Levels Of Leaf Meal Research Articles

Effect of moringa leaf meal and season on blood and hormonal profile of the pearl guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of moringa leaf meal and season on blood and hormonal profile of the Pearl Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) in the Middle belt of Ghana. Thirty-two (32) males and one hundred and twenty-eight (128) female Pearl Guinea fowls aged one-day-old were used for the study. A 3 x 4 factorial experimental design was used for the experiment. Data collected were analyzed using General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of Statistical Analysis System (SAS for Windows, version 7) and means were separated by the probability of difference (PDIFF) procedure of SAS (2008). Mean cell volume was highest (175.39 fl) among Guinea fowls fed with diet containing 12 % moringa leaf meal level. Guinea fowls fed with diet containing 15 % moringa leaf meal had the highest (3.44 x1012/L) red blood cells production. Eosinophil level was highest (3.95 x1012/L) among Guinea fowls fed with diet containing 9 % moringa leaf meal. Birds fed with the moringa diets recorded the highest (P= 0.022) WBC values as compared to the control diet. Triglycerides, high density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein levels increased (P<0.05) with increasing levels of dietary moringa leaf meal in the diet. The highest (P= 0.0025) level of progesterone was observed among birds fed with diet containing 12 and 15 % moringa leaf meal inclusion levels. The level of sodium was highest (166.69 nmol/l) among Guinea fowls fed with diet containing 12 % moringa leaf meal. The major and minor rainy seasons recorded the highest (P<0.05) mean cell hemoglobin, red blood cells, albumin and oestrogen levels. Platelets, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin and chlorine levels were highest (P<0.05) in the dry season while basophil level was highest in the major rainy season. Cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and potassium levels were highest (P<0.05) in the major rainy season. This study concludes that feeding Guinea fowls with moringa leaf meal had positive effect on some haematological, biochemical and hormonal parameters.

Optimum inclusion levels of Leucaena leucocephala pasture leaf-meal on growth, haematology and physiological performance of growing pigs.

This study was conducted to evaluate the optimum inclusion levels of Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal on growth, haematology, and physiological performance of pigs. A total of 16 grower pigs comprising of 12 females and 4 castrated males weighing an average of 13.5kg were assigned into a completely randomized experimental layout, subjected to 4 inclusion levels of leaf meal (0, 50, 100, and 150g/kg DM). Regression model and one-way ANOVA model were used to analyse the data. The total feed intake (TFI) and average weekly feed intake (AWFI) were significantly affected quadratically (P < 0.05) by increased inclusion levels, while tubular diameter (TD) and epithelial cell thickness (ECT) of the thyroid gland were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected quadratically. However, a significant difference due to inclusion levels on TD and ECT was established due to one-way ANOVA. Optimal inclusion levels of 70.5g/kg for TFI and 70.0g/kg for AWFI were significantly established with 99% regression coefficient. This implies that the quantity of Leucaena leaf meal intake continued increasing up to 70.50g/kg inclusion levels before it started reducing; hence, the optimal inclusion levels of Leucaena for best feed intake is at 70.5g/kg at which point all other parameters of growth, haematology, and physiological parameters were not significantly affected.

Performance, organ growth and economics of finisher broiler fed neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf meal as replacement for maize

A 28-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf meal on the performance, organ growth and economics of finishing broilers. The harvested neem leaves were chopped and air dried under room temperature for ten days until they became crispy while retaining the greenish colouration. The dry leaves were hammer milled with 2mm sieve to produce leaf meal before being incorporated into broiler finisher diets. Four isonitrogenous finisher diets were formulated; containing 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% levels of neem leaf meal (NLM) as partial replacement for maize in the diets. A total of one hundred and eight (108) 4- week old birds were randomly selected, weighed and assigned to the four treatments in a complete randomised design. The four treatments were replicated three times with nine (9) birds per replicate. The birds were fed ad libitum with their respective diets and freely supplied with water. Results showed that the neem leaf levels significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected all the performance indicators. Birds on 5% NLM had similar average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) with birds on 0% neem leaf meal (control) but significantly (P&lt;0.05) superior to birds on 10% and 15% neem leaf meal levels. On the relative organ weight, except for the heart, all the organs were not significantly (P&gt;0.05) affected by the varying levels of neem leaf meal. The g/kgbody weight of the heart reduces as the level of NLM increases; with 15% NLM having the least heart weight (7.50±0.47g/kgbody weight). The cost analysis of replacing maize with neem leaf meal in the broiler finisher diets revealed that 15% level yielded least cost of feed consumed per bird (? 178.69), cost of feed consumed per kg body weight per day (? 6.38) and cost of feed per kg weight (? 55.84). It is concluded that 5% replacement level of maize will enhance optimum performance and organ growth while 10% NLM brings about the optimum cost benefit in feeding finisher broilers with neem leaf meal.

Histopatologi serta Aktivitas Hati Kelinci Lokal (Lepus sp.) yang Diberi Ransum Tepung Daun Kaliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus Meissn.) dan Kulit Nanas (Ananas comosus L.)

The aimed of this study was to determine the effect of feed containing various concentrations of Calliandra calothyrsus Meissn. leaf meal mixed with pineapple peels and concentrate feed on histopathology and the activity of liver of local rabbit (Lepus sp). This study used a Post-Test Only Control Group Design, using 24 local male rabbits divided into 4 groups of feed treatment namely P0 = concentrate feed as control; P1 = mixture of 15% of calliandra leaf meal (CLM), 30% of pineapple peels (PP) and 55% of commercial feed (CF); P2 = 30% of CLM, 30% of PP and 40% of CF; and P3 = 45% of CLM, 30% of PP and 25% of CF). The treatments were given for 60 days and used 6 replicates for each group. The data were analyzed statistically by SPSS program version 22. The research results showed the increase of calliandra leaf meal levels in concentrated feed which were added 30% of pineapple peels still caused liver damage namely fatty degeneration, necrosis and congestion. It increased the ALT level, but did not affect the AST level in local rabbit serum.

Testicular histology and blood testosterone levels of male rabbit after given concentrated diets containing calliandra leaf meal and pineapple peels

Calliandra calothyrsus Meissn is one of a highly protein source of forage, however, it is not widely used for non ruminant feed because it contains antinutritional substances in the form of condensed tannin. Tannin can bind proteins, this tannin-protein complexes are difficult to be digested in the gastrointestinal tract, then will be defecated outside the body. To optimize the utilization of calliandra in the diet, pineapple peels were added as a source of protease (bromelain). Beside of waste utilization, it is expected that bromelain can degrade the tannin-protein complexes thereby reducing the negative effects of tannins. This research is a feeding experiment on male rabbit (Lepus sp), five weeks old. The diet formulation is prepared according to the standardized diet of the local rabbit. This experiment used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments i.e. control group which were only given commercial feed (R0), commercial feed contained 15% of Calliandra leaf meal and 30% of pineapple peel (R1), commercial feed contained 30% of Calliandra leaf meal and 30% of pineapple peel (R2), and commercial feed contained 45% of Calliandra and 30% of pineapple peel (R3). The treatment was done for three months. The results of this study on the reproduction of male rabbits showed that the increase of calliandra leaf meal level in a diet containing 30% of pineapple peels affected the testicular histology, and also decreased the diameter of seminiferous tubule and blood testosterone levels of male rabbits.

Effect of &lt;i&gt;Acacia angustissima&lt;/i&gt; leaf meal on performance, yield of carcass components and meat quality of broilers

The study determined the appropriate levels of including Acacia angustissima leaf meal in broiler diets for optimum performance, carcass part yield, and meat quality characteristics. One hundred and fifty broiler chicks were allocated to 0%, 5%, and 10% A. angustissima leaf meal-based diets in a completely randomized design, with five replicates per treatment. Weekly feed intake and live weights were measured. Weekly weight gains and feed conversion ratios were calculated. At six weeks, two birds per replicate were slaughtered and dressed. Carcass and portion yields were determined. Breast proximate components, CIELAB colour variations, cooking loss and shear force were estimated. Consumer preferences for colour, aroma, taste, flavour and tenderness were determined. Voluntary feed intake (VFI), weekly weight gain, weekly live weights and feed conversion ratios (FCR) were the same across treatments at two weeks. At weeks 4 and 6, the control and 5% groups outperformed the 10% group. Increasing dietary leaf meal had no effect on dressing out percentage, but decreased carcass weight from 1456 g to 1060 g, breast yield from 36.83% to 32.69%, breast meat to bone ratio from 4.77% to 2.94%, and proportion of drumstick skin from 11.57% to 7.92%. It also resulted in increased yield of thighs from 14.63% to 15.97%, proportion of thigh skin from 11.50% to 14.31% and breast skin proportion from 5.37% to 7.95%. The leaf meal had no effect on the proximate components of breast meat. The L* values decreased from 53.66 to 49.23; the b* values increased from 12.93 to 19.97; shear force increased from 14.14 N to 14.54 N; and cooking loss increased from 5.95% to 7.64% with increasing leaf meal levels. It was concluded that up to 5% A. angustissima leaf meal inclusion has no negative effect on performance, yield of carcass parts and meat quality characteristics of broilers. Keywords: Breast, colour, cooking loss, shear force, taste

Carcass and non-carcass characteristics of Tigray highland lambs fed mulberry (Morus alba) leaf meal at different supplementation levels

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of mulberry (Morus alba) leaf meal levels on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Tigray highland lambs. The experiment consisted of five treatments; and conducted in a randomized complete block design using thirty intact yearlings Tigray highland male lambs. The experimental diets were 300g concentrate mix alone, 225g concentrate mix + 86.55g mulberry leaf, 150g concentrate mix + 173.1g mulberry leaf, 75g concentrate mix + 259.7g mulberry leaf and 346.2g mulberry leaf alone with barley straw ad libitum to all treatments. The mix was prepared from Noug seed cake and wheat bran at ratio of 1:2, respectively. Higher weights of total edible offal component, empty body weight, rib eye muscle area and slaughter weight were observed as a result of high level of mulberry leaf meal supplementation than the sole concentrate mix treatment. On the other hand, the dressing percentage on slaughter weight base as well as empty body weight base and hot carcass weight showed less difference (p&gt;0.05) between sole mulberry leaf meal and sole concentrate mix treatments. The result of the present study indicated that substitution of mulberry leaf meal for concentrate mix can be used effectively without affecting the results of growth parameters as well as edible or non edible offal components that can be achieved by sole concentrate supplementation. Hence, the finding revealed that feeding mulberry leaf meal alone to Tigray highland lambs could substitute the costly and even less accessible commercial concentrate mix to resource poor farmers and could result in reasonably better performance of lambs.

Effect of polyethylene glycol 4000 supplementation on the performance of yearling male Pedi goats fed dietary mixture levels of Acacia karroo leaf meal and Setaria verticillata grass hay

Eighteen yearling male Pedi goats weighing 21.7 ± 3.1 kg were used in a 42-day trial in a 2 (Acacia karroo leaf meal levels) × 3 (levels of PEG 4000) factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design to determine PEG 4000 supplementation levels for optimal productivity of indigenous Pedi goats fed different mixture levels of A. karroo leaf meal and Setaria verticillata (L.) P.Beauv. grass hay. Each goat was supplemented with 0, 23 or 30 g of PEG 4000 per day in addition to dietary mixture of A. karroo and S. verticillata hay. Polyethylene glycol 4000 supplementation had no effect (P > 0.05) on nutrient intake of goats. However, a diet × PEG (P < 0.05) was observed for intake of all nutrients studied. Dry matter, OM, NDF and ADF intakes per goat were optimized at PEG 4000 supplementation levels of 19.62, 19.62, 19.61 and 19.53 g/goat/day, respectively, for diets containing 20% A. karroo leaf meal. Polyethylene glycol 4000 supplementation had no effect (P > 0.05) on the apparent digestibility of all nutrients. The dietary inclusion level of A. karroo leaf meal at 20% improved (P < 0.05) DM, OM, CP, NDF and ADF digestibility of goats. Crude protein digestibility was optimized at a PEG 4000 supplementation level of 15.78 g/goat/day. Dietary mixture level and PEG 4000 supplementation had no effect (P > 0.05) on final weights of Pedi goats. Similar results were observed for blood urea and glucose concentrations of yearling male Pedi goats. However, daily body weight gain was higher (P < 0.05) in goats fed 50% A. karroo leaf meal than those on 20% inclusion level. Polyethylene glycol 4000 has potential to improve the feeding value of tanninifeorus A. karroo leaf meal.

Influence of Acacia tortilis leaf meal-based diets on growth performance of pigs

The objectives of the study were to assess nutritive value of Acacia leaf meals and to determine the optimum inclusion level of Acacia tortilis leaf meal in finishing pigs. Five dominant leguminous leaf meals namely, Acacia tortilis, Acacia robusta, Acacia nilotica, Acacia nigrescens and Acacia xanthophloea, were individually hand-harvested and analyzed for their chemical and physical properties. Although the crude protein content of A. xanthophloea and A. tortilis were similar, the latter was incorporated into the experimental diets as it had the lowest water holding capacity, swelling capacity and moderate levels of condensed tannins. A. tortilis was also the most abundant in the locality. Thirty finishing male F1 hybrid (Landrace×Large White) pigs with an initial weight of 60.6 (s.d.=0.94)kg were randomly allotted to six diets containing 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250g/kg DM inclusion levels of A. tortilis leaf meal. Each diet was offered ad libitum to five pigs in individual pens for 21 days. Average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG) and gain:feed (G:F) ratio was measured every week. There was an increase in both ADFI and ADG (P<0.001) as A. tortilis leaf meal increased, before they started to decrease. An increase in A. tortilis leaf meal levels in the diets caused a quadratic decrease (P<0.01) in the G:F ratio. The change of ADFI, ADG and G:F ratio during each week of successive feeding decreased (P<0.05) with incremental levels of A. tortilis in the diets. Using piecewise regression (broken-stick analyses), it was observed that A. tortilis leaf meal can be included up to 129g/kg DM in finishing pig feeds, without negatively affecting G:F ratio. The ability with which pigs utilize leaf meal-based diets improves with duration of exposure to such diets.

Effect of Feeding Graded Levels of Leaf Meal on Digestibility, Clinical Chemistry and Rumen Fermentation of Lambs

In order to study the effect of replacing conventional concentrates with graded levels of leaf meal (LM) mixture in total mixed rations (TMR), 20 Corriedale lambs were divided randomly into four equal groups. The animals of control group (T1) were maintained on the TMR comprising of oats straw and concentrate mixture while in T2, T3 and T4 groups, the concentrate mixture in TMR was replaced with LM @ 15, 30 and 45%, respectively. Blood analysis was carried out at the start and end of the 120d experiment. Rumen studies was carried out at the end of the trial period. DM intake was significantly (P<0.05) improved in groups fed LM at 30 and 45% of concentrate mixture. The lambs fed rations with concentrate mixture replaced at 0 (T1) and 30% (T3) level by LM had significantly (P<0.05) higher gain in weight. Mean values of Hb and PCV, total protein, albumin, globulin, urea, creatinine and cholesterol, Ca and P and SGOT, SGPT and ALP were similar among the groups except for significant variation seen in serum urea. The ruminal pH, TVFA, NH3-N and NPN varied significantly among the groups. Cost of production lowered significantly (P<0.01) due to inclusion of LM mixture with highest percent reduction in feed cost per kg LW gain (19.27) at 30% and lowest (2.77) at 15% replacement. It is concluded that replacement of concentrate mixture in TMR by LM had no adverse effects on health, growth and rumen fermentation pattern in lambs and better results could be obtained at 30% replacement level.

Effect of the levels of Azadirachta indica dried leaf meal as phytogenic feed additive on the growth performance and haemato-biochemical parameters in broiler chicks

A study was conducted to evaluate three different levels of Azadirachta indica dried leaf meal, using diets supplemented with 0 (negative control), 1.25 g antibiotic/kg (positive control), 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 g leaf meal/kg of feed. The chicks were randomly divided into 15 separate floor pens (each 10×15 feet) each comprising 20 chicks and three pens (replicates) per treatment group following completely randomised design. At 28 and 42 d BW and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined. At 42 d, five birds per pen were slaughtered to measure dressing percentage and lymphoid organs weight was also determined. Serum protein, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum cholesterol, tissue cholesterol, growth hormone, thyroxine and haematological indices were also determined. At both 28 and 42 d, birds fed diets supplemented with 2.5 g/kg of leaf meal had significantly greater BW and better FCR than those fed diets with 1.25, 5.0 g/kg of leaf meal and controls. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference between BW and FCR when birds fed diets 1.25, 5.0 g/kg of leaf meal and antibiotic (positive control) at any age. There was no significant (p>0.05) effect on mortality at any time during the study. There was no marked variation in dressing percentage between leaf meal supplementation and antibiotic at 28 d of age. However, birds fed diet with 2.5 g/kg of leaf meal had significantly (p<0.05) highest dressing percentage than birds fed diets of 1.25 or 5.0 g/kg of leaf meal and control groups at 42 d of age. The mean lymphoid organs weight of control birds was significantly lower than the birds fed on diets containing leaf meal and antibiotics. Serum total protein was increased (p<0.05) in birds fed leaf meal up to 2.5 g/kg as compared to controls, antibiotic and higher level of leaf meal. The activities of blood enzymes (SGPT, SGOT and ALP) in groups of all broilers supplemented with leaf meal and antibiotic was lower (p<0.05) than negative control group. Serum and tissue cholesterol significantly decreased (p<0.05) with increasing the levels of leaf meal. Non-significant difference was observed amongst controls (positive and negative) and low level of leaf meal. Birds fed on diets containing antibiotic and leaf meal up to 2.5 g/kg had higher (p<0.05) packed cell volume values, red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts, haemoglobin and erythrocyte indices than birds fed diets without leaf meal (negative control) and third dose of leaf meal. It may be concluded that A. indica leaf meal can be included in the diets of broiler chicks up to 2.5 g/kg without any deleterious effects on their performance, serum biochemical constituents and haematological indices. Moreover, the dietary supplementation of A. indica leaf meal may lead to the development of low-cholesterol chicken meat as demanded by health-conscious consumers.

Effects of Dietary Energy Level and Tanniferous Acacia karroo Leaf Meal Level of Supplementation at Finisher Stage on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Ross 308 Broiler Chickens in South Africa

The study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary energy level and tanniniferous Acacia karroo leaf meal level of supplementation at finisher stage on performance and carcass characteristics of male and female Ross 308 broiler chickens. Three hundred and sixty, 21 days old male and female broiler chickens were assigned to twelve treatments with three replications of ten birds in a 2 (sex) x 3 (dietary energy level) x 3 (tanniniferous Acacia karroo leaf meal level) factorial, complete randomized design. Supplementation with Acacia karroo leaf meal had no effect on diet intake, digestibility and live weight of broiler chickens. However, supplementation with 9 and 12 g of Acacia karroo leaf meal per kg DM feed reduced fat pad weights in male broiler chickens by 26 and 29% points, respectively. Similarly, supplementation with 9 and 12 g of Acacia karroo leaf meal per kg DM feed reduced fat pad weights in female chickens by 26% points. These reductions were achieved without any significant reduction in feed intake and digestibility. However, the physiological explanation for this effect is not clear and it, thus, merits further investigation.

Metabolic response of pigs supplemented with incremental levels of leguminousAcacia karroo,Acacia niloticaandColophospermum mopaneleaf meals

AbstractThe nutritional effects of varying levels of leguminous leaf meal inclusion were investigated using 40 mixed weaner pigs of average weight 31·4 (s.d. 4·19) kg offered diets which included leguminous leaf meals (Acacia karroo,Acacia niloticaandColophospermum mopane) over 18 days. The leaf meals were included at 100, 200 and 300 g/kg of dry matter. Leaf meals increased daily live-weight gain (P&gt; 0·05) at low inclusion levels. They were also shown to increase food intake and food conversion ratio. There was an increase in digestibility of dry matter and protein at low inclusion level of leaf meals (P&lt; 0·05), then a decrease in the digestibility as the level of leaf meals increased. Inclusion of leaf meals induced production of proline-rich proteins (molecular weights of 24 600, 54 000, 66 000 and 74 000 Da) in the parotid salivary glands of pigs but not in the mandibular glands (P&gt; 0·05). The activity of hepatic microsomal uridine diphosphate glucuronyl transferase increased significantly (P&lt; 0·05) for pigs offered diets supplemented withA. niloticaandC. mopanebut not withA. karroo(P&lt; 0·05). Intestinal parameters (crypt depth, villus height and villus-crypt ratio) were not significantly affected by leaf meal inclusion (P&gt; 0·05) except crypt depth at the proximal position of the small intestine, which decreased with increasing leaf meal levels (P&lt; 0·05).