Feed Gain Ratio Research Articles

Study on mineral, antinutrient and blood parameters of goats fed molasses treated rice husk


 A study on the nutritional potential of rice husk treated with or without molasses was carried out using 25 West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks. Five experimental diets were formulated such that; 0, 1, 2 3 and 4% molasses were incorporated in goat diets and were fermented for 5days before being fed to 25 WAD bucks of 5 replicates per treatment in a Completely Randomized Design experiment for 84 days. Results showed that, dietary treatments had significant (P<0.05) influences in all the parameters observed. Diet 5 had the highest crude protein (11.29%CP) and least crude fibre (26.51% CF). However, the dietary ash varied from 11.29% (Diet 5) to 19.84% (Diet 1). The mineral contents (Ca, P, Mg, K) of the diets progressively increased with increased inclusion of molasses and were adequate to support the growth of goats. The highest values were recorded in Diet 5 except for sodium which declined across the treatment. The anti-nutrients contents observed in this study were least in Diet 5 with exception of phenol which had the highest value (23.66%). Dry matter intake (DMI) varied from 466.86g/day (Diet 5) to 452.47g/day (Diet 1). Meanwhile, CPI increased with increased molasses in the diet. Bucks fed Diet 5 had the best mineral retention values and best daily weight gain (68.00g/day) as (6.86) feed gain ratio was the least. Consequently, treatment of rice husk with molasses at 4% inclusion level could improve the general performance of WAD bucks without any adverse effect on their health status.

Effects of dietary energy and crude protein levels on growth performance, blood profiles, and carcass traits in growing-finishing pigs.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary energy and crude protein (CP) levels on growth performance, blood profiles, and carcass traits in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 180 crossbred pigs ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc) with an average body weight of 30.96 ± 3.068 kg were used for a 12-week feeding trial. Experimental pigs were allotted to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement using a randomized complete block (RCB) design. The first factor was two levels of dietary metabolizable energy (ME) density (13.40 MJ/kg or 13.82 MJ/kg), and the second factor was three dietary CP levels based on subdivision of growing-finishing phases (high: 18%/16.3%/16.3%/13.2% middle: 17%/15.3%/15.3%/12.2% and low: 16%/14.3%/14.3%/11.2%). Average daily gain (ADG) and gain-feed ratio (G:F ratio) decreased as dietary CP level was decreased linearly (linear, p < 0.05; p < 0.05, respectively) in the early growing period, and G:F ration also decreased as dietary CP level was decreased linearly (linearly, p < 0.05) over the whole growing phase. Over the entire experimental period, G:F ratio decreased as dietary ME level decreased (p = 0.01). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration was increased as dietary energy level decreased in growing period (p < 0.01). During finishing period, total protein concentration was decreased by lower dietary energy level (p < 0.05). In this study, there were no significant differences in proximate factors, physiochemical properties, muscle TBARS assay results, pH changes, or color of pork by dietary treatments. However, saturated fatty acid (SFA) increased (p < 0.01) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) decreased (p < 0.05) when ME was decreased by 0.42 MJ/kg in growing-finishing pig diets. In addition, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) tended to increase when CP level was decreased in growing-finishing pig diets (p = 0.06). A growing-finishing diet of 13.82 MJ/kg diet of ME with the high CP level can improve growth performance and show better fatty acids composition of pork.

Genetic markers associated with resistance to infectious diseases have no effects on production traits and haematological parameters in Italian Large White pigs

Infectious diseases have large economic impacts on the pig breeding industry worldwide. A few genetic markers associated to disease resistance have been recently identified and used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) in a few pig populations, as part of disease control programs. Neonatal Diarrhea (ND), Post-weaning Diarrhea (PWD), caused by enterotoxigenic E. coli, and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome, caused by PRRS virus (PRRSV), are diseases with high priority for the pig industry. Since interactions or antagonism between growth, innate immunity and disease resistance traits could exist, this work investigated if four disease resistance gene markers [mucin 4 (MUC4), rs338992994 associated with resistance to ND; fucosyltransferase 1 (FUT1), rs335979375 associated with resistance to PWD; and guanylate binding protein 1 (GBP1), rs340943904 and rs80800372 (also known as WUR10000125) associated with resistance to PRRS] could affect seven production traits (average daily gain, back fat thickness, lean meat cuts, feed gain ratio, ham weight, visible intermuscular fat and ham weight loss at first salting) and 15 haematological parameters in about 550 performance tested Italian Large White pigs. We also monitored allele frequencies of the same markers on Italian Large White boars sampled under the national selection breeding program over a 20 years-period. Moreover, we evaluated allele frequencies of these polymorphisms in four Italian local pig breeds (Apulo-Calabrese, Casertana, Cinta Senese and Nero Siciliano). The frequency of the resistance-associated alleles for the four polymorphisms was usually higher in all local pig breeds, indirectly supporting a higher rusticity of autochthonous breeds, compared to commercial populations. The two GBP1 polymorphisms were not in complete linkage disequilibrium in all breeds, except in Apulo-Calabrese. No significant allele frequency change for the investigated markers occurred over 20 years in the Italian Large White boar population in three of these markers. Only FUT1 showed a modest but significant change of allele frequencies over this period. Association analyses carried out in Italian Large White pigs for production traits, meat quality or haematological parameters under investigation showed no significant effect of any genotyped polymorphisms. Our results indicate that implementing MAS programs in Italian Large White pigs with polymorphisms associated with disease resistance have no direct effects on production traits. The selection program running for this heavy pig breed might not negatively impact disease resistance derived by the investigated major genes.

Standardized total tract digestible phosphorus requirement of 6 to 13 kg pigs fed diets without or with phytase

Dietary phosphorus concentration greatly affects pig’s growth performance, environmental impact and diet cost. A total of 1080 pigs (initially 5.9 ± 1.08 kg) from three commercial research rooms were used to determine the effects of increasing standardized total tract digestible (STTD) P concentrations in diets without and with phytase on growth performance and percentage bone ash. Pens (10 pigs/pen, 9 pens/treatment) were balanced for equal weights and randomly allotted to 12 treatments. Treatments were arranged in two dose titrations (without or with 2000 units of phytase) with six levels of STTD P each. The STTD P levels were expressed as a percentage of NRC (2012) requirement estimates (% of NRC; 0.45 and 0.40% for phases 1 and 2, respectively) and were: 80%, 90%, 100%, 110%, 125% and 140% of NRC in diets without phytase and 100%, 110%, 125%, 140%, 155% and 170% of NRC in diets with phytase. Diets were provided in three phases, with experimental diets fed during phases 1 (days 0 to 11) and 2 (days 11 to 25), followed by a common diet from days 25 to 46. On day 25, radius samples from one median-weight gilt per pen were collected for analysis of bone ash. During the treatment period, increasing STTD P from 80% to 140% of NRC in diets without phytase improved average daily gain (ADG; quadratic, P < 0.01), average daily feed intake (ADFI; quadratic, P < 0.05) and gain–feed ratio (G : F; linear, P < 0.01). Estimated STTD P requirement in diets without phytase was 117% and 91% of NRC for maximum ADG according to quadratic polynomial (QP) and broken-line linear (BLL) models, respectively, and was 102%, 119% and >140% of NRC for maximum G : F using BLL, broken-line quadratic and linear models, respectively. When diets contained phytase, increasing STTD P from 100% to 170% of NRC improved ADG (quadratic, P < 0.05) and G : F (linear, P < 0.01). Estimated STTD P requirement in diets containing phytase was 138% for maximum ADG (QP), and 147% (QP) and 116% (BLL) of NRC for maximum G : F. Increasing STTD P increased (linear, P < 0.01) the percentage bone ash regardless of phytase addition. When comparing diets containing the same STTD P levels, phytase increased (P < 0.01) ADG, ADFI and G : F. In summary, estimated STTD P requirements varied depending on the response criteria and statistical models and ranged from 91% to >140% of NRC (0.41% to >0.63% of phase 1 diet and 0.36% to >0.56% of phase 2 diet) in diets without phytase, and from 116% to >170% of NRC (0.52% to >0.77% of phase 1 diet and 0.46% to >0.68% of phase 2 diet) for diets containing phytase. Phytase exerted an extra-phosphoric effect on promoting pig’s growth and improved the P dose-responses for ADG and G : F.

Impacts on performance of growing-finishing pigs under heat stress conditions: a meta-analysis.

High ambient temperatures are a challenge for animal production around the world, and they are one of the major reasons for economic and productive losses in pig production. Under stress conditions, the energy contribution to productive functions is reduced, generating health imbalances, decreased productivity rates and changes in animal behavior. Despite the numerous articles published on this subject, the variability of results on performance parameters is high. For this reason, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the actual impact of high ambient temperature (HAT) (29°C to 35°C) on growing-finishing pig performance, compared with animals kept in a thermoneutral environment (TNT) (18°C to 25°C), based on meta-analysis. Data on average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (FI) and feed gain ratio (F:G) were extracted from 22 (n = 22) papers published in scientific journals. The values were analyzed using an expansion of the t-test, considering the random effect of each study. Results showed that HAT reduced the values of ADG (654.38 vs 595.81g/d) and FI (2.141 vs 1.875g/d) when compared with the thermoneutral group. There was no statistical difference between the F:G values for both groups. In conclusion, high ambient temperatures negatively influence performance parameters of growing-finishing pigs when compared with those in thermoneutral conditions.

Influence of Dietary Copper Methionine Concentrations on Growth Performance, Digestibility of Nutrients, Serum Lipid Profiles, and Immune Defenses in Broilers.

A 42-day experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of dietary copper (Cu) concentrations on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and serum parameters in broilers aged from 1 to 42days. Five hundred forty 1-day-old broilers were randomly assigned into 1 of the following 6 dietary treatments: (1) control (basal diet without supplemental Cu), (2) 15mg/kg supplemental Cu (Cu15), (3) 30mg/kg supplemental Cu (Cu30), (4) 60mg/kg supplemental Cu (Cu60), (5) 120mg/kg supplemental Cu (Cu120), and (6) 240mg/kg supplemental Cu (Cu240), Cu as copper methionine. A 4-day metabolism trial was conducted during the last week of the experiment feeding. The results showed that dietary Cu supplementation increased the average daily gain and the average daily feed intake (P < 0.01). The feed gain ratio, however, was not affected by dietary Cu (P > 0.10). Additionally, dietary Cu supplementation increased the digestibility of fat and energy (P < 0.05). The concentration of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased with dietary Cu supplementation (P < 0.05). The activities of serum Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (P < 0.05), glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.05), and ceruloplasmin (P = 0.09), on the contrary, were increased by Cu addition. For immune indexes, dietary Cu supplementation increased serum IgA and IgM (P < 0.05). In addition, the activities of serum ALT increased with increasing dietary Cu supplementation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our data suggest that Cu supplementation can increase fat digestibility and promote growth. Additionally, dietary Cu supplementation can reduce serum cholesterol and enhance antioxidant capacity in broilers.

Effects of dietary energy and crude protein levels on growth performance, blood profiles, and nutrient digestibility in weaning pigs.

ObjectiveThis experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of reducing dietary metabolic energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) levels on growth performance, blood profiles, and nutrient digestibility in weaning pigs.MethodsA total of 240 crossbred pigs (Duroc×[Landrace×Yorkshire]) with an average body weight of 8.67±1.13 kg were used for a 6-week feeding trial. Experimental pigs were allotted to a 2×3 factorial arrangement using a randomized complete block design. The first factor was two levels of dietary ME density (low ME level, 13.40 MJ/kg or high ME level, 13.82 MJ/kg) and the second factor was three dietary CP levels based on subdivision of early and late weaning phases (low CP level, 19.7%/16.9%; middle CP level, 21.7%/18.9%; or high CP level, 23.7%/20.9%).ResultsOver the entire experimental period, there were no significant difference in body weight among groups, but a decrease in diet energy level was associated with an increase in average daily feed intake (p = 0.02) and decrease in gain-feed ratio (G:F) ratio (p<0.01). Decreased CP levels in the diet were associated with a linear increase in average daily gain (p< 0.05) and quadratic increase in G:F ratio (p<0.05). In the early weaning period, blood urea nitrogen concentration tended to increase when ME in the diet decreased and decrease when CP level in the diet decreased (p = 0.09, p<0.01, respectively). Total protein concentration tended to increase when CP level was reduced (p = 0.08). In the late weaning period, blood urea nitrogen concentration decreased linearly as CP level decreased (p<0.01). The CP and crude fat digestibility decreased when ME was decreased by 0.42 MJ/kg (p = 0.05, p = 0.01, respectively). The CP digestibility increased linearly as CP level decreased (p = 0.01).ConclusionA weaning pig diet containing high ME level (13.82 MJ/kg) and low CP level (19.7%/16.9%) can improve pig growth performance and nutrient digestibility.

Effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum supplementation on growth performance, intestinal development, and immune response of weaned piglets challenged with lipopolysaccharide

BackgroundWeanling pigs, with immature immune system and physiological function, usually experience post-weaning diarrhea. This study determined the effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum supplementation on growth performance, diarrhea, and immunity of weaned pigs challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).MethodsIn Experiment (Exp.) 1, 144 weaned piglets were weaned at 21 d and randomly assigned to six groups, with six replicates per group and four pigs per replicate, receiving a control diet (CON) or diet supplemented with antibiotics (AB) or C. butyricum (CB) (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, or 0.8%), respectively. All diets in Exp. 1 were a highly digestible basal diet, with 3,000 mg/kg zinc oxide supplied in the first 2 wk only. In Exp. 2, 180 piglets were weaned at 21 d and randomly assigned to five groups, with six replicates per group and six pigs per replicate, receiving CON, AB, or CB (0.2%, 0.4%, or 0.6%) diets. The digestibility of diets was lower than those in Exp. 1, and did not include zinc oxide. At 36 d of Exp. 2, 12 piglets were selected from each of the CON and 0.4% CB groups, six piglets were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (50 μg/kg body weight) and the other six piglets with normal saline; animals were killed at 4 h after injection to collect blood, intestine, and digesta samples for biochemical analysis.ResultsIn Exp. 1, CB and AB diets had no effect on growth performance of piglets. In Exp. 2, 0.4% CB decreased feed-gain ratio (P < 0.1), diarrhea score (P < 0.05), and increased duodenal, jejunal, and ileal villus height and jejunal villus height/crypt depth (P < 0.05). The 0.4% CB decreased the plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α (P < 0.05) but increased ileal mucosa IL-10 and TLR2 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). Furthermore, 0.4% CB altered the microbial profile, with Bacillus and Ruminococcaceae UGG-003 at genus level and Lactobacillus casei and Parasutterella secunda at species level were higher than CON in colonic content (P < 0.05).ConclusionsDietary C. butyricum supplementation had positive effects on growth of weaned piglets with less digestible diets. There was a tendency to reduce the feed-gain ratio, which could reduce feed costs in pig production. Moreover, C. butyricum decreased post-weaning diarrhea by improving the intestinal morphology, intestinal microflora profile, and immune function.

Effects of Lupinus angustifolius (cv. Arabella and Kalya) on the growth and serum profiles in broilers

This work examined the effects of incorporation of exogenous enzyme preparation on growth and performance traits in broilers fed diet containing 400 g/Kg of L. angustifolius(cv. Arabella) of Europe and L. angustifolius (cv. Kalya) obtained from Australia. A maize- soy (MS) based diet served as a control diet and acted as positive, while non-protein control diet acted as a negative control (NPC) and fed ad libitum for 18 days. Growth rate, apparent digestibility of N, fat and excretion of essential minerals were assessed. In comparison to broilers fed maize-soy (MS) diet, broilers fed the L. angustifolius of European origin (EL) diet, consumed less feed, had considerably lower body weight gain, as well as lower apparent digestibility. Addition of Rena phytase to the EL (ELPH) and L. angustifolius of Australian origin (ALPH) increased feed intake, however, the feed gain ratio was found to be decreased. . This study indicates that a diet containing high level of lupin meal is detrimental to feed intake broilers and thus affected their performance. However, when lupin meal diet was supplemented with Rena phytase, performance parameters were not different from those obtained from raw meal. The inclusion of lupin meal with or without exogenous enzyme had significant effect on the mineral content of the faeces and on mineral balance. The results suggest that lupin protrein is involved in the elevated loss of minerals associated with long-term effects of this seed as protein source in poultry. Compared to those of control, the N excretion was in the range of 14.9% (EL), 15.6% (ELPH) and 13.9% (ALPH). On the other hand, digestibility was found to be in the range of 78% (EL) and 73% (ELPH) than the corresponding control fed on (MS) diet. The fat excretion was found to be highest in (ALPH) fed diet 19.1% as compared to those of control. True fat digestibility was found to be at the lowest level n ALPH group. The present work has revealed a very remarkable property of L. angustifolius of Australian lupin, that has caused high level of fat excretion in the droppings of broilers fed this as compared to those of its European counterpart. It is highly likely that Australian lupin due to its gel forming character may have caused this kind of response in fecal lipid excretion.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2017. 46 (4): 266-272

Effect of Varied Sources of Tannin on Micro-Mineral Bioavailability in Goats Fed Oak Leaves Based Diets

Eighteen crossbred (Chegu×Jamunapari) goats (15.99 kg; 7–9 months) were randomly assigned to three groups. The animals were fed a common concentrate mixture as a supplement to three different forage sources (with a concentrate to roughage ratio of 30: 70) namely, green grass (PC, Pennisetum clandestinum), oak leaves i.e. Quercus semecarpifolia (QS) and Quercus leucotricophora (QL) with the latter two groups serving as tannin-containing diets while the PC group as a control. The condensed and hydrolysable tannin content of the QS and QL diets was CT 1, HT 3.4 vs. CT 1.9, HT 1.6, respectively. A metabolism trial of six days duration was conducted at 90 d post-feeding. Blood samples were collected on 0, 60 and 120 d of experiment for estimation of serum minerals. The digestibility of DM, CP and fibre fractions were lower (P<0.05) in QL than PC and similar with QS. Daily intake and balance of Fe, Mn and Zn was higher (P<0.01) in QS and QL groups than the control group. Serum level of Co, Fe and Zn were higher (P<0.05) in QS than PC, but at par with QL. Average daily gain was higher in QS and QL as compared to PC. Feed gain ratio was better in QS (22.9±0.08) than PC (39.5±0.06), but at par with QL (29.9±0.04). Overall, the study revealed that goats fed tannin-from QS-based diet showed comparatively better performance than that of QL-based diet. Further, feeding of oak leaves was beneficial in augmenting feed intake, micro-mineral balance and growth performance of goats as compared to animals fed grass based diet.

Crecimiento, uniformidad e índices económicos de pollos de engorde alimentados con dietas bajas en proteína bruta suplementadas con lisina

Este estudio se llevó a cabo para evaluar el crecimiento, la uniformidad del lote y retornos económicos de la alimentación de pollos de engorde con dietas bajas en proteína suplementadas con lisina. Se utilizaron ciento cincuenta pollos de engorde Abor-Acre de una semana de edad, sin sexar, en un ensayo de alimentación de seis semanas. Se formularon cinco dietas experimentales: la dieta T1 que servía como control contenía 22,22 % de proteína bruta (CP) y 0,50 % de lisina; las dietas T2-T5 tenían 16,6 % de CP y entre 0,60-0,90 % de lisina con el mismo nivel de metionina (0,25 %). Se observaron diferencias significativas (p

Plasma protein and supplemental isoleucine in milk replacers for dairy calves

We measured the effects of milk replacers containing 0, 33, 66, or 100% of the total replaceable whey protein as bovine plasma protein (PP), without or with Ile supplementation, on the intake, growth, and health of 124 male Holstein calves for 35d. Milk replacers were formulated to contain 18% crude protein and 20% fat, with contents of Lys and Met equalized. When fed to calves at 1.5% of body weight (dry matter basis) under thermoneutral conditions, diets were predicted to allow average daily gains of 0.55kg/d based on metabolizable energy or 0.40kg/d based on apparent digestible protein. Protein supply was more limiting than energy so that differences in protein use could be detected. Dry matter intakes decreased with increased PP, irrespective of Ile supplementation. Final body weights decreased linearly with increasing PP, regardless of Ile supplementation. Average daily gain tended to be affected in a quadratic manner as PP increased, either with or without Ile supplementation; average daily gain and gain-feed ratio were greatest for calves fed diets containing 33% PP and lowest for calves fed 100% PP. The analyzed Lys content in the milk replacers was variable compared with formulated values, and this may have affected growth results. However, the gain-Lys ratio was affected by an interaction of the linear effect of increasing PP with Ile supplementation: it decreased with increasing PP but was improved by supplementation with Ile for calves fed 100% PP. Body measurements decreased with increasing PP inclusion; only decreased heart girth was reversed with Ile supplementation. The lowest and highest inclusion of PP, regardless of Ile supplementation, decreased the occurrence of scours compared with the control diet (all whey protein). Calves fed the lowest and highest PP without Ile supplementation also had fewer total days of scours in the first 21d. In addition, calves fed 100% PP without supplementation of Ile had fewer days of medication compared with the control diet. Even at the highest PP inclusion, average daily gain was minimally affected if Ile was supplemented. Growth rates, gain-feed ratio, and gain-Lys ratio were decreased at higher PP inclusion, but Ile overcame part of the reduction in gain-Lys ratio for 100% PP. Additional titration studies will have to be conducted to determine optimal PP inclusion rates, with a focus on supplementation of potentially limiting essential AA, as well as effects at higher growth rates.

EFFECT OF BREWER'S DRIED GRAIN AND YEAST CULTURE ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS TRAITS OF BROILER CHICKS

The present study was performed to investigate the effect of dietary brewers dried grain (BDG) and 2 levels of yeast culture (YC) (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on growth performance carcass traits some dietary measurements and economical efficiency of broiler chicks during 1-6 weeks of age under Egyptian conditions (15 October - 30 November 2014) where the ambient temperature ranged between 20 to 26 Co. A factorial design (5 × 2) arrangement was performed included five levels of BDG (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12%) and two levels of YC (0 and 0.5 g kg diet). The analysis of variance of the obtained results show a significant (P≤0.01) effect on live body weight (LBW) at 6 weeks of age, body weight gain (BWG) through 3-6 weeks of age and during 1-6 weeks of age. There was a significant linear reduction in LBW and BWG as the BDG increased (P≤ 0.01). There is a significant difference (P≤0.05) between diet containing 12% BDG and other diets for LBW and body weight gain during the whole experimental period (1-6) weeks of age. This diet have the lowest LBW and BWG. It could be noticed that, LBW and BWG during all different experimental periods were not significantly affected by different levels of YC. Also, interactions between BDG and YC levels were not significant (P≤0.05) on LBW at 6 weeks of age and BWG through (1-6) weeks of age. Results obtained in this study showed that, levels of BDG did not affect (P≤0.05) average feed consumption through all different experimental periods whereas, the feed gain ratio (FCR) significantly increased (P≤0.05) by increasing levels of BDG to 12%. The best value of FCR was 2.13 in the group of birds fed diet with 9% BDG. The present results did not show any significant effect on all carcass characteristics studied due to different dietary BDG and YC levels or their interactions, except giblets percentage, which was significantly (P≤0.01) affected by BDG levels and the interaction between BDG and YC levels. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that, taking body weight gain, feed conversion and economical efficiency, the dietary level of 9% BDG with or without yeast culture supplementation may be the best percentage till 6 weeks of age. While yeast culture did not affect on the performance and carcass traits.

Performance of juvenile mojarra supplied with feed containing varying levels of crude protein

ABSTRACT The growth of the Brazilian aquaculture has stimulated the development of the productive chain of native species, including marine environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth performance of juvenile mojarra fish (Diapterus rhombeus) fed diets containing different concentrations of crude protein (32, 36, 40 and 44 g 100 g-1). The 80 juvenile mojarra (7.2±1.5 g) were kept in 16 circular tanks (150 L). The study design used was completely randomized with four treatments and four repetitions. The fish were fed four times a day. At the end of the experiment (60 days) the final weight, feed intake, weight gain (WG), feed:gain ratio (FGR), protein efficiency rate (PER), energy efficiency rate, specific growth, survival rate and, body composition were evaluated. It was verified significant effect of protein level on the WG, with the best value at the level of 38.20 g 100 g-1 of crude protein. For FGR, the best estimated value occurred with 38.06 g 100 g-1 of crude protein, similar to that reported for the PER (38.91 g 100 g-1). The other performance parameters and body composition were not influenced by crude protein levels. Diet crude protein concentrations between 38.06 and 38.91 g 100 g-1 provide the best performance indices for juvenile mojarra.

Effect of urea-molasses mineral block (UMMB) and medicated-UMMB supplementation on growth performance and feed gain ratio in goat kids

Forty eight nondescript breed of growing goat kids (6-9 months) were selected randomly on body weight basis and divided into three groups having four replicates (four animals in each replicate) to assessthe effect of urea-molasses mineral block (UMMB) and medicated-UMMB on their growth performance for 90 days. Group one (T1) was fed with roughage consisting of sola grasses (Aeschynomene indica L. ) and rhea leaves (Acacia leucophloea Roxb.) ad lib in equal proportion. The concentrate mixture (7 % DCP and 60 % TDN) ranging from 150 to 250g was fed to different kids depending on their body weight to meet protein and energy requirement. Group two (T2) was fed with the same roughage and concentrate mixture, in addition to ad lib supplementation of UMMB. Group three (T3) was fed with the same roughage and concentrate mixture, in addition to medicated-UMMB (Fenbendazole @ 0.5 g/kg feed block) ad lib for 10 days followed by un-medicated UMMB during rest of the trial period. The overall dry matter intake (499.38 g/day) and average body weight gain (54.23 g/day) of goat kids were the highest (p&lt;0.01) when fed with feed mixture containing medicated-UMMB. The UMMB and M-UMMB can be incorporated in the conventional feeding practice of goat kids for their better growth and development.

Performance of weaner rabbits fed diets supplemented with Pawpaw (Carica Papaya) leaf meal

14 weeks feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding pawpaw leaf meal (PLM) on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of weaned rabbits. Fourty five (45) weaned rabbits were used in a completely randomized design with five dietary treatments, each replicated three time with three (3) rabbits per replicate. The five inclusion levels of PLM (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% 20% PLM) were used. Experimental animals were housed in metal hutches having separate feeders and drinkers. They were randomly assigned to the five experimental diets of PLM. Feed intake and weight gain were measured weekly. Carcass evaluation was conducted at the end of the study. The results showed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) among all the treatments with respect to feed intake and feed-gain ratio. Weaner rabbits fed the control diet (0% PLM) and those fed 10% PLM recorded higher weight gains (960.33g and 967.00g respectively) than those fed 5% PLM and 15% PLM (934.33g and 932.50g respectively). Dressed weight was affected (P 0.05) by feeding up to 15%PLM. It is therefore concluded that feeding pawpaw leaf meal did not adversely affects the performance of rabbits.

INFLUENCE OF DIETARY GRADED LEVELS OF DIGESTIBLE LYSINE AND LOWERING ENERGY TO PROTEIN RATIO ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS UNDER SUBTROPICAL SUMMER CONDITIONS

The digestible lysine requirement for the growth performance of broilers fed diets with decreasing energy to protein ratio and reared under subtropical summer conditions were determined. Treatments consisted of five wheat-based diets with five levels (0.90, 0.95, 1.00, 1.05 and 1.10%) of digestible lysine (DL) and lowering energy to protein ratio (EPR; 13.6, 12.8, 12.0, 11.4 and 11.0), with five replicates of 80 birds each (n = 2000). Body weight gain (BWG) significantly increased by increasing DL levels during wk 1 (p<0.001), while 1.05% DL promoted the highest BWG during the whole experimental period (p<0.01). Increasing DL level resulted in significant reduction in feed intake (FI) and BWG to DL intake ratio (BWG:DLI) during wk 1-3 (p<0.05). Feed:gain ratio (FGR) significantly (p<0.01) improved with DL levels up to 1.05% during the whole experimental period, except for wk 5. The increasing ambient temperature had a linear effect on the all growth parameters. It is inferred that best growth performance can be obtained at 1.05% DL, maintaining all other AA constant under subtropical summer conditions.

Effect of Withdrawal of Vitamin and Trace Mineral Additives from Diet on Broiler Bone Strength

Selection of broiler on high growth rate affected significant decre­asing of fattening period and gain feed ratio. However, it caused disproportion between ingreasing of body weight and skeleton. Because of that, the skeleton was lagging behind the body weight. This situation could lead to break of bones and significant economical loss. Vitamin and trace mineral additives which are responsible for appropriate bone mine­rali­sation, were removed in this experiment. Due to these resons, the broiler tibia strength was researched. The removing of vitamin and trace mineral additives from broiler diet last 12 and 8 had negative effect on the broiler bone strenght. The four day removing of these additives did not cause the negative effect on bone strenght, which should be the subject of new researches.

Effects of dietary NEXT ENHANCE®150 on growth performance and expression of immune and intestinal integrity related genes in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.)

Gilthead sea bream juveniles were fed different doses (0, 50, 100, 200, 300 ppm) of NEXT ENHANCE®150 (NE) for 9 weeks. Feed gain ratio (FGR) was improved by a 10% with all the doses, but feed intake decreased in a dose dependent manner. The optimum inclusion level to achieve maximum growth was set at 100 ppm. The hepatosomatic index did not vary and only at the highest dose, viscerosomatic and splenosomatic indexes were significantly decreased. No significant changes were found in haematological parameters, plasma biochemistry, total antioxidant capacity and respiratory burst. In a second trial, NE was given at 100 ppm alone (D1) or in combination with the prebiotic PREVIDA® (0.5%) (PRE) (D2) for 17 weeks. There were no differences in the growth rates, and FGR was equally improved for D1 and D2. No significant changes in haematology and plasma antioxidant capacity were detected. The histological examination of the liver and the intestine showed no outstanding differences in the liver, but the number of mucosal foldings appeared to be higher in D1 and D2 vs CTRL diet and the density of enterocytes and goblet cells also appeared higher, particularly in the anterior intestine. A 87-gene PCR-array was constructed based on our transcriptomic database (www.nutrigroup-iats.org/seabreamdb) and applied to samples of anterior (AI) and posterior (PI) intestine. It included 54 new gene sequences and other sequences as markers of cell differentiation and proliferation, intestinal architecture and permeability, enterocyte mass and epithelial damage, interleukins and cytokines, pattern recognition receptors (PRR), and mitochondrial function and biogenesis. More than half of the studied genes had significantly different expression between AI and PI segments. The functional significance of this differential tissue expression is discussed. The experimental diets induced significant changes in the expression of 26 genes. The intensity of these changes and the number of genes that were significantly regulated were higher at PI than at AI. At PI, both diets invoked a clear down-regulation of genes involved in cell differentiation and proliferation, some involved in cell to cell communication, cytokines and several PRR. By contrast, up-regulation was mostly found for genes related to enterocyte mass, cell epithelial damage and mitochondrial activity at AI. The changes were of the same order for D1 and D2, except for fatty acid-binding proteins 2 and 6 and the PRR fucolectin, which were higher in D2 and D1 fed fish, respectively. Thus, NE alone or in combination with PRE seems to induce an anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative transcriptomic profile with probable improvement in the absorptive capacity of the intestine that would explain the improved FGR.

Effect of feeding oak leaves (Quercus semecarpifolia vs Quercus leucotricophora) on nutrient utilization, growth performance and gastrointestinal nematodes of goats in temperate sub Himalayas

A 120 days of growth study was conducted on goats to assess the comparative effect of feeding two species of tanniferous oak leaves (Quercus semecarpifolia and Quercus leucotricophora) having varied levels of tannin on nutrient utilization, growth performance and gastrointestinal nematode load in goats. Eighteen crossbred (Chegu×Jamunapari) goats of 7–9 months old (body weight, 15.99±1.53kg) were divided into three groups of six in each in a completely randomized block design. Animals in all the three groups were fed similar concentrate mixture with different roughage sources (30:70). Animals were fed green grass (PS, Pennisetum clandestinum) in group T1 and oak leaves i.e. Quercus semecarpifolia (QS) and Quercus leucotricophora (QL) in groups T2 and T3, respectively. The level of condensed tannin (gkg−1 dry matter (DM)) was found to be more in QL (34) than QS (17), whereas the level of hydrolysable tannin (HT) (gkg−1 DM) was more in QS (61) than QL (31). A metabolic trial of six days duration was conducted after 90 days of growth trial. Dry matter intake (DMI) through roughage and total DM intake (gd−1) in oak leaves fed groups (T2 and T3) was higher (P<0.05) than grass fed group (T1). Feeding of QL in T3 had a depressing effect (P<0.05) on DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and total carbohydrate (TCHO) digestibility as compared to feeding of PC. DM and OM digestibility were lower (P<0.05) in T2 fed QS whereas CP, NDF, ADF and TCHO digestibility were at par with control (T1). However, EE digestibility was higher (P<0.05) in T2. Daily nutrient intake per kilogram metabolic body weight in both the oak leaves fed groups was higher (P<0.01) than green grass fed group. Nitrogen and calcium balances (gd−1) and its efficiency of utilization were higher (P<0.05) in oak leaves fed group. Average daily gain (gd−1) was higher in T2 (32.5) and T3 (25.7) compared to T1 (13.5). Feed gain ratio (DMI/body weight gain) was better in T2 (22.9) than T1 (39.5) but at par with T3 (29.9) (P<0.05). Feeding of oak leaves (10–19gkg−1 DM CT in diet) significantly reduced (P<0.01) the gastrointestinal nematode load in goats. It can be concluded that feeding of oak leaves (Quercus spp.) to kids was beneficial in augmenting nutrient utilization, growth performance and feed efficiency as compared to animals fed green grass (PS). However, goats fed tannin (gkg−1 DM) with QS based diet (CT, 10; HT, 34) showed comparatively better performance than feeding of QL based diet (CT, 19; HT, 16).