 1.03 g/L REU, 25.31 ± 1.03 g/L P+R; p< 0.05). L. plantarum and L. reuteri could thus be considered as interesting functional additives to prevent diarrhoea occurrence in weaned piglets.

ACS Style

Matteo Dell’Anno; Maria Callegari; Serena Reggi; Valentina Caprarulo; Carlotta Giromini; Ambra Spalletta; Simona Coranelli; Carlo Sgoifo Rossi; Luciana Rossi. Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus reuteri as Functional Feed Additives to Prevent Diarrhoea in Weaned Piglets. Animals 2021, 11, 1766 .

AMA Style

Matteo Dell’Anno, Maria Callegari, Serena Reggi, Valentina Caprarulo, Carlotta Giromini, Ambra Spalletta, Simona Coranelli, Carlo Sgoifo Rossi, Luciana Rossi. Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus reuteri as Functional Feed Additives to Prevent Diarrhoea in Weaned Piglets. Animals. 2021; 11 (6):1766.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Matteo Dell’Anno; Maria Callegari; Serena Reggi; Valentina Caprarulo; Carlotta Giromini; Ambra Spalletta; Simona Coranelli; Carlo Sgoifo Rossi; Luciana Rossi. 2021. "Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus reuteri as Functional Feed Additives to Prevent Diarrhoea in Weaned Piglets." Animals 11, no. 6: 1766.

Journal article
Published: 06 June 2021 in Animals
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The effects of the dietary administration of a combination of Quebracho and Chestnut tannins, leonardite and tributyrin were evaluated in weaned piglets. A total of 168 weaned piglets (Landrace × Large White) were randomly allotted to two experimental groups (6 pens/group, 14 piglets/pen). Animals were fed a basal control diet (CTRL) and a treatment diet (MIX) supplemented with 0.75% tannin extracts, 0.25% leonardite and 0.20% tributyrin for 28 days. Individual body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly. Diarrhoea incidence was recorded by a faecal scoring scale (0–3; considering diarrhoea ≥ 2). At 0 and 28 days, faecal samples were obtained from four piglets/pen for microbiological and chemical analyses of faecal microbiota, which were then assessed by V3-V4 region amplification sequencing. At 28 days, blood from two piglets/pen was sampled to evaluate the serum metabolic profile. After 28 days, a reduction in diarrhoea incidence was observed in the MIX compared to CTRL group (p< 0.05). In addition, compared to CTRL, MIX showed a higher lactobacilli:coliform ratio and increased Prevotella and Fibrobacter genera presence (p< 0.01). The serum metabolic profile showed a decreased level of low-density lipoproteins in the treated group (p< 0.05). In conclusion, a combination of tannin extract, leonardite and tributyrin could decrease diarrhoea incidence and modulate the gut microbiota.

ACS Style

Matteo Dell’Anno; Serena Reggi; Valentina Caprarulo; Monika Hejna; Carlo Sgoifo Rossi; Maria Callegari; Antonella Baldi; Luciana Rossi. Evaluation of Tannin Extracts, Leonardite and Tributyrin Supplementation on Diarrhoea Incidence and Gut Microbiota of Weaned Piglets. Animals 2021, 11, 1693 .

AMA Style

Matteo Dell’Anno, Serena Reggi, Valentina Caprarulo, Monika Hejna, Carlo Sgoifo Rossi, Maria Callegari, Antonella Baldi, Luciana Rossi. Evaluation of Tannin Extracts, Leonardite and Tributyrin Supplementation on Diarrhoea Incidence and Gut Microbiota of Weaned Piglets. Animals. 2021; 11 (6):1693.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Matteo Dell’Anno; Serena Reggi; Valentina Caprarulo; Monika Hejna; Carlo Sgoifo Rossi; Maria Callegari; Antonella Baldi; Luciana Rossi. 2021. "Evaluation of Tannin Extracts, Leonardite and Tributyrin Supplementation on Diarrhoea Incidence and Gut Microbiota of Weaned Piglets." Animals 11, no. 6: 1693.

Review article
Published: 17 December 2020 in Animal
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Natural extracts are frequently adopted as a valuable alternative to antibiotics in intensive animal farming. Their diverse bioactive constituents such as phytosterols, glucosinolates, carotenoids and polyphenols have shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Tannins are the largest class of polyphenol compounds of plant extracts, which can be classified into two hydrolysable or condensed subgroups. Poultry and swine nutrition are the most important sectors in which tannins have been used, firstly adopting tannin-rich feedstuffs and more recently, using tannin extracts from different plants. Several commercial products are available containing tannins extracted from the European chestnut tree (Castanea sativa Mill.) and the American quebracho (Schinopsis spp.). Tannins extracted from these plants have been applied on intensive swine farms due to their ability to improve animal performance and health. These positive and prominent effects are frequently associated with the antinutritional effects in reducing feed palatability, digestibility and protein utilization of feed. Some criticisms and contrasting results regarding pig performance and intestinal health have been reported. This paper provides an overview of the effects of chestnut and quebracho tannins on growth performance and intestinal health of pigs in order to clarify the appropriate dosage and response in the various physiological stages.

ACS Style

V. Caprarulo; C. Giromini; L. Rossi. Review: Chestnut and quebracho tannins in pig nutrition: the effects on performance and intestinal health. Animal 2020, 15, 100064 .

AMA Style

V. Caprarulo, C. Giromini, L. Rossi. Review: Chestnut and quebracho tannins in pig nutrition: the effects on performance and intestinal health. Animal. 2020; 15 (1):100064.

Chicago/Turabian Style

V. Caprarulo; C. Giromini; L. Rossi. 2020. "Review: Chestnut and quebracho tannins in pig nutrition: the effects on performance and intestinal health." Animal 15, no. 1: 100064.

Journal article
Published: 01 December 2020 in Journal of Dairy Science
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Nutritional interventions, either by controlling dietary energy (DE) or supplementing rumen-protected choline (RPC) or both, may mitigate negative postpartum metabolic health outcomes. A companion paper previously reported the effects of DE density and RPC supplementation on production and health outcomes. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of DE and RPC supplementation on the expression of hepatic oxidative, gluconeogenic, and lipid transport genes during the periparturient period. At 47 ± 6 d relative to calving (DRTC), 93 multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned in groups to dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial of (1) excess energy (EXE) without RPC supplementation (1.63 Mcal of NEL/kg of dry matter; EXE-RPC); (2) maintenance energy (MNE) without RPC supplementation (1.40 Mcal of NEL/kg dry matter; MNE-RPC); (3) EXE with RPC supplementation (EXE+RPC); and (4) MNE with RPC supplementation (MNE+RPC). To achieve the objective of this research, liver biopsy samples were collected at -14, +7, +14, and +21 DRTC and analyzed for mRNA expression (n = 16/treatment). The interaction of DE × RPC decreased glucose-6-phosphatase and increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α in MNE+RPC cows. Expression of cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase was altered by the interaction of dietary treatments with reduced expression in EXE+RPC cows. A dietary treatment interaction was detected for expression of pyruvate carboxylase although means were not separated. Dietary treatment interactions did not alter expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A or microsomal triglyceride transfer protein. The 3-way interaction of DE × RPC × DRTC affected expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A, glucose-6-phosphatase, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and tended to affect cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. Despite previously reported independent effects of DE and RPC on production variables, treatments interacted to influence hepatic metabolism through altered gene expression.

ACS Style

V. Caprarulo; S.J. Erb; T.L. Chandler; M.G. Zenobi; B.A. Barton; C.R. Staples; H.M. White. The effects of prepartum energy intake and peripartum rumen-protected choline supplementation on hepatic genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. Journal of Dairy Science 2020, 103, 11439 -11448.

AMA Style

V. Caprarulo, S.J. Erb, T.L. Chandler, M.G. Zenobi, B.A. Barton, C.R. Staples, H.M. White. The effects of prepartum energy intake and peripartum rumen-protected choline supplementation on hepatic genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. Journal of Dairy Science. 2020; 103 (12):11439-11448.

Chicago/Turabian Style

V. Caprarulo; S.J. Erb; T.L. Chandler; M.G. Zenobi; B.A. Barton; C.R. Staples; H.M. White. 2020. "The effects of prepartum energy intake and peripartum rumen-protected choline supplementation on hepatic genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism." Journal of Dairy Science 103, no. 12: 11439-11448.

Journal article
Published: 22 October 2020 in Animals
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In pig livestock, alternatives to in-feed antibiotics are needed to control enteric infections. Plant extracts such as tannins can represent an alternative as a natural source of functional compounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro digestibility and in vivo effects of oral supplementation of combined chestnut (Ch) and quebracho (Qu) tannins in order to establish if they can induce a positive effect on weaned piglets’ performance, metabolic status and fecal parameters. In vitro digestibility (dry matter, DM) of diets was calculated using a multi-step enzymatic technique. In vitro digested diet samples were further tested on an intestinal porcine enterocyte cell line (IPEC-J2). Weaned piglets (n = 120; 28 ± 2 day old) were randomly allotted to two groups (12 pens in total with 10 pigs per pen): control (Ctrl) and treatment (Ch/Qu). After one week of adaptation (day 0), 35-day-old piglets in the Ctrl group were fed a Ctrl diet and the Ch/Qu group were fed with 1.25% Ch/Qu for 40 days. Body weight and feed intake per pen were recorded weekly. At day 40, blood and fecal samples were collected. Principal metabolic parameters were evaluated from blood samples by enzymatic colorimetric analysis. Total phenolic compounds, urea, and ammonia in feces were analyzed (Megazyme International, Bray, Ireland). In vitro digestibility and cell viability assays showed that the inclusion of 1.25% Ch/Qu slightly reduced diet digestibility compared with the Ctrl diet, while intestinal cell viability was not altered with low concentrations of Ch/Qu digesta compared with Ctrl. In vivo results did not show any adverse effects of Ch/Qu on feed intake and growth performance, confirming that dietary inclusion of Ch/Qu at a concentration of 1.25% did not impair animal performance. The decreased diet DM digestibility in the Ch/Qu diet may cause increased serum concentration of albumin (Ctrl: 19.30 ± 0.88; Ch/Qu: 23.05 ± 0.88) and albumin/globulin ratio (Ctrl: 0.58 ± 0.04; Ch/Qu: 0.82 ± 0.04), but decreased creatinine (Ctrl: 78.92 ± 4.18; Ch/Qu: 54.82 ± 4.18) and urea (Ctrl: 2.18 ± 0.19; Ch/Qu: 0.95 ± 0.19) compared with Ctrl. Pigs in the Ch/Qu group contained higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of fecal phenolic compounds and nitrogen than the Ctrl group, while fecal ammonia and urea were not affected by tannins. In conclusion, Ch/Qu tannin supplementation did not influence growth performance. Although lower digestibility was observed in the diet supplemented with Ch/Qu tannins, Ch/Qu supplementation did not show any adverse effect on intestinal epithelial cell viability.

ACS Style

Valentina Caprarulo; Monika Hejna; Carlotta Giromini; Yanhong Liu; Matteo Dell’Anno; Stefania Sotira; Serena Reggi; Carlo Sgoifo-Rossi; Maria Callegari; Luciana Rossi. Evaluation of Dietary Administration of Chestnut and Quebracho Tannins on Growth, Serum Metabolites and Fecal Parameters of Weaned Piglets. Animals 2020, 10, 1945 .

AMA Style

Valentina Caprarulo, Monika Hejna, Carlotta Giromini, Yanhong Liu, Matteo Dell’Anno, Stefania Sotira, Serena Reggi, Carlo Sgoifo-Rossi, Maria Callegari, Luciana Rossi. Evaluation of Dietary Administration of Chestnut and Quebracho Tannins on Growth, Serum Metabolites and Fecal Parameters of Weaned Piglets. Animals. 2020; 10 (11):1945.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Valentina Caprarulo; Monika Hejna; Carlotta Giromini; Yanhong Liu; Matteo Dell’Anno; Stefania Sotira; Serena Reggi; Carlo Sgoifo-Rossi; Maria Callegari; Luciana Rossi. 2020. "Evaluation of Dietary Administration of Chestnut and Quebracho Tannins on Growth, Serum Metabolites and Fecal Parameters of Weaned Piglets." Animals 10, no. 11: 1945.

Journal article
Published: 30 April 2020 in Animal Feed Science and Technology
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We evaluated the effects of leonardite supplementation, mainly composed of humic acids (HAs), as a functional feed additive in weaned piglets. One hundred and twenty piglets (Large Withe × Landrace) were weaned at 28 ± 2 days, and randomly divided into two groups (6 pens per group, 10 piglets per pen). After one week of adaptation, for 40 days groups were fed a control diet (CTRL) and an HA enriched diet (0.25% of leonardite; HAG). Body weight (BW), average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured throughout the experimental period. On the last day of the trial four piglets per pen were randomly selected and the blood was collected to evaluate the serum metabolic profile and diamine oxidase content. Chemical analyses showed that leonardite was characterized by a high content of ash 23.27% (as-fed basis), polyphenolic content of 35.18 ± 3.91 mg TAEq/g, and an antioxidant capacity of 73.31 ± 8.22 µmol TroloxEq/g. The HAG group showed an increase in BW, ADG and ADFI (P < 0.01) compared to the CTRL group during the experimental period. In terms of the serum metabolic profile, the HAG group showed a significant increase in total protein content (P < 0.001), albumin (P < 0.001), albumin/globulin ratio (P < 0.01), phosphatase alkaline (P < 0.01), calcium, phosphorus and magnesium (P < 0.05) compared to the CTRL group. A modulation in the serum lipid profile was recorded. The HAG group showed a decrease in total triglycerides (P < 0.05) with higher total cholesterol (P < 0.05), however only high-density lipoprotein showed a significant increase (P < 0.001) compared to the CTRL group. No significant differences in the amount of diamine oxidase were found between groups. In conclusion, leonardite inclusion in the diet at 0.25% was shown to have a positive effect on the serum lipid profile and animal growth. This thus suggests that leonardite can be considered as a new feed additive, which improves the health and performance of weaned piglets.

ACS Style

Matteo Dell’Anno; Monika Hejna; Stefania Sotira; Valentina Caprarulo; Serena Reggi; Roberto Pilu; Francesco Miragoli; Maria Luisa Callegari; Sara Panseri; Luciana Rossi. Evaluation of leonardite as a feed additive on lipid metabolism and growth of weaned piglets. Animal Feed Science and Technology 2020, 266, 114519 .

AMA Style

Matteo Dell’Anno, Monika Hejna, Stefania Sotira, Valentina Caprarulo, Serena Reggi, Roberto Pilu, Francesco Miragoli, Maria Luisa Callegari, Sara Panseri, Luciana Rossi. Evaluation of leonardite as a feed additive on lipid metabolism and growth of weaned piglets. Animal Feed Science and Technology. 2020; 266 ():114519.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Matteo Dell’Anno; Monika Hejna; Stefania Sotira; Valentina Caprarulo; Serena Reggi; Roberto Pilu; Francesco Miragoli; Maria Luisa Callegari; Sara Panseri; Luciana Rossi. 2020. "Evaluation of leonardite as a feed additive on lipid metabolism and growth of weaned piglets." Animal Feed Science and Technology 266, no. : 114519.

Journal article
Published: 22 April 2020 in Animals
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The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tributyrin supplementation on the production traits, the main metabolic parameters and gut microbiota in weaned piglets. One hundred and twenty crossbred piglets (Large White × Landrace) were randomly divided into two experimental groups (six pens each; 10 piglets per pen): the control group (CTRL), that received a basal diet, and the tributyrin group (TRIB) that received the basal diet supplemented with 0.2% tributyrin. The experimental period lasted 40 days. Production traits were measured at days 14, 28 and 40. A subset composed of 48 animals (n = 4 for each pen; n = 24 per group) was considered for the evaluation of serum metabolic parameters and hair cortisol by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and faecal microbiota by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Our results showed that the treatment significantly increased body weight (BW) at day 28 and day 40 (p = 0.0279 and p = 0.0006, respectively) and average daily gain (ADG) from day 28 to day 40 (p = 0.046). Gain to feed ratio (G:F) was significantly higher throughout the experimental period (p = 0.049). Even if the serum parameters were in the physiological range, albumin, albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio, glucose and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) fraction were significantly higher in the TRIB group. On the contrary, tributyrin significantly decreased the urea blood concentration (p = 0.0026), which was correlated with lean gain and feed efficiency. Moreover, serum insulin concentration, which has a regulatory effect on protein and lipid metabolism, was significantly higher in the TRIB group (p = 0.0187). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that tributyrin can be considered as a valid feed additive for weaned piglets.

ACS Style

Stefania Sotira; Matteo Dell’Anno; Valentina Caprarulo; Monika Hejna; Federica Pirrone; Maria Luisa Callegari; Telma Vieira Tucci; Luciana Rossi. Effects of Tributyrin Supplementation on Growth Performance, Insulin, Blood Metabolites and Gut Microbiota in Weaned Piglets. Animals 2020, 10, 726 .

AMA Style

Stefania Sotira, Matteo Dell’Anno, Valentina Caprarulo, Monika Hejna, Federica Pirrone, Maria Luisa Callegari, Telma Vieira Tucci, Luciana Rossi. Effects of Tributyrin Supplementation on Growth Performance, Insulin, Blood Metabolites and Gut Microbiota in Weaned Piglets. Animals. 2020; 10 (4):726.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefania Sotira; Matteo Dell’Anno; Valentina Caprarulo; Monika Hejna; Federica Pirrone; Maria Luisa Callegari; Telma Vieira Tucci; Luciana Rossi. 2020. "Effects of Tributyrin Supplementation on Growth Performance, Insulin, Blood Metabolites and Gut Microbiota in Weaned Piglets." Animals 10, no. 4: 726.

Research article
Published: 17 May 2018 in PLOS ONE
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Prepartum supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may influence lipolysis and hyperketonemia in dairy cows. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of prepartum CLA supplementation on lactation performance and serum fatty acids (FA) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in early lactation dairy cows, and secondarily on reproductive performance. Multiparous cows were enrolled in the study at 18 days prior to expected calving date, and randomly assigned 100 g/day of Lutrell Pure (BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany; 75% FA), providing 10 g/day of each CLA isomer (trans-10 cis-12 and cis-9 trans-11 CLA) or equivalent amount of rumen inert fatty acids as control (78 g/day of Energy Booster 100; Milk Specialties Global, Eden Prairie, MN). Treatments were top dressed daily to individual cows from enrollment to calving and all cows were offered the same ration. Blood samples were collected on the first day of supplementation, 10 days prepartum, and 1, 7, 14, and 30 days postpartum. Hyperketonemia was defined as serum BHB ≥ 1.2 mM. Milk yield was recorded daily until 60 days postpartum and averaged weekly. Milk samples were obtained weekly for component analysis. Prepartum CLA supplementation tended to increase serum concentration of cis-9, trans-11 CLA and increased trans-10, cis-12 CLA prepartum. Cows supplemented with CLA had increased milk protein yield and tended to have increased milk fat yield and milk yield, which together resulted in greater energy content of milk. Cows supplemented with CLA had lower serum FA on day 1 and 7 postpartum and overall lower serum BHB postpartum, which resulted in decreased prevalence of hyperketonemia on day 14 postpartum. There were no differences in body condition score change, other health disorders, or reproductive outcomes by treatment. Together, these findings indicate that prepartum CLA supplementation may be a plausible strategy to positively influence postpartum performance.

ACS Style

Rafael Caputo Oliveira; Ryan S. Pralle; Lucas de Resende; Carlos Henrique P. C. Nova; Valentina Caprarulo; Joshua A. Jendza; Arnulf Troescher; Heather M. White. Prepartum supplementation of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) increased milk energy output and decreased serum fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate in early lactation dairy cows. PLOS ONE 2018, 13, e0197733 .

AMA Style

Rafael Caputo Oliveira, Ryan S. Pralle, Lucas de Resende, Carlos Henrique P. C. Nova, Valentina Caprarulo, Joshua A. Jendza, Arnulf Troescher, Heather M. White. Prepartum supplementation of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) increased milk energy output and decreased serum fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate in early lactation dairy cows. PLOS ONE. 2018; 13 (5):e0197733.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rafael Caputo Oliveira; Ryan S. Pralle; Lucas de Resende; Carlos Henrique P. C. Nova; Valentina Caprarulo; Joshua A. Jendza; Arnulf Troescher; Heather M. White. 2018. "Prepartum supplementation of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) increased milk energy output and decreased serum fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate in early lactation dairy cows." PLOS ONE 13, no. 5: e0197733.

Journal article
Published: 13 April 2018 in Animal Feed Science and Technology
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The digestive physiology of young chickens is characterized by inefficient digestion and absorption of fat due to a low level of natural endogenous lipase production. These evidences have increased the interest on the use of emulsifiers to improve utilization of fats in young chickens and growth performance of broiler. The effect of a synthetic emulsifier on growth performance, meat quality, caecum microbial count, plasma metabolites and hepatic apolipoprotein gene expression was investigated in male broiler chicks. A total of 600 one-day-old ROSS 308 broiler chicks were assigned to 2 experimental groups consisting of 15 pens with 20 birds/ per pen each, to compare the different dietary treatments: control diet (CTR) or diet supplemented with AVI-MUL TOP (AMT) at 1 g/kg from day 0 to 12, 0.75 g/kg from day 12 to 22 and 0.5 g/kg from day 22 to 44. Growth performance was determined on days 0, 12, 22, and 44. At the end of the trial (day 44), one chick from each pen was chosen on body weight (BW) basis and sacrificed and samples of blood, liver, caecum content and breast were collected for analysis. AMT supplementation increased BW on days 12 and 22 (P = 0.02; P = 0.02) and ADG from day 0 to 12 (P = 0.02), while reduced FCR from day 22 to 44 (P = 0.047) and from day 0 to 44 (P = 0.02). AMT supplementation modified carcass and meat characteristics, increasing dressing percentage (P = 0.01) and b* (yellowness) (P = 0.01) compared to control group. Moreover, AMT dietary supplementation increased total cholesterol (P = 0.02) and HDL cholesterol (P = 0.02) plasma concentrations. No differences between the two treatments were observed in caecum microbial counts and hepatic apolipoprotein gene expression. In conclusion, our findings show that AMT supplementation to broiler chicks may have a beneficial effect on growth performances (BW, ADG and FCR) and carcass dressing and may affect meat colour (b* yellowness) and lipid metabolism (cholesterol and HDL).

ACS Style

V. Bontempo; M. Comi; Xian-Ren Jiang; R. Rebucci; Valentina Caprarulo; Carlotta Giromini; D. Gottardo; E. Fusi; S. Stella; E. Tirloni; D. Cattaneo; A. Baldi. Evaluation of a synthetic emulsifier product supplementation on broiler chicks. Animal Feed Science and Technology 2018, 240, 157 -164.

AMA Style

V. Bontempo, M. Comi, Xian-Ren Jiang, R. Rebucci, Valentina Caprarulo, Carlotta Giromini, D. Gottardo, E. Fusi, S. Stella, E. Tirloni, D. Cattaneo, A. Baldi. Evaluation of a synthetic emulsifier product supplementation on broiler chicks. Animal Feed Science and Technology. 2018; 240 ():157-164.

Chicago/Turabian Style

V. Bontempo; M. Comi; Xian-Ren Jiang; R. Rebucci; Valentina Caprarulo; Carlotta Giromini; D. Gottardo; E. Fusi; S. Stella; E. Tirloni; D. Cattaneo; A. Baldi. 2018. "Evaluation of a synthetic emulsifier product supplementation on broiler chicks." Animal Feed Science and Technology 240, no. : 157-164.

Journal article
Published: 11 April 2017 in Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A
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Ex-food or former food products (FFPs) have been proposed as one of the categories with great promise as alternative feed ingredients. FFPs' nutritional potential is not yet fully exploited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform a nutritional evaluation of selected FFPs. In particular, six samples of mixed FFPs, all based on bakery products, were analysed for moisture, crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, starch and ash. Nitrogen-free extractives and non-structural carbohydrate were also determined. Based on FFPs' composition data, estimation of digestible energy and metabolisable energy values for pigs were calculated. Further, the in vitro digestibility values of FFPs were investigated using a multi-step enzymatic technique. A wheat sample was included as a control feed ingredient in the study. All data were reported on dry matter basis. FFPs have shown a nutrient composition comparable with cereal grains. In the tested FFPs, the average protein content was 10.0% and the average starch content was 52.4%. Nitrogen-free extractive ranged from 61.2% to 74.7%, whereas non-structural carbohydrate ranged from 58.5% to 79.3%. Compared with wheat, FFPs were characterised by a relative high fat content, averaging about 10.1%. The relatively high nitrogen-free extractive/non-structural carbohydrate/starch and fat concentration designated FFPs as valuable energy sources. Digestible energy and metabolisable energy averages were 17.2 and 16.9 MJ kg-1, respectively. The average in vitro digestibility value of FFPs samples was 88.2% ± 5.8%, comparable with that of wheat (90.6% ± 1.6%). FFPs are a fat-fortified version of common cereals grains. The high energy content and digestibility values elect FFPs as promising non-traditional ingredients for swine.

ACS Style

C. Giromini; M. Ottoboni; M. Tretola; D. Marchis; D. Gottardo; V. Caprarulo; A. Baldi; L. Pinotti. Nutritional evaluation of former food products (ex-food) intended for pig nutrition. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A 2017, 34, 1436 -1445.

AMA Style

C. Giromini, M. Ottoboni, M. Tretola, D. Marchis, D. Gottardo, V. Caprarulo, A. Baldi, L. Pinotti. Nutritional evaluation of former food products (ex-food) intended for pig nutrition. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A. 2017; 34 (8):1436-1445.

Chicago/Turabian Style

C. Giromini; M. Ottoboni; M. Tretola; D. Marchis; D. Gottardo; V. Caprarulo; A. Baldi; L. Pinotti. 2017. "Nutritional evaluation of former food products (ex-food) intended for pig nutrition." Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A 34, no. 8: 1436-1445.

Short communication
Published: 01 March 2017 in Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition
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Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a potent nephrotoxic fungi metabolite that affects animal and human health. At the cellular level, OTA is able to alter functions and viability by several mechanisms of action. Several strategies to counteract its toxicity have been studied. We investigated the role of α‐tocopherol in counteracting OTA oxidative damage in Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells by pre‐incubating the cells for 3 hr with the antioxidant (1 nm, 10 μm) and then adding OTA (0–1.2 μg/ml) for the following 24 hr. Cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, TUNEL staining and occludin and Zo1 localization by immunofluorescence were determined. Here, 1 nm α‐tocopherol was shown to significantly reduce (p < .05) the cytotoxicity, LDH release and apoptotic rate induced by OTA. The presence of the antioxidant at the same concentration maintained the localization of occludin and Zo1 in the rim of the MDCK cells after the 24‐hr OTA exposure. These results indicate that a low concentration of α‐tocopherol could block OTA toxicity, supporting its defensive role in the cellular membrane.

ACS Style

E. Fusi; C. Giromini; R. Rebucci; Luciano Pinotti; Valentina Caprarulo; F. Cheli; F. Vitari; C. Domeneghini; A. Baldi. Ochratoxin A cytotoxicity on Madin-Darby canine kidney cells in the presence of alpha-tocopherol: Effects on cell viability and tight junctions. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 2017, 102, 350 -355.

AMA Style

E. Fusi, C. Giromini, R. Rebucci, Luciano Pinotti, Valentina Caprarulo, F. Cheli, F. Vitari, C. Domeneghini, A. Baldi. Ochratoxin A cytotoxicity on Madin-Darby canine kidney cells in the presence of alpha-tocopherol: Effects on cell viability and tight junctions. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. 2017; 102 (1):350-355.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E. Fusi; C. Giromini; R. Rebucci; Luciano Pinotti; Valentina Caprarulo; F. Cheli; F. Vitari; C. Domeneghini; A. Baldi. 2017. "Ochratoxin A cytotoxicity on Madin-Darby canine kidney cells in the presence of alpha-tocopherol: Effects on cell viability and tight junctions." Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 102, no. 1: 350-355.

Journal article
Published: 12 February 2016 in Animal Feed Science and Technology
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•IA in combination with microscopy can enhance FM characterization in aquafeed.•Fish bone lacunae features are homogenous in fish meals used in aquafeed.•Fish bone lacunae are elongated and star-shaped.•Shape descriptors could be a valid marker for fish material identification.•Selected morphometric descriptors can distinguish between fish and land animals. AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the use of microscopy in combination with image analysis (IA) measurements for the characterization of fish bone lacunae in aquafeed-extracted material. For this purpose two experiments have been conducted.In experiment (exp.) 1, six samples of fish meal based aquafeed were analyzed by the microscopic method, according to Annex VI of Regulation 152/2009. Sediment fractions of each sample were observed with a compound microscope at X40. Two hundred and fifty eight bone fragment lacunae images were recorded and processed through IA software. Accordingly, on each lacuna 30 geometric variables have been obtained and measured. The geometric variables have been grouped in two main families, namely size descriptors and derived shape descriptors.In exp. 2 measurements obtained from 1081 bone lacunae (644 for mammals and 437 for poultry) acquired from 14 mammalian and 7 poultry samples have been merged with the aquafeed dataset (258 bone lacunae). Results obtained in exp. 1 indicated that nearly two thirds of the descriptors presented differences among the analyzed samples. Differences in observed values were not systematically distributed among the six samples. Nevertheless, in all analyzed samples features of lacunae have shown an overlap. By contrast the comparison of fish bone lacunae with avian and mammalian bone lacunae (exp. 2), has revealed a large gap between terrestrial and aquatic animals in the case of several descriptors (16 primary and 8 secondary descriptors). Therefore, it can be concluded that combining light microscopy and image analysis: (i) fish material in aquafeed appears quite homogenous in term of bone features; ii) fish material can be distinguished from avian and mammalian materials by selecting specific descriptors.

ACS Style

Luciano Pinotti; Matteo Ottoboni; Valentina Caprarulo; Carlotta Giromini; Davide Gottardo; Federica Cheli; Tom Fearn; Antonella Baldi. Microscopy in combination with image analysis for characterization of fishmeal material in aquafeed. Animal Feed Science and Technology 2016, 215, 156 -164.

AMA Style

Luciano Pinotti, Matteo Ottoboni, Valentina Caprarulo, Carlotta Giromini, Davide Gottardo, Federica Cheli, Tom Fearn, Antonella Baldi. Microscopy in combination with image analysis for characterization of fishmeal material in aquafeed. Animal Feed Science and Technology. 2016; 215 ():156-164.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Luciano Pinotti; Matteo Ottoboni; Valentina Caprarulo; Carlotta Giromini; Davide Gottardo; Federica Cheli; Tom Fearn; Antonella Baldi. 2016. "Microscopy in combination with image analysis for characterization of fishmeal material in aquafeed." Animal Feed Science and Technology 215, no. : 156-164.