Basal Ration Research Articles

Investigating the impact of biochar on methane gas emissions and its effect on enteric fermentation

This study aims to evaluate the impact of biochar on methane gas emissions and to investigate its effect on enteric fermentation. Methane gas emissions from Naeemi ewes' ruminants were measured, with animals divided into two groups, each containing 14 ewes. The treatment group was fed a combination of biochar and a basal ration, while the control group received the basal ration alone. The results demonstrate that the initial gas emission for both animal groups at day 0 was 1082 ppm, and the inclusion of biochar in the diet significantly (P < 0.05) reduced CH4 gas emissions by 65.58 %–78.39%. Furthermore, feeding Naeemi sheep with biochar and the basal ration led to a significant (P < 0.05) increase in body weight (63.66 kg) and growth rate (length: 79.3 cm, waist: 81.75 cm, and height: 99.76 cm) compared to the control group. Additionally, it raised the average body condition score (BCS) to 3.56, in contrast to the control group's score of 2.83, primarily due to the positive impact of biochar on fat gain. The study revealed that biochar enhances nutrient utilization, improves feed efficiency, and significantly reduces methane gas emissions in livestock. When incorporated into the sheep's diet, biochar can modify digestive processes and promote better nutrient absorption.

The effect of biochar supplementation on feed utilization, milk production and methane emission in lactating dairy cows

There is an increasing trend in agriculture to use biochar (BC) as a means for carbon storage and soil improvement, and it has been suggested, that feeding BC to livestock can improve animal health and performance, and reduce enteric methane emissions. The aim of this study was to investigate if adding BC to a balanced ration of a group of lactating Holstein dairy cows had an effect on their milk yield and quality, methane emission, nutrient digestibility and health. In a crossover experiment lasting for two 36-day periods, eight cows received their basal ration with and without 1 % DM BC. During the last week of each period, the cows were kept in tie stalls where milk yield and composition, feed intake and nutrient digestibility, as well as blood parameters were quantified. On the last two days, methane emissions were measured in respiration chambers. The results indicate that there was no significant effect of the addition of BC on any of the measured variables. Voluntary intake was not affected by the addition of BC (P=0.52) and none of the cows exhibited health problems in response to the treatment. There was no increase in milk yield (P>0.46) or composition (P>0.23) and methane emissions were not significantly affected (P>0.37). While the beneficial effects of feeding BC to animals suffering from health problems or receiving a poor diet cannot be excluded, the data of this experiment indicate that BC is not an effective feed additive to improve performance or reduce methane emission in dairy cows.

Impact of Turmeric Powder and Black Pepper Capsules on the Small Intestine Profile and Product Quality of Kampung Unggul Balitnak (KUB) Chickens

This study aimed to improve the quality of KUB chicken eggs and meat through dietary supplementation. Fifty KUB chickens, aged three months, were reared for three months. The treatments were as follows: P0 (control) = basal ration (BR), P1 = BR + 0.4 g/head/day turmeric flour, P2 = BR + 0.4 g/head/day turmeric powder + 1 black pepper capsule (0.2 g/head/day), P3 = BR + 0.4 g/head/day turmeric flour + 2 black pepper capsules (0.4 g/head/day), and P4 = BR + 0.4 g/head/day turmeric flour + 3 black pepper capsules (0.6 g/head/day). Parameters measured included the digestive tract profile, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count in the cecum, egg quality, egg cholesterol, and unsaturated fatty acid content in meat. Results indicated that while most treatments did not affect the relative weight and length of the small intestine, P1 significantly increased the relative weight of the duodenum by 57.4% compared to the control. P1 also improved LAB counts and egg quality. P2 reduced egg cholesterol by 27.1%, and P4 increased unsaturated fatty acid content in meat by 14.4% over the control. These findings suggest that turmeric powder and black pepper supplementation can enhance egg and meat quality as well as the overall performance of KUB chickens.

The Effect of Using Eugenol Essential Oil of Clove Leaf as a Feed Additive on The Carcass Percentage and Carcass Components of Broiler Chickens

Eugenol, derived from clove leaf essential oil, possesses antibiotic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of eugenol as a feed additive on carcass percentage and carcass components in broiler chickens. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used, with four treatments and five replications. Two hundred 1-week-old chicks with an average initial body weight of 142.25±7.75 g were allocated into 20 cage plots. The treatments were: E0 (Basal ration), E1 (Basal ration + 0.5% eugenol), E2 (Basal ration + 1.0% eugenol), and E3 (Basal ration + 1.5% eugenol). Carcass percentage and carcass component percentages were measured. Analysis of variance revealed a highly significant effect (P0.01) on carcass percentage and upper thigh percentage; a significant effect (P0.05) on the percentage of breast, wings, and back; and no significant effect (P0.05) on the percentage of the lower thigh. The 1% eugenol treatment achieved the highest carcass percentage (77.75±1.04%), breast percentage (39.02±0.61%), and upper thigh percentage (17.80±0.09%) compared to other treatments.

Effect of Exogenous Melatonin on Performance and Mastitis in Dairy Cows.

Mastitis is an important factor affecting the health of cows that leads to elevated somatic cell counts in milk, which can seriously affect milk quality and result in huge economic losses for the livestock industry. Therefore, the aim of this trial was to investigate the effect of melatonin on performance and mastitis in dairy cows. Forty-eight Holstein cows with a similar body weight (470 ± 10 kg), parity (2.75 ± 1.23), number of lactation days (143 ± 43 days), BCS (3.0-3.5), milk yield (36.80 ± 4.18 kg), and somatic cell count (300,000-500,000 cells/mL) were selected and randomly divided into four groups: control (CON group), trial Ⅰ (T80 group), trial Ⅱ (T120 group), and trial Ⅲ (T160 group). Twelve cows in trial groups I, II, and III were pre-dispensed 80, 120, and 160 mg of melatonin in edible glutinous rice capsules along with the basal ration, respectively, while the control group was fed an empty glutinous rice capsule along with the ration. The trial period was 37 days, which included a 7-day adaptive phase followed by a 30-day experimental period. At the end of the trial period, feeding was ended and the cows were observed for 7 days. Milk samples were collected on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 37 to determine the somatic cell number and milk composition. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 15, 30, and 37 of the trial to determine the serum biochemical indicators, antioxidant and immune indicators, and the amount of melatonin in the blood. The results showed that the somatic cell counts of lactating cows in the CON group were lower than those in the T120 group on days 14 (p < 0.05) and 28 (p < 0.01) at 1 week after melatonin cessation. The milk protein percentage and milk fat percentage of cows in the T120 group were higher than those in the CON group (p < 0.01). The total protein and globulin content in the T120 group were higher than those in the CON group (p < 0.01). In terms of antioxidant capacity and immunity, the cows 1 week after melatonin cessation showed higher superoxide dismutase activity and interleukin-10 contents (p < 0.01) compared with the CON group and lower malondialdehyde and tumor necrosis factor-alpha contents (p < 0.01) compared with the T120 group. The melatonin content in the T120 group was increased relative to that in the other groups. In conclusion, exogenous melatonin can increase the content of milk components, reduce the somatic cell count, and improve the antioxidant capacity and immune responses to a certain extent. Under the experimental conditions, 120 mg/day melatonin is recommended for mid- to late-lactation cows.

302 Microgreen and sprouted sorghum as ingredients in raw meat diets for healthy adult cats

Abstract Germination has the potential to naturally enhance the nutritional value of grains, enabling its inclusion in raw diets without compromising their raw status. Germinated sorghum may offer additional value compared with other grains as a sustainable, gluten-free and non-genetically modified option. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of incorporating two forms of germinated sorghum, sprouted and microgreens, into raw diets on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of macronutrients and energy, and fecal characteristics of adult cats. Four complete and balanced raw diets were formulated based on a basal ration (70%), comprised of whole raw chicken, vitamins and minerals, with the addition of sorghum (30%) in four different forms: raw (SR), cooked (boiled; SC), sprouted (SS), and microgreens (SM). Diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isonutritive; however, they were found to be slightly different in energy and protein content due to changes in nutrient composition during processing of the sorghum grain. Healthy adult shorthair cats [n = 11; 5.1 ± 1.0 kg, average body weight (BW)] were enrolled in an incomplete 4×4 Latin square design. Each experimental period consisted of a 5-d adaptation phase followed by a 5-d collection phase, during which total fecal collection and assessment of fecal score were performed. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with diet as fixed effect, and cat(square), square and period as random effects. One cat was removed from the study due to reasons unrelated to the treatments, while two cats refused to eat the SM diet. Cats fed the SM and SC diets exhibited less (P &amp;lt; 0.05) wet fecal output compared to those fed the SS and SR. Fecal score was affected by diet (P &amp;lt; 0.05), with loose stools (16.37%) observed in cats fed SS and both diarrhea (11.6%) and loose stools (20%) observed in those fed SR, which were absent in those fed the other treatments. Protein ATTD (average 90%) did not differ (P &amp;gt; 0.05) among dietary treatments. Dry matter, organic matter, and gross energy ATTD were 3 to 6% greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in cats fed the SC diet compared with those fed the other treatments; but digestibility coefficients remained within acceptable ranges (&amp;gt; 80%). Fat ATTD was affected P &amp;lt; 0.05) by diet, with cats fed SS having the greatest value and those fed the SC the least; however, the numerical differences (&amp;lt; 2%) were unlikely to have biological relevance. In conclusion, the inclusion of microgreen and sprouted sorghum at 30% in raw meat cat diets did not improve the ATTD of energy and macronutrients compared with when sorghum was added in its raw form. Nevertheless, microgreen sorghum led to an improvement in fecal quality in cats compared with when sorghum was provided in its raw form.

The Effect of Mulberry Silage Supplementation on the Carcass Fatness and Long-Chain Fatty Acid Composition of Growing Lambs Compared with Traditional Corn Silage.

Lamb meat has become very popular with consumers in recent years due to its nutritional benefits. As a lean red meat, lamb is an important natural source of polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids, which can be modified by adjustments in livestock feed. This study used proteomic and metabolic analyses to compare a basal ration supplemented with either mulberry silage or corn silage. Supplementation with mulberry silage led to a reduction in subcutaneous carcass fatness compared with corn silage. Additionally, changes in the proteome associated with fatty acid metabolism and oxidation resulted in decreased levels of saturated and trans fatty acids, while significantly increasing the levels of α-linolenic acid (ALA) and oleic acid and reducing linoleic acid content.

Effectiveness of Giving Black Soldier Fly Maggot Flour in Basal Rations on the Quality of Quail (Coturnix-coturnix Japonica) Eggs

Effectiveness of Giving Black Soldier Fly Maggot Flour in Basal Rations on the Quality of Quail (Coturnix-coturnix Japonica) Eggs

Effect of oregano essential oil on intestinal immunoglobulin G in Holstein dairy bulls.

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is important in mediating humoral immunity and in the maintenance of immune homeostasis in the intestinal mucosa. Oregano essential oil (OEO) is a natural herbal extract that possesses antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. As the effects of OEO on intestinal mucosal immunity in Holstein dairy bulls remained unclear, we investigated the effect of dietary supplementation of OEO on IgG levels and IgG+ cells residing in the intestinal tract in Holstein dairy bulls. Twelve Holstein bulls in good health of approximately 10 months of age were selected for the experiment and randomly equally divided into two groups. The control (CK) group was fed a basal ration, and in the OEO group, the basal ration was supplemented with OEO (20 g/head/day). After 300 days of feeding, tissue samples of the jejunum, ileum, and colon of the bulls in each group were collected for histopathological analysis, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, respectively. The jejunum, ileum, and colon of bulls in the CK group had obvious pathological damage, whereas the structure of each intestinal segment was clear and intact. In the OEO group, pathological damage was significantly reduced. IgG+ plasma cells were diffusely distributed in the lamina propria of the jejunum, ileum, and colon in the CK and OEO groups, with no significant difference between the groups. OEO supplementation significantly reduced the number of IgG+ plasma cells in each intestinal segment, with the highest decrease rate being noted for the ileum (22.87%), followed by the colon (19.45%) and jejunum (8.52%). ELISA test results and immunohistochemical results were mutually verified. The change in IgG content was consistent with the trend of change in the number of IgG+ plasma cells. Our findings suggest that OEO supplementation does not alter the diffuse spatial distribution of IgG+ plasma cells in the intestines of Holstein dairy bulls, but lowers immunoglobulin levels to normal levels, significantly reduces intestinal damage, and may enhance mucosal immune defence barrier function by inhibiting inflammatory reactions.

Performance of Laying Chickens with Feed Additive Cinnamon Flour (Cinnamomum burmanni (Nees &amp; T.Nees) Blume)

Chickens are important commodities due to human need eggs to meet animal protein. Increasing of resistance of bacteria to synthetic antibiotics and consumer understanding of health and food safety have stimulated use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in poultry industry. AGP applied sustainable feed management steps to improve gut health and poultry growth performance. Cinnamon, one of the spices as a natural product. This useful source due to antioxidants, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and hypo-cholesterolemic effects and its capability to activate digestion enzymes in intestine. This research aimed to analyze the performance of laying chicken eggs fed with cinnamon flour. The treatments used were cinnamon flour with levels R0 (basal ration, without cinnamon flour/CF, R1 (99.5% BR+ 0.5% CF), R2 (99% BR+ 1% CF), R3 (98% BR + 1.5 % CF), and R4 (98% BR + 2% CF). Data were analyzed with Completely Randomized Design and Duncan's test. Variables were ration consumption, Hen Day Production/HDP and ration conversion. Results showed that adding 2% cinnamon flour significant effect on feed consumption, HDP (P&lt; 0,01) but insignificant on ration conversion (P&gt;0.05). Cinnamon flour as feed additive source up to 2% level can increase the performance of laying hens.

Outcomes of dietary alpha-lipoic acid on testicular vascularization, steroid hormones, and seminal quality in aged Baladi bucks

BackgroundSenescence is accompanied by a progressive decrease in male reproductive performance, mainly due to oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a potent antioxidant, that diffuses freely in aqueous and lipid phases, possessing anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. This study aimed to examine the effects of supplemental dietary ALA on testicular hemodynamics (TH), circulating hormones, and semen quality in aged goats. Twelve Baladi bucks were divided into two groups (n = 6 each); the first fed a basic ration and served as a control group (CON), while the second received the basic ration supplemented with 600 mg ALA/ kg daily for consecutive eight weeks (ALA).ResultsThere were improvements in testicular blood flow in the ALA group evidenced by a lower resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) concurrent with higher pampiniform-colored areas/pixel (W3-W6). There were increases in testicular volume and decreases in echogenicity (W3-W5; ALA vs. CON). Compared to the CON, ALA-bucks had higher serum concentrations of testosterone, estradiol, and nitric oxide (W3-W5). There were enhancements in semen traits (progressive motility, viability, morphology, and concentration, alanine aminotransferase enzyme) and oxidative biomarkers (catalase, total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde).ConclusionsALA dietary supplementation (600 mg/kg diet) improved aged bucks’ reproductive performance by enhancing the testicular volume, testicular hemodynamics, sex steroids, and semen quality.

Pengaruh Penggunaan Silase Limbah Sawi Putih (Brassica pekinensia L.) terhadap Konsumsi dan Kecernaan Energi dan Protein pada Ternak Babi Grower

The aim of this research was to determine the effect of using chicory waste silage (Brassica pekinensis L) in rations on energy and protein consumption and digestibility in grower pigs. The livestock used were 12 grower phase landrace crossbreed pigs aged 3-4 months with initial body weights ranging from 29-52 kg and an average of 36 kg (CV = 17.72%). This research used an experimental method with a Randomized Block Design (RBD) consisting of four treatments and three replications so that there were 12 experimental units. The treatments used were R0: 100% basal ration, R1: 90% basal ration + 10% chicory waste silage, R2: 85% basal ration + 15% chicory waste silage and R3: 80% basal ration + 20% chicory waste silage. The variables studied were ration consumption, energy consumption, protein consumption, energy digestibility and protein digestibility. The results showed that the treatment had no significant effect (P&gt;0.05) on all variables. Based on the results of this research, it can be concluded that the use of chicory waste silage (Brassica pekinensis L) in rations at levels of 10%, 15% and 20% has the same effect on energy and protein consumption and digestibility

Implementation of Microcapsules of Noni Fruit Extract (Morinda citrifolia L) as a Feed Additive on Nutritional Digestibility and Performance of Sentul Chickens

The continuous use of growth promoter (AGP) antibiotics in rearing chickens will cause residues in the meat. Finding a natural antibiotic derived from herbal plants that noni fruit is necessary. Microencapsulation of noni fruit extract (MNFE) was reported to positively affect poultry nutrition absorption. The research was conducted to determine the effect of MNFE with maltodextrin and its implementation as a feed additive to nutrient digestibility and the performance of Sentul chicken. The experiment used 100 Sentul chicks with a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), with five treatments and four replications. The treatment consisted of basal ration T0 (control), T1 (basal ration + 50 mg/kg Zinc-Bacitracin), T2 (basal ration + 125 mg/kg MNFE), T3 (basal ration + 125 mg/kg MNFE), and T4 (basal ration + 375 mg/kg MNFE). Variables observed were nutrient digestibility (crude protein digestibility, dry matter digestibility, organic matter digestibility, metabolic energy, nitrogen retention) and performance (feed consumption, body weight gain, feed efficiency). The results showed that Crude Protein Digestibility (CPD), Dry Matter Digestibility (DMD), Organic Matter Digestibility (OMD), metabolic energy, nitrogen retention, and performance of Sentul chicken were significantly (p&lt;0.05) different in the group when compared to controls. It was concluded that adding 250 mg/kg MNFE could improve Sentul chicken's best nutrient digestibility and growth performance. It is recommended to be used as a feed additive to replace AGP.

Effect of a Multi-Species Direct-Fed Microbial on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Intestinal Morphology and Colonic Volatile Fatty Acids in Weanling Pigs

The potentials of ABO replacer of ENZ and DFM on growth performance, AID, colonic VFAs, gut morphology, fecal score and diarrhea incidence were evaluated. We randomly assigned 120 piglets to four experimental diets that included: (1) control diet (CON), fed the basal ration; (2) ABO was added at 250 ppm of in-feed ABO; (3) ENZ was added at a rate of 3 kg/ton feed; (4) DFM was added with 50 × 106 cfu/g of Bacillus subtilis and 2 × 106 cfu/g of Lactobacillus spp. at a rate of 1.2 kg/ton feed. A complete randomized design used six pens per treatment with five pigs per pen. Pigs had ad libitum access to feed and water throughout the 6-week trial. Feed intake and BW were recorded on weeks 0, 2, 4 and 6, as well as fecal scores and diarrhea incidences (visually recorded and calculated). At weeks 2 and 4, a sub-sample of pigs (n = 6) was sacrificed for intestinal morphology, enzyme activity and VFAs. The results of the study demonstrated that DFM piglets showed increased final BW (3 kg) (p &lt; 0.001) vs. CON. Likewise, ADG was positively affected by the incorporation of ABO, ENZ and DFM in the diets, with an average increase of 8 to 17% on ADG compared with CON (p &lt; 0.001). The AID of gross energy, organic matter, CP and EAAs in piglets fed ENZ and DFM were significantly higher (p &lt; 0.05) than those of CON and ABO at weeks 2 and 4. Inclusion of DFM increased intestinal morphology, enzymatic activities and propionic and butyric acid more than in pigs fed CON, ABO and ENZ (p &lt; 0.05). The fecal score and diarrhea incidence generally decreased over time in pigs fed DFM (p &lt; 0.05). These findings indicate that dietary supplementation with DFM has better effects at any period on growth performance, CP and AA digestibility and beneficially altered the intestinal health in weanling piglets.

The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) residue could partially replace the dietary puffed soybean meal in the Three-yellow chickens

Periplaneta americana residue is a byproduct of using Periplaneta americana in pharmaceutical research and development for extracting active ingredients. Three hundred Three-yellow chickens were selected for the experiment and randomly divided into 6 groups (5 replications per group, 10 chickens per replicate): the control group (group A) was fed a basal ration, and the experimental groups (groups B, C, D, E, and F) were fed experimental diets in which P. americana residue replaced puffed soybean meal at proportions of 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%, respectively, for a period of 42 d. The aim was to assess the impact of different levels of P. americana residue on the growth, survival, intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activity, intestinal flora, and intestinal transcriptional responses of Three-yellow chickens. The results indicated that the increase in P. americana residue levels had a linear and quadratic impact on the average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR), respectively. The ADG was notably greater in the 40% group than in the 100% group, while the FCR was significantly lower in the 20% and 40% groups than in the 100% group (P < 0.05). Protease, lipase, and amylase activities exhibited a quadratic increase with increasing concentrations of P. americana residue (P < 0.05). Protease and lipase activities were notably greater in the 20% and 40% groups than in the 0% group (control group), amylase activity was significantly greater in the 40% group than in the 0% group (control group) (P < 0.05). Duodenal crypt depth (CD) decreased quadratically with increasing P. americana residue (P < 0.05). The duodenal villus height/crypt depth ratio (V/C) was significantly lower in the 100% group than in the 60% group (P < 0.05). The intestinal villus height (VH) increased quadratically with increasing levels of P. americana residue. The VH in the 60% group was significantly greater than that in the 0% (control group), 20, 80, and 100% groups (P < 0.05). The Chao and Ace indices demonstrated linear and quadratic increases with increasing levels of P. americana residue, while the Pd index showed a quadratic increase with increasing levels of P. americana residue (P < 0.05). The relative abundance profile of Lactobacillus exhibited a linear and quadratic decrease with increasing levels of P. americana residue, with the 100% group showing a significantly lower abundance than the 0% (control group) and 40% groups (P < 0.05). The transcriptome results showed that P. americana residue could enhance the digestive system by promoting vitamin, fat, carbohydrate digestion and absorption, cholesterol metabolism, etc. In conclusion, P. americana residue can replace puffed soybean meal without negatively affecting the growth performance of three-yellow chickens. The low and medium groups had positive effects on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, intestinal morphology, intestinal flora, and substance digestion and absorption of three-yellow chickens. The recommended replacement of P. americana residue for puffed soybean meal in the diets of three-yellow chickens ranged from 20% to 60%.

Beef productivity of steers of Bestuzhev breed when using an enzyme additive with including of microelements

The value of animals feeding should be provided them with nutrients, but also with biologically active substances such as microelements. Making the task of increasing the productivity of cattle, along with improving the genetic potential, the problem of insuffi cient or unbalanced feeding becomes of great importance. This problem can be solved by using biologically active additives. The purpose of the research was to study the beef productivity of Bestuzhev breed steers with using an enzyme additive containing microelements. The experimental part of the research was carried out at the breeding farm “Agrofi rm Pravda” in the Sterlibashevsky district of the Republic of Bashkortostan. For the experiment steers of the Bestuzhev breed were selected on the principle of analogous pairs and formed into three groups (control, 1st and 2nd experimental). In the 1st experimental group, 15 mg/kg of complete feed enzyme additive plus microelements (protoisotilin with proteolytic activity at a dose of 0,03 % of the dry matter of the ration) was added to the basic ration of steers. In the 2nd experimental group the enzyme amylosubtilin with amylolytic activity was used at a dose of 0,03 % of the dry matter of the ration and a mixture of microelement salts (potassium, cobalt, manganese and citric acid). It was found as a result that with the use of biostimulants for 45 days with 15-day breaks, there was an increase in the total live weight of steers and adipose tissue with a stable carcass weight, regardless of animal groups. The highest rates of slaughter yield were observed in steers of the 2nd experimental group 65,29 %, in steers of the 1st experimental group it was 64,16 % and slightly lower than the control group 63,10 %. The diff erence in comparison with herdmates in the control group was 2,19 and 1,06 %, respectively.

Effect of soybean meal extract and Lactobacillus plantarum on fat digestibility, fatty meat and carcass weight in broiler

The study aimed to evaluate the addition of soybean meal extract and Lactobacillus plantarum on fat digestibility, relative weight of abdominal fat, meat fat mass and carcass weight of broiler chickens. The experimental animals used were 8-day-old unsexed Cobb strain broilers as many as 192 birds with a body weight of 177.89±3.73 g. Soybean meal extract (SME) as prebiotic and Lactobacillus plantarum as probiotic. The research ration was prepared based on metabolizable energy of 3,034.58 kcal/kg and crude protein of 21.73%. The study was arranged using a completely randomized design (CRD) with 6 treatments and 4 replicates, each experimental unit was filled with 8 animals. The treatments applied include T0 (basal ration); T1 (basal ration + Lactobacillus plantarum 1.2%); T2 (basal ration + SME 0.15%); T3 (basal ration + SME 0.30%); T4 (basal ration + SME 0.15% + Lactobacillus plantarum 1.2%); T5 (basal ration + SME 0.30% + Lactobacillus plantarum 1.2%). Parameters measured included fat digestibility, relative weight of abdominal fat, meat fat mass and carcass weight. Data were processed using analysis of variance and Duncan's test in the SPSS version 16 program. The results showed that the addition of treatments to the ration had a significant effect (p&lt;0.05) on fat digestibility, relative weight of abdominal fat, and carcass weight, but had no significant effect (p&gt;0.05) on broiler meat fat mass. The conclusion is that the addition of 0.3% soybean meal extract and 1.2% Lactobacillus plantarum to the diet can reduce fat digestibility, relative weight of abdominal fat and increase carcass weight and produce the same meat fat mass.

Dietary phytosterols improves the metabolic status of perinatal cows as evidenced by plasma metabolomics and faecal microbial metabolism.

Previous research reported that dietary addition with phytosterols improved the energy utilisation of the rumen microbiome, suggesting its potential to alleviate the negative energy balance of perinatal cows. This experiment aimed to explore the effects of feeding phytosterols on the metabolic status of perinatal cows through plasma metabolomics and faecal bacteria metabolism. Ten perinatal Holstein cows (multiparous, 2 parities) with a similar calving date were selected four weeks before calving. After 7 days for adaptation, cows were allocated to two groups (n = 5), which respectively received the basal rations supplementing commercial phytosterols at 0 and 200 mg/d during a 42-day experiment. The milk yield of each cow was recorded daily after calving. On days 1 and 42, blood and faeces samples were all collected from perinatal cows before morning feeding for analysing plasma biochemicals and metabolome, and faecal bacteria metabolism. Dietary addition with phytosterols at 200 mg/d had no effects on plasma cholesterol and numerically increased milk yield by 1.82 kg/d (p>0.10) but attenuated their negative energy balance in perinatal cows as observed from the significantly decreased plasma level of β-hydroxybutyric acid (p = 0.002). Dietary addition with phytosterols significantly altered 12 and 15 metabolites (p<0.05) within the plasma and faeces of perinatal cows, respectively. Of these metabolites, 5 upregulated plasma fatty acids indicated an improved energy status (i.e., C18:1T, C14:0, C17:0, C18:0, and C16:0). Milk yield negatively correlated with plasma concentrations of ketone bodies (p = 0.035) and 5-methoxytryptamine (p = 0.039). Furthermore, dietary addition with phytosterols at 200 mg/d had no effects on fermentation characteristics and bacterial diversity of cow faeces (p>0.10) but improved potentially beneficial bacteria such as Christensenellaceae family (p<0.05) that positively correlated with feed efficiency. Dietary addition with phytosterols at 200 mg/d could effectively improve the energy status in perinatal cows by attenuating their negative energy balance.

Addition of Butyric Acid and Lauric Acid Glycerides in Nursery Pig Feed to Replace Conventional Growth Promoters.

(1) Background: This study determined whether adding butyric acid and lauric acid glycerides in nursing pigs' feed would improve growth performance, proteinogram, biochemical parameters, and antioxidant status. (2) Methods: Ninety male pigs were divided into five groups with six repetitions per group: NC, negative control (no additive); TRI-BUT, addition of tributyrin in the basal ration; MDT-BUT, addition of mono-, di-, and triglycerides of butyric acid in the basal feed; MDT-LAU, the addition of mono-, di-, and triglycerides of lauric acid in the basal feed; and PC, positive control (addition of gentamicin in the basal feed). (3) Results: PC, TRI-BUT, and MDT-LAU resulted in a high average daily WG from days 1 to 39 (p < 0.01). MDT-LAU, MDT-BUT, and PC resulted in a greater feed:gain from days 1 to 39 than the NC (p = 0.03). Great concentrations of the gamma globulin fraction in all groups were observed than in the NC (p = 0.01). Ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, and C-reactive protein concentrations were lower in all groups than in the NC (p < 0.05). Higher serum glutathione S-transferase activity was observed in the TRI-BUT and MDT-BUT than in the PC (p = 0.04). (4) Conclusions: The addition of butyric acid and lauric acid glycerides in the diet of pigs in the nursery phase can replace growth promoters since the products improve the growth performance, reduce acute-phase proteins, and increase gamma globulin concentrations.

Effect of Brosimum alicastrum Foliage on Intake, Kinetics of Fermentation and Passage and Microbial N Supply in Sheep Fed Megathyrsus maximus Hay.

An experiment was carried out to assess the effect of the incorporation of sun-dried foliage of Brosimum alicastrum into rations based on hay of Megathyrsus maximus on intake, rumen fermentation, kinetics of passage, microbial nitrogen supply to the small intestine, apparent digestibility in Pelibuey hair sheep. Four rations were randomly allotted to four rumen-cannulated lambs (BW = 37.4 ± 4.9 kg) using a 4 × 4 Latin square design to assess the effect of increasing levels (0, 15, 30 and 45% DM basis) of foliage of Brosimum alicastrum on a basal ration of M. maximus. Organic matter intake and water consumption increased linearly (p < 0.01) with increasing levels of B. alicastrum in the ration. The rate and potential extent of rumen fermentation of OM and CP of B. alicastrum were 10.6%/h and 86.6% and 11.4%/h and 95.2%, respectively, but no effect (p > 0.05) was found on the potential rumen degradation of DM (40.2%) or on the rate of degradation of DM (0.033%/h) of M. maximus, although a positive effect was found in the rumen degradation rate of NDF (p < 0.05). VFA and ammonia concentration in the rumen and the rate of passage of solids and liquids through the rumen (k1) increased linearly (p < 0.01) with increasing levels of B. alicastrum. Rumen pH was not affected by the incorporation of B. alicastrum (p > 0.05). Microbial nitrogen supply to the small intestine (p < 0.001), apparent digestibility of dry matter (p < 0.01) and NDF (p < 0.05) of the rations were also significantly increased as a result of the incorporation of B. alicastrum foliage. Results from this experiment suggest that the foliage of Brosimum alicastrum can be readily incorporated at around 30% of the ration of dry matter in hair sheep with beneficial effects on feed intake, rate of passage and microbial N supply to the lower tract.