Levels Of Cottonseed Meal Research Articles

Endogenous Enzyme Activities, Digestibility of Nutrients and Digestive Physiology as Affected by High Inclusion of Cottonseed Meal in Broiler Chicken Diets

A 3 × 3 factorial study examined the performance, endogenous enzyme activities and apparent ileal digestibility of nutrients, including energy, protein, starch, dry matter, amino acids and minerals of birds fed diets containing graded levels of cottonseed meal (CSM) with or without microbial enzymes. Nine iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets were formulated mainly from wheat/sorghum/soybean meal. Three levels of CSM none (0%), low (5%, 10%, and 15%) or high (6%, 12%, and 18%) in the starter, grower, and finisher diets, respectively, were included. The diets were supplemented with three levels of a composite xylanase and beta-glucanase product at 0, 100 or 150 mg/kg diet. Each of the nine dietary treatments was randomly assigned to 6 replicates, with 10 birds per replicate. Feed intake (FI) and weight gain (WG) were recorded on day 10, 24 and 35, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was obtained from the data, while enzyme activities and nutrient digestibility were measured on samples collected on day 10 and 24, and day 24 only, respectively. Feed intake up to day 35 decreased (P < 0.05) significantly with increasing enzyme supplementation. On the CSM-containing diets, enzyme supplementation at 100 or 150 mg/kg improved WG up to day 24, with the heaviest birds (1514 g/b) observed in the low CSM with 100 mg/kg enzyme group. Enzyme supplementation improved (P < 0.01) FCR all through the growth phases and also improved (P < 0.05) ileal crude protein and starch digestibility. High levels of CSM decreased the digestibility of starch, but this was improved (P < 0.05) by enzyme supplementation, showing an interaction between CSM and microbial enzyme on starch digestibility. The digestibility of arginine, glutamic acid and threonine improved with increased CSM inclusion, and that of methionine improved with increased enzyme supplementation. There was an interaction effect (P < 0.01) between CSM and enzyme on magnesium digestibility. Cottonseed meal inclusion improved the digestibility of copper and potassium and reduced the digestibility of phosphorus, while that of calcium and manganese was increased (P < 0.01) with enzyme supplementation. At day 10, lipase activity was increased (P < 0.05) by higher CSM levels, while on day 24, general proteolytic activity was highest (P < 0.05) when 100 mg enzyme was supplemented in the diet. These results indicate that relatively high levels of CSM in diet have no negative effects on the growth and digestive physiology of broiler chickens when supplemented with xylanase and β–glucanase.

Inclusion of levels of cotton expeller in the feeding of confined sheep: productive behavior, carcass characteristics and meat quality

To substitute soybean meal with different levels of cottonseed meal, twelve non-castrated male Santa Inés × Dorper sheep with an average initial weight of 27.33 ± 0.58 kg and age of 225 ± 15 days were used. The treatments consisted of three levels of cottonseed meal (0%, 15%, and 30%), with four replicates, distributed in a completely randomized experimental design. The diets consisted of totally mixed rations, with a forage-concentrate ratio of 30:70 (dry matter basis). Cottonseed meal levels did not affect (p >0.05)dry matter intake for up to 28 days, then values decreased linearly. Feed conversion and daily weight gain were improved up to 28 days and then decreased linearly (p ≤0.05)In the same way, cooling and cooking weights losses and the shear force were affected and with a quadratic behavior (p ≤0.05) by the levels of cottonseed meal, standing out the level of 15%, while the live weight, hot and cold carcass weight and yield, loin eye area, the thickness of subcutaneous fat were not affected by the treatments (p >0.05). Cottonseed meal can replace up to 20% of the soybean meal in sheep concentrate feed for a period not to exceed 28 days.

Effects of dietary replacement of fishmeal by cottonseed meal on the growth performance, immune and antioxidant responses, and muscle quality of juvenile crayfish Procambarus clarkii

The current research was aimed to determine the impacts of cottonseed meal substitution levels for fishmeal on the growth performance, immune indices, antioxidant ability, and muscle texture of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to feed the crayfish for 8 weeks. The basal diet contained 20% fishmeal (FM), while the other four experimental diets substituted fishmeal in FM diet with cottonseed meal at levels of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%, referred to as CM25, CM50, CM75, and CM100 respectively. A total of 750 crayfish with an average initial weight of 4.00 g were selected and randomly allocated to fifteen cages. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of crayfish. Weight gain and specific growth rate declined, and feed conversion rate, asparate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase activities appear to increase as cottonseed meal substitution levels increased. Serum total cholesterol levels declined in crayfish fed CM100 diet compared to crayfish fed the FM diet. Serum phenoloxidase and lysozyme activities, and muscle hardness and mef-2a mRNA expression were the highest for crayfish fed fishmeal-based diet and showed no significant difference among other four groups. Dietary cottonseed meal levels did not significantly influence hepatopancreas index, viscerosomatic index, condition factor, serum glucose, triglyceride, albumin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and creatinine contents, as well as the contents of acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase, and muscle texture profile (cohesiveness, springiness, adhesiveness, and chewiness) and mef-2b and mstn mRNA expression. High dietary fish meal replacement by cottonseed meal tended to upregulate mRNA expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, manganese superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, and catalase. Taken together, dietary cottonseed meal reduced growth performance and feed utilization, induced hepatopancreas oxidative stress, and influenced some serum and muscle parameters. The gossypol content and unbalanced amino acid profile are considered the limiting factor influencing the fish meal replacement by cottonseed meal.

Evaluation of Cottonseed Meal as an Alternative to Fish Meal in Diet for Juvenile Asian Red-Tailed Catfish Hemibagrus wyckioides.

A 10-week trial was performed to investigate the effects of replacing fishmeal with cottonseed meal (CSM) on the growth rate, protein metabolism, and antioxidant response of Asian red-tailed catfish Hemibagrus wyckioides. Five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets (C0, C8.5, C17.2, C25.7, and C34.4) were prepared to contain 0%, 8.5%, 17.2%, 25.7%, and 34.4% CSM replacing fishmeal, respectively. The weight gain, daily growth coefficient, pepsin, and intestinal amylase activities initially increased and then decreased with the raising dietary CSM levels; the highest values were observed in the C17.2 group (P < 0.05). However, feed cost exhibited the opposite trend. With the increasing dietary CSM levels, the protein efficiency ratio and intestinal trypsin activity decreased but feed conversion rate increased gradually; while no differences were observed among the C0, C8.5, and C17.2 groups (P > 0.05). Dietary CSM inclusion regardless of levels increased the plasma growth hormone level as well as hepatic aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase activities but decreased the plasma glutamate dehydrogenase and AST activities (P < 0.05). With the increasing dietary CSM levels, the plasma alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and hepatic superoxide dismutase activities decreased but malondialdehyde content increased gradually, while no differences were observed among the C0, C8.5, and C17.2 groups (P > 0.05). The plasma immunoglobulin M content and hepatic glutathione reductase activity initially increased but then decreased with the raising dietary CSM levels; the highest values were found in the C17.2 group. These results indicated that dietary CSM inclusion level up to 17.2% improved the growth rate, feed cost, digestive enzyme activity, and protein metabolism without compromising antioxidant capacity of H. wyckioide, whereas these parameters were depressed by further inclusion of CSM. CSM is a potentially cost-effective alternative plant protein source in diet of H. wyckioide.

Enzymological, histological, and serum biomarker responses of snubnose pompano on complete replacement of fishmeal using cottonseed meal supplemented with lysine and methionine in the diet.

In a feeding experiment, cottonseed meal (CSM) was used to replace fishmeal (FM) in the diet of snubnose pompano, Trachinotus blochii, supplemented with lysine and methionine to assess the growth, nutritive profile, hematological, histological, and stress biomarker response. Experimental fishes were randomly stocked in five treatments each with triplicates. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets with graded level of CSM (0, 8.7, 17.4, 26.0, and 34.7%) as replacement for FM protein (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) were formulated and fed to respective treatments. Comparison between various parameters among the treatments was made using orthogonal polynomial contrasts to indicate the statistical significance. Higher alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, aspartate, and alanine aminotransferase activities were observed in 0CSM group and followed by 100CSM group as higher inclusion level of CSM with higher free gossypol content did not affect the metabolic enzyme activities. The maximum muscular free gossypol accretion of 1.28mgkg-1 (on wet basis) was recorded in 100CSM group which was very well below the critical limit set by FDA. As a conclusion, fishmeal can be completely replaced using cottonseed meal in the diet of pompano without adverse effect on growth, metabolism, and general health.

Changes in Growth Performance, Nutrient Metabolism, Antioxidant Defense and Immune Response After Fishmeal Was Replaced by Low-Gossypol Cottonseed Meal in Golden Pompano (Trachinotus ovatus)

The present study was designed to elucidate the changing pattern of growth performance, nutrient metabolism, antioxidant defense, and immune response after fishmeal (FM) was replaced by cottonseed meal (CSM). Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic experimental diets (42.5% crude protein, 14.0% crude lipid) were formulated to replace 0% (CSM0 diet), 20% (CSM20 diet), 40% (CSM40 diet), and 60% (CSM60 diet) of the FM protein with CSM. Juvenile golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) with an initial body weight of 24.8 ± 0.02 g were fed each diet for 6 weeks. The results showed that compared with the control diet, significant differences were not found in the weight gain ratio, specific growth performance, and apparent digestibility of dry matter and protein after 20% FM was replaced by CSM. Higher CSM replacement markedly decreased the growth performance (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Moreover, the CSM20 and CSM40 diets did not depress the feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio compared with the CSM0 diet. Further exploring the physio-biochemical and molecular responses, the present study also showed that dietary 20–40% CSM replacement had no significant effect on altering the whole body, plasma nutrient contents, free amino acids, or whole-body fatty acid contents. Additionally, the CSM20 diet did not change the mRNA and protein phosphorylation levels of the key enzymes and regulators involved in target of rapamycin (TOR) and amino acid response (AAR) signaling, nutrient metabolism, immune response, and antioxidant defense. Higher CSM inclusion significantly varied the TOR and AAR signaling response, nutrient metabolism, immune response, and antioxidant defense. Based on the results, CSM could successfully replace 20% FM in the formulated diets for golden pompano. This study proposes the optimal inclusion level of CSM in the diet, which has an important significance in optimizing aquafeeds formulation.

Nutrient Digestibility and Digestive Enzyme Activity in Fringe Lipped Carp, Labeo fimbriatus (Bloch, 1795), Fed Diets Containing Cottonseed Meal

Advanced fingerlings of Labeo fimbriatus (Bloch, 1795) were reared in aerated indoor plastic tanks to elucidate the dry matter and nutrient digestibility of cottonseed meal (CSM) in the feed. The fish were fed isocaloric formulated diets containing CSM replacing the main ingredients – groundnut cake and rice bran of the control diet at 10, 20, 30 and 40 % levels. Total dry matter digestibility and major nutrient digestibility were estimated using acid insoluble ash as the marker. In general, the digestibility of dry matter, protein, fat, and nitrogen-free extract was higher in CSM incorporated diets than the control diet. While the dry matter and nitrogen-free extract digestibility values were highest at 40 % CSM incorporation level, those for protein and fat digestibility were highest in 30 % and 10 % levels, respectively, showing an apparent reduction thereafter. The incorporation of CSM had a stimulatory effect on most of the intestinal digestive enzymes tested. Fish fed 20 % CSM diet recorded the highest activity of total protease and carboxypeptidases while those fed 30 % CSM diet had highest trypsin and amylase activities; all showing reducing trend consequently. In the case of hepatopancreas, the reducing trend in the activities of protease, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidase A, and lipase observed with increased incorporation levels of CSM was significant (P &lt; 0.05) and the reduction in the activities of trypsin, amylase and cellulase in CSM fed fish was not significant (P &gt; 0.05). The study indicates the possibility of incorporation of CSM in the diet of L. fimbriatus up to 40 % level without affecting nutrient digestibility.

135 Effect of Gossypol from Cottonseed Meal on Growth Performance, Plasma Gossypol, and Complete Blood Cell Counts in Commercial Growing Pigs: A Preliminary Study on Feral Hog Control

Abstract To evaluate the effect of cottonseed meal (CSM) on growth performance, plasma gossypol and complete blood cell (CBC) counts in growing pigs, 40 gilts (Exp 1) and 24 boars (Exp 2), 63 day of age (19.85±0.43 kg), were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 and 3 treatments with 2 replicates/treatments, respectively. Treatments for Exp 1 during phase 1–3 (14 d/phase) were a nutrient adequate control diet (NRC, 2012) without CSM (0% gossypol), and increasing levels of CSM was added to produce diets containing 0.01%, 0.02% and 0.04% gossypol to form treatments 2 to 4, respectively. For Exp 2, treatments were the same as those in the gilt trail, except 0.01% gossypol treatment was eliminated. All pigs were fed a common diet without CSM in phase 4 (14 d). Whole blood was obtained from two close-to-average pen-BW pigs repeatedly at each phase to determine CBC in Exp 1 and plasma gossypol in Exp 1 and 2. Data were analyzed using the Mixed procedures of SAS (Cary, NC). ADG did not significantly differ between treatments in phase 1&amp;2 (P &amp;gt; 0.05). In phase 3, ADG decreased linearly and quadratic (P &amp;lt; 0.05) with increasing level of CSM in gilts and boars, respectively, while ADFI did not differ. Neutrophil concentration was higher while mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was lower in gilts fed CSM on d 42 than those fed control regardless level of inclusion, whereas after 14 d of CSM withdrawal, neutrophil level was similar to control and MCV remained low (Treatment*day, P &amp;lt; 0.01). Plasma gossypol increased with increasing level of CSM in both gilts and boars during phase 1–3, and was still higher than control after pigs were fed a common diet for 14 d (P &amp;lt; 0.05). In conclusion, cottonseed meal derived gossypol impairs growth performance, and increase plasma gossypol in gilts and boars.

Post-extraction algal residue as a protein supplement for beef steers consuming forage: Palatability and nutrient utilization

Post-extraction algal residue (PEAR), the co-product of algal biofuel production, has potential to be incorporated as an ingredient in ruminant diets. Market value of PEAR will be driven by its ability to compete with commonly fed protein sources, such as cottonseed meal (CSM) and dried distillers’ grains (DDG). Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential for PEAR to be incorporated in existing protein supplementation strategies of the beef industry. In Experiment 1, 12 steers were used in a 12 × 12 Latin square experiment consisting of 12, 4-d periods to evaluate the palatability of PEAR at divergent inclusion levels and with differing carriers (DDG; CSM; liquid supplement, LS) as a supplement to cattle consuming a basal diet of Bermudagrass hay. Each period included 3-d where steers were fed a test supplement followed by a 1-d washout where steers were fed DDG. Blends were formulated with carrier ingredients (CSM, DDG, or liquid supplement, LS) at varying levels of PEAR inclusion; PEAR and carrier ingredients were also offered as stand-alone supplements. Completion rate and consumption rate (g supplement consumed/min) were recorded daily. In Experiment 2, six steers were used in concurrent 3 × 3 Latin Square experiments to determine the effect of PEAR on nutrient utilization and mineral intake in steers consuming low-quality forage. Treatments included no supplemental protein (CON) and isonitrogenous levels of PEAR or CSM (100 mg N/kg BW). In Experiment 1, completion rate was ≥90 % for DDG- and CSM-based blends, which was greater (P < 0.05) than when PEAR was offered alone (56 %). Consumption rate of 100 % PEAR was similar (P ≥ 0.05) to that of most CSM-based supplements, approximately 148–154 g supplement consumed/min. In Experiment 2, provision of isonitrogenous levels of PEAR and CSM stimulated (P ≤ 0.05) total digestible OM intake to a similar extent (P = 0.98), from 2.35 (CON) to 2.82 kg/d (PEAR and CSM). OM and NDF digestion were similar for all treatments (P ≥ 0.23), ranging from 56 to 59% (OM) and 49–54 % (NDF). Supplemented steers retained and absorbed more N (P ≤ 0.02) than CON. Supplementation of PEAR (100 mg N/kg BW) to steers consuming low-quality forage resulted in a Ca:P ratio of 8:1, which was the only mineral imbalance observed. Overall, our results suggest PEAR can be blended up to 60 % with existing ingredients (e.g., CSM, DDG) to create suitable protein supplements for grazing beef cattle.

Energy and protein utilisation by broiler chickens fed diets containing cottonseed meal and supplemented with a composite enzyme product

ABSTRACT 1. The present study examined the potential of new-generation microbial enzymes to improve the utilisation of energy and protein of cottonseed meal (CSM)-containing diets, with the aim of increasing its inclusion level in broiler chickens diets. 2. Four hundred and eighty, one-day-old Ross 308 male broilers were used to assess the utilisation of energy and protein by broiler chickens fed diets containing four graded levels of CSM – none, low (4, 8, 12%), medium (5, 10, 15%) or high (6, 12, 18%) in the starter, grower, and finisher phases, respectively, supplemented with 100 mg/kg of a composite enzyme product (xylanase and β-glucanase). 3. Inclusion of CSM improved (P < 0.01) apparent metabolisable energy (AME), with further improvement (P < 0.001) seen in the enzyme-supplemented diets. Inclusion of CSM reduced (P = 0.002) the metabolisable energy intake (MEI), but this was increased (P < 0.05) with enzyme supplementation. 4. Enzyme addition increased (P < 0.001) the net energy of production (NEp), while heat production (HP) decreased (P < 0.001) with CSM inclusion. More energy was retained as fat (P < 0.05) and protein in birds fed diets with the enzyme, but this was reduced (P < 0.029) by CSM. 5. There was an increase (P < 0.05) in efficiencies of ME use for energy, lipid and protein retention, with higher CSM levels. The enzyme improved (P < 0.013) efficiency of ME use for lipid retention. 6. Feeding diets containing CSM to the broilers enhanced (P < 0.05) protein intake (PI) and protein efficiency ratio (PER). Positive effects (P < 0.05) of enzyme were observed on protein gain (PG) and net protein utilisation (NPU). 7. Results obtained from this study suggested that nutrient utilisation of diets containing CSM by broiler chickens can be improved by enzyme supplementation.

Replacement value of cottonseed meal for soybean meal in broiler chicken diets with or without microbial enzymes.

A 4×2 factorial feeding trial was designed to investigate the effect of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with cottonseed meal (CSM) in wheat/sorghum/SBM-based diets fed with or without microbial enzymes in diets on the performance, visceral organ development and digestibility of nutrients of broiler chickens. Four graded levels of CSM - none (0%), low (4%, 8%, and 12%), medium (5%, 10%, and 15%), and high (6%, 12%, and 18%) of complete diets in starter, grower and finisher, respectively were fed with or without 100 mg/kg of xylanase and β-glucanase blend. Eight isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were formulated using least-cost method to meet the nutrient specifications of Ross 308 male broilers. Each treatment was randomly assigned to 6 replicates (10 birds per replicate). There were CSM-enzyme interactions (p < 0.05) on feed intake (FI) and weight gain (WG) in the starter phase. Enzyme supplementation improved (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the grower and finisher phases, and increased WG in growing and finishing birds. CSM inclusion reduced (p < 0.05) the weight of gizzard and proventriculus in starter chicks, while these organs were bigger (p < 0.05) in the grower phase. The test ingredient decreased (p < 0.05) small intestinal weight in starter and grower birds. The CSM increased the absolute weight of thighs (p < 0.05) while breast meat was increased (p < 0.01) by enzyme addition. Starch digestibility was improved (p < 0.01) by enzyme inclusion and decreased (p < 0.01) by CSM. Enzyme supplementation improved (p < 0.05) the ileal digestibility of gross energy and protein. The results demonstrate that CSM can substitute up to 90% SBM in broiler chicken diets without compromising performance, and the nutritive value of CSM-containing diets can effectively be improved by enzyme supplementation.

Effects of replacing soybean meal with cottonseed meal on growth, feed utilization and non-specific immune enzyme activities for juvenile white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

Cottonseed meal (CSM) was evaluated as a protein source for partial replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with iron supplementation in diets of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei. In the control diet (D0), SBM protein was replaced with increasing dietary levels of CSM (0 %, 9.2 %, 15.2 %, 21.3 %, 27.4 %, and 30.4 %) at 0 %, 30 %, 50 %, 70 %, 90 %, and 100 % levels (D0 to D100, respectively) with ferrous sulfate supplementation at level of 0 %, 0.04 %, 0.08 %, 0.1 % and 0.12 %, respectively. An eight-week feeding trial was conducted on shrimp (0.383 ± 0.000 g). Up to 90 % of SBM could be replaced with CSM without causing a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in growth and feed utilization in L. vannamei. Related whole-body composition indexes (moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, ash) were significantly affected with the CSM level in the diets increased (P < 0.05). Regarding serum non-specific immune enzymes, phenoloxidase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activities of shrimp were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) with the CSM level in the diets increased. Glutathione peroxidase activity was the highest in shrimp fed the D50 diet, and significantly higher than D0 group (P < 0.05). Total-superoxide dismutase of shrimp fed D90 and D100 diets were significantly lower than that of shrimp fed other diets, whereas malondialdehyde content was significantly higher in the D90 and D100 diets than in the other dietary treatments. Based on the findings in changes in growth and feed utilization, this study found that the optimum ratio is to replaced 87.44 % of SBM with 26.82 % CSM in L. vannamei feed.

The effects of dietary cottonseed meal and oil supplementation on laying performance and egg quality of laying hens.

Cottonseed meal (CSM) and cottonseed oil (CSO), two cottonseed products, are rich in protein and lipids, respectively, but their use is limited by antinutritional factors in the products. This study investigated the effect of different dietary levels of CSM and CSO supplementation on the laying performance and egg quality of laying hens. A total of 162 24‐week‐old Hy‐Line brown laying hens were randomly assigned to diets supplemented with 0, 6%, or 12% CSM and 0, 2%, or 4% CSO in a 3 × 3 factorial design. During the 8‐week feeding trial, laying performance and egg quality parameters were measured weekly. Furthermore, a texture profile analysis (TPA) of the egg yolks was conducted, and the fatty acid profiles and protein composition of the yolks were measured to further determine egg quality. CSM supplementation decreased (p < 0.01) egg production and feed efficiency and increased (p < 0.01) yolk color, eggshell rate, and shell thickness, but had no significant effects on the TPA parameters, fatty acid profiles, and protein components of egg yolks. CSO supplementation resulted in decreases (p < 0.01) in egg production, egg weight, and feed efficiency and an increase (p < 0.01) in yolk color. In addition, CSO supplementation with two weeks of cold storage changed the physical properties of boiled egg yolks, as indicated by increased (p < 0.01) hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, and chewiness. Furthermore, 4% CSO supplementation increased the ratio of saturated/monounsaturated fatty acids (SAFA/MUFA) and the protein content of egg yolks, which was accompanied by a modified protein composition. These results indicate that CSM supplementation reduces laying performance and egg quality, and CSO supplementation decreases laying performance and results in egg yolk hardening by modifying its components.

Groundnut and Cottonseed Meals in Tilapia Juvenile Diets: Effects on Apparent Nutrient Digestibility, Short-Term Growth Performance, Feed Utilization and Carcass Composition

Oilseed by-products constitute a potential ingredient in fish feeds owing to their low cost, availability, and high protein contents. However, plant proteins tend to be deficient in essential amino acids limiting their utilization and incorporation in fish diets. This study evaluated the apparent nutrient digestibility, growth performance, feed utilization and whole-body composition of Nile tilapia fed diets containing 30% of cottonseed meal (CSM) or groundnut meal (GNM). The plant proteins corresponded to approximately 12% of dietary protein and replaced 42% to 46% of fish meal protein, respectively. The test diets; groundnut meal (GND30) and cottonseed meal (CSD30) were formulated to contain 32% crude protein and 14% crude lipid, with a gross energy density of 20 MJ/kg. A fish meal based diet served as a control (CD). Overall, the results showed that, with the exception of mean final body weight, weight gain (%), SGR and FCR did not differ among the diets but was highest in CD followed by GND30 and CSD30. The CSD30 resulted in significant reductions in protein and lipid digestibility, whereas nitrogen free extract digestibility was not affected in all diets. In general, 30% inclusion level of CSM and GNM are suitable replacements for fish meal in diets for Nile tilapia.

Feeding of decorticated cottonseed meal on performance of growth rate, carcass characters and cost effectiveness in broiler birds

A six weeks trial was carried out to study the effect of feeding cottonseed meal (CSM) with 432, day - old Cobb 400 broiler chicks distributed to nine experimental diets with six replicates, each containing eight chicks. The experimental diets were formulated based on total amino acids (TAA) or based on digestible amino acids (DAA) with or without iron supplementation with two levels of CSM (2 and 4%) and control diet based on maize – soyabean. Birds fed with CSM at 4% DAA without iron supplementation had higher body weight gain than the control (1918 vs 1804g). Feed intake and feed efficiency were comparable in birds fed with different experimental diets. Inclusion of CSM up to 4% TAA or DAA with or without iron supplementation had comparable dressing percentage, gizzard, giblet (% of live body weight) and spleen (g). The liver weight (% of live weight) was lower in birds fed 4% CSM - TAA and 2 or 4% CSM - DAA with or without iron supplementation (1.45 – 1.53 vs 1.65%). Heart weight was higher (0.91 vs 0.80% of live weight) and abdominal fat (15.42 vs 24.0g) was lowered in 4% CSM - DAA with iron supplementation. The cost of feed/kg live weight gain in the diet of 4% CSM - DAA was lowest (52.77), followed by 4% CSM - TAA (55.43) and the difference with control was Rs 5.43 and Rs 2.77 respectively. The overall performance based on body weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency was better in the diet formulated with 4% level of CSM - DAA.

Effect of feeding cottonseed meal on some hematological and serum biochemical parameters in broiler birds.

Aim:The study was undertaken to find out the effect of feeding cottonseed meal (CSM) on performance of hematological and serum biochemical parameters in broiler birds.Materials and Methods:A 6-week biological trial was carried out with 432-day-old Cobb 400 broiler chicks distributed to nine experimental diets with six replicates, each containing eight chicks. The experimental diets were formulated based on total amino acids (BTAA) or based on digestible amino acids (BDAA) with or without iron supplementation with two levels of CSM (2% and 4%) and control diet based on maize – soybean. The whole blood was subjected to hematological studies. The serum samples were analyzed for protein fractions and lipid profiles.Results:The packed cell volume (PCV) value, red blood cell (RBC) numbers, and hemoglobin (Hb) were lower in iron unsupplemented CSM BTAA or BDAA diets than the control (33.86-35.54 vs. 36.41%, 2.78-2.87 vs. 2.98 × 106/μl, and 10.30-10.70 vs. 10.88%). Supplementation of iron in CSM diets improved the PCV, RBC numbers, and Hb, and the values were comparable to the control. White blood cell numbers, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular Hb (MCH), and MCH concentration values were comparable to the control. The erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) was poor in birds fed diets containing up to 4% CSM BTAA or CSM BDAA without iron supplementation (32.02-32.57 vs. 28.77%). Supplementation of iron improved the EOF. The serum cholesterol level did not change with or without iron supplementation.Conclusion:This study suggested that feeding of CSM BTAA or BDAA up to 4% level voiding iron supplementation lowers the hematological parameters, whereas supplementation of iron did not alter serum protein fractions and cholesterol profile; however, it had lowered some hematological parameters, which was rectified by iron supplementation.

Nutritional Value of electron beam irradiated cottonseed meal in broiler chickens.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of electron beam-irradiated cottonseed meal on performance, carcass characteristics and some blood parameters of broiler chicks. Treatments were cottonseed meal (CSM) at levels of 12% and 24% (raw and irradiated at 30 kGy) and corn-soya bean meal diet (as control, without CSM and without irradiation) that used with five dietary treatments, four replicates and 10 birds of each for 42days in completely randomized design. Feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG) were recorded weekly. At 42days of age, two birds per pen were randomly selected for the determination of carcass characteristics and blood parameters. BWG decreased with increasing levels of dietary CSM during the experiment (p<0.05). In addition, radiation had significant positive effect in broilers fed 12% compared with those fed 24% CSM. FI in chicks fed control and diet containing 24% CSM were increased significantly in starter period. But FI was significantly decreased in broilers consumed CSM compare to the control in grower and during the experiment. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) increased with increasing levels of CSM in the diets. Relative weights of liver, gastrointestinal tract (GI), pancreas, gizzard and abdominal fat were increased by increasing levels of CSM in the diet (p<0.05). Glucose, cholesterol, HDL, triglyceride and phosphorous concentrations increased, and LDL concentration decreased as the dietary CSM levels increased (p<0.05). But radiation had not significant effect on blood parameters. Electron irradiation seems to be a good procedure to improve the nutritional quality of CSM, but it seems higher dose of it was needed to improve performance of chickens.

Effects of dietary gossypol concentration on growth performance, blood profiles, and hepatic histopathology in meat ducks

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of gossypol from cottonseed meal (CSM) on growth performance, blood biochemical profiles, and liver histopathology of ducks. A total of 900 1-d-old ducks were randomly allocated to 5 treatments with 12 pens/treatment and 15 ducks/pen. The 5 experimental diets were formulated in such a way that 0% (a corn-soybean meal basal diet, diet 1), 25% (diet 2), 50% (diet 3), 75% (diet 4), and 100% (diet 5) of protein from soybean meal were replaced with that from CSM. All diets were formulated on a digestible amino acid basis. The experiment included 2 phases, the starter phase (1 to 3 wk) where the test diets contained graded levels of CSM and the growth phase (4 to 5 wk) where birds were fed a corn-soybean basal diet to examine the recovery of ducks after CSM withdrawal. Dietary CSM and gossypol linearly (P < 0.01) and quadratically (P < 0.01) decreased ADG and ADFI during d 1 to 14. The threshold of daily total gossypol (TG) and free gossypol (FG) intake based on ADG on d 1 to 7 and d 7 to 14 were 32.20 and 2.64 mg/d, and 92.12 and 9.62 mg/d, respectively. Serum alanine aminotransferase increased (P < 0.05) linearly with increasing level of gossypol in the diets (d 7), whereas aspartate aminotransferase increased (P < 0.05) linearly and quadratically (d 14). Serum albumin concentration decreased (P < 0.05) quadratically with increasing dietary CSM concentrations on d 21. The degree of damage to the liver increased markedly with increasing dietary CSM and gossypol content and the length of CSM and gossypol intake. On d 35, there was no difference on BW and blood profiles of ducks among all treatments. These results suggest that meat ducks’ dietary TG and FG concentration should be lower than 928.9 and 77.2 mg/kg, respectively, during d 1 to 21 of age and that a 2-wk withdrawal of diets containing gossypol should be considered.

Assessment of the feasibility of including high levels of oilseed meals in the diets of juvenile Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis): Effects on growth, non-specific immunity, hepatopancreatic function, and intestinal morphology

This study aimed to investigate the effects of including high levels of oilseed meals in the diets of Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) on their growth performance, non-specific immunity, hepatopancreatic function and intestinal morphology. Eight isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets containing soybean meal (SBM), cottonseed meal (CSM), rapeseed meal (RSM) and peanut meal (PNM) were formulated. The control diet contained 400g/kg fish meal (FM) and 150g/kg combined oilseed meals. The content of each oilseed meal in test diets ranged from 400 or 600g/kg diet, with the total oilseed meals in each test diet ranging from 760 to 840g/kg. One diet containing 651g/kg of the combined oilseed meals and 80g/kg FM (diet FM80) was also assessed. The experimental diets were each fed to four replicate groups of juvenile crabs (1.48±0.04g) for 14 weeks. Results showed no differences in the survival rate and feed intake among the treatments (P>0.05). The specific growth rates (SGR) of the crabs fed the test diets were lower (P<0.05) than that of the control group, with the exception of crabs fed the FM80 diet, and those fed diets containing 400g/kg CSM or PNM. The sum of essential amino acids, protein chemical score, essential amino acid index, and total oilseed meal content in the diet were correlated (P<0.05) with the SGR, protein efficiency ratio, and feed conversion ratio (feed:gain) which suggest that the diets containing high levels of oilseed meals may be deficient in certain amino acids. The total hemocyte count decreased (P<0.05) when the crabs were fed diets containing 400g/kg RSM and 600g/kg of any of the oilseed meals except CSM. Alanine aminotransferase activity increased (P<0.05) when crabs were fed diets containing 600g/kg RSM or PNM. There were no differences (P>0.05) in the activities of serum lysozyme, superoxide dismutase, phenoloxidase, and aspartate aminotransferase among the treatments. Morphological analysis revealed the presence of a peritrophic membrane in the crab intestine and no obvious changes in the intestinal morphology were induced by the high levels of oilseed meals. The results suggest that higher levels of CSM or PNM, but lower amounts of SBM or RSM, could be included in the diets of the animals crabs.

Effects of dietary cottonseed meal level on the growth, hematological indices, liver and gonad histology of juvenile common carp ( Cyprinus carpio )

Abstract Seven isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets containing cottonseed meal (CM) levels of 0, 9, 18, 27, 36, 45 and 54% (with the free gossypol (FG) levels of 0, 107.8, 215.7, 323.5, 431.3, 539.2 and 647.0 mg kg − 1 , respectively) were fed to juvenile common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) with initial body weight of 11.3 g for 8 weeks to evaluate the effects of dietary CM on growth performance, hematological indices, liver and gonad histology. When the dietary CM level ranged from 0% to 27%, the weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed no significant difference among groups ( P > 0.05), but when the CM level increased from 27% to 54%, the WG and protein efficiency ratio (PER) significantly decreased ( P P P P P > 0.05). Compared with the groups of 0% and 27% CM, the hepatocyte volume decreased, and the number of hepatocytes increased in the group of 54% CM, which also demonstrated the higher number of primary spermatocytes and the fewer sperm cells in the testis. Taken together, these results indicated that a safe level of CM in the juvenile carp diet was 27% (FG of 323.5 mg kg − 1 ) and broken-line model analysis based on WG showed the upper level of CM was 26.85%. The dietary cottonseed meals higher than 36% (431.3 mg kg − 1 FG) may damage growth performance and hematology. Furthermore, high levels of dietary CM (54% CM with FG of 647.0 mg kg − 1 ) may slightly impair the liver and decrease the number of sperm cells.