Feed Utilization Values Research Articles

Evaluation of Gamma Aminobutyric Acid and Sodium Butyrate in Juvenile Red Seabream (Pagrus major) Diets Containing Graded Levels of Fish Meal and Soy Protein Concentrate.

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the supplementary effects of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and sodium butyrate (SB) when a graded level of fish meal (FM) was replaced with soy protein concentrate (SPC) in diets for juvenile red seabream (Pagrus major). A control diet was designed to contain 60% FM (F60). Two other diets were formulated by reducing FM levels to 40% and 20% with SPC (F40 and F20). Six more diets were formulated by adding 0.02% GABA or 0.2% SB to each F60, F40 and F20 diets (F60G, F60S, F40G, F40S, F20G and F20S). Each diet was randomly assigned to a triplicate group of fish (5.52 g/fish) and provided for eight weeks. Final body weight, weight gain and specific growth rate of fish fed F60G, F60S, F40G and F40S diets were comparable and significantly higher (p < 0.05) than other groups. The growth of fish fed SB-containing diets was significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to fish fed the respective control diets. The feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratios were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the fish fed all diets containing 60% and 40% FM compared to F20 and F20G groups. The F40S diet resulted in the highest feed utilization values. The F20S group exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.05) feed utilization than the F20 and F20G groups. Serum lysozyme activity was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in fish fed the GABA- and SB-containing diets compared to the F20 group. The F60S group exhibited the highest lysozyme activity which was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the F20 and F40 groups. Therefore, the growth performance, feed utilization and innate immunity of red seabream can be enhanced by dietary supplementation with GABA or SB in low-FM diets containing SPC. The FM level in the juvenile red seabream diet can be reduced to 40% with SPC and GABA or SB while maintaining performance better than a diet containing 60% FM.

Effects of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics as an Alternative to Antibiotics on Growth and Blood Profile of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and their synergism against antibiotics on the growth performance and hematology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The study was designed by using five treatments over 75 days in which TCon (control), TAnt (antibiotics: Cotrim vet), TPro (commercial probiotics: pond care), TPre (prebiotics: spirulina), and TSyn (synbiotic: probiotic and prebiotic) were used. All the treatments showed significant ( P &lt; 0.05) improvements in growth and feed utilization parameters. The highest mean final growth was found in TSyn (13.79 ± 0.11) and then in TPre (13.61 ± 0.02), TPro (13.22 ± 0.12), TAnt (10.04 ± 0.7), and TCon (8.89 ± 0.19). Weight gain and specific growth rate were significantly ( P &lt; 0.05) different between treatments. The food conversion ratio varied significantly ( P &lt; 0.05) across treatments and the lowest value was observed in TPro (1.13 ± 0.021). The protein efficiency ratio (PER) was significantly ( P &lt; 0.05) different between treatments and the highest value was in TPro (3.1 ± 0.05). The survival rate was not significantly ( P &lt; 0.05) different between treatments. The highest white blood cell (WBC) counts were found in TSyn (12.63 ± 0.11) followed by TPre (12.6 ± 0.2), TPro (12.32 ± 0.12), TCon (12.16 ± 0.105), and TAnt (11.03 ± 0.46). The values of red blood cells and platelets were not statistically significant ( P &lt; 0.05) among the different treatments. However, all treatments showed normal hepatocyte structure in liver tissue histology, and intense hepatic lipid vacuoles in TSyn indicated improved growth. The higher growth performance and feed utilization values were observed in probiotics, prebiotics, and their synergism units compared to antibiotic treatment. Therefore, probiotics, prebiotics, and their synergism can be used as an alternative to antibiotics in tilapia aquaculture.

Dietary replacement of Undaria pinnatifida by Sargassum horneri in feed formulation for abalone Haliotis discus hannai: Effect on growth, gut microbiota, and taste sensory profile

The necessity for additional macroalgal biomass is warranted amid the ongoing expansion of abalone aquaculture. In the current study, an in-depth investigation of the food value of Sargassum horneri as a replacement for Undaria pinnatifida on growth, body composition, body histology, gut microbiota, and the taste sensory profile of abalone Haliotis discus hannai was carried out. After a 12-week feeding trial, the results indicated that 25% replacement (SH25) induced the highest shell-growth performance and best feed utilization values, although there was no significant difference in weight-related growth parameters with the basal (no inclusion of S. horneri) and 50% replacement (SH50) diets. Interestingly, the highest protein content was detected in abalone fed the basal diet followed by SH25 and SH50. The high replacement of S. horneri in the diet showed signs of structural integrity loss in the digestive gland. The results from the pyrosequencing of the genomic DNA from the gut of the abalone indicated an insignificant difference in α-diversity parameters and only a clear boundary was observed between SH0 and SH100 diets based on principal coordinate analysis. The bacterial genera Psychrilobacter, Vibrio, and Mycoplasma predominantly occupied the gut of the abalone, although there is a difference in their relative abundance. The taste screening experiment through the use of an electronic tongue showed a comparable taste profile of the abalone and is independent of the diets given. The findings of the present study showed that S. horneri, up to 50% replacement of macroalgal ingredients, can be utilized in feed formulation for H. discus hannai. These, in turn, contribute to the expanding knowledge on the utilization of biofouling and non-traditional macroalgae for sustainable abalone aquaculture practices.

THE EFFECT OF SODIUM HYDROXIDE SPRAY TREATMENTS OF MAIZE COBS ON CONSUMPTION AND DIGESTIBILITY BY THE WEST AFRICAN DWARF SHEEP

A Sodium Hydroxide spray treatment of ground maize cobs was evaluated in a feeding trial with West African Dwarf rams. NaOH solution of 6% concentration was sprayed on ground maize cobs at the rate of 50 litres per 100 kg, representing a 3% NaOH treatment level. The treated maize cobs were air dried before being incorporated into the experimental diets. The apparent digestibility coefficients for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF) and gross energy (GE) were significantly higher in the diet containing NaOH — treated maize cobs (diet B) than the diet containing the untreated maize cobs (diet A). Addition of sucrose (purified cane sugar) at 37 level to the NaOH-treated maize cobs (diet C) produced a slight increase in voluntary feed consumption but did not have any significant effect on nutrient digestibility when compared with diet B. Relative intake (RI), nutritive value index (NVI) and digestible energy (DE) intake values were significantly higher in diets B and C. Average daily weight gains were also significantly higher in the diets containing NaOH-treated maize cobs (diets B and C), while the efficiency of feed utilization values were closely related to the daily weight gains.

Effects of vitamin E on growth and reproductive performance of pindani (Pseudotropheus socolofi Johnson, 1974)

With the multibillion dollar worth global market, ornamental fish trade provides important business opportunities to aquaculturist. Pindani (Pseudotropheus socolofi) is one of the most popular freshwater fish species that is cultured for this market. However, we know little about its' nutrition and its' culture suffers from low egg and fry production numbers. Among many different nutritional components, essential vitamins, such as vitamin E, could have important impacts on reproductive performance of fishes. In this study, the effects of different dietary vitamin E levels on growth and reproductive performance of pindani were evaluated through two consecutive experiments, encompassing both juvenile and adult stages. Three different levels of α-tocopherol were incorporated into a commercially formulated diet at the rate of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg. Control diet contained 121.3 mg α-tocopherol/kg. Elevating dietary α-tocopherol level above 121.3 mg/kg did not improve growth or feed utilization values of juvenile or adult pindani. However, reproductive performance of pindani was significantly (P < .05) lower at this dietary α-tocopherol level. The diet supplemented with 100 mg more α-tocopherol/kg significantly (P < .05) improved all reproductive indices, including pre and post larval survival rates. Furthermore, this dietary α-tocopherol level supported the best possible growth in actively spawning adult pindani. Whereas elevating α-tocopherol content of the control diet >100 mg/kg provided no further improvement, but significantly reduced the relative fecundity of females. These results of the study were discussed in relation to dietary PUFA level, degree of parental care and α-tocopherol usage and regeneration balance. At the end, we concluded that a dietary α-tocopherol supplementation level of 219.3 mg/kg in a diet with 9% total lipid and 22.5–24.3% PUFA content could substantially improve the breeding performance of pindani and production efficiency of their culture.

IMPACTS OF USING YEAST, IODINE AND THYROXIN IN SEA BREAM (SPARUS AURATA) DIETS ON FISH PERFORMANCE

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of adding either brewer yeast as a probiotic, iodine or thyroxin with yeast as synbiotics to sea bream (Sparus aurata)fingerlings diets on; growth performance, feed utilization, body composition, biometric measurements indices and some serum constituents of sea bream. Acclimatized fish were randomly distributed in 12 glass aquaria and stocking density was 15 fish per aquarium with an average weight 1.9±0.1 g/fish as triplicate groups per treatment. The 1st group was considered as a control which fed on the basal diet (C). Three tested diets are formulated by adding 2g yeast/kg diet (Y), 2g yeast+0.01g potassium iodide/kg diet (YI) and 2g yeast+0.05 g thyroxin /kg diet (YT4) respectively for second, third and fourth groups. In the present work, addition of yeast with thyroxin followed by yeast alone to sea bream (Sparus aurata) fingerlings diets significantly improve growth performance, feed utilization efficiency and the fish biochemical composition comparing with the control one. The lowest growth performance and feed utilization values were recorded in fish fed diet supplemented with iodine when compared with corresponding values in fish of control group. Results of biometric measurements showed that adding iodine to fish diet significantly reduced gut length. Adding either iodine or thyroxin significantly increased serum lipase and decreased amylase contents.

Evaluation of Adding Potassium Iodide and Thyroxin to Sea bream (Sparus aurata) Fingerlings Diets Containing Fenugreek as a Growth Promoter

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of addition of potassium iodide and thyroxin to sea bream fingerlings diets containing fenugreek as growth promoter on growth performance, feed utilization, body composition, biometric measurements indices, some serum constituents and histological characteristics of sea bream intestine. The 1st group was considered as a control which fed on the basal diet (C) for 84 days. The experiment was designed to determine the effects of using 2% fenugreek/kg diet (F), 2% fenugreek+0.05mg thyroxin/kg diet (FT4), and 2% fenugreek+0.1g potassium iodide /kg diet (Fi). The results of the present study showed that the best growth performance and feed utilization values were recorded in fish fed diets supplemented with F. The lowest growth performance and feed utilization values were recorded in fish fed diet supplemented with iodine when compared with corresponding values in case of C group. Histological analysis showed satisfactory values in F and FT4 groups compared to the control.

Evaluation of Seaweeds Ulva rigida and Pterocladia capillaceaas Dietary Supplements in Nile Tilapia Fingerlings

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of green algae Ulva lactuca and red algae Pterocladia capillacea at 0.0, 2.5 and 5% on growth performance, feed utilization, carcass composition and blood indices of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings. Fish (18.47 ± 1.25 gm) were randomly divided into fifteen aquaria in triplicates and fed diets contained about 29.51% total protein and 4.53 kcal/g gross energy. All the growth performance parameters and feed utilization values of experimental fish were increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) by both of algae supplementation. Diet supplemented with 5% of Ulva lactuca had acceptable growth parameters compared with other diets. Fish fed supplemented diets had slight increases and decreases for carcass protein and lipids without significant differences (P ≥ 0.05). Also, no significant differences (P>0.05) were obtained for serum total protein, albumin and globulin and liver activity. It may be summarized that, algae supplementation especially at 5% of Ulva lactuca level may improves growth parameters and carcass composition without adverse effects on blood metabolites and liver activity.

Effect Some Medicinal Plants Diets on Mono Sex Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Growth Performance, Feed Utilization and Physiological Parameters

Thirteen experimental diets containing 30% crude protein and 438.09 Kcal gross energy/100g were formulated to contain six different medical plants fenugreek meal (FM),Trigonella foenum-graecum; fenugreek sprouts meal (FSM); eucalyptus fresh leaves (EFL), Eucalyptus citriodora; hot pepper meal (HPM) Capsicum frutescens L. var. abbreviatum; thyme seeds meal (TSM) Thymus vulgaris and chamomile flowers meal (CFM), Matricaria recutita Lat three different levels (0.00; 1.00 and 2.00%) from each of such medicinal plant on the growth performance,feed utilization and whole body composition and physiological parameters of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fry. Fish were reared in twenty six glass aquaria with an average initial weight of 0.82 ± 0.3g/fish. The results of the present study illustrated that the averages of growth performance and feed utilization values as affected with medicinal plant sources indicate that FSM showed the highest growth performance and feed utilization values (P≤0.05) followed in a significant decreasing order by fenugreek meal (FM) and eucalyptus fresh leaves (EFL) then by hot pepper meal (HPM)and both Thyme meal (TM) and Chamomile flowers meal (CFM),respectively. Regardless of medicinal plants sources, The analysis of variance for medicinal plant levels (MPL) indicate that supplementation level of 1% revealed significant (P≤0.05) the highest growth performance and feed utilization values followed in a significant (P≤0.05) decreasing order by 0.00 and 2.00% level,respectively. Concerning the interaction between medicinal plants sources and their levels (0.00,1.00 and 2.00%) the highest growth performance and feed utilization values (P≤0.05) were obtained by group 1% FSM (diet No.4),while the lowest was recorded by the group 2% TSM (diet No.11).On the other hand, the interactions between medicinal plants sources and their levels observed the lowest total plasma protein(g/dl), total plasma lipid (g/dl), Hb (g/dl), Ht (%), AST (U/L), ALT (U/L) and uric acid concentrations (mg/dl) parameters were obtained by group 1% FSM (diet No.4),while the highest parameters were recorded by the 2% TSM (diet No.11). In general, and based on the obtained results it could be concluded that addition of 1% LMP to the diet which contain FSM is considered optimal for growth of mono-sex Nile tilapia,O. niloticus,fingerlings without any adverse effect on fish health.

Protein requirements of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry cultured at different salinities

Effect of isolipidic (62.7 ± 5.0 g kg−1) diets with protein levels of 204.6 (T20), 302.3 (T30), 424.6 (T40) or 511.0 g kg−1 (T50) on growth and survival in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus 1758) fry cultured for 70 days at one of four salinities (0, 15, 20 and 25 g L−1) was evaluated. A bifactorial (4 × 4) design was used with 16 treatments run in triplicate and 20 fry (0.25 ± 0.04 g) per replicate under semi-controlled conditions. Four independent, recirculating systems (one per salinity level) were used, each one with 12 circular tanks (70 L capacity), filters and constant aeration. The different salinities had no significant effect on growth. Weight gain improved significantly as dietary protein content increased, although organisms fed the T50 diet had a lower growth rate. Survival was highest (98.33%) in the T50/15 (protein/salinity levels) treatment and lowest (71.0%) in the T20/20 treatment, with no pattern caused by the variables. The T40/25, T40/20 and T50/0 treatments produced the most efficient growth and feed utilization values while the T20 treatments at all the salinities resulted with the lowest performance. With the exception of the T50 treatments, a non-significant tendency to increased weight gain was observed as water salinity increased, suggesting that the salinity of the culture environment does not influence dietary protein requirements in Nile tilapia O. niloticus fry.

Utilization of graded levels of cowpea waste meal in broiler finisher ration

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the performance of broiler finisher fed varying levels of cowpea waste (CWM) as a replacement for groundnut cake (GNC). Five isonitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were formulated using groundnut cake as the reference protein source in the control diet A. In diets B, C, D, and E; 20, 40, 60, and 80 percent of the (GNC) in the control diets A were replaced with cowpea waste meal respectively. The result showed that feed intake, growth and efficiency of feed utilization values were significantly (P<0.05) improved at the 60 percent (diet D) level of GNC replacement. Cost analysis showed that cowpea waste meal substituted diets were profitable as regard total cost of feed per kilogram of live weight gain. Key word: Cowpea waste meal (CWM), feed intake growth rate, Broiler finishers

THE EFFECT OF TREATING COASTAL BERMUDAGRASS PELLETS WITH SODIUM HYDROXIDE AND MONENSIN ON FORAGE UTILIZATION AND GROWTH OF BEEF CALVES

Coastal bermudagrass forage was harvested, treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and (or) monensin, processed into pellets and fed to growing calves. Calves fed bermudagrass pellets that contained monensin gained 12.7% faster (P &lt; 0.05), consumed 1.6% less feed per day (P &gt; 0.05) and required 12.3% less feed per unit of gain (P &lt; 0.05) than control animals. Calves fed NaOH-treated bermudagrass pellets gained 6.1% faster (P &gt; 0.05), consumed 6.4% less feed per day (P &lt; 0.05) and required 11.5% less feed per unit of gain (P &gt; 0.05) than control animals. Treating the forage with the combination of NaOH and monensin resulted in rates of gain similar to the control and NaOH treatment but 17.5% less (P &lt; 0.05) than animals fed monensin-treated forage. Feed intake and feed utilization values for calves fed the NaOH plus monensin-treated forage were intermediate to those obtained with the two treatments used separately. The addition of monensin to dehydrated bermudagrass pellets did not affect (P &gt; 0.05) the apparent digestibility of the forage. The addition of NaOH to the forage meal before pelleting increased the digestibility of the fibrous fractions of the bermudagrass. Treating the forage with a combination of NaOH and monensin before pelleting resulted in digestibility values similar to those obtained from the NaOH treatment without monensin. Key words: Bermudagrass pellets, sodium hydroxide, monensin, forage utilization

Effect of Anthelmintic Treatment on Feedlot Performance of Growing and Finishing Heifers

Thirty-six heifer calves and 24 yearling heifers with natural infections of parasitic nematodes were fed to evaluate the effect of levamisole and morantel tartrate on fecal worm egg counts, growth rate, feed efficiency and apparent digestibility of diets. Treatment with either anthelmintic reduced (P< .01) the fecal worm egg counts (EPG) at 7 days after treatment while counts similar to pretreatment values were still present in nonmedicated heifers. The addition of 5% stabilized animal fat to growing diets had no (P> .05) influence on EPG values. Fecal EPG counts for both nonmedicated and medicated heifers were similar at the end of the finishing trials. Growth rate, feed efficiency and apparent digestibility of diets were not different (P> .05) due to anthelmintic treatment. However, heifers receiving either of the medication treatments gained about 4% faster than nonmedicated heifers which resulted in a trend toward improved feed utilization values.