Higher Levels Of Supplementation Research Articles

Where Are We Going Wrong?

Despite efforts to achieve the World Health Organization’s best practice standards for a Baby-Friendly status, only 54% of babies discharged from a tertiary-care hospital in 2015 were exclusively breastfed. This is despite an initiation rate for breastfeeding of 92%. This report describes maternal and nurse beliefs about exclusive breastfeeding, supplementation, and human milk banking. To help us understand our high levels of formula supplementation, we surveyed 94 mothers and 75 nurses and found differing beliefs about formula supplementation and the use of human donor milk. The breastfeeding policy was not being followed. Maternal and nurse breastfeeding education, along with up to date breastfeeding policies, are essential for organizations to meet the World Health Organization’s standards to achieve Baby-Friendly status.

Effects of sub-chronic exposure to lead (Pb) and ascorbic acid in juvenile rockfish: Antioxidant responses, MT gene expression, and neurotransmitters

Juvenile rockfish Sebastes schlegelii were exposed to varying levels of dietary lead (Pb2+) at 0, 120 and 240 mg/L, and ascorbic acid (AsA) at 100, 200 and 400 mg/L for four weeks. Antioxidant responses such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and glutathione (GSH) were analyzed to assess oxidative stress. SOD and GST activity in the liver and gills were considerably elevated by dietary Pb. In contrast, GSH levels in the liver and gills were significantly reduced following Pb exposure. High levels of AsA supplementation attenuated the increase in SOD and GST activity and reduction in GSH levels. The metallothionein gene (MT) in the liver was notably stimulated by Pb exposure, and AsA supplementation attenuated this increase. With respect to neurotoxicity, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was substantially inhibited in the brain and muscle following Pb exposure. AsA supplementation also attenuated AChE inhibition following Pb exposure. The results of this study presented Pb exposure affected rockfish as toxicity, and AsA was effective to alleviate toxic effects of Pb.

Weight, body condition, milk production, and metabolism of Nellore cows when their calves are submitted to different supplementation levels.

Creep feeding has been used to reduce calves' nutritional dependence on the cow, but research results under tropical conditions have not been conclusive about the effects on the cow. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of high and low supplementation levels for Nellore heifer calves on performance, milk production, and metabolic profile of their mothers. Fifty multiparous Nellore cows and their respective calves were used. The following treatments were evaluated: 0-control, no supplement was fed to calves; 3-calves received supplement in the amount of 3g/kg of body weight (BW); 6-calves received supplement in the amount of 6g/kg of BW. There was no significant effect of level of supplementation offered to offspring on cow BW, body condition score (BCS) and subcutaneous fat thickness (P > 0.05). Level of supplementation of heifer calves did not significantly affect milk production corrected to 4% of fat (P > 0.05). Fat, protein, lactose, and total solids of the milk also did not differ among supplementation strategies (P > 0.05). Level of supplement fed to calves had no effect on cows' glucose, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, total protein, and albumin levels (P > 0.05), but cows nursing calves that did not receive supplement had lower level of serum urea N (SUN; P < 0.05). We conclude that creep feeding in the amounts of 3 or 6g/kg of BW daily has no major impact on dams' performance and metabolism.

Effects of oils on feed mildew and quality.

This study was performed to determine the effects of oils on feed mildew and feed quality. Under different moisture content conditions (10%, 13% and 16%), the basal feeds were supplemented with 4%, 6%, 8%, 10% and 12% soybean oil. In addition, at different moisture content levels (10%, 13% and 16%), the basal feed was supplemented with 12% of various types of oil (soybean, peanut, corn and fish). Subsequently, a mixed mold spore suspension was added. The feed samples were incubated at 28°C, and the total mold, water activity (Aw), moisture, acid value, crude protein (CP), crude lipid (CL), crude ash (CA) and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) levels were determined at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. The results showed no significant variations in the feed moisture, CP, CL, CA and NEF contents. However, the acid value gradually increased in the feed samples with an extended incubation time and increasing initial moisture. The feed moisture content was a critical factor controlling feed mildew, and high levels of oil supplementation caused an elevated Aw. Additionally, peanut oil promoted mold growth in feed. These results provide a reference for the production and scientific management of formulated feed.

Regulatory effects of dietary L-Arg supplementation on the innate immunity and antioxidant ability in broiler chickens

Here, we investigated the effect of dietary arginine (Arg) supplementation on innate immunity and the antioxidant ability of broiler chickens. The experiment was designed as a single-factorial arrangement (n=8 cages/treatment, six birds/cage), and we used four dietary Arg concentrations (10.0, 15.0, 20.0 or 25.0 g kg−1). On day 21, the birds were killed to obtain spleen, cecal tonsil and liver samples to determine the gene expression and antioxidant characteristics. Increasing the Arg concentration linearly decreased (P<0.05) the mRNA expression of splenic interleukin-18 (IL-18) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Dietary Arg supplementation quadratically decreased (P<0.05) the expression of interleukin-1b (IL-1b) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) mRNA in the spleen. Increasing Arg concentrations linearly and quadratically reduced the expression of IL-18 mRNA in the spleen. Meanwhile, increasing dietary Arg supplementation linearly and quadratically increased the lymphotactin mRNA (P<0.05) expression, and linearly increased the macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (MIP-1β) and toll-like receptor 15 (TLR15) mRNA expression in the cecal tonsils. Dietary Arg supplementation linearly (P<0.05) increased the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and lysozyme (LZM) activities in the liver. However, the malondialdehyde (MDA) activity in the liver was not influenced by the dietary Arg concentration (P>0.05). No significant (P>0.05) effect was found on the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver. Thus high levels of Arg supplementation (>20.0 g kg−1) may potentially suppress the innate immunity of broiler chickens, and dietary Arg supplementation enhances the antioxidant activity in broiler chickens.

Effects of soybean meal replacement with fermented alfalfa meal on the growth performance, serum antioxidant functions, digestive enzyme activities, and cecal microflora of geese

Fermented forages are important feedstuffs. Bacillus subtilis inoculants are often used to improve the value of forage legume fermentation. The present work was conducted to study the effects of replacing soybean meal with solid-state fermented alfalfa meal (FAM) with B. subtilis ACCC 01746 on growth performance, serum antioxidant and digestive enzyme activities, and cecal microflora in goose. 300 healthy geese with similar body weights were randomly assigned to six treatment groups with five replicates of 10 geese (five males and five females) each. Geese were fed ad libitum for 35 days. Results showed that the geese fed with 4 and 8% FAM exhibited no significant effects on their final body weights (FBW) and average day gain (ADG) (P>0.05), whereas 12% or higher FAM caused poor growth of the geese compared with control diet (linear (L): P<0.05). The average daily feed intake (ADFI) (quadratic (Q): P<0.05) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (L: P<0.05) with 8% or higher supplementation level were higher than those of the control group. The activities of antioxidant enzyme in serum increased, and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly decreased with increasing dietary FAM level (L: P<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed at 8% or lower supplementation level for glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P>0.05) and at 4% for catalase (CAT) supplementation level compared with the control group. All diets containing FAM increased digestive enzyme activities in geese. However, geese fed diets with 12% FAM supplementation showed the highest trypsin activities in pancreas (Q: P<0.05). Supplementation with 12% or higher FAM significantly increased amylase activities in pancreas (L: P<0.05) and duodenum (L: P<0.05) compared with the control group. Significant differences were not observed in total anaerobic bacteria between geese fed with FAM and control diets on day 35 (P>0.05). The numbers of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the cecum of geese fed with FAM significantly increased (L: P<0.05), but no significant effects were found with 4 and 8% FAM supplementation levels compared with the control (P>0.05). By contrast, the coliform counts of cecum decreased with increasing inclusion of FAM, but these counts were significantly reduced in geese fed diets with 12% or higher FAM supplementation level (L: P<0.05). Collectively, our results indicated that supplementation of the basal geese diet with 8% FAM had no apparent adverse effects on growth performance, serum antioxidant enzyme activities, and digestive parameters and beneficial microbiota.

Effect of Lentinus edodes on Hypocholesterolemic profile of male albino wistar rats

This study aimed to explore the pharmacological effects of Lentinus edodes, focusing on its potential for large-scale cultivation and hypocholesterolemic properties. Research efforts concentrated on developing cultivation technologies to enhance biological efficiency and evaluating the impact of L. edodes on lipid profiles. Results showed a significant reduction in serum total cholesterol, which increased with higher supplementation levels and prolonged administration. Additionally, L. edodes supplementation raised HDL levels and lowered LDL, triglycerides, and total lipid levels. These findings suggest that L. edodes holds promise as a therapeutic agent for cholesterol management and as a valuable crop for medicinal cultivation.

Soybean meal induces enteritis in turbot Scophthalmus maximus at high supplementation levels

The goal of the present study was to find whether higher soybean meal (SBM) levels might trigger soybean meal-induced enteritis (SBMIE) in turbot. If so, caution must be taken when mixing ingredients containing saponins and other antinutrients to avoid SBMIE like symptoms. In a 8week feeding trial conduced on turbot, three isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to include 26%, 40% and 54% SBM to progressively replace 30%, 45% and 60% fish meal (FM) in a FM based diet, respectively. The results showed that SBM caused dose-dependent decreases in growth performance and nutrient utilization. Enteritis developed in the distal intestine in the inclusion range of 26–54%. Dose-dependent increases in severity of the inflammation, with concomitant alterations in brush border membrane enzymes and inflammatory marker genes expression were seen. Our results confirm the hypothesis that high inclusion level of SBM may cause similar inflammatory changes as observed in several other fish species. Thus, caution must be taken when formulating turbot diets based on ingredients that may contain saponins and other antinutrients. Moreover, turbot is also a candidate species for the study of causes and mechanism of diet induced inflammation in the intestine of fish. Statement of relevanceThe present work first describes the soybean meal induced enteritis in turbot and provides the information that caution must be taken when formulating turbot diets based on ingredients that may contain saponins of other antinutrients.

Rumen adaptation of swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) by high level of urea supplementation when fed on rice straw-based diet.

Four rumen-fistulated swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) were randomly allocated to investigate rumen adaptation of urea on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, fermentation efficiency, and microbial protein synthesis. Buffaloes were fed with rice straw ad libitum for a period of 2weeks and then were shifted to a step-up diet regimen by supplementation of concentrate containing 20 and 40g/kg urea at 5g/kg BW for a period of 2 and 4weeks, respectively. The results revealed that feed intake and nutrient digestibility were increased by urea supplementation (P < 0.05) both at two and four period of consumption. However, ruminal pH, temperature, and protozoal population were neither affected by urea nor adaptation period (P > 0.05) while bacterial and fungal zoospores were increased especially at 40g/kg urea. Data from real-time PCR further showed that total bacteria and the three predominant cellulolytic bacteria (Ruminococcus albus, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus flavefaciens) were increased by urea supplementation both at 2 and 4weeks of urea feeding. Furthermore, methane production was similar among treatments while microbial protein synthesis was enhanced when buffaloes were fed with urea after a period of 2weeks especially at 40g/kg urea (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that urea supplementation could increase feed intake, nutrient digestibility, microbial protein synthesis, and fermentation efficiency of swamp buffaloes fed on rice straw. It is suggested that buffaloes could adapt well and utilize urea as a N source effectively within a period of 2weeks uptake without adverse effect.

Can breeder reproductive status, performance and egg quality be enhanced by supplementation and transition of n-3 fatty acids?

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of n-3 fatty acid (FA) supplemented diets on breeder performance, productivity and egg quality. Breeders (n=480) were fed the supplemented diet from 18weeks onwards; the inclusion level of n-3 FA was increased from 1.5% to 3.0% from 34weeks of age onwards until 48weeks of age. Ross-308 broiler breeders (n=480) were fed one of four different diets: a basal diet rich in n-6 FA (control diet) or one of three diets rich in n-3 FA. For the n-3 FA diets, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) were fed to the broiler breeders at different ratios formulated to obtain EPA/DHA ratios of 1/1, 1/2 or 2/1. Differences in performance, reproduction and egg quality parameters due to n-3 supplementation were noted more for the 1.5% followed by the 3.0% fed broilers than their 1.5% supplemented counterparts. Egg weight (p<0.001) and egg mass (p=0.003) were significantly lower and feed conversion (p=0.008) significantly higher for the n-3 FA (at 3.0% inclusion level) fed broilers compared to the control group. For the EPA- and DHA-fed breeders, a higher proportional abdominal fat percentage (p=0.025) and proportional albumen weight (%) (p=0.041) were found respectively. Dietary treatments did not affect reproduction. It can be concluded that the results of the present experiment indicate no significant differences between treatments at 1.5% inclusion levels. However, increasing this level to 3.0% is not recommended due to the rather negative effects on the measured parameters. It should be further investigated whether these adverse effects were obtained due to (i) the higher supplementation level, (ii) combining a supplementation level of 1.5% with 3% or (iii) the duration of supplementation.

Enhancement of Immunological Responses by Dietary &lt;i&gt;Arthrospira platensis&lt;/i&gt; and Possibility of Field Applications as Alternative to Antibiotics in Broiler Chicken

Arthrospira platensis is one of the candidates expected to replace antibiotics by its immunostimulatory effects in broiler industry, but the evaluation aimed at field applications is not enough. Here, we measured general immunological indicators such as specific antibody responses against sheep red blood cell and Brucella abortus, serum immunoglobulin concentrations and monocyte phagocytic capacity of broiler chickens, which assigned to four dietary treatment groups: A. platensis at 0, 0.01, 0.1 and 1% was added to their normal feed. Then, the 0.01 to 1% groups were compared to the 0% group. In specific antibody responses, the 0.1% group maintained a higher antibody titer against sheep red blood cells, while the 0.01% group did against Brucella abortus after the secondary response. Regarding serum immunoglobulin concentrations, IgG levels of the 0.1 and 1% groups were significantly higher, while IgA levels showed no significant differences. In the phagocytosis assay, each supplemented group showed an increase of the phagocytic capacity of blood monocytes. In several tests, the 1% group presented heteroscedasticity, i.e., some individuals showed high responses, while others presented poor responses. These observations indicate that dietary A. platensis enhances not systemic but some particular immune responses in broiler chickens and a high level of supplementation may inhibit this effect. Therefore, a dietary supplementation of 0.1% of A. platensis with some immunomodulatory substances that enhance mucosal immunity is suitable for upregulating the systemic immune response in broiler chickens.

Effect of Some Organic Acids and Essential Oils as Feed Additives on Growth Performance, Immune Response and Carcass Quality of Japanese Quail

Four hundred non sexed one-day old Japanese quail chicks were randomly allotted into four experimental groups (100 chicks/group). The first group (control) fed on the basal diet without any supplement while, the second to fourth groups fed on the basal diet supplemented by 0.25, 0.5 or 0.75 g of essential oils and organic acids blend (Biacid) respectively. During the experimental period (6 weeks) it was observed that using essential oils and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) blend at 0.25 or 0.5g/kg in the diet increased final quail chicks weight by about 4.1% and 9.9% respectively when compared with the control, while higher level (0.75g/kg diet) had no effect on quail chicks body weight. Also, there was a significantly increased body gain by about 4.3% and 10.6% respectively when compared with the control, while higher supplementation level had no significant effect on quail chicks weight gain. It was found that using a blend of essential oils and VFAs decreased the total feed intake of quail chicks and non-significantly improved feed conversion and protein efficiency ratio when compared with the control. On the other hand, it was observed that using essential oils and volatile fatty acids blend especially at 0.5g/kg diet increased neutrophil percentage, phagocytic activity and antibody production against Newcastle disease vaccine (NCDV) and had no adverse effect on kidney or hepatic cells function when compared with the control. Moreover, the use of Biaicd in Japanese quail chicks ration reduced total bacterial counts and E.coli in the cecal content, while increased Lactobacillus counts in the cecal content when compared with the control one.

Growth performance, carcass characteristics, fatty acid composition and sensory attributes of meat of broiler chickens fed diet incorporated with linseed oil

Day-old broiler chicks (240) were randomly distributed to 4 dietary groups with 10 replicates in each and raised for 42 days under uniform management conditions to determine the effect of supplementing omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid (FA) rich linseed oil (LO) on performance, carcass characteristics, meat fatty acid profile and sensory attributes of meat. A corn-soybean based starter (0-3 wk) and finisher (4-6 wk) control diets were formulated using sunflower oil (SFO). Subsequently, 3 experimental diets were formulated by replacing SFO with LO at 33, 67 and 100% levels. All experimental birds were provided feed and water ad lib. Body weights, feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured at weekly intervals. At the end of the experiment, 6 birds from each treatment were selected randomly and slaughtered to study the carcass traits (dressed weight, liver, giblet, breast meat and abdominal fat yield), fatty acid profile and to assess the sensory characters of meat. Dietary replacement of SFO with LO at all the levels (33, 67 or 100%) had no adverse effect on performance (weight gains, FI and FCR) and carcass traits. However, dietary incorporation of LO at 67 or 100% had significantly lowered the abdominal fat content. A significant increase in poly-unsaturated FA (PUFA), n-3 FA and a significant decrease in n-6:n-3 were noticed in breast and thigh muscle due to dietary incorporation of LO in the diets, the effect being more pronounced at the highest level of supplementation. Sensory attributes of meat was also not affected due to dietary incorporation of LO in broilers. It is concluded that dietary incorporation of LO at 2 and 3% level during starter and finisher phases, respectively, could enrich the meat with n-3 FA without affecting the performance of broilers and sensory characters of meat.

The Effect of Supplementing Air-Dried Moringa stenopetala Leaf to Natural Grass Hay on Feed Intake and Growth Performances of Arsi-Bale Goats

The most constraining factor in goat production in the tropics is underfeeding mainly attributed to limitations of feed both in quantity and quality. This study was conducted to assess the effect of supplementing different levels of air-dried Moringa stenopetala leaf (MSL) as a protein source on nutrient intake and growth performances of Arsi-Bale male goats. A total of 24 yearling goats with average initial body weight of 13.6 ± 0.25 kg were used in the study. The goats were blocked by live weight into four groups (n = 6 per group) and the groups were then randomly allocated into four supplemented treatments. All goats received a basal diet of natural grass hay ad libitum and 340 g/head/day concentrate. The treatments were the control diet with no supplementation (Treatment 1, T1) and diets supplemented with MSL at a rate of 120 g/head/day (Treatment 2, T2), 170 g/head/day (Treatment 3, T3) and 220 g/head/day (Treatment 4, T4). The duration of the experiment was 75 days. The results indicated that the average daily feed intake was (p &lt; 0.001) higher in goats supplemented with T3 and T4 diets. The total dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein intakes of goats fed with T3 and T4 supplementations were (p &lt; 0.001) also higher than those reared in T1 and T2 diets. Goats reared in T3 and T4 diets had lower (p &lt; 0.05) feed conversion ratio than those fed with T1 and T2 diets. The final body weight in goats reared in T3 and T4 diets was 18.2 kg and 18.5 kg, respectively, being (p &lt; 0.05) higher than those of T1 (15.8 kg) and T2 (16.3 kg). The average daily weight gain in goats fed with T3 and T4 diets was 111 and 114 g/goat/day, respectively, which was (p &lt; 0.05) higher than those reared in the control (T1) (54.0 g/goat/day) and T2 (58.1 g/goat/day) diets. It can thus be concluded that goats reared at high level of MSL supplementation (T3 and T4) had better nutrient intake, feed conversion efficiency and growth performances, suggesting its potential as a good protein supplement to natural grass hay at the farmer’s management level.

European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Immune Status and Disease Resistance Are Impaired by Arginine Dietary Supplementation.

Infectious diseases and fish feeds management are probably the major expenses in the aquaculture business. Hence, it is a priority to define sustainable strategies which simultaneously avoid therapeutic procedures and reinforce fish immunity. Currently, one preferred approach is the use of immunostimulants which can be supplemented to the fish diets. Arginine is a versatile amino acid with important mechanisms closely related to the immune response. Aiming at finding out how arginine affects the innate immune status or improve disease resistance of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) against vibriosis, fish were fed two arginine-supplemented diets (1% and 2% arginine supplementation). A third diet meeting arginine requirement level for seabass served as control diet. Following 15 or 29 days of feeding, fish were sampled for blood, spleen and gut to assess cell-mediated immune parameters and immune-related gene expression. At the same time, fish from each dietary group were challenged against Vibrio anguillarum and survival was monitored. Cell-mediated immune parameters such as the extracellular superoxide and nitric oxide decreased in fish fed arginine-supplemented diets. Interleukins and immune-cell marker transcripts were down-regulated by the highest supplementation level. Disease resistance data were in accordance with a generally depressed immune status, with increased susceptibility to vibriosis in fish fed arginine supplemented diets. Altogether, these results suggest a general inhibitory effect of arginine on the immune defences and disease resistance of European seabass. Still, further research will certainly clarify arginine immunomodulation pathways thereby allowing the validation of its potential as a prophylactic strategy.

Effect of winter supplementation level on yearling-system profitability

ABSTRACT Winter supplementation level economics in a forage-based calf backgrounding system were analyzed by combining 6 studies. In each study, British-breed calves were backgrounded on corn residue with high (HI) or low (LO) winter supplementation level treatments, grazed through the summer, and finished. Within study, cattle were assigned randomly to treatment with identical implant procedures and finishing diets. Feedlot performance values were adjusted to an equal fat thickness. During winter backgrounding, HI gained 0.35 kg/d (P 0.19) during finishing, but HI had 0.08 kg greater ADG (P = 0.06) and 35 kg greater final BW (P

Growth performance and immune responses of gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio, fed with graded level of rare earth-chitosan chelate

A 12-week feeding trail was conducted to assess the effect of rare earth-chitosan chelate (RECC) on growth performance and immune responses of gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio. Isonitrogenous and isolipid experimental diets were supplemented with graded levels of rare earth-chitosan chelate (RECC 0, 0.8, 4 and 8 g Kg−1). A total of 720 gibel carps (initial body weight about 14.32 g) were divided randomly into four groups with six replicates, respectively. Fish were fed with the experimental diets three times every day. At the end of the feeding trail, the survival rate was higher than 96 %. Weight gain rate and specific growth rate (SGR) significantly increased with RECC supplementation up to 0.8 g Kg−1 (P 0.05). Based on broken-line regression analysis of SGR, the optimum dietary RECC was estimated to be 0.71 g Kg−1 of the diet. Condition factor and viscerosomatic index were not significantly affected by RECC (P > 0.05), while hepatosomatic index in the group fed with 0.8 g Kg−1 RECC (3.45 ± 0.10 %) was significantly lower than in other groups (P < 0.05). Plasma ALT was significantly affected by RECC (P < 0.05), while AST was not. Plasma total protein and albumin were increased with RECC supplementation up to 0.8 g Kg−1 and decreased significantly at higher supplementation levels (P < 0.05). RECC supplementation significantly decreased plasma urea and glucose concentration and increased plasma creatinine concentration significantly (P < 0.05). Respiratory burst activity of phagocytes and myeloperoxidase activity were not significantly different between groups, while superoxide dismutase activity and nitrogen monoxide concentration were increased with the increasing level of RECC in the diets. In conclusion, RECC could enhance growth performance and improve immunity of gibel carp.

Diets containing dairy foods positively affects weight and fat loss and cytokines blood levels in premenopausal obese women

BACKGROUND: Several researches studied the relationship between Ca assumption and overweight/obesity. Levels of Ca supplementation higher than requirement, were related to increased fat loss in subjects at ipo-caloric diet and Ca from dairy foods resulted more effective than Ca from mineral source in the promotion of weight loss. OBJECTIVE: Since the available studies were conducted using very high levels of Ca supplementation or on subjects fed Ca lacking diet, we studied the role of Ca from dairy foods on subjects receiving ipo-caloric diet, with Ca content adequate to the requirements. METHODOLOGY: 40 pre-menopausal, women nursed for their obesity and eating or not dairy foods, were recruited for the study. They received ipo-caloric diets, with Ca equal to requirements. Subjects avoiding dairy products received also a Ca supplement (No Dairy group, n= 15), while other women eating at least 2 servings/d of low fat dairy products (Dairy group, n= 40). Body weight, abdominal fat and blood parameters were monitored at the beginning and at the end (3 months) of the experiment. Age and BMI were: 37.7± 7.5 years and 34.4± 3.7 for subjects included in the Dairy group and 39.8± 9.8 years and 33.8± 3.5 for women of No Dairy group. RESULTS: Women in the Dairy group showed a weight loss of 7.03% respect the initial weight, while in women avoiding dairy products the weight loss was 3.21% (P< 0.01). The whole body fat loss was 10.79% and 6,0%, for Dairy and No Dairy respectively, however the consumption of Ca from dairy foods did not affect waist circumference and abdominal-visceral fat. No evidence of significant effect of the food treatments on the main haematological parameters related to the adipose tissue metabolism were seen. Insulin levels did not showed significant variations. Leptin concentration in blood decreased between the beginning and the conclusion of the trial as a consequence of fat mass decrease (P< 0.10), but without difference between the dietary treatments. Instead the IL-6 showed a higher reduction in subjects receiving the Dairy+ diet compared to diet without dairy products. The IL-6 levels showed a significant decrease between the beginning and the end of the experiment, apart from the diet (1.20 vs 0.66 pg/ml; P 0.0135). Both the adiponectin and the unesterified fatty-acid concentration were not influenced by the diet but, while adiponectin decreased between the beginning and the end of the study, NEFA did not show significant variations along time. 1Present address: Dipartimento di Scienze per gli Alimenti, la Nutrizione e l’Ambiente, Sezione di Scienze Chimiche e Biomolecolari, Facolta di Scienze Agrarie e Alimentari, Universita degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, Milano, Italy. ∗Corresponding author: Filippo Rossi, Istituto di Scienze degli alimenti e della Nutrizione, Facolta di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy. Tel.: +39 052 359 9286; Fax. +39 052 359 9259; E-mail: filippo.rossi@unicatt.it. ISSN 1973-798X/15/$35.00 © 2015 – IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved 166 F. Rossi et al. / Diets containing dairy foods positively affects weight and fat loss IL-6 was positively correlated with leptin and fat mass, confirming the relationship between fat accumulation and inflammatory status. CONCLUSIONS: Diets containing dairy foods have increased body weight and fat loss compared to diet lacking of milk and derivatives. Also the blood levels of IL-6 resulted lower in Dairy diets.

Effect of concentrate supplementation on performance and ingestive behaviour of lambs grazing tropical Aruana grass (Panicum maximum)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of concentrate supplementation on the performance and ingestive behaviour of lambs grazing tropical grasslands of Panicum maximum cv. IZ-5 and its effect on pasture characteristics. Different levels of daily supplementation with concentrate were compared: no supplementation; or supplemented at 1.5% and 2.5% of lamb liveweight. The grazing simulation technique was used for qualitative assessment of the pasture every 28 days. Herbage mass, pasture growth rate, sward height as well as botanical and morphological composition of the pasture were evaluated. Average daily gain, gain per hectare and ingestive behaviour were measured on the lambs. The forage supply was 4% of green leaves (4 kg dry matter per 100 kg of liveweight) in all treatments. Six 3–4-month-old Texel and Corriedale lambs were used per paddock. The design was a randomised block design with three replications. Concentrate supplementation had a direct effect on pasture structure, especially height (significant interaction treatment vs period – P = 0.0373). In the treatment without supplementation, the animals grazed for a longer period than the others. Idle time was higher in the treatment with the highest level of supplementation, and rumination time was similar among the treatments. Supplementation with 2.5% significantly increased the average daily gain (0.143 g vs 0.026 g for no supplementation) and gain per hectare (30 kg vs 258 kg for no supplementation vs supplementation at 2.5% of lamb liveweight, respectively). The results show the potential increase in production and productivity with the use of concentrate supplementation at 2.5% lamb bodyweight. Notwithstanding the increase in production, supplementation with concentrate provided a strong negative impact on pasture structure and behaviour of animals that should be considered when using concentrate supplementation for finishing lambs in tropical regions.

The effect of high and low levels of supplementation on milk production, nitrogen utilization efficiency, and milk protein fractions in late-lactation dairy cows

To fill the feed deficit in the autumn/late lactation period in a seasonal grazing system, supplementation is required. This study aimed to investigate the use of baled grass silage or concentrate as supplementation to grazing dairy cows in late lactation. Eighty-four grass-based spring-calving dairy cows, averaging 212d in milk, were allocated to 1 of 6 treatments [high grass allowance (HG), low grass allowance (LG), grass with a low concentrate allocation (GCL), grass with a low grass silage allocation (GSL), grass with a high concentrate allocation (GCH), and grass with a high grass silage allocation (GSH)] to measure the effects of using baled grass silage or concentrate as supplements to grazed grass. Effects on intake, milk yield, milk composition and N fractions, and N utilization efficiency were measured. Treatments HG and LG received 17 and 14kg of dry matter (DM) grass/cow per d, respectively. Treatments GCL and GSL were offered 14kg of DM grass/cow per d and 3kg of DM of supplementation/cow per d. Treatments GCH and GSH were offered 11kg of DM grass/cow per d and 6kg of DM of supplementation/cow per d. Milk yield was greatest in the GCH treatment and milk solids yield was greatest in both concentrate-supplemented treatments. The HG and LG treatments excreted a greater quantity of N as a proportion of N intake than the supplemented treatments. The HG treatment also excreted the greatest total quantity of N. This indicates an improvement in N utilization efficiency when supplementation is offered compared with grazing only. Offering 6kg of DM of either grass silage or concentrate as supplementation decreased milk true protein concentration compared with offering a grass-only diet. This suggests that increasing the proportion of supplementation relative to grass may negatively affect milk processability, which is associated with milk true protein concentration.