No abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Zn-Gly supplementation on the selected antioxidative enzymes and on the mineral composition in the liver and faeces as well as the biochemical and haematological parameters of chicken blood. Two hundred and fifty-one-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments, each of which was replicated five times (10 birds in each cage). Five experimental groups were formed: control negative (CN)-without Zn, control positive supplemented with 100 mg ZnO, and three groups supplemented with 100, 50, and 25 mg Zn-Gly. An increase (P < 0.05) was recorded in the concentration of Cu and Zn in chicken livers after Zn-Gly supplementation, irrespective of the level of supply with the diet. The addition of 100 mg·Zn-Gly improved the activity of SODCuZn (P < 0.05) and reduced the MDA value (P < 0.05) in chicken livers. The addition of 100, 50, and 25 mg Zn-Gly reduced the concentration of zinc in the birds' droppings, compared to the CN and 100 mg ZnO group. Zn-Gly at the level of 50 mg increased the concentration of Cu and Ca in chicken blood. The results indicate that the addition of Zn-Gly increased the antioxidative capacity of the body and storage of Zn and Cu in the liver; it also reduced the amount of Zn excreted with faeces. Zn-Gly can be an alternative to ZnO in providing a good source of Zn to enrich feed mixtures for broilers.

The purpose of this paper was to assess the suitability of various protein feeds in broiler chicken feeding. The study covered 160 birds split into 5 equipotent groups (SBM, EFFS, RFFS, EL, DDGS). Four protein feeds were an experimental factor: extruded full-fat soybean (EFFS group), raw full-fat soybean (RFFS group), extruded lupine (EL group) and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS group) that were added to starter rations in an amount replacing 30%, and in grower and finisher rations 50% of extracted soybean meal protein. Results showed that after replacing an identical amount of extracted soybean meal protein with protein from extruded soybean or DDGS in chicken rations, the final body weight and feed conversion ratio were similar to those of birds from the control group. Deterioration (P≤0.01) in the above-mentioned parameters was observed for chickens fed with rations containing raw soybean or extruded lupine. Birds that were given rations containing raw soybean (RFFS group) were characterized by the lowest dressing percentage, and, compared to the control group, the difference was significant (P≤0.01). The type of protein feed contained in the rations did not affect the musculature of chickens, however it did impact their fat deposition. Fat deposition was the lowest in birds from RFFS and DDGS groups that reached the lowest final body weight. Microscopic images of all examined livers showed a normal histological structure. The results of the studies carried out provide a basis for recommending the use of extruded full-fat soybean or DDGS in broiler chicken rations as partial substitutes for extracted soybean meal protein.

Faba bean (FB) seeds can be a good protein-energy component in animal feed. However, the presence of anti-nutritional substances is a negative feature of FB seeds. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of different levels of unprocessed FB seeds in feed on the gut-bone axis and metabolic profile in broilers. Ninety six, 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly selected to one of the 3 dietary treatments (32 chickens in each, divided into 8 pens with 4 birds per each pen): the control group fed standard diet with soybean meal and without FB seeds, group I fed 8/15% (starter/grower) of high-tannin FB seeds, and group II fed 16/22% of high-tannin FB seeds. Bone mechanical examination, hematological and serum biochemical analysis as well histomorphometry of small intestine and liver tissue were performed. The intake of high-tannin FB seeds, irrespective of their amount, did not alter the bone geometric, mechanical and densitometric parameters nor influenced basal hematological parameters, however it resulted in: decreased serum concentration of total cholesterol and calcium; a reduced longitudinal myenteron of small intestine; increased mucosa and villus epithelium thickness, villus length, thickness and absorptive surface in duodenum; increased number of active crypts in jejunum; unchanged collagen area, intercellular space, and total cell number in the liver; decreased number of multinuclear hepatocyte cells. Moreover, the livers of birds fed the higher dose of high-tannin FB seeds had lymphocytic infiltrates in portal tracts and sinusoids. Feeding of unprocessed high-tannin FB seeds exerted an influence on the gastrointestinal tract by increased absorptive surface. In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of unprocessed high-tannin FB seeds had no negative effects on broiler growth, tibial bone mechanical properties and intestinal characteristics. Unprocessed high-tannin FB seeds may be used in broiler diets, but their dietary levels should not be higher than those discussed.

the study was carried out involving 48 fattening pigs split into 3 groups of equal size: one control (i) and two experimental (ii and iii). the experimental factor was low-tannin faba bean seeds of the albus variety (group ii) or amulet variety (group iii) introduced to experimental feed mixtures as a partial replacement for soybean meal -the only protein-rich material in the control diet. it was noticed that the partial replacement of soybean meal with faba bean meal had no statistically significant effect on: the daily gains of pigs, feed conversion, meatiness and fattening grades and meat acidity (ph 1 and ph 24 ), water holding capacity and muscle colour parameters (L*a*b*). however, the drip loss from longissimus muscles of pigs fed with diets containing low-tannin faba bean was lower and the difference between the group receiving albus faba bean and the control group was confirmed to be statistically significant (P≤0.05). in the analysed longissimus lumborum muscle, no differences were recorded between the groups in terms of the content of protein, fat, minerals, or saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, including monounsaturated fatty acids. however, it was determined that the muscles of the animals from groups ii and iii contained more essential unsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (P≤0.05 -between groups i and iii). albus faba bean seeds introduced to the feed mixture had a beneficial effect on the sensory characteristics of the evaluated muscle since, compared to the longissimus lumborum muscle from the control group, it was characterised by significantly (P≤0.05) improved juiciness, tenderness and palatability. key words: fattening pigs, low-tannin faba bean, growth parameters, meat quality Nutrition is a significant element in pig breeding and the basal nutrients are grains supplemented with protein-rich materials. The most popular protein feed is soybean meal which is an imported, frequently genetically modified material (Sieradzki et al., 2006). It covers about 70% of the protein requirement in the feed mixtures made in * Work financed from: statutory activity.