The effects of pyruvate (Pyr), creatine pyruvate (Cr-Pyr) and creatine (Cr) on lipid and protein metabolism were compared in broiler chickens. A total of 400 1-day-old male birds (Aconred) were allocated to four groups, each of which included four replicates (25 birds per replicate). Treatments consisted of unsupplemented basal diet (Control), basal diet containing 2% Pyr, basal diet containing 3% Cr and basal diet containing 5% Cr-Pyr. Cr-Pyr and Pyr significantly decreased the hepatic triglyceride and serum total cholesterol concentration (P , 0.01). Cr-Pyr markedly increased the serum non-esterified fatty acid and highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (P , 0.05), whereas the expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase I (P , 0.05) and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-a (P , 0.01) mRNA in the liver were both decidedly enhanced in the Cr-Pyr group. The relative leg muscle weight was higher in the Cr-Pyr group than in the control group, whereas the serum uric acid content and hepatic glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase activity were lower in the Cr-Pyr and Cr groups (P , 0.05), respectively. Muscle insulin-like growth factor I (P , 0.05) expression was enhanced, and the myostatin (P , 0.01) mRNA level was reduced in both the Cr-Pyr and Cr groups. In addition, Cr-Pyr did not alter body weight or the feed conversion ratio. These results indicate that, compared with Pyr and Cr alone, Cr-Pyr has a bifunctional role in broiler chickens, in that it influences both lipid and protein metabolism.Keywords: creatine pyruvate, pyruvate, creatine, lipolysis, protein synthesis ImplicationsIn this study, the administration of creatine pyruvate (Cr-Pyr, a new compound, which contains pure pyruvic acid molecularly bound to pure pharmaceutical grade creatine at a concentration ratio of 40 : 60) was compared with the administration of Pyr or Cr alone for its effect on lipid and protein metabolism in broilers. The insights gained from this study will provide a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the Cr-Pyr effect on broiler chickens. Further clarity will help the industry to avoid obesity-related problems during production and explore new ways to improve muscle growth in broilers.

Biochar amendment of soil is known to enhance soil carbon sequestration and fertility. Its effect on soil microbial activity and functioning, however, is not well understood, particularly in field conditions. We collected topsoil samples from plots in a rice paddy in southwest China either amended with biochar for 18 months or not amended. Soil respiration, enzyme activity, total and metabolically active microbial community structures and abundances based on DNA and RNA, and functional diversity were determined. Soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), pH and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were significantly greater, and bulk density was less, under biochar amendment at 40 t ha−1 than for non‐amended soil. The addition of biochar generally reduced soil respiration, total and active fungal 18S gene abundances and β‐glucosidase activity, whereas it increased microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, total and active bacterial 16S gene abundances, dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities. Furthermore, biochar amendment induced clear changes in the active microbial community structure and selected microorganisms with carbon substrates of polymers, and phenolic and amine compounds. Redundancy analysis indicated that the changes in soil pH and nutrient concentrations such as SOC, TN and DOC were of benefit mainly to the bacterial community rather than to the fungal one. Therefore, short‐term biochar amendment could help to slow down soil carbon turnover through increased efficiency of carbon use. In addition, soil microorganisms could potentially be selected to enable the use of some recalcitrant carbon substrates. Further investigations are needed to assess the underlying processes and potential effect of these changes on the mineralization of soil organic matter and ecosystem functioning in rice paddy soil. Highlights Examined effect of biochar on soil microbial activity and its functioning 18 months after amendment. Biochar promoted total and metabolically active bacteria, but inhibited those of fungi over time. Biochar changed the active, but not the total community structures of bacteria and fungi. Biochar selected soil microorganisms with carbon substrates rich in aromatics.

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