Nowadays, there is an increasing concern for the public health about the consequences from the long and increased use of antibiotics in livestock production. The use of antibiotics in animal feed as growth promoters has been completely banned by the European Union since 2006, based on their possible negative effects on human and animal health. The removal of growth promoters has led to animal performance problems and a rise in the incidence of certain animal diseases. Thus, there is an urgent need to find alternatives to antibiotics, especially in EU. Due to the modern consumers' concern about the potential development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria as well as at the same time the need to prevent economic losses of the farmers, alternatives to antibiotics has been developed to prevent the health problems and to improve the growth performance in farm animals. Owing to the full ban of antibiotic use in EU there is an urgent need to find alternatives to in-feed antibiotics. New strategies and commercial products must be developed to improve animal health and performance, based on their safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness. The aim of this study is to summarize the beneficial effects of currently used alternatives to in-feed antibiotics, i.e. probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, phytogenic compounds and zeolites on health and growth performance in farm animals (swine, poultry and ruminants).
Proteins are essential constituents of animal feeds, which comprise mainly vegetable protein (e.g., soybean meal), which is produced and transported globally. The decoupling of protein-production and livestock-growth areas results in protein deficiencies in certain parts of the world, and in significant environmental stress. Alternative, more sustainable protein feeds are necessary to meet the increasing needs, and to decrease the environmental footprint of animal products. Yeast Single Cell Proteins (SCP), produced locally using various agro-industrial by-product streams, have significant potential as alternative animal feed protein. Particularly, Yarrowia lipolytica, an oleaginous, non-pathogenic microorganism has been characterized as a “workhorse” in biotechnological studies, drawing the attention of many researchers. The present review summarizes available resources on critical issues concerning the applicability and commercialization of Yarrowia lipolytica as an environment-friendly protein source for animal feed. It discusses the sustainability of the yeast SCP production process, it presents the recent advances concerning Yarrowia lipolytica cultivation on low-cost agro-industrial by-products, and it stresses the effects on the health and welfare of productive animals due to the inclusion of Yarrowia lipolytica in their diet. The data presented in this study should facilitate relative research advancement and the commercialization of Yarrowia lipolytica’s use as an alternative protein source/supplement for animal feeds.
This review paper aims to give an overview of the literature data on common behavioral and health problems in broiler chickens and laying hens and to explain their interrelation and relation to the rearing system. In the initial part, the mechanism of arising of the most common forms of abnormal behavior and the way they affect the poultry are briefly described. Furthermore, the possibility of poultry to fulfill behavioral needs in different rearing systems and some of the consequences to the birds in the case of their inability to meet their needs are displayed. The influence of the main microclimate and space factors is also discussed, as well as the occurrence of some infectious, parasitic and production diseases in poultry rearing systems. The welfare problems of poultry are complexes and most often caused by the system design and its improper use. Continuous work on improving rearing systems is as important as better informing the producers and the public on poultry welfare problems.
The aim of this study was to determine the reference range of Schirmer tear test (STT) values in sheep using Greek indigenous and mixed breeds and to investigate the potential effect of breed and season on these values. Ninety (30 Chios, 30 Florina and 30 Lacaune mixed breed) ewes aged 2 years or more were used for the study. The aqueous portion of the tear film was measured using Schirmer tear test (STT) commercial strips bilaterally by the same investigator with the animal in standing position. The average STT value recorded was 18.45 ± 3.93 mm/min and the range 10.8–26.2 mm/min. STT was significantly affected by the season and the recorded values were significantly higher in summer compared to winter. The breed had no significant effect on tear secretion. The results of the present study provide a reference range of STT values in sheep and indicate that tear secretion is significantly affected by the season.
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