Increase In Dry Matter Intake Research Articles

Effect of drinking water frequency on nutrient digestibility in lactating Deoni cows

A trial was conducted to study the effect of drinking water frequency on production performance of lactating Deoni cows with the objectives to assess the effect of different drinking water frequency on water intake, dry matter intake and nutrient digestibility. Nine lactating Deoni cows were selected on the basis of age, body weight, parity, stage of lactation and milk yield and divided into three groups comprising of 3 animals in each group. The experiment was conducted in three periods in Switch over design in order to expose each group to all the three treatments. The control treatment (T1) received ad libitum drinking water whereas, treatment T2 and T3 received drinking water twice and thrice daily, respectively. Significantly higher water intake was noticed in thrice daily watering than rest of the treatments, while intake of water was decreased in twice daily watering compared to other treatments. Dry matter intake was positively correlated with water intake. Significant increase in dry matter intake was observed in ad libitum and thrice daily watering whereas, dry matter intake was decreased when frequency of watering adjusted to twice daily. The apparent digestibilities of all the nutrients including DM, CP, CF, EE and NFE was significantly improved due to restriction of drinking water to twice daily (T2). However, ad libitum and thrice daily watering were at par for DM, CP, CF and NFE digestibility except EE digestibility differ significantly in all the treatments.

Nutrient utilization and energy balance profile in probiotic supplemented Asian elephants

Aim: A study was methodized to evaluate whether supplementation of probiotics could impact the utilization of nutrients and energy in Asian elephants. Materials and Methods: Eighteen elephants were randomly selected for 60 days experiment including five days of the digestibility trial and divided into three groups with six elephants each i.e. control with no probiotic (T1) and the other two with probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus in T2 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in T3 groups at 1 × 109 CFU/gm concentrate per 50 kg body weight/ day orally. Results: : The intakes of ether extract and total ash revealed significant whereas the digestibility coefficients of total ash and acid-insoluble ash exhibited a highly significant effect of treatment. However, other values of intakes and the digestibility coefficients of proximate principles and fibre fractions could not reveal any significant effect. Practical nutritional worth, plane of nutrition and energy balance profile were also found to be non significant among the groups. Increasing trend of intake and the digestibility of energy; and the relative difference was associated with increased DM intake and NDF digestibility. The mean values for TDN%, NR, digestible DM and OM intakes and TDN intake were obtained to be higher for probiotic supplemented groups than the control group. Conclusion: It is concluded that probiotic supplementation could not exhibit any significant effect on nutrients and energy utilization in elephants. However, further research is needed to examine the effects of high doses, strain and viability of the probiotics.

Modeling the effect of ambient temperature on reticulorumen temperature, and drinking and eating behaviors of late-lactation dairy cows during colder seasons

Dairy cows may suffer thermal stress during the colder seasons especially due to their open-air housing systems. Free water temperature (FWT) and feed temperature (FT) are dependent on ambient temperature (AT) and can be critical for maintaining body and reticulorumen temperature (RT) in cold conditions. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of FWT and FT on RT fluctuations, and of AT on RT and drinking and eating behaviors in late-lactation cows during cold exposure. Data were collected from 16 multiparous lactating cows for four 6-d periods during the autumn and winter seasons. The cows (224 ± 36 days in milk; mean ± SD) had an average milk yield (MY) of 24.8 ± 4.97 kg/d and RT of 38.84 ± 0.163 °C. Daily average AT ranged from 4.38 to 17.25 °C. The effects of the temperature and amount of the ingested water or feed on RT change and recovery time, and the effect of the daily AT on RT, feed and water intake, and drinking, eating, and rumination behaviors were analyzed using the generalized additive mixed model framework. Reticulorumen temperature change and recovery time were affected by FWT (+0.0596 °C/°C and −1.27 min/°C, respectively), but not by FT. The amount of the ingested free water and feed affected RT change (−0.108 °C/kg drink size and −0.150 °C/kg meal size, respectively), and RT recovery time (+2.13 min/kg drink size and + 3.71 min/kg meal size, respectively). Colder AT decreased RT by 0.0151 °C/°C between 9.91 and 17.25 °C AT. Cows increased DM intake (DMI) by 0.365 kg/d per 1 °C drop in AT below 10.63 °C, but with no increase in MY. In fact, MY:DMI decreased by 0.0106/°C as AT dropped from 17.25 to 4.38 °C. Free water intake (FWI) was reduced by 0.0856 FWI:DMI/°C as AT decreased from 17.25 to 8.27 °C. Cold exposure influenced animal behavior with fewer drink and meal bouts (−0.432 and −0.290 bouts/d, respectively), larger drink sizes (+0.100 kg/bout), and shorter rumination time (−5.31 min/d) per 1 °C decrease in AT from 17.25 °C to 8.77, 12.53, 4.38, and 10.32 °C, respectively. In conclusion, exposure to low AT increased feed intake, reduced water intake, and changes in eating, drinking and rumination behaviors of dairy cows in late lactation. Additionally, the consequences of cold exposure on cows may be aggravated by ingestion of feed and free water at temperatures lower than the body, potentially impacting feed efficiency due to the extra energetic cost of thermoregulation.

163 Impact of feeding wet or dry traditional or fractionated (Solbran) distiller’s grains on feedlot cattle performance and carcass characteristics

Abstract Solbran (ICM, Colwich, KS) is new corn byproduct of ethanol production composed of fiber plus condensed distiller’s solubles and can be fed dry (Dry Solbran; NDF = 41.1%; CP = 21.84%; Ether extract = 8.4%), or wet (Wet Solbran; NDF = 49.7%; CP = 22.67%; Ether extract = 8.5%). The objective of this study was to evaluate the energy value of dry and wet Solbran compared with traditional dry- (DDGS) and wet- distiller’s grains plus solubles (WGGS) in beef cattle finishing diets. The treatments included a control (CON) with no distiller’s grains compared with the inclusion of DDGS, WDGS, Dry Solbran and Wet Solbran at two levels (20% and 40%) resulting in a 2 × 2 × 2 + 1 factorial. Orthogonal contrasts defined linear and quadratic effects of byproduct inclusion through the common intercept of CON. Additionally, interactions among inclusion (20% or 40%), moisture (dry and wet) and processing method (Solbran or traditional) were evaluated as a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial without CON. There was a linear increase in dry matter intake (DMI) by adding DDGS, Dry Solbran, and Wet Solbran (P < 0.01) and a tendency for a linear increase in dry matter intake (DMI) with WDGS (P = 0.07). There was a linear increase in ADG by adding DDGS or Wet Solbran (P < 0.05) and a tendency for a linear increase in average daily gain (ADG) with the addition of Dry Solbran or WDGS (P < 0.10). These changes in DMI and ADG resulted in a linear decrease in gain to feed ratio (G:F) when Dry Solbran was added (P < 0.01), and a tendency towards a linear decrease in G:F when DDGS was added (P < 0.10). The inclusion of Wet Solbran or WDGS did not influence G:F (P = 0.45). For the 2 × 2 × 2 factorial, there was a 2-way interaction for moisture by inclusion of byproduct for G:F where wet byproduct fed at 40% of the diet resulted in the greatest G:F and 40% dry byproduct resulted in the least G:F (P = 0.04). This interaction was driven by an increase in DMI for 40% byproduct when fed dry, and a reduction in DMI for both 20 and 40% byproduct fed wet. There was no difference in ADG between the treatments (P = 0.75). For the main effect byproduct type, steers fed Solbran had greater DMI (P < 0.01) with no difference in ADG (P = 0.79), resulting in a 3% reduction in G:F (P = 0.03) for steers fed Solbran but greater marbling (P < 0.01). Impact of feeding distillers grains byproducts on DMI, ADG, and G:F are impacted by the processes used in the ethanol plant, whether wet or dry, and dietary inclusion.

Effects of feeding rumen-protected lysine during the postpartum period on performance and amino acid profile in dairy cows: A meta-analysis

Lysine is one of the limiting AA in the diets of dairy cows and is typically fed as rumen-protected Lys (RPL). We hypothesized that supplementation of RPL during the postpartum period would improve the productive performance in dairy cows. Objectives were to use meta-analytic methods to explore the effects of feeding RPL on performance and blood AA profile in lactating dairy cows. An additional objective was to identify an optimal concentration (%) of Lys in MP (LYSMP) and determine if responses to LYSMP were associated with the concentration (%) of Met in MP (METMP). The literature was systematically reviewed, and 13 experiments, comprising 40 treatment means and 594 lactating cows, were included in the meta-analysis. All experiments had a nonsupplemental control (CON; n = 17 treatment means), or a group supplemented with RPL (n = 23 treatment means). Cows supplemented with RPL were supplied additionally with a mean (±standard deviation) 19.3 ± 10.3 g/d metabolizable Lys (5.1-40.6 g/d). Meta-analytical statistics were used to estimate the weighted mean difference in STATA. Mixed models were fitted to the data to investigate the linear and quadratic effects of LYSMP, METMP, and interactions between LYSMP and METMP. All models included the random effect of experiment and weighting by the inverse of the SE of the means squared. Cows that began receiving RPL in early lactation (≤90 DIM) or for an extended duration (≥70 DIM) produced 1.51 kg/d more milk compared with CON cows. Increasing digestible LYSMP from 6.5% to 8.5% linearly increased yields of milk, FCM, ECM, and milk fat by 1.8, 2.5, 2.4, and 0.10 kg/d, respectively, and tended to increase milk protein yield and body weight gain by 0.07 and 0.09 kg/d, respectively, without a concurrent increase in DMI. Interactions between the linear effects of LYSMP and METMP were observed for FCM/DMI or ECM/DMI. In a diet with low METMP (e.g., 1.82% of MP), a digestible supply of 7.40% LYSMP would result in 1.46 and 1.47 kg/kg FCM/DMI or ECM/DMI, respectively; however, with high digestible METMP (e.g., 2.91% of MP), supplying 7.40% of digestible LYSMP would result in 1.68 and 1.62 kg/kg FCM/DMI or ECM/DMI, respectively. Increasing digestible LYSMP from 6.5% to 8.5% linearly increased blood concentrations of Lys by 16.6 µM, whereas blood concentrations of Met and Ala decreased by 4.6 and 6.0 µM, respectively. Nevertheless, an interaction was also observed between LYSMP and METMP for blood concentrations of total EAA because as METMP increased, the positive response to LYSMP on total EAA was also increased, suggesting a competitive mobilization of AA and their utilization in various body tissues. Only 4 out of the 13 experiments in this meta-analysis involved primiparous cows; thus, insufficient data were available to understand the role of supplemental RPL in primiparous cows. Collectively, feeding RPL improved productive performance, and the increments were maximized up to 9.25% of LYSMP in multiparous dairy cows.

Feeding sorghum dry distillers grains plus solubles to early-weaned beef calves

This study evaluated the effect of feeding sorghum dry distillers grains plus solubles (SDDGS) to early-weaned beef calves as an energy/protein source in a sorghum-grain-based diet. Twenty-four castrated Hereford calves (84.6 ± 11.0 kg) were assigned randomly to four rations differing in SDDGS concentrations (0, 130, 260, or 390 g/kg, dry matter [DM] basis), where the SDDGS replaced a mixture of sorghum ground grain (420 g/kg) and soybean meal (580 g/kg) at a balance that ensured a similar supply of crude protein (185 g/kg) and metabolizable energy (12.1 MJ/kg) in the ration. The feeding period lasted for 70 days, with animals individually fed ad libitum in three daily meals. Increasing SDDGS in the diet linearly increased DM intake, fiber and fat intake (P<0.01), without affecting nitrogen intake or DM digestibility (P>0.10). Higher SDDGS did not affect (P>0.10) calves’ BW gain (1.13 kg/d, SE 0.05) or final BW (160.0 kg, SE 8.8), but it did result in a linear drop in gain-to-feed ratio (GF= −0.0012 × + 0.2679; P<0.01). No differences were detected in animal behavior (eating, resting, or ruminating activity) due to treatments (P>0.10). The observed net energy (NE) in the control diet was below the expected value based on feeding standards; as SDDGS replaced a higher proportion of sorghum grain and soybean meal in the control diet, the observed diet NE concentration declined linearly (P<0.01). The highest replacement rate represented a reduction of 15% and 20% in diet NE for maintenance and BW gain, respectively.

Ceramide on the road to insulin resistance and immunometabolic disorders in transition dairy cows: driver or passenger?

Dairy cows must undergo profound metabolic and endocrine adaptations during their transition period to meet the nutrient requirements of the developing fetus, parturition, and the onset of lactation. Insulin resistance in extrahepatic tissues is a critical component of homeorhetic adaptations in periparturient dairy cows. However, due to increased energy demands at calving that are not followed by a concomitant increase in dry matter intake, body stores are mobilized, and the risk of metabolic disorders dramatically increases. Sphingolipid ceramides involved in multiple vital biological processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and inflammation. Three typical pathways generate ceramide, and many factors contribute to its production as part of the cell's stress response. Based on lipidomic profiling, there has generally been an association between increased ceramide content and various disease outcomes in rodents. Emerging evidence shows that ceramides might play crucial roles in the adaptive metabolic alterations accompanying the initiation of lactation in dairy cows. A series of studies also revealed a negative association between circulating ceramides and systemic insulin sensitivity in dairy cows experiencing severe negative energy balance. Whether ceramide acts as a driver or passenger in the metabolic stress of periparturient dairy cows is an unknown but exciting topic. In the present review, we discuss the potential roles of ceramides in various metabolic dysfunctions and the impacts of their perturbations. We also discuss how this novel class of bioactive sphingolipids has drawn interest in extrahepatic tissue insulin resistance and immunometabolic disorders in transition dairy cows. We also discuss the possible use of ceramide as a new biomarker for predicting metabolic diseases in cows and highlight the remaining problems.

High dietary cation and anion difference formulation increased heat dissipation in non-lactating goats fed at high ambient temperature.

In our previous study, we observed that a high dietary cation and anion difference (DCAD) of 40 mEq/kg dry matter (DM) in the diets of lactating dairy goats increased heat dissipation. In the present study, we believe that the level of DCAD fed to non-lactating and non-pregnant goats was twice as high as that fed to lactating goats in our previous study. This increase could have resulted in a greater water balance due to increased intake of water and unchanged urinary excretion. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the behavioral and heat dissipation effects of a dietary shift from low to high DCAD levels in dairy goats under tropical conditions. Seven non-lactating and non-pregnant crossbred goats were used in this study. All animals were initially fed a low DCAD (15 mEq/100 g DM) diet from days 0-6 and then switched to a high DCAD (89 mEq/100 g DM) diet from day 7 (high DCAD-7) to day 18 (high DCAD-18). The results revealed that a high DCAD increased DM intake from days 13-18 (p < 0.05). The larger daily meal size associated with the high DCAD-18 group was due to increased daytime meal sizes, not nighttime when compared to the low DCAD group. Dietary cation and anion difference supplementation did not affect daily water intake; however, drinking patterns differed between the low DCAD group and the high DCAD-7 group from 07:00 to 09:00 and during nighttime. Similarly, daily urine volume was unaffected by DCAD supplementation, but urinary patterns differed between the low DCAD and high DCAD-18 groups. The daily water balance remained unchanged across all treatments, yet, a higher morning water balance was observed in the high DCAD group. The high DCAD diet led to an increase in respiration rate and rectal temperature compared to the low DCAD diet. The observed eating, drinking, and urinary patterns collectively suggested that high DCAD supplementation mitigates the effects of heat stress in non-lactating goats fed at high ambient temperatures.

Effect of woodchip bedding during wet conditions on feedlot cattle productivity, behaviour and relative adrenal gland weight

Problems associated with muddy pens have been identified as some of the most serious animal welfare issues related to outdoor feedlot beef production, but there is relatively little work examining the use of woodchip bedding for lot-fed beef cattle under conditions of cold, wet, but non-freezing winters on soil under-bases. This study examined the effects of graded levels of woodchip on the performance and behaviour of feedlot cattle housed in wet pen conditions. Bos taurus steers (n = 300; 379.1 ± 24.1 kg) were blocked by weight and breed and randomly assigned to 30 10-steer feedlot pens provided with either no woodchip bedding (Control, n = 10) manure interface only, or 15 cm depth of woodchip bedding (W15, n = 10) or 30 cm depth of woodchip bedding (W30, n = 10). The steers were housed in these treatment pens for 109 days on a feedlot ration, and the pens were irrigated so that approximately 74 mm of total precipitation (irrigation + natural rainfall) fell onto the pen surface every 30 days. Temperatures were mostly <20 °C maximum and −1 to 5 °C minimum. Steers were weighed on five occasions. Animal position and posture in pen were recorded once a week over an 8-hour day-time period. Carcase characteristics were measured, and adrenal gland weights were recorded. Providing woodchip bedding increased liveweight gain (P < 0.001) and gain:feed (G:F, P = 0.012) after day 28, increased DM intake (DMI) after day 92 (P = 0.049), and increased carcase weight (P = 0.001) and dressing percentage (P = 0.023). There was no additional benefit of W30 over W15 for liveweight gain or DMI, but the benefit of W15 for G:F was lower than that of W30 by the end of the feeding period (P = 0.012). There were no effects of bedding on other carcase quality traits. Steers in Control pens utilised the front of the pen for lying and standing more than the W15 and W30 steers (P < 0.001) suggesting the steers in the Control pens perceived the front of the pen as less aversive, potentially due to increased drainage compared to rest of the pen and proximity to feed bunk. Adrenal gland weight/kg and carcase weight tended to be higher in the Control treatment group than the W30 steers (P = 0.077). This research has demonstrated that for a 109-day feeding period in cold, wet conditions, steer performance and welfare can be improved by providing a minimum of 15 cm woodchip bedding.

105 The Effects of Roughage Neutral Detergent Fiber Concentration and Bulk Density of Steam-Flaked Corn on Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Liver Abscesses in Finishing Beef Steers

Abstract We evaluated the effects of dietary neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration from alfalfa hay and bulk density of steam-flaked corn (SFC) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and liver abscesses in finishing beef steers. Crossbred beef steers (n = 214; 60 pens; 10 pens/treatment; initial BW 417 ± 11.9 kg) were blocked by BW and assigned randomly to treatments and fed an average of 112 d. The treatments were arranged as a 2 × 3 factorial and consisted of three NDF concentrations from alfalfa hay (3, 4.5, or 6%) and 335 g/L (10.9 kg/bu) or 425 g/L (14.5 kg/bu) steam-flaked corn (SFC; 33 or 69% starch availability, respectively). Steers were harvested at a commercial abattoir where carcass data and livers scores were collected. Performance and carcass data were analyzed with PROC MIXED of SAS with pen as the experimental unit. Pen quality grade distribution and liver scores were analyzed as binomial proportions using PROC GLIMMIX. No interactions between roughage NDF and bulk density of SFC were noted (P &amp;gt; 0.18); therefore, main effects are presented. Live and carcass-adjusted growth performance did not differ throughout the study (P ≥ 0.28), except for an increase in dry matter intake by steers fed 6% vs. 3 or 4.5% roughage NDF from d 70 to 105 (P = 0.02). Marbling score was greater (P = 0.05) for steers fed 3% than for 4.5 or 6% roughage NDF, and steers fed 335 g/L SFC tended to have a larger longissimus muscle area (P = 0.10) than those fed 425 g/L SFC. Presence of LA at harvest was 17.9 and 23.4% less (P &amp;lt; 0.01) in the steers fed 4.5 and 6% roughage NDF, respectively, than for those fed 3% roughage NDF. Similarly, the presence of A+ abscesses was greater (P = 0.03) in steers fed 3% roughage NDF than in those fed 4.5 or 6% roughage NDF. Liver abscesses were 11.7% less (P = 0.05) in steers fed 425 vs. 335 g/L SFC. Results suggest that increasing roughage NDF and bulk density of SFC are dietary strategies to decrease the presence of liver abscesses at harvest without negatively affecting growth performance.

343 Combination of Feed Additives to Reduce Methane Emissions and Increase Performance By Feedlot Cattle

Abstract Our objective was to evaluate the effects of 3-Nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) associated with different feed additives on performance, carcass characteristics and enteric methane (CH4) emissions. Twenty-seven Nellore bulls (initial BW, 410 ± 6 kg) were randomly allocated to three treatments with nine replicates per treatment (animal as experimental unit). The animals were fed a high-concentrate feedlot diet (R:C, 10:90) for 102 days, according with the following three treatments: 1) Control (CTRL): Sodium Monensin (26 mg/kg DM); 2) BOV: Control + 3-NOP (Bovaer;100 mg/kg DM); 3) BOVPERF (Bovaer Performance pack): Control + 3-NOP (100 mg/kg DM) + Essential oils (Crina Ruminants, 100 mg/kg DM) + 25-OH-Vitamin D3 (Hy-D, 0.10 mg/kg DM) + carbo-amino-phospho-chelate of chromium and zinc (0.4 and 60 mg/kg of DM, respectively). The gases emissions (CH4 and H2) and DMI variables were assessed individually, by using the GreenFeed and Intergado electronic system placed in the feedlot pen, respectively. The BW of Yearling bulls were recorded at the beginning and final of the experiment after 16-h fasting (Table). Data were analyzed by ANOVA using the PROC MIXED of SAS 9.4, in which means comparison were evaluated by Tukey test at P &amp;lt; 0.05. Feeding BOVPERF increased DM intake during adaptation period (P = 0.04), and over the total period (P &amp;lt; 0.01) compared with control with no difference on feed efficiency (P =0.61). There was no difference (P &amp;gt; 0.05) on DMI between CTRL and BOV. Animals fed BOVPERF had greater HCW (+13 kg, P = 0.04) and greater carcass ADG (+120 g/d, P = 0.04) compared with CTRL. Animals fed BOV and BOVPERF emitted 39% less CH4 (P &amp;lt; 0.01) and produced 292% more H2 (P &amp;lt; 0.01) compared with CTRL. In addition, there were significant reductions in methane intensity, as measured by the ratios CH4/kg DM (-42%; P &amp;lt; 0.01), and CH4/kg carcass ADG (-41.13%; P &amp;lt; 0.01) for animals fed with BOV and BOVPERF compared with CTRL. We conclude that feeding Bovaer performance pack reduces methane emissions and increases carcass production in feedlot beef cattle.

Interaction of DGAT1 polymorphism, parity, and acetate supplementation on feeding behavior, milk synthesis, and plasma metabolites

Acetate supplementation increases milk fat production, but interactions with animal-related factors have not been investigated. The objective of this study was to characterize the interaction of acetate supplementation with parity and genetic potential for milk fat synthesis including the DGAT1 K232A polymorphism (AA and KA genotypes). In total, 47 primiparous and 49 multiparous lactating cows were used in 2 blocks in a crossover design. The basal diet was formulated to have a low risk of biohydrogenation-induced milk fat depression and had 32.8% and 32.0% neutral detergent fiber and 21.7% and 23.6% starch [all on a dry matter (DM) basis] in block 1 and 2, respectively. The control treatment received the basal diet, and the acetate supplementation treatment included anhydrous sodium acetate supplemented to the basal diet at 3.2% and 3.1% of DM of the diet for block 1 and 2, respectively (targeting 10 mol/d of acetate). The DGAT1 genotype frequency of the experimental cows was 45% AA and 51% KA, with 4% cows with either a KK or unimputable genotype. Acetate supplementation increased DM intake (DMI) in KA multiparous cows, but acetate did not change DMI in AA multiparous or primiparous cows of either genotype. Acetate supplementation increased the frequency of meals by 8% and decreased the length of each meal by ∼5 min compared with control. There was no effect of acetate on milk yield. Acetate supplementation increased milk fat yield and concentration by 117 g/d and 0.31 percentage units, respectively, regardless of DGAT1 polymorphism or parity. The increase in milk fat yield was mostly due to an increase in yield of 16C mixed-sourced fatty acids, suggesting that acetate supplementation drives mammary de novo synthesis toward completion. Response to acetate supplementation was not related to genomic predicted transmitting ability of milk fat concentration and yield or to pretrial milk fat percent and yield, suggesting that acetate increases milk fat production regardless of genetic potential for milk fat yield and level of milk fat synthesis. Interestingly, analyzing the temporal effect on the interaction between treatment and DGAT1 polymorphism on milk fat yield suggested that DGAT1 polymorphism may affect the short-term response to acetate supplementation during the first ≤7 d on treatment. Acetate supplementation also increased plasma β-hydroxybutyrate concentration and decreased plasma glucose concentration. In conclusion, acetate supplementation consistently increased milk fat synthesis regardless of parity or genetic potential for milk fat synthesis.

RETRACTED: Dietary cysteamine addition remarkably improved the growth performance and increased carcass protein deposition via inhibiting proteolysis-related genes in feedlot lambs

Cysteamine (CS), a metabolic product of coenzyme A in mammals, has been increasingly employed in China as a potential growth promoter in cattle and lamb feedlotting. This study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of CS on apparent nutrient digestibility, rumen methane fermentation, N metabolism, and slaughter performance. The experiment involved 48 male Dorper-Hu hybrid lambs with an initial live body weight of 33.32 ± 0.94 kg. These lambs were assigned to four dietary CS addition treatment groups with diets consisting of foxtail millet silage, corn straw, corn grain, soybean meal rapeseed meal, and different concentrations of CS (0, 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg body weight). The results showed that increasing dietary CS concentrations led to a linear increase in dry matter intake and average daily weight gain, as well as a quadratic increase in the apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and crude protein (P < 0.05). Furthermore, increasing dietary CS concentrations linearly increased free fatty acids, growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I, while linearly decreased somatostatin levels (P < 0.01). In addition, increasing dietary CS concentrations linearly increased propionate but decreased acetate and methane prediction by 7.9–15.2% (P < 0.05). Based on the N balance measurement, increasing dietary CS concentrations quadratically increased daily N intake by 12.3% and daily N retention by 8.1–34.8% via reducing N loss efficiency in urine by 13.5% and in feces by 14.8% (P < 0.01). Dietary CS addition linearly increased the meat-to-bone ratio by 8.0–23.1% and lean yield by 6.4–22.2%; however, it decreased back tissue thickness (GR) by 8.7–11.3% and the fat-to-net meat yield ratio by 2.2–13.0% (P < 0.05). Furthermore, increasing dietary CS concentrations linearly increased the mRNA relative expression of insulin-like growth factors - I and protein kinase B (P < 0.05), while linearly decreased the relative mRNA expression of forkhead box protein o4, muscle ring finger 1, and muscle atrophy F-Box (P < 0.05). Cysteamine increased weight gain (+22.1%) via increasing feed intake and inhibiting somatostatin levels, and 40 mg/kg BW was determined to be the optimal dose for feeding. Furthermore, CS increased carcass protein deposition and decreased GR by inhibiting proteolysis, which improved carcass performance.

Effect of drinking water frequency on yield and chemical composition of milk in lactating Deoni cows

A trial was conducted to study the effect of drinking water frequency on production performance of lactating Deoni cows with the objectives to assess the effect of different drinking water frequency on water intake, dry matter intake, yield and chemical composition of milk. Nine lactating Deoni cows were selected on the basis of age, body weight, parity, stage of lactation and milk yield and divided into three groups comprising of 3 animals in each group. The experiment was conducted in three periods in Switch over design in order to expose each group to all the three treatments. The control treatment (T1) received ad libitum drinking water whereas, treatment T2 and T3 received drinking water twice and thrice daily, respectively. Significantly higher water intake was noticed in thrice daily watering than rest of the treatments, while intake of water was decreased in twice daily watering compared to other treatments. Dry matter intake was positively correlated with water intake. Significant increase in dry matter intake was observed in ad libitum and thrice daily watering whereas, dry matter intake was decreased when frequency of watering adjusted to twice daily. Significantly higher milk yield was noticed in thrice daily watering followed by ad libitum and twice daily watering. Milk production was significantly decreased in twice daily watering whereas, ad libitum supply of water did not found beneficial over thrice daily watering considering milk production. Twice daily watering significantly increased the fat and total solids content in the milk. Effect of drinking water frequency on solids not fat content was non-significant.

Nutritional and Physiological Responses of Sudan Desert Sheep and Nubian Goats to Water Restriction

This study was conducted to compare the nutrient utilization,concentration of some rumen metabolites, blood urea nitrogen and somephysiological responses to water restriction in Sudan desert sheep andNubian goats. Three yearling uncastrated intact males from each species,averaging 18.37 kg (for sheep) and 13.21 kg (for goats), were randomlyallotted to four treatments in a completely randomized block design witha 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to determine the effects ofanimal species and water restriction. Both species were offered either adlibitum feed and water or water restricted to 50% of ad libitum level withad libitum feed. Animal species resulted in a significant (P&lt;0.01) increasein dry matter intake, water intake, faecal dry matter and respiration rateand a decrease (P&lt;0.01) in water intake: dry matter intake ratio in sheepcompared with goats. Sheep showed also higher (P&lt;0.05) urine volumevalue than goats. Rectal temperature was not affected by animal species.Dry matter intake, faecal dry matter and urine volume decreasedinsignificantly with water restriction. However, water intake and waterintake: dry matter intake ratio decreased significantly (P&lt;0.01) withtreatment. Rectal temperature and respiration rate values were almostsimilar at the two levels of water intake. Species x treatment interactionshowed a significant (P&lt;0.01) increase in water intake in sheep comparedwith goats given water ad libitum. Water intake, however, decreased inboth species as a result of water restriction. Animal species induced asignificant effect on the apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter,organic matter, crude protein, crude fibre, nitrogen free extract and totaldigestible nutrients. Ether extract digestibility did not differ betweenspecies. Goats had lower digestibility coefficients and total digestiblenutrients compared with sheep. Except for ether extract digestibility, the&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; 233Sulafa M. H. Hassouna and Asim A. A. Lutfidigestibility coefficients of nutrients as well as total digestible nutrientsincreased with water restriction. Sheep had the highest nitrogen balancevalue. Nitrogen balance showed similar trend whether it is expressed as apercentage of nitrogen intake or digested nitrogen. Species x treatmentinteractions were not found for digestibility and nitrogen balance data.Rumen pH and ammonia nitrogen were not affected significantly byspecies. Water restriction did not induce a significant effect on rumen pHand blood urea nitrogen. A significant species and treatment effect onblood urea nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen, respectively, was recorded.

Supplementation of Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) on the utilization of Mimosa pigra and Leucaena leucocephala leaf for in vitro fermentation.

Ipomoea aquatica (Water Spinach) is the most potential for livestock growth performance, including chickens, pigs, cattle, and goats, especially in a tropical country like Cambodia. It is not only an alternative feed source but also one kind of supplemented feed for goat raising. Supplementation with Water Spinach in the utilization of low-quality tree foliage results in an increase in dry matter intake in goat production. This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of supplementation of Water Spinach in the utilization of Mimosa pigra and Leucaena leucocephala leaf in in vitro fermentation. The study was designed according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in randomized design of seven treatments with different ratios consisted of different three types of dietary treatments, including M. pigra, L. leucocephala, and Water Spinach. The treatments were arranged according to a completely randomized design and were as follow: T1 = M. pigra leaf (100%); T2 = L. leucocephala leaf (100%); T3 = M. pigra leaf and L. leucocephala leaf (50% and 50%); T4 = M. pigra leaf and Water Spinach (99.5% and 0.5%); T5 = L. leucocephala leaf and Water Spinach (99.5% and 0.5%); T6 = M. pigra leaf and Water Spinach (99% and 1%); and T7 = L. leucocephala leaf and Water Spinach (99% and 1%). A total of 200 mg (dry matter) of dietary treatments were prepared in a 60 mL syringe. Each treatment was replicated 3 time. Gas recording of each treatment lasted for 3 days. In vitro was performed for 72 h, was followed by Makkar method. Gas production was recorded at 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h of incubation by using strict anaerobic technique. A mixture of rumen fluid and dietary treatments were carried out under continuous flushing with CO2 in sharking incubator at 39°C. After incubating for 72 h, the ammonia concentration (NH3-N) was measured and recorded to identify pH, nutrient digestibility, and ammonia concentration (NH3-N). Nutrient digestibility of the treatment with Water Spinach supplement in the utilization of L. leucocephala was obtained at a higher digestibility than treatment with M. pigra (p < 0.05). Gas production was different between groups (p < 0.05). Treatment with only M. pigra leaf had the highest gas production (A), while treatment with Water Spinach supplementation had the lowest gas production (A). At 0-24 h, the treatment with L. leucocephala leaf and Water Spinach 0.5% had the highest gas production, but after 24 h, M. pigra leaf and Water Spinach 1% and L. leucocephala leaf and Water Spinach 0.5% produced more gas compared to the other treatments (p < 0.05). The supplementation of Water Spinach 1% in treatment with M. pigra and L. leucocephala leaf resulted in increased degradability, gas production, and NH3-N concentration without a change in the pH value rumen condition. Based on these results, it is recommended that the level of Water Spinach supplementation should be 1% of dietary intake. Future studies should consider investigating the rumen ecology associated with Water Spinach supplementation. Feeding with Water Spinach remains a good supplement for ruminant performance; therefore, further studies should be conducted using Water Spinach in ruminant feeding in both metabolic and feeding trials.

Use of monosodium-glutamate as a novel dietary supplement strategy for ovarian stimulation in goats.

This study aimed to investigate the reproductive effects of adding monosodium glutamate (MSG) to the diet of goats. Eleven adult goats received synchronized estrus and follicular waves using three prostaglandin analog injections every seven days. Goats allocated to individual pens received 1 g/kg BW of MSG in their diet for 23 days (MOGLU group, n = 6), whereas the control group (n = 5) maintained the base diet. The supplemented animals showed an increase in dry matter intake (P < 0.0001) and a reduction in heart rate (P < 0.05), respiratory rate, and ruminal movement (P < 0.001). Surface and rectal temperatures were higher in the MOGLU group, (P < 0.0001) with a significant increase in the afternoon. There was an increase (P < 0.05) in the frequency of behaviors related to rumination, defecation, and urination in the MOGLU group, and a reduction in behaviors associated with stress (P < 0.05). No differences were observed in the plasma levels of proteins, albumin, urea, cholesterol, or triglycerides. Glucose levels were lower (P < 0.05) in the MOGLU group, which also showed increased glutathione peroxide levels during the induction of ovulation. Supplemented animals recorded a larger number (P < 0.05) of follicles throughout the experimental period and higher intraovarian blood perfusion (P < 0.05) during ovulation induction. We conclude that MSG exerts a positive effect on the reproductive response in goats and therefore represents an effective nutritional supplement.

The Effects of Feeding Milled Rapeseed Seeds with Different Forage:Concentrate Ratios in Jersey Dairy Cows on Milk Production, Milk Fatty Acid Composition, and Milk Antioxidant Capacity.

We aimed to evaluate the effects of milled rapeseed (MR) supplementation of low- or high-concentrate diets on milk production and composition, fatty acids (FAs) profile, and antioxidant capacity. Sixteen Jersey dairy cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design, for four periods of 4 weeks, and assigned to four treatments as a 2 × 2 factorial design. Dietary treatments consisted of iso-nitrogenated total mixed rations with high (65:35; LC-low concentrate) or low (50:50; HC-high concentrate) forage:concentrate (FC) ratios, supplemented with MR to provide 30 g oil/kg dry matter (DM) (LR and HR), or without MR supplement (L and H). Increasing the proportion of concentrates led to an increase in DM intake (DMI), net energy (NEL) intake, and milk production, but milk fat and protein content decreased. Supplementing diets with MR led to an increase in NEL intake and milk production, but did not affect DMI and milk composition. Diets supplemented with MR caused a decrease in the concentration of FAs with atherogenic effect and the increase in the level of FAs beneficial for human health (C18:1 cis-9, C18:1 trans-11, and C18:3 n-3), while the decrease in the FC ratio had a negative effect on omega-3 FAs. An improvement in the antioxidant capacity of milk was observed with diets with the high FC ratio but also by supplementing the feed with MR. These results could contribute to the development of effective strategies to improve the nutritional quality of milk without affecting the productive performance of cows.

Interaction of sodium acetate supplementation and dietary fiber level on feeding behavior, digestibility, milk synthesis, and plasma metabolites.

Acetate supplementation has been shown to increase milk fat yield in diets with low risk of biohydrogenation-induced milk fat depression. The interaction of acetate supplementation with specific dietary factors that modify rumen fermentation and short-chain fatty acid (FA) synthesis has not been investigated. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of acetate supplemented as sodium acetate at 2 dietary fiber levels. Our hypothesis was that acetate would increase milk fat production more in animals fed the low-fiber diet. Twelve lactating multiparous Holstein cows were arranged in a 4 × 4 Latin square design balanced for carryover effects with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of dietary fiber level and acetate supplementation with 21-d experimental periods. The high-fiber diet had 32% neutral detergent fiber and 21.8% starch, and the low-fiber diet had 29.5% neutral detergent fiber and 28.7% starch created by substitution of forages predominantly for ground corn grain. Acetate was supplemented in the diet at an average 2.8% of dry matter (DM) to provide approximately 10 mol/d of acetate as anhydrous sodium acetate. Acetate supplementation increased DM intake by 6%, with no effect on meal frequency or size. Furthermore, acetate supplementation slightly increased total-tract apparent DM digestibility and tended to increase organic matter digestibility. Acetate supplementation increased milk fat concentration and yield by 8.6 and 10.5%, respectively, but there was no interaction with dietary fiber. The increase in milk fat synthesis was associated with 46 and 85 g/d increases in the yield of de novo (<16C) and mixed source (16C) FA, respectively, with no changes in yield of preformed FA (>16C). There was a 9% increase in the concentration of milk mixed-source FA and a 7% decrease in milk preformed FA with acetate supplementation, regardless of dietary fiber level. Acetate supplementation also increased the concentrations of plasma acetate and β-hydroxybutyrate, major metabolic substrates for mammary lipogenesis. Overall, acetate supplementation increased milk fat yield regardless of dietary fiber level through an increase mostly caused by an increase in longer-chain de novo FA, suggesting stimulation of mammary lipogenesis. The heightened mammary de novo lipogenesis was supported by an increase in the concentration of metabolic substrates in plasma.

LECITHIN-CONTAINING FEED ADDITIVE IN THE DIETS OF YOUNG CATTLE

The negative impact of a complex of technological stress factors on the body of young animals determines the use of new biologically active substances in diets that can prevent their adverse effects. Lipids, which are the most concentrated source of energy, can become an alternative to feed antibiotics as growth promoters. The article contains materials of the study of the effectiveness of using different dosages of the new feed additive “Lecithin C” in diets of young cattle. Studies have shown that the&#x0D; use of the feed additive in the compound feed concentrate KR-3 in amounts of 6.5 g, 13.0 and 19.5 g per head per day contributes to an increase in dry matter intake by 1.9-7.5% and metabolizable energy by 2.2-6.5%, increases average daily productivity, provides a reduction in the cost of feed consumed per 1 kg of gain, and the cost of gain by by 3.9-7.1%.