Effect of Fermented Rapeseed Meal in Feeds for Growing Piglets on Bone Morphological Traits, Mechanical Properties, and Bone Metabolism

Abstract

Quality feed is essential for correct bone development and proper functioning of animals. Post-weaned piglets experience a radical change in eating behaviour that can influence their feed intake. For this reason, functional feed additives and ingredients that can be used in post-weaning feeds are needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of partially replacing wheat with rapeseed meal fermented using Bacillus subtilis strain 87Y on overall bone quality and bone metabolism in weaner piglets. From the 28th day of life, barrows were fed either a standard wheat-based diet or a diet containing 8% fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) with or without a feed additive containing enzymes, antioxidants, probiotics, and prebiotics. The experimental period lasted 60 days, after which femur quality indices were assessed. Differences in bone length and weight were observed, but there were no changes in bone mineralization or bone mid-diaphysis morphometrical traits between treatments. FRSM inclusion reduced bone mid-diaphysis biomechanical properties, but these changes were dependent on feed-additive supplementation. Analysis of the levels of serum bone turnover markers suggests the intensification of bone resorption in FRSM-fed groups as deoxypyridinoline levels increase. The results obtained warrant further research on what the disturbances in bone mechanical properties and metabolism observed in FRSM-fed weaners means for the subsequent fattening period.

Effect of drying process on survival of environmental starter culture and nutritional value

“…Numerous studies have shown that fermentation of RM improves its nutritional characteristics, especially by reducing the content of dietary fibers and glucosinolates (16,23). The decrease in the fiber content in acidified material results from the presence of fiber-degrading enzymes.…”

Analysis of Morphological Traits, Mineralization, and Mechanical Properties of Femoral Bones in Young and Adult European Hares (Lepus europaeus)

“…The test was performed at a constant loading rate of 10 mm/min until the bone fractured, and the load-deflection curves were recorded to determine the mechanical properties of the femur: yield force, yield deflection, elastic work, and stiffness in the elastic region of deformation, as well as breaking force, breaking deflection, and breaking work at bone breakage [ 19 ]. After the test, the bones were cut at the midpoint of the bone diaphysis using a diamond bandsaw (MBS 240/E, Proxxon GmbH, Foehren, Germany) [ 20 ]. The external and internal transversal and anteroposterior diameters of the mid-diaphysis cross-section were measured using a digital caliper to determine mid-diaphysis geometric parameters: mean relative wall thickness (MRWT), cortical index (CI), cross-sectional area (CSA), and cross-sectional moment of inertia (Ix).…”

The Crucial Impact of Microbial Growth and Bioenergy Conversion on Treating Livestock Manure and Antibiotics Using Chlorella sorokiniana

“…In recent decades, factory farming has caused various environmental problems in the development of the livestock industry because it is inevitably associated with the largescale generation of livestock excreta (LE) [1,2]. In addition, the feed can influence not only the quality of the livestock but also the characteristics of the LE [3,4]. The LE contains not only well-known environmental pollutants but also residual pharmaceuticals that can be harmful to the ecosystem and human health [5].…”