Fructans, which include inulin and fructooligosaccharides, are non-digestible carbohydrates that are fermented in the large intestine. This review focuses on the effect of these prebiotics on gut microflora, fermentation characteristics, gut morphology, enzymes activity, nutrients digestibility and absorption, lipids metabolism and performance parameters in broiler chickens. Inulin-type fructans can improve performance of birds and health by affecting microbial community in the gastrointestinal tract, gut morphology and nutrient digestion. It is documented that dietary fructans influence the intestinal gut microflora of broiler chickens by increasing the population of Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp. and Eubacterium spp. while decreasing the concentration of Clostridium spp. and Escherichia coli in the large intestine and caeca. The supplementation of poultry diets with inulin or oligofructose can lead to an increase of the length of small and large intestines in broilers, elongation of the villus in the chickens jejunal mucosa and increase in the ratio of villus height to crypt depth. The beneficial effect of inulin-type fructans on performance parameters in broilers may be partially explained by the elevated intestinal enzymatic activity under the influence of the fructooligosaccharides and increase of digestibility and absorption of nutrients, mainly protein and fat. The prebiotic effectiveness of inulin-type fructans in broilers depends on a number of factors, like the type of supplement (inulin vs. oligofructose), inclusion level, composition of the basal diet, animal characteristics (age, sex, stage of production) and hygienic conditions (i.e. stress factors).

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of a probiotic and a synbiotic on the morphometric parameters of the small intestine of broiler chickens. The experiment was conducted on three hundred sixty, one‐day‐old female Ross 308 chicks, which were randomly selected from 20,000 birds and divided into three treatment groups (n = 120) with ten replicates per treatment. The control group (C) was fed a commercial diet, the probiotic group (PRO) was fed the same diet with an added 1% of the probiotic Lavipan® (Lactococcus lactis, Carnobacterium divergens, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and the synbiotic group (SYN) was fed the commercial diet with an added synbiotic: 0.8% of the prebiotic RFO (extracted from lupin seeds) and 1% Lavipan®. According to the manufacturer's data, apart from the typical probiotic action,microorganisms contained in the preparation release anti‐bacterial substances (hydrogen peroxide and bacteriocins) and, therefore, are antagonistic towards pathogenic bacteria present in the gut of animals. Supplementation took place in the first seven days of rearing, and all birds had ad libitum access to water and feed during the 42 days of the experiment. On the last day, all birds were slaughtered and samples from three segments of the small intestine were taken. Villi area, height, width and crypt depth ratios were read using Multiscan software. Synbiotic supplementation increased the BWG of broilers from first to tenth day of rearing, compared to the control group. The PRO group had improved villi morphometric parameters of the duodenum. In the jejunum and ileum, both bioactive substances improved villus width and villus surface area. Crypts were deeper in the small intestine of birds supplemented with bioactive substances, which allows greater renewal of the villi. As expected, the intestinal morphometric parameters of broiler chickens benefited from bioactive substance supplementation.

The study was conducted to determine and compare the resting values of haematological and biochemical blood indices in clinically healthy horses competing in show jumping and used for leisure activities. The experiment included twenty adult horses of Polish half-bred and Wielkopolska breed which were subjected to a daily training programme typical of their type of use. Blood samples were collected at rest before feeding from the jugular external vein. Show jumpers had higher (P<0.05) red blood cell count, haematocrit value and haemoglobin concentration as well as the serum level of total protein, albumin, α 2-and γ-globulin, HDL and iron. The level of βglobulin, magnesium and activity of creatine kinase were significantly higher in recreationally used horses. There were no differences in the values of red blood cell parameters (MCV, MCH, MCHC), number of leucocytes and the percentage of their respective kinds, platelets, concentration of urea, creatinine, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, activity of AST, ALT, LDH and in the content of Na, K, Cl, P, Ca between the tested groups. The results of the present study indicate that the type of training influences some of the resting haematological and biochemical indices in adult horses. Horses used for show jumping have higher aerobic capacity and show a more beneficial lipid profile compared to horses used for recreation.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics administered in ovo on selected morphological parameters of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum) in broiler chickens (Ross 308) and native chickens (Green-legged Partridge, GP). On the 12th day of embryonic development (the incubation period), an aqueous solution of a suitable bioactive substance was supplied in ovo to the egg’s air cell: probiotic—Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris (PRO), prebiotic—GOS, galacto-oligosaccharides (PRE) or symbiotic—GOS + Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris (SYN). Sterile saline was injected into control (CON) eggs. After hatching, the chicks were placed in pens (8 birds/pen, 4 replicates/group) and housed for 42 days. On the last day of the experiment, all birds were individually weighed and slaughtered. Samples for histological analysis were taken directly after slaughter from three sections of the small intestine. In samples from the duodenum, jejunum and ileum, the height and width of the intestinal villi (VH) were measured and their area (VA) was calculated, the depth of the intestinal crypts (CD) was determined, the thickness of the muscularis was measured and the ratio of the villus height to the crypt depth (V/C) was calculated. On the basis of the obtained data, it can be concluded that the applied substances administered in ovo affect the production parameters and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens and GP. The experiment showed a beneficial effect of in ovo stimulation with a prebiotic on the final body weight of Ross 308 compared to CON, while the effect of the administered substances on the intestinal microstructure is not unequivocal. In GP, the best effect in terms of villi height and V/C ratio was found in the in ovo synbiotic group. Taking into account the obtained results, it can be concluded that chickens of different genotypes react differently to a given substance; therefore, the substances should be adapted to the genotype.

The aim of the research was to determine lipid metabolism indices and fatty acid profile in the blood serum of Ross 308 chickens (n = 48), fed a finisher mixture supplemented with 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0% of lignocellulose. The feeding trial lasted from 21 to 42 d of the birds' age. Blood samples were collected from each chicken at 42d of age from the pterygoid canal vein. In the blood serum the content of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TCHOL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) fraction was determined by the spectrophotometric method. The fatty acids concentration was estimated with the use of the gas chromatography method. Lignocellulose in doses of 0.5 and 1.0% significantly reduced the concentration of triglycerides and low density lipoprotein (LDL) fraction. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) content was not affected by dietary treatments whereas lignocellulose significantly influenced the profile of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from n-3 and n-6 families. Insoluble fiber decreased (p<0.05) serum concentration of α-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3) and increased share of docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3), dihomogammalinolenic acid (C20:3n-6) and arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6) in total PUFA, compared to the control birds. The results of the present study have shown that the incorporation of limited amounts of lignocellulose into the broiler diet can influence the lipid metabolism in the chickens.

The aim of the study was to determine the changes in the content of major proteins, glucose and selected hormones in the blood of piglets during the first 7 days of neonatal life. The study involved an entire litter of eight newborn piglets of F1 hybrids (Polish White Large x Polish Landrace) delivered from one sow in the second gestation. In blood samples collected directly after parturition (before colostrum intake), in the 12 JD , 24 JD and 48 JD hour and in 7 JD day of life, the content of total protein and its fractions, glucose concentration and the level of insulin, T ! (total and free), T " (total and free), leptin, resistin and ghrelin (total and active) was determined. In the blood serum of newborn piglets a low content of total protein, albumins, gamma globulins and a high share of alpha-and beta globulins was found. In the 12 JD hour of life, after colostrum intake, a significant (P<0.05) increase in the content of total protein, albumins, beta-globulins and a rapid increase of gamma globulins as well as decrease of alpha-globulins level were observed. In the consecutive periods of postnatal life a significant (P<0.05) decrease of total protein, beta-and gamma globulins as well as a steady increase in the content of albumins in the blood serum of piglets was observed. The content of glucose, insulin, leptin, resistin and ghrelin in the blood serum of neonates increased significantly (P<0.05) after colostrum intake. During the successive experimental periods a progressive increase (P<0.05) of glucose and T ! as well as systematic decrease of insulin, T " , ghrelin and resistin in the blood serum was observed as compared to the 12 JD hour of life.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of different levels of rape "00" seeds in the diet on the performance, blood and bone parameters of broilers. A total of 180 1-day-old male Ross 308 chicks were divided into four groups. Group I (the control) was fed on a maize, wheat and soybean diet. Different levels of rape seeds were used in the experimental diets (low, medium and high level in II, III and IV groups, respectively) instead of a soybean meal. The amount of MJ AME N from rape seeds in total AME N was as follows: 0.19-1.51 group II, 0.28-2.26 group III and 0.38-3.01 group IV. The highest level of rape seeds resulted in a lower (P<0.05) body weight gain. The birds from group IV had the lowest feed intake and the poorest (P<0.05) value of FCR at 21 d. The highest level of rape seeds positively influenced (P<0.05) the content of HDL. There were no differences in protein metabolism indices, VLDL, Ca, Pi, bone resistance parameters among dietary treatments at 37 day of age. The results demonstrated that the influence of the increasing level of dietary rape seeds on performance, blood and bone parameters was much more evident in younger birds.

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