Feed Digestibility Research Articles

Influence of Replacing Soybean Meal with Nigella sativa Seed Meal on Feed Intake, Digestibility, Growth Performance, Blood Metabolites, and Antioxidant Activity of Growing Lambs.

The present experiment aimed to evaluate the partial or complete substitution of soybean meal (SBM) with Nigella sativa seed meal (NSM) on chemical composition, in vitro ruminal fermentation, and the growth performance and economic efficiency of growing lambs. Thirty-two male Ossimi lambs weighing 41 ± 0.4 kg at 195 ± 5 d were divided randomly into four experimental groups of eight lambs each. Lambs were fed four diets containing 40% berseem clover and 60% concentrate feed mixture. Soybean meal was replaced with NSM at 0% (NSM0; control), 50% (NSM50), 75% (NSM75), or 100% (NSM100). The experiment lasted for 105 d, consisting of 15 d for adaptation and 90 days for measurements. Higher concentrations of crude protein (CP) and nonstructural carbohydrates were observed with SBM; however, NSM contained more fibers and gross energy. Moreover, SBM contained higher concentrations of individual amino acids and lower concentrations of polyphenols. The replacement did not affect in vitro gas production and decreased (p < 0.05) methane production and CP degradability. Treatments did not affect feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and diet's nutritive value measured as starch value, total digestible nutrient, digestible energy, and apparent digestible crude protein. The NSM50 and NSM75 treatments increased (p < 0.001) total weight gain and daily gain compared to the control treatment, with lower feed conversion values associated with the NSM75 treatment. Treatments decreased cholesterol (p = 0.028) and high-density lipoprotein (p = 0.029) and increased antioxidant activity. Higher economic efficiencies were observed with the NSM75 followed by NSM50 and then NSM100 treatments. It is concluded that replacing 75% of SBM with NSM enhanced feed conversion and economic efficiency.

Analysis of differences in the rumen microbiome and metabolic function in prepartum dairy cows with different body condition scores

BackgroundThe rumen is a crucial digestive organ for dairy cows. The rumen microbiota assists in the digestion of plant feed through microbe-mediated fermentation, during which the plant feed is transformed into nutrients for the cow's use. Variations in the composition and function of the rumen microbiome affect the energy utilization efficiency of dairy cows, which is one of the reasons for the varying body condition scores (BCSs). This study focused on prepartum Holstein dairy cows to analyze differences in rumen microbiota and metabolites among cows with different BCSs. Twelve prepartum dairy cows were divided into two groups, low BCS (LBCS, BCS = 2.75, n = 6) and high BCS (HBCS, BCS = 3.5, n = 6), to explore differences in microbial composition and metabolites.ResultsIn the HBCS group, the genera within the phylum Firmicutes exhibited stronger correlations and greater abundances. Phyla such as Firmicutes, Patescibacteria, Acidobacteriota, Euryarchaeota, and Desulfobacterota, in addition to most of their constituent microbial groups, were significantly more abundant in the HBCS group than in the LBCS group. At the genus level, the abundances of Anaerovibrio, Veillonellaceae_UCG_001, Ruminococcus_gauvreauii_group, Blautia, Eubacterium, Prevotellaceae_YAB2003_group, Schwartzia, and Halomonas significantly increased in the HBCS group. The citrate cycle, involved in carbohydrate metabolism, exhibited a significant enrichment trend, with a notable increase in the abundance of its key substrate, citrate, in the HBCS group. This increase was significantly positively correlated with the differential bacterial genera.ConclusionIn this study, prepartum dairy cows with higher BCS exhibited greater abundance of Firmicutes. This study provides theoretical support for microbiological research on dairy cows with different BCSs and suggests that regulating the rumen microbiome could help maintain prepartum dairy cows within an optimal BCS range.

Protein supplementation during mid-gestation affects maternal voluntary feed intake, performance, digestibility,and uterine blood flow of beef cows.

This study aimed to assess the impact of protein supplementation and its interaction with calf sex (CS) on the performance, metabolismand physiology of pregnant beef cows. Fifty-two multiparous Zebu beef cows carrying female (n = 22) and male (n = 30) fetuses were used. Cows were individually housed from day 100 to 200 of gestation and randomly assigned to restricted (RES, n = 26) or supplemented (SUP, n = 26) groups. The RES cows were ad libitum fed a basal diet (corn silage + sugarcane bagasse + mineral mixture), achieving 5.5% crude protein (CP), while SUP cows received the same basal diet plus a protein supplement (40% CP, at 3.5 g/kg of body weight). All cows were fed the same diet during late gestation. Differences were declared at p < 0.05. No significant interaction between maternal nutrition and calf sex was found for maternal outcomes (p ≥ 0.34). The SUP treatment increased the total dry matter (DM) intake (p ≤ 0.01) by 32% and 19% at mid- and late-gestationrespectively. The total tract digestibility of all diet components was improved by SUP treatment at day 200 of gestation (p ≤ 0.02), as well as the ruminal microbial CP production (p ≤ 0.01). The SUP treatment increased (p ≤ 0.03) the cows'body score condition, ribeye area, the average daily gain (ADG) of pregnant components (PREG; i.e., weight accretion of cows caused by pregnancy)and the ADG of maternal tissues (i.e., weight accretion discounting the gain related to gestation) in the mid-gestation. The SUP cows exhibited a lower maternal ADG (p < 0.01) compared to RES cows in late pregnancy. There was a 24% additional gain (p < 0.01) in the PREG components for SUP cows during late gestation, which in turn improved the calf birthweight (p = 0.05). The uterine arterial resistance and pulsatility indexes (p ≤ 0.01) at mid-gestation were greater for RES cows. In conclusion, protein supplementation during mid-gestation is an effective practice for improving maternal performance, growth of the gravid uterusand the offspring's birth weight.

Effect of replacing cottonseed meal with fenugreek seed meal on feed intake, digestibility, growth, blood parameters and economics of fattening lambs

The aim of the present experiment was to evaluate the partial or complete replacement of cotton seed meal (CSM) with fenugreek seed meal (FSM) on chemical composition, in vitro ruminal fermentation, the growth performance and economic efficiency of growing lambs. Thirty-two male Ossimi lambs weighing 42±0.7 kg, and 210±7 d were divided randomly into four experimental groups of eight lambs each. Lambs were fed four diets containing 40 % berseem clover and 60 % concentrate feed mixture. Cotton seed meal was replaced with FSM at 0 % (FSM0; control treatment), 50 % (FSM50 treatment), 75 % (FSM75 treatment) or 100 % (FSM100 treatment). The experiment was lasted for 105 d consisting of 15 d for adaptation and 90 days for measurements. The replacement did not affect crude protein (CP) or gross energy (GE) of the diets. However, the concentrations of individual amino acids and polyphenols differed between CSM and FSM. Diets containing FSM reduced the in vitro methane production (P=0.024) by 30–41.1 %, and nutrient degradability (P<0.05). The highest DM intake was observed (quadratic effect, P<0.001) with lambs fed the FSM50 diet (1.68 kg DM), which also showed the highest final body weight (65.5 kg) (quadratic effect, P=0.045), total weight gain (22.6 kg) (quadratic effect, P=0.034), and daily weight gain (251.1 g) (quadratic effect, P=0.033). Higher organic matter digestibility (∼ 69.4 %) was observed (quadratic effect, P=0.016) with the lambs of FSM50 treatment (P<0.05). Replacing CSM with FSM linearly increased (P=0.024) blood antioxidant activity and decreased blood cholesterol (P=0.022), triglycerides (P=0.035) and high-density lipoprotein (P=0.034) compared to the control treatment. The highest relative percentage of net revenue was observed with the FSM50 diet (131 %) while the lowest one was observed (P=0.011) with the FSM100 diet (92.9 %). It is concluded that CSM can be replaced with FSM at 50 % in diets of growing lambs for better performance and economic efficiency.

Assessment of the Proximate and Mineral Compositions of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extracts, the Carcass and Eggs of African Clariid Catfish, Heterobranchus bidorsalis

The need to optimize feed efficiency, feed digestibility and improve metabolism, growth, and reproductive performance of fish has necessitated the use of phytogenic feed additives in aquaculture. A Study was carried out to assess the Proximate and mineral compositions of aqueous and ethanolic Moringa oleifera leave extracts (AMOLE and EMOLE respectively) according to standard procedures. Consequently, these two extracts were used to formulate test diets containing 0.00/100g (control), 1.0g/100g, 2.0g/100g and 3.0g/100g inclusion levels. H. bidorsalis samples (n=216; 800.00+150.00g; 37.50±1.5cm) were randomly distributed in triplicate into 24 concrete tanks of size 6m x 4m x1.3m in a completely randomized 2x4 factorial design and fed at 5% body weight twice daily for 16 weeks. The proximate and mineral compositions of the diets was determined while the carcass and the eggs nutrients compositions were subsequently assessed. The proximate composition of the eggs were significantly higher in crude protein contents than the CP in the MOLE (34.14±0.05), AMOLE (38.84±0.17) and EMOLE (38.44±0.07) diets and the Carcass (37.46±0.28) with range (72.32±0.41 (control) - 78.78±0.58 % (3.0/100g)) while the ash (1.44±0.10 (3g/100g - 2.41±0.10% (control)) and ether (2.88±0.09 (3.0/100g) - 3.25±0.9% (control) ) contents where significantly lower than the highest contents of ash (20.01±0.27%) recorded in fish fed 2.0/100g AMOLE diet and (7.94±0.05%) ether recorded in the control diet. Aqueous extraction method had the highest significant (P&lt;0.05) retention of mineral concentrations: Ca (21.04), P (14.89), Mg (16.40), Na (23.33), K (65.57), Fe (10.67), Cu (6.48) and Zn (5.55) compare to ethanolic extraction method: Ca (2.87), P (12.65), Mg (7.65), Na (19.24), K (13.76), Fe (9.07), Cu (2.40) and Zn (2.32). For the carcass, only Manganese, Iron and Copper compositions were significant (P&lt;0.05) among all treatment groups and the control. These findings have far reaching nutritional importance in the healthcare system and will help to address undernutrition in fish broodstock management in a cost effective manner. Thus, the use of M. oleifera leaves extracts as phytogenic feed additives and nutrients booster should be encouraged and sustained towards sustainable aquaculture development.

Characteristics of rumen microbiota and Prevotella isolates found in high propionate and low methane-producing dairy cows.

Ruminal methane production is the main sink for metabolic hydrogen generated during rumen fermentation, and is a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. Individual ruminants exhibit varying methane production efficiency; therefore, understanding the microbial characteristics of low-methane-emitting animals could offer opportunities for mitigating enteric methane. Here, we investigated the association between rumen fermentation and rumen microbiota, focusing on methane production, and elucidated the physiological characteristics of bacteria found in low methane-producing cows. Thirteen Holstein cows in the late lactation stage were fed a corn silage-based total mixed ration (TMR), and feed digestion, milk production, rumen fermentation products, methane production, and rumen microbial composition were examined. Cows were classified into two ruminal fermentation groups using Principal component analysis: low and high methane-producing cows (36.9 vs. 43.2 L/DMI digested) with different ruminal short chain fatty acid ratio [(C2+C4)/C3] (3.54 vs. 5.03) and dry matter (DM) digestibility (67.7% vs. 65.3%). However, there were no significant differences in dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production between both groups. Additionally, there were differences in the abundance of OTUs assigned to uncultured Prevotella sp., Succinivibrio, and other 12 bacterial phylotypes between both groups. Specifically, a previously uncultured novel Prevotella sp. with lactate-producing phenotype was detected, with higher abundance in low methane-producing cows. These findings provide evidence that Prevotella may be associated with low methane and high propionate production. However, further research is required to improve the understanding of microbial relationships and metabolic processes involved in the mitigation of enteric methane.

Investigating the efficacy of purified tannin extracts from underutilized temperate forages in reducing enteric methane emissions in vitro

The study investigated how the concentration and composition of purified tannin extracts, at various inclusion rates, affect the ruminal in vitro fermentation parameters. Tannin extracts were isolated from four different forage species: birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), sulla (Hedysarum coronarium), big trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus), and salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor). Plants extracts were purified by Sephadex LH-20 gel chromatography and analyzed by UPLC–ESI–MS/MS. The results showed a large variation among the extracts from different species in terms of tannin composition and structural features. The extracts from salad burnet were dominated by hydrolysable tannins, comprising mainly ellagitannins. The extracts derived from sulla and big trefoil contained predominantly proanthocyanidins (PA), primarily composed of prodelphinidins with high mean degree of polymerisation (mDP). Birdsfoot trefoil extracts comprised procyanidin-rich PAs with low mDP. To determine whether the combined presence of tannins and flavonoid together lead to synergistic or antagonistic effects, the tannin extracts were incubated both with or without rutin at concentrations of 10, 20, and 30 g/kg DM, using a base substrate of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, control). In general, all the tannin extracts decreased methane (CH4) production compared to the control, while no significant effect of rutin was observed on both gas (GP) and CH4 production, neither pure, nor in the simultaneous presence of tannins. The highest CH4 reduction (15%, at 30 g/kg DM) was observed from sulla and big trefoil extracts compared to control, but this was also supplemented with a concomitant reduction in GP (11%) indicating a reduction in feed digestibility. The extracts from birdsfoot trefoil and salad burnet reduced CH4 by up to 12% without significantly reducing GP, indicating the importance of tannin composition on ruminal fermentation.

Effects of Salinity Levels of Drinking Water on Water Intake and Loss, Feed Utilization, Body Weight, Thermoregulatory Traits, and Blood Constituents in Growing and Mature Blackhead Ogaden Sheep and Somali Goats.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of drinking water salinity levels on water intake and loss, feed intake and digestion, body weight (BW), thermoregulation, and blood characteristics on growing and mature (18.8 ± 0.39 and 21.8 ± 0.40 kg BW, and 0.6-1 and 1.5-2 years of age, respectively) Blackhead Ogaden sheep and Somali goats. The animals were assigned to a 4 (water salinity) × 2 (sheep and goat species) × 2 (growing and mature animals) factorial arrangement for the 60-day experimental period and 10-day digestibility determination. Water treatments were fresh water (FRW) and low (SW-L), moderate (SW-M), and high (SW-H) levels of salinity (i.e., the addition of NaCl to obtain 10, 13.5, and 17 g of total dissolved salts (TDSs)/L, respectively). The salinity of drinking water did not affect feed intake, BW, thermoregulatory traits (respiration rate, rectal temperature, and heart rate), or blood parameters (p > 0.05); however, drinking water, total water intake, urine excretion, and total water loss increased (p < 0.01) while apparent dry matter digestibility decreased quadratically (p < 0.01) with increasing water salinity. Analysis of the interaction between water treatment and species showed that PCV (p = 0.059) and hemoglobin (p = 0.070) levels tended to be higher in sheep than in goats drinking FRW, and AST activities were greater (p = 0.036) in goats consuming SW-M than in sheep consuming water with the same salinity level. In conclusion, increasing the salinity level of drinking water by adding NaCl to up to 17 g/L of TDSs had no adverse effect on the water intake, feed intake, BW, and health status of growing and mature Blackhead Ogaden sheep and Somali goats.

Study of Fauna and Ecology of Species Belonging to Entodynimorpha in the Regions of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic

Rumen Protozoa are strictly anaerobic and highly specialized ciliates and can live only in the rumen and similar habitats. These Ciliata play an important role in feed utilization and indicate the environmental impact (methane emissions and nitrogen excretion) of ruminant production. Digestion of feed in ruminants depends on the life activity of microorganisms. Without their help, ruminants could not assimilate cellulose with simple non-protein compounds. These microorganisms located in rumen decompose the organic substances in the feed and form volatile fatty acids, ammonia, amino acids, which animals use for their development and reproduction. In the rumen of domesticated cattle and sheep, rumen cilia constitute 20-50% of the total microbial biomass. Rumen Ciliata develop symbiotic relationships with their animal hosts and both symbiotic and predator-prey relationships with other members of the rumen microbiota. The lack of axenic cultures of rumen Ciliata has forced researchers to use other methods to determine the metabolism and functions of rumen Protozoa, such as comparing rumen fermentation and microbial profiles of faunal and non-ciliated cattle or sheep or using in vitro cultures.

Optimising seafood nutritional value and environmental sustainability in aquaculture through a novel integrated modelling tool applicable to IMTA and monoculture

Aquaculture policies that decrease the reliance on wild-caught fish and promote integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) both aim to lessen the environmental footprint but often overlook economic-environmental trade-offs and neglect social, health, and broad-scale sustainability considerations. Here we present a new bio-physical model (FYNE) that bridges some of these gaps, by linking farm operational choices, such as feed choices and farm siting, with the nutritional value of the farm-gate seafood products and the resulting environmental eutrophication footprint at the farm level. The FYNE model operates both in conditions of monoculture or of IMTA production, and estimates feed composition effects on growth and omega-3 fatty acid content of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), and nitrogen and carbon concentrations, the latter being a measure of the environmental eutrophication footprint of the farm. The model here developed integrates for the first time (i) an ecosystem model of an IMTA and (ii) a fatty acid dynamics model, with new models for salmon feed digestibility and mussel ingestion. The outputs span (i) production analysis for simulation of biomass; (ii) farm mass-balance analysis on deposition analysis and environmental eutrophication footprint; and (iii) product nutritional quality, in terms of fatty acid content. An application of the model to an IMTA farm in Scotland (UK) demonstrates how fatty acid and environmental changes can be modelled in tandem and could be used to support the industry to optimize the nutritional value of cultured species and manage aquatic environmental eutrophication footprint at farm level, informing feed and siting decisions. The model effectively predicts changes in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA and EPA, in response to variations in feed composition. Notably, our results confirm that salmon waste has limited influence on mussel growth due to the spatial separation within the IMTA system, which emphasizes the need for strategic siting to enhance system productivity through effective waste recycling. Additionally, results show that while increasing fishmeal in diets enhances environmental outcomes, it reduces levels of critical fatty acids like DHA and EPA, underscoring the need for balanced feed formulations. The method developed in this study described a novel integrated model (FYNE) that extend previous modelling work by incorporating the influence of farmed species feed composition on fatty acid dynamics as well as the farming environmental factors.

45 Awardee Talk: Investigation of the nutritional and functional roles of a combinational use of xylanase and β-glucanase on intestinal health and growth of nursery pigs

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the intestinal health and growth performance of nursery pigs affected by dietary supplementation of increasing levels of xylanase and b-glucanase combinations. Pigs [n = 40; initial body weight (BW) = 6.5 ± 0.4 kg] were assigned to 5 dietary treatments and fed for 35 d in 3 phases (11, 9, and 15 d, respectively). Basal diets mainly included corn, soybean meal, and distiller’s dried grains with solubles with phytase (750 FTU/kg) supplemented with 5 levels of xylanase and b-glucanase combinations (NSPase) at 1) 0, 2) 280 TXU/kg xylanase and 125 TGU/kg b-glucanase, 3) 560 and 250, 4) 840 and 375, or 5) 1,120 and 500, respectively. Growth performance and fecal score were measured for each phase. On d 35, all pigs were euthanized and collected jejunal mucosa, jejunal digesta, jejunal tissues, and ileal digesta to determine the effects of increasing NSPase levels (%) and NSPase intake on jejunal mucosa-associated microbiota, jejunal digesta viscosity, immune responses, intestinal morphology, feed digestibility, and growth performance. Increasing NSPase level quadratically decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) Bacteroidetes (min: 0.7% at 636 TXU/kg and 284 TGU/kg), Prevotellaceae (min: 0.6% at 630 TXU/kg and 281 TGU/kg) in the jejunal mucosa. Increasing NSPase intake quadratically increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) Firmicutes (max: 72.7% at 604 TXU/kg and 270 TGU/kg), Lactobacillaceae (max: 40.3% at 608 TXU/kg and 271 TGU/kg), and Lactobacillus (max: 40.3% at 608 TXU/kg and 271 TGU/kg) in the jejunal mucosa. Increasing NSPase intake also quadratically decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) Proteobacteria (min: 3.8% at 562 TXU/kg and 251 TGU/kg), Helicobacteraceae (min: 1.6% at 560 TXU/kg and 250 TGU/kg), and Helicobacter (min: 1.6% at 560 TXU/kg and 250 TGU/kg) in the jejunal mucosa. Increasing NSPase intake tended to quadratically decrease (P = 0.059) viscosity of jejunal digesta reaching the minimum (1.74 mPa·s) at 751 TXU/kg and 335 TGU/kg. Increasing NSPase level tended to linearly decrease (P = 0.073) jejunal IgG and tended to quadratically increase (P = 0.085) jejunal villus height to crypt depth ratio reaching the maximum (2.62) at 560 TXU/kg and 250 TGU/kg. Increasing NSPase intake tended to linearly increase the apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter (P = 0.087) and ether extract (P = 0.065). Increasing NSPase intake linearly increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) average daily gain (ADG). In conclusion, increasing the combinational use of xylanase and β-glucanase positively modulated jejunal mucosa-associated microbiota, reduced jejunal digesta viscosity, reduced intestinal humoral immune response, enhanced villus morphology, increased ileal digestibility of nutrients, and increased growth of nursery pigs. The beneficial effects were maximized when xylanase and β-glucanase were supplemented at a range of 550 to 800 TXU/kg and 246 to 357 TGU/kg, respectively.

Modulation of chicken gut microbiota for enhanced productivity and health: A review.

Microbiota in the digestive tract has become an interesting topic for researchers in recent years. The profile of chicken digestive tract microbiota and its relationship with health and production efficiency have become basic data for modulating the diversity and abundance of the digestive tract microbiota. This article reviews the techniques used to analyze the diversity, role, and function of the gastrointestinal microbiota and the mechanisms by which they are modulated. The gut microbiota plays an important role in animal production, especially during feed digestion and animal health, because it interacts with the host against pathogens. Feed modulation can be a strategy to modulate gut composition and diversity to increase production efficiency by improving growth conditions.

In vivo study: The effects of Carica pubescens seed extract on the anthelmintic activity, feed digestibility, performance, and clinical parameters of thin-tailed sheep

This research serves to follow up on the results of an in vivo study of the administration of aqueous seed extract (ASE) of Carica pubescens waste on the performance and health parameters of thin-tailed sheep. This research was conducted at Al Baihaqi farm in Kediri, East Java. Thirty-two thin-tailed sheep aged 12 months were randomly given four treatments with P0 = negative control, P1 = 2.5% ASE, P2 = 5% ASE, and P4 = positive control (Albendazole). This study used sheep that were naturally exposed to Haemonchus contortus (from the farmer’s field) with the epg qualification being above 1000. The in vivo study was carried out for 9 weeks with the administration of Carica seed extract on the initial 7 days in a row, and the positive control was given Albendazole once on the seventh day. The number of ASE grants was based on the average fluid in the abomasum per kg of body weight. The feed design used in this study was wheat bran and Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott according to the livestock’s needs. The data taken in this study were the feed consumption, digestibility, average daily gain, percent fecal egg count reduction, body condition score, and clinical parameters. The results showed that the FECR, ADG, and clinical parameters (AST and ALT) (P>0.05) underwent significant changes to support good performance while the BUN, creatinine, feed consumption, and digestibility were normal. This study indicates that ASE of up to 5% can be used as an anthelmintic alternative and support the recovery of sheep performance.

The use of fishery and aquaculture by-products with Nannochloropsis sp. allows total dietary replacement of wild-caught fishmeal, fish oil and soy protein in European sea bass juveniles

Five experimental diets (CTRL, 50FMFO, 50FMFO-50MIC, 0FMFO-50MIC, 0FMFO-100MIC) were formulated to replace wild-caught fishmeal (FM), wild-caught fish oil (FO) and soy protein using fisheries, aquaculture by-products (BP) and microalgae (MIC). Fifty European sea bass juveniles were distributed in 15 tanks (initial body weight 46.66 ± 0.04 g) and reared in a recirculating aquaculture system for 88 days. Temperature, salinity, oxygen and photoperiod were kept constant throughout the experiment (22 ± 0.5 °C, 25 g L−1 and 8.0 ± 1.0 mg L−1, 12:12 light/dark, respectively). Growth, feed intake (FI), proximal composition, nutritional index, apparent digestibility, somatometric indexes, blood plasma biochemistry and digestive enzyme activity were evaluated. Also, gut microbiota composition was assessed through next-generation sequencing. Results showed that growth performance and feed digestibility were not affected by FM, FO and soy replacement using BP and MIC. Dietary replacement of 100% FM and FO with circular substitutes and 50% replacement of soymeal with microalgae increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase and chymotrypsin. Moreover, the inclusion of BP and MIC had positive effects on the gut microbiota richness and abundance. In conclusion, the utilization of BP and MIC represents a valuable alternative to FM and FO as well as soy protein in feed for European sea bass juveniles.

The addition of curcumin to the diet of post-weaning dairy calves: effects on ruminal fermentation, immunological, and oxidative responses.

Incorporating Curcumin into animal diets holds significant promise for enhancing both animal health and productivity, with demonstrated positive impacts on antioxidant activity, anti-microbial responses. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether adding Curcumin to the diet of dairy calves would influence ruminal fermentation, hematologic, immunological, oxidative, and metabolism variables. Fourteen Jersey calves were divided into a control group (GCON) and a treatment group (GTRA). The animals in the GTRA received a diet containing 65.1mg/kg of dry matter (DM) Curcumin (74% purity) for an experimental period of 90 days. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 15, 45, and 90. Serum levels of total protein and globulins were higher in the GTRA group (P < 0.05) than the GCON group. In the GTRA group, there was a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß and IL-6) (P < 0.05) and an increase in IL-10 (which acts on anti-inflammatory responses) (P < 0.05) when compared to the GCON. There was a significantly higher (P < 0.05) concentration of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the serum of the GTRA than the GCON. A Treatment × Day interaction was observed for haptoglobin levels, which were higher on day 90 in animals that consumed Curcumin than the GCON (P < 0.05). The catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in GTRA, reducing lipid peroxidation when compared to the GCONT. Hematologic variables did not differ significantly between groups. Among the metabolic variables, only urea was higher in the GTRA group when compared to the GCON. Body weight and feed efficiency did not differ between groups (meaning the percentage of apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). There was a tendency (P = 0.09) for treatment effect and a treatment x day interaction (P = 0.05) for levels of short-chain fatty acids in rumen fluid, being lower in animals that consumed curcumin. There was a treatment vs. day interaction (P < 0.05) for the concentration of acetate in the rumen fluid (i.e., on day 45, had a reduction in acetate; on day 90, values were higher in the GTRA group when compared to the GCON). We conclude that there was no evidence in the results from this preliminary trial that Curcumin in the diet of dairy calves interfered with feed digestibility. Curcumin may have potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune effects that may be desirable for the production system of dairy calves.

Supplementation of Alternanthera sissoo pellets on feed digestion, rumen fermentation, and protozoal population in Thai native beef cattle

The objective of this experiment was to study the effects of Brazilian spinach (Alternanthera sissoo) pellet (BSP) supplementation on rumen fermentation, protozoal population, and methane (CH4) estimation in beef cattle. Four male Thai native beef cattle, 3 years old, with an average bodyweight of 180 ± 5 kg, were randomly arranged in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The cattle were supplemented (on-top) with four levels of BSP (2, 4, 6, and 8% dry matter intake (DMI), respectively). The roughage component, derived from rice straw, was fed at 40 % of DMI, while the concentrate diet was fed at 60 % of DMI. The result of the experiment demonstrated that BSP supplementation had no effect on the DMI, nutrient intake, or nutrient digestibility (p > 0.05). Rumen pH and ammonia-nitrogen concentration were not significant, while the average protozoal population linearly decreased (p = 0.002) with BSP supplementation. Mean blood urea-nitrogen concentration was linearly increased (p = 0.004) when increasing the level of BSP. Brazilian spinach pellet had no significant effect on total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), VFA profiles, and CH4 estimation (p > 0.05). Nitrogen balance was no different from the supplementation of BSP. The study indicates that Brazilian spinach pellet supplementation showed no noticeable effects on feed intake, rumen parameters, and nitrogen utilization; however, at 6–8% of DMI, there was a decrease in protozoal population, with no corresponding reduction in CH4 estimation.

Silkworm Hemolymph and Cocoon Metabolomics Reveals Valine Improves Feed Efficiency of Silkworm Artificial Diet.

Artificial silkworm diets significantly impact farm profitability. Sustainable cocoon production depends on the continuous improvement of feed efficiency to reduce costs and nutrient losses in the feed. This study used metabolomics to explore the differences in silkworm cocoons and hemolymph under two modes of rearing: an artificial diet and a mulberry-leaf diet. Nine metabolites of silkworm cocoons and hemolymph in the mulberry-leaf group were higher than those in the artificial-diet group. Enrichment analysis of the KEGG pathways for these metabolites revealed that they were mainly enriched in the valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis and degradation pathways. Hence, the artificial silkworm diet was supplemented various concentrations of valine were supplemented to with the aim of examining the impact of valine on their feeding and digestion of the artificial diet. The results indicated that valine addition had no significant effect on feed digestibility in the fifth-instar silkworm. Food intake in the 2% and 4% valine groups was significantly lower than that in the 0% valine group. However, the 2% and 4% valine groups showed significantly improved cocoon-production efficiency, at 11.3% and 25.1% higher, respectively. However, the cocoon-layer-production efficiencies of the 2% and 4% valine groups decreased by 7.7% and 13.9%, respectively. The research confirmed that valine is an effective substance for enhancing the feed efficiency of silkworms.

Effects of powdered Monosodium Glutamate (MGS) on growth performance, feed digestibility, haematology and carcass characteristics of Weaner rabbits in northern Ghana

Effects of powdered Monosodium Glutamate (MGS) on growth performance, feed digestibility, haematology and carcass characteristics of Weaner rabbits in northern Ghana

Types of Tropical Legume Leaf Meal in Dietary Concentrate Increased the Production of Forage-finished Beef Bali Cattle

The objective of this experiment was to assess the production responses of forage-finished beef Bali cattle fed concentrated feed containing different types of leaf meal tropical legumes. Sixteen forage-finished male beef Bali cattle (Bos javanicus) with an average body weight of 175.20±27.85 kg and aged 1.5-2.5 years were raised for 54 days for data collection. A randomized completely block design was used, which consisted of four dietary treatments and four replicates. The dietary treatments, which were formulated to be isonitrogenous to provide 120 g/kg dry matter (DM) crude protein, included Cipelang grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Taiwan) as a basal diet (Con) or a control supplemented with a dietary concentrate containing either leaf meal of Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) 54.57% (Gliri), Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) 55.59% (Leu) or Moringa (Moringa oleifera) 40.85% (Mor). The feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), digestibility and blood parameters were measured. The results showed that legume leaf meal supplementation significantly increased (P&lt;0.05) feed intake, ADG, digestibility, haemoglobin and total leucocytes, while FCR was not affected (P&gt;0.05). The highest ADG was recorded for Leu and Mor cattle, which was in line with the highest feed intake. In conclusion, forage-finished beef Bali cattle fed Cipelang grass as a basal diet grew faster when supplemented with dietary concentrate containing Moringa or Leucaena leaf meal.

Pulsed electric field (PEF) processing of microalga Chlorella vulgaris and its digestibility in broiler feed

Microalgae have potentially beneficial effects on animal health and nutritional value when added to feed. Crucial hereby is that intracellular bio-active molecules are released in the intestinal tract. Digestibility of Chlorella vulgaris and its impact on total digestibility of broiler feed is a first step in assessing its characteristics as feed supplement. Different methods could be used to increase the digestibility of the algae. Among other, pulsed electric field (PEF) and freezing to disrupt autotrophic (A) and heterotrophic (H) Chlorella vulgaris cells was assessed to increase their availability followed by in-vivo trials. In these trials effect of algae type (A and H) and effect of PEF-processing was evaluated on the apparent nutrient digestibility. Pulsed electric field showed to have a disruption efficiency of 83.90% and 79.20% for heterotrophic and autotrophic C. vulgaris respectively. Freezing C. vulgaris only showed efficiencies ranging from 3.86 to 11.58%. In the in-vivo trials, microscopic counting of intact C. vulgaris cells showed an increase in digested intact C. vulgaris cells of PEF-processed C. vulgaris compared to nonprocessed cells ranging from 12.16% to 15.20%. Autotrophic C. vulgaris had a higher digestibility compared to heterotrophic C. vulgaris, with an increase of 7.29, 9.44, and 17.29% in digestibility of C. vulgaris in the 1, 2, and 5% feed respectively. Feeds with PEF-processed C. vulgaris showed no significant increase in digestibility compared to nonprocessed C. vulgaris supplemented feeds. The 5% C. vulgaris feeds showed lower fat digestibility than the 1 and 2% and control feeds. Protein digestibility was lower for all C. vulgaris feeds compared to the control feed. There was a significant linear decreasing effect (P < 0.001) for all digestibility parameters. Except for crude ash digestibility, which first lowered for the 1 and 2% feeds, but then increased at 5% inclusion. Considering this study, including low dosages of 1 and 2% of C. vulgaris in broiler feed does not compromise its digestibility.