Metabolism Trial Research Articles

Effects of various additives to enhance growth performance, blood profiles, and reduce malodour emissions in growing pigs

Experiment 1 was a feeding trial in which 75 (Landrace ⅹ Yorkshire) ⅹ Duroc pigs with average initial bodyweight (BW) of 26 ± 1 kg were used. It was assigned to three pigs/pen and five pens/treatment. Experiment 2 was a metabolic trial in which 25 (LandraceⅹYorkshire)ⅹDuroc pigs with average initial bodyweight (BW) of 36 ± 1 kg were used. The basal diet consisted of maize (57.71 %), soybean meal (32.45 %), and wheat bran (5 %). Treatments consisted of i) CON (control diet); ii) OE (organic acid + essential oils) (Aviplus-S ® ), that is, CON + 0.05 % OE; iii) OC (organic charcoal) (Olga Black ® ), that is, CON + 0.1 % OC; iv) AE (anise extracts) (RESQ ® ), that is, CON + 0.015 % AE; and v) PB (probiotics) (Bonvital ® ), that is, CON + 0.1 % PB. Average daily gain (ADG) and gain/feed ratio (G : F) were significantly higher in the OE and AE groups than in the others. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) for OE, OC, and AE treatments was significantly higher than that for CON and PB treatments. Dry matter (DM) digestibility was significantly higher in AE than CON. Crude protein (CP) was significantly higher in OE, AE, and PB than CON. CON and other treatments did not cause significant differences in blood l-density lipoprotein (LDL), and glucose. NH 3 emissions were significantly lower in all treated groups than in CON. Among the treatments, NH 3 emissions were lowest in OE and AE. H 2 S emissions were significantly lower in OE, AE, and PB than in CON. Among the treatments, OE and AE were most effective at reducing H 2 S emissions. The emissions of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) showed no significant difference between treatments and CON. In conclusion, this experiment was shown to be more effective on growth performance, malodour emission, blood profiles, and nutrient digestibility in OE and AE than other additives. Keywords: Digestibility, feed, influence, odour, supplementation, swine

Effects of substituting alfalfa hay for concentrate on energy utilization and feeding cost of crossbred Simmental male calves in Gansu Province, China

AbstractFrom August to September 2015 (trial 1 [T1]) and September to November 2015 (trial 2 [T2]), the effects of replacing concentrate feed (C) with alfalfa hay (AH) on the daily gain (DG), dietary energy utilization status and the economic advantage of AH feeding for growing beef cattle were studied in crossbred male Simmental calves (n = 18) in Gansu Province, China. The target DG was set as 1 kg for both trials. Animals in each trial were allocated to a conventional feeding group (CTRL), a low‐level AH feeding group (LA), and a high‐level AH feeding group (HA). In a one‐way‐layout design, they were fed iso‐energetic experimental diets comprising harvested corn stover (CS) and C (T1‐CTRL, T2‐CTRL), diets replacing 22% (T1‐LA) or 44% (T1‐HA) of the quantity of C for T1‐CTRL with AH, and diets replacing 13% (T2‐LA) or 25% (T2‐HA) of the quantity of C for T2‐CTRL with AH. Measurements of feed intake and DG, respiration and metabolism trials were performed for 49 and 41 days in T1 and T2, respectively. Average DG did not reach the target value for HA in T1 and CTRL in T2. Energy metabolizability was slightly greater for CTRL than for LA and HA in T1 and significantly greater for CTRL than for the other groups in T2. There was no marked difference in energy metabolizability between LA and HA in both trials. Dietary substituting AH for C did not impair the feed intake of the animals, but it did not improve feed efficiency. In terms of economic feasibility, low‐level AH inclusion in the diets of growing beef cattle appeared more profitable at the 1‐kg DG level as compared with CTRL and high‐level AH inclusion, and should be practiced in the drylands of Gansu Province, China.

Effect of plane of nutrition on nitrogen balance, blood biochemical and serum enzymes in goats

Study was conducted to evaluate the effect of plane of nutrition on nitrogen balance, blood biochemical and serum enzymes in goats. Eighteen non-descript, local adult male goats were randomly divided into three equal groups as per RBD (randomized block design) and were subjected to three plane of nutrition: Control PR (40% protein restricted) and ER (40% energy restricted). Feeding trial was conducted for one month with a metabolism trial of one week during the last week of trial. Blood was collected from the goats at every 10 days interval. All the goats were in positive nitrogen balance including PR group, indicating that protein requirement of these goats for maintenance appears to be lower than the recommendation. ER group was having significantly higher urinary N excretion, indicating that ER group goats were using protein for energy purpose, which was also substantiated by significantly higher BUN levels in ER group.

Effect of plane of nutrition on nitrogen balance, blood biochemical and serum enzymes in goats

Study was conducted to evaluate the effect of plane of nutrition on nitrogen balance, blood biochemical and serum enzymes in goats. Eighteen non-descript, local adult male goats were randomly divided into three equal groups as per RBD (randomized block design) and were subjected to three plane of nutrition: Control PR (40% protein restricted) and ER (40% energy restricted). Feeding trial was conducted for one month with a metabolism trial of one week during the last week of trial. Blood was collected from the goats at every 10 days interval. All the goats were in positive nitrogen balance including PR group, indicating that protein requirement of these goats for maintenance appears to be lower than the recommendation. ER group was having significantly higher urinary N excretion, indicating that ER group goats were using protein for energy purpose, which was also substantiated by significantly higher BUN levels in ER group.

Statins for children with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Familial hypercholesterolemia is one of the most common inherited metabolic diseases and is an autosomal dominant disorder meaning heterozygotes, or carriers, are affected. Those who are homozygous have severe disease. The average worldwide prevalence of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia is at least 1 in 500, although recent genetic epidemiological data from Denmark and next generation sequencing data suggest the frequency may be closer to 1 in 250. Diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia in children is based on elevated total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels or DNA-based analysis, or both. Coronary atherosclerosis has been detected in men with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia as young as 17 years old and in women with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia at 25 years old. Since the clinical complications of atherosclerosis occur prematurely, especially in men, lifelong treatment, started in childhood, is needed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. In children with the disease, diet was the cornerstone of treatment but the addition of lipid-lowering medications has resulted in a significant improvement in treatment. Anion exchange resins, such as cholestyramine and colestipol, were found to be effective, but they are poorly tolerated. Since the 1990s studies carried out on children aged 6 to 17 years with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia have demonstrated significant reductions in their serum total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. While statins seem to be safe and well-tolerated in children, their long-term safety in this age group is not firmly established. This is an update of a previously published version of this Cochane Review. To assess the effectiveness and safety of statins in children with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Relevant studies were identified from the Group's Inborn Errors and Metabolism Trials Register and Medline.Date of most recent search: 20 February 2017. Randomized and controlled clinical studies including participants up to 18 years old, comparing a statin to placebo or to diet alone. Two authors independently assessed studies for inclusion and extracted data. We found 26 potentially eligible studies, of which we included nine randomized placebo-controlled studies (1177 participants). In general, the intervention and follow-up time was short (median 24 weeks; range from six weeks to two years). Statins reduced the mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration at all time points (moderate quality evidence). Serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase, as well as creatinine kinase concentrations, did not differ between treated and placebo groups at any time point (low quality evidence). The risks of myopathy (low quality evidence) and clinical adverse events (moderate quality evidence) were very low and also similar in both groups. In one study simvastatin was shown to improve flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery (low quality evidence), and in another study treatment with pravastatin for two years induced a significant regression in carotid intima media thickness (low quality evidence). Statin treatment is an effective lipid-lowering therapy in children with familial hypercholesterolemia. No significant safety issues were identified. Statin treatment seems to be safe in the short term, but long-term safety remains unknown. Children treated with statins should be carefully monitored and followed up by their pediatricians and their care transferred to an adult lipidologist once they reach 18 years of age. Large long-term randomized controlled trials are needed to establish the long-term safety issues of statins.

Effect of dietary utilisation of sugarcane press mud on production performance of Muzaffarnagari lambs.

Sugarcane press mud (SPM) is one of the potential agro-industrial by-products available in India and research exploring its utilisation in small ruminant nutrition is scanty. In this direction, the present study evaluated the feasibility of dietary incorporation of SPM at different levels in a feeding trial lasting 180days. A total of 21 Muzaffarnagari ram lambs were randomly distributed into three groups of seven each based on comparable body weight (11.70±0.29kg) and age (3-5months) following a completely randomised design. The three dietary treatments were (1) SP0 (control), concentrate mixture without SPM; (2) SP10, concentrate mixture comprising 10% SPM and (3) SP20, concentrate mixture comprising 20% SPM on air-dry basis. The experimental lambs were offered weighed quantity of designated isonitrogenous (crude protein=20.6%) and isoenergetic (metabolisable energy=12.1MJ/kg) concentrate mixture (coarse mash) and along with ad libitum wheat straw (threshed to 1-2-cm length) and a 9-day metabolism trial was conducted. Results revealed no significant (P>0.05) differences in intake and digestibility of nutrients, nitrogen balance, nutritive value of diets, average daily gain, as well as feed conversion ratio among three groups. The serum concentration of triiodothyronine and tetraiodothyronine did not differ due to treatments. Likewise, wool yield and its quality, measured in terms of fibre diameter, medullation percentage and staple length were also comparable irrespective of dietary variation. Furthermore, the cost of concentrate mixture (Rs/day) was lower (P≤0.05) in SP20 followed by SP10 as compared to group SP0. These findings suggested that SPM could be safely fed up to 20% level in the concentrate mixture for lambs substituting expensive traditional feed ingredients without negatively inflicting the performance of growing lambs.

Performance of broiler chicken fed multicarbohydrases supplemented low energy diet.

Aim:Objective of this study was to investigate the effect of multicarbohydrases supplementation on performance of broilers fed low energy diet.Materials and Methods:A total of 75 days old chicks were selected and randomly divided into three treatments groups (T1, T2, and T3); each group contained 25 chicks distributed in five replicates of five chicks each. T1 group (positive control) was offered control ration formulated as per Bureau of Indian Standards recommendations. In T2 group (negative control) ration, metabolizable energy (ME) was reduced by 100 kcal/kg diet. T3 group ration was same as that of T2 except that it was supplemented with multicarbohydrases (xylanase at 50 g/ton+mannanase at 50 g/ton+amylase at 40 g/ton). Feed intake and body weight of all experimental birds were recorded weekly. Metabolic trial was conducted for 3 days at the end of experiment to know the retention of nutrients.Results:Significant improvement (p<0.01) was observed in total weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, and performance index in broilers under supplementary group T3 as compared to T1 and T2 groups. Retention of crude protein and ether extract was significantly increased (p<0.05) in T3 group supplemented with multicarbohydrases as compared to other groups. Retention of dry matter, crude fiber, and nitrogen-free extract was comparable in all the three groups. Significantly highest dressed weight, eviscerated weight, and drawn weight (% of live body weight) were observed in multicarbohydrases supplemented T3 group, however it was comparable in T1 and T2 groups.Conclusion:It was concluded that the supplementation of multicarbohydrases (xylanase at 50 g/ton+mannanase at 50 g/ton+amylase at 40 g/ton) in low energy diet improved overall performance of broilers.

Effect of condensed tannins from Ficus infectoria and Psidium guajava leaf meal mixture on nutrient metabolism, methane emission and performance of lambs.

ObjectiveThe study examined the effect of condensed tannins (CT) containing Ficus infectoria and Psidium guajava leaf meal mixture (LMM) supplementation on nutrient metabolism, methane emission and performance of lambs.MethodsTwenty four lambs of ~6 months age (average body weight 10.1±0.60 kg) were randomly divided into 4 dietary treatments (CT-0, CT-1, CT-1.5, and CT-2 containing 0, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 percent CT through LMM, respectively) consisting of 6 lambs each in a completely randomized design. All the lambs were offered a basal diet of wheat straw ad libitum, oat hay (100 g/d) along with required amount of concentrate mixture to meet their nutrient requirements for a period of 6 months. After 3 months of experimental feeding, a metabolism trial of 6 days duration was conducted on all 24 lambs to determine nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance. Urinary excretion of purine derivatives and microbial protein synthesis were determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Respiration chamber study was started at the mid of 5th month of experimental feeding trial. Whole energy balance trials were conducted on individual lamb one after the other, in an open circuit respiration calorimeter.ResultsIntake of dry matter and organic matter (g/d) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in CT-1.5 than control. Digestibility of various nutrients did not differ irrespective of treatments. Nitrogen retention and microbial nitrogen synthesis (g/d) was significantly (p<0.01) higher in CT-1.5 and CT-2 groups relative to CT-0. Total body weight gain (kg) and average daily gain (g) were significantly (linear, p<0.01) higher in CT-1.5 followed by CT-1 and CT-0, respectively. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) by lambs was significantly (linear, p<0.01) better in CT-1.5 followed by CT-2 and CT-0, respectively. Total wool yield (g; g/d) was linearly (p<0.05) higher for CT-1.5 than CT-0. Methane emission was linearly decreased (p<0.05) in CT groups and reduction was highest (p<0.01) in CT-2 followed by CT-1.5 and CT-1. Methane energy (kcal/d) was linearly decreased (p<0.05) in CT groups.ConclusionThe CT supplementation at 1% to 2% of the diet through Ficus infectoria and Psidium guajava LMM significantly improved nitrogen metabolism, growth performance, wool yield, FCR and reduced methane emission by lambs.

Effect of dietary net energy concentrations on growth performance and net energy intake of growing gilts.

ObjectiveThis experiment investigated the effect of dietary net energy (NE) concentrations on growth performance and NE intake of growing gilts.MethodsFive diets were formulated to contain 9.6, 10.1, 10.6, 11.1, and 11.6 MJ NE/kg, respectively. A metabolism trial with 10 growing pigs (average body weight [BW] = 15.9±0.24 kg) was conducted to determine NE concentrations of 5 diets based on French and Dutch NE systems in a 5×5 replicated Latin square design. A growth trial also was performed with five dietary treatments and 12 replicates per treatment using 60 growing gilts (average BW = 15.9±0.55 kg) for 28 days. A regression analysis was performed to predict daily NE intake from the BW of growing gilts.ResultsIncreasing NE concentrations of diets did not influence average daily gain and average daily feed intake of growing gilts. There was a quadratic relationship (p = 0.01) between dietary NE concentrations and feed efficiency (G:F), although the difference in G:F among treatment means was relatively small. Regression analysis revealed that daily NE intake was linearly associated with the BW of growing gilts. The prediction equations for NE intake with the BW of growing gilts were: NE intake (MJ/d) = 1.442+(0.562×BW, kg), R2 = 0.796 when French NE system was used, whereas NE intake (MJ/d) = 1.533+(0.614×BW, kg), R2 = 0.810 when Dutch NE system was used.ConclusionIncreasing NE concentrations of diets from 9.6 to 11.6 MJ NE/kg have little impacts on growth performance of growing gilts. Daily NE intake can be predicted from the BW between 15 and 40 kg in growing gilts.

Assessment of energy content in dog foods

Animals can regulate food intake to meet their energy demands, so the nutritional composition of the diet should be balanced with its energy density to avoid over- or under-nutrition situations. The dog food market is registering significant growth, which is reflected in a broad portfolio of products with varied energy levels; however, true quantification of their energy value is unknown. Energy needs for dogs are commonly expressed as metabolizable energy, which is estimated with mathematical approaches (indirect estimation) or determined through digestibility and metabolism trials (direct estimation). This paper reviews the energy assessment of dog food, including common methodologies and experimental procedures.

Nutritional evaluation of different varieties of sorghum stovers in sheep

Nutritive value of stovers from 4 sorghum varieties (Pant Chari 5, PKV 809, CSV 17 and CSV 20) that were selected from a previous breeding program for their relative nutritive value was assessed using the in vitro and in vivo methods. Samples for in vitro and in vivo studies were harvested separately. For the in vivo studies, 16 adult Jalauni sheep (19.1±0.35kg) were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=4) and offered chopped stover from CSV 20, PKV 809, Pant Chari 5 and CSV 17 varieties, respectively along with 200g of concentrate mixture. After a 30-day feeding, 5days of metabolism trial was conducted to determine dry matter intake (DMI), nutrients digestibility and nitrogen balance. For in vitro study, crude protein (CP) concentration of CSV 20 was lowest (P<0.05) compared with the other varieties. The NDF and hemicellulose contents were highest (P<0.001) in CSV 20. The CP content in chaffed stover used for the animal study increased marginally for all varieties except for Pant Chari 5 (45.3g/kg DM) which had the lowest CP content. Buffer soluble protein (PB1), PA and PC fractions of the stovers were higher (P=0.006) in CSV 17 compared with the other stovers. Although CSV 20 had the lowest (P<0.001) PA and PC fractions, it had similar (P>0.05) PB1, PB2 and PB3 fractions with one or more of the other stovers. In vitro dry matter digestibility was highest (P=0.002) for CSV 17 and lowest for Pant Chari 5. Stover estimated DMI values varied between 0.0156 to 0.0164 of BW of the sheep with lower (P<0.001) DMI noted for CSV 20 versus the other varieties. Greater (P<0.05) cumulative gas production and rate of gas production (k) were noted for CSV 20 and Pant Chari 5 compared with others. Similar trend was also noted in the in vitro methane production, PF and SCFA concentration of the stovers. No difference was noted in the intake and digestibility of DM of the stover varieties. Sheep fed CSV 17 had significantly higher (P<0.05) nitrogen intake and fecal nitrogen (11.2 and 4.18g/d, respectively), and a tendency (P=0.07) for higher urinary nitrogen and nitrogen balance. Overall, results showed that sheep had higher stover intake and better nutrients digestibility, more nitrogen balance and higher nutritive value (digestible CP and metabolizable energy) from CSV 17 and PKV 809 sorghum stover based diets.

Moderate and high levels of dietary protein on clinico-biochemical and production responses of lambs to repeated Haemonchus contortus infection

Effect of moderate and high levels of dietary protein and repeated Haemonchus contortus infection on clinical-biochemical and production responses was studied in Chokla lambs. In a 2×2 factorial design, two levels of protein (moderate, MP and high, HP) was supplemented to control (C) and infected (I; challenged with H. contortus) lambs. Thus, twenty-four 4 to 5 months old Chokla lambs (16.8±0.53kg) were randomly distributed into a total of 4 treatment groups of 6 animals each, designated as MPC (moderate protein control), MPI (moderate protein infected), HPC (high protein control) and HPI (high protein infected). The infected groups were drenched with 300 infective larvae (L3)/kg LW on day 0 and subsequently with 400 L3/kg LW three times a week for 10 consecutive weeks. Concentrate was restricted to 2.5% of live weight (LW) and roughage was offered ad libitum. Weekly record of body weight and faecal egg counts (FEC) and bi-weekly assessment of haematological parameters such as haemoglobin, packed cell volume, differential leucocyte count and biochemical parameters such as serum protein, albumin, iron, urea, creatinine and cholesterol were followed during the experimental period of 10 weeks. A metabolism trial was conducted after 8 weeks of experimental feeding to assess N utilization pattern in different groups. Lambs in HP had higher feed and nutrient intake (DM, CP, OM, ME) than MP. Infection exerted a more significant adverse effect on feed and nutrient intake by lambs in MP. Lambs of MPI showed a lower N balance corresponding with a lower N uptake, but had similar utilization efficiency. They also had lower (P<0.05) average daily gain, but no significant effect on body condition score. No clinical signs were evident in infected lambs on varied protein nutrition. Although FEC and adult worm counts were higher in MPI, a varied FEC peak during 4 and 5 weeks in HP and MP, respectively was indicative of non-significant effect of increasing protein nutrition on parasite establishment. However, there was significant improvement in the ability of lambs to withstand the pathogenic effects of H. contortus infection in HPI suggesting that the diet associated with increased resilience. A decreased performance in MPI could be overcome by increasing diet palatability that ensures adequate uptake of protein.

Partition and metabolic fate of dietary glycerol in muscles and liver of juvenile tilapia

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the effect of dietary glycerol on the metabolism of juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) and to determine its metabolic fate. The experimental diets contained 0% (Group CON), 5% (Group G5) and 15% glycerol (Group G15) and were fed for 40 d to apparent satiation, three times a day. For the metabolism trials, six fish from each treatment were randomly chosen and tube-fed with five pellets labelled with 14C-glycerol [14C(U)] in order to evaluate the absorption, catabolism, retention and partition of glycerol in muscle and liver. Group G5 presented the highest 14C-glycerol retention and the lowest catabolism, with no significant differences between Groups CON and G15. In Group CON, the highest percentage of 14C was incorporated in muscle lipids; with no significant differences between Groups G5 and G15. Furthermore, no treatment effects were found for hepatic 14C-lipid and for 14C in hepatic and muscle non-lipid extract. In the non-lipid and non-protein fraction, the highest radioactivity was measured in livers of Group G5, however no significant differences were found for this fraction between Groups CON and G15 in liver and for all treatments in muscle. The results of the present study can have practical implications in diet formulations for tilapia and for other aquaculture species with similar feeding pattern since juvenile tilapia are able to metabolise dietary glycerol into lipids, protein and/or carbohydrates and to use it as energy source.

Long-term Effects of Feeding a Novel Phytoadditive on Nutrient Utilization, Growth Performance, Metabolic Profile and Antioxidant Status of Goats

The present study was undertaken to ascertain the health-promoting effects of a phytoadditive (PA) having confirmed in vitro antimethanogenic potential. The PA was prepared by mixing fixed proportions of Withania somnifera, Boerhavia diffusa and Holarrhena antidysenterica. Eighteen Jamunapari kids of three months of age were used in a 180-day study. The kids were divided into three equal groups and supplemented with the PA at 0 (PA-0), 1.5 (PA-1.5) and 2.5 (PA-2.5) percent of expected mean daily feed (DM) intake. A metabolism trial conducted following 180-days of feeding trial indicated no variations (P > 0.05) in intake and digestibility of organic nutrients. The plane of nutrition and nitrogen retention was also similar (P > 0.05) across the treatments. Blood collected at 30-days intervals was assessed for erythrocytic antioxidants and metabolic indices. The PA improved (P 0.05) among the groups, whereas serum levels of albumin were improved (P 0.05) on the average daily gain (g) which was 35 ± 4.0, 31 ± 3.4 and 34 ± 4.0 for the PA-0, PA-1.5 and PA-2.5 groups, respectively. The feed conversion ratio was also comparable across the dietary groups. Overall, it is concluded that while the dietary supplementation of the PA had no influence on the nutrient metabolism or growth, it did stimulate the antioxidant status of growing kids and thus possess potential to be of practical value in stressful management situations.

Replacing corn with sorghum in the dietalters intestinal microbiota without altering chicken performance.

Sorghum grain can be used to replace corn in broiler diets. However, the effects related to an abrupt change between these grains are not yet clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and intestinal health of broilers fed diets containing corn and/or sorghum during different periods of rearing. To accomplish this aim, 2100 male chicks were fed the following experimental diets: C100% (corn-based diet); S100% (sorghum-based diet); C:S50% (diet based on corn and sorghum 1:1); PC-S (corn-based diet in the pre-starter phase and sorghum-based diet in subsequent phases); and PS-C (sorghum-based diet in the pre-starter phase and corn-based diet in subsequent phases). The study was conducted with two simultaneous trials in a randomized block design as follows: a performance trial up to 40days occurred in floor pens (n=8), and the metabolism trial occurred in cages (n=10). Performance, jejunal morphometry, number of goblet cells, apparent metabolizable energy (AME), apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) and the coefficient of apparent metabolizability of dry matter (CMDM) of the diets, and the intestinal microbiota of small intestine and caeca at 10 and 21days of age (16S gene sequencing) were evaluated. The different experimental diets did not affect performance, jejunal epithelium, AME, AMEn or CMDM. However, the experimental diets altered the percentages of the genera Clostridium, Weissella, Bacillus and Alkaliphilus in the small intestine. In addition, the genera Lactobacillus and Desulfotomaculum in the caeca were altered. The age also affected the microbiota of the intestinal segments. In conclusion, feeding sorghum in place of corn as well as the grain change after the pre-starter phase does not alter broiler performance. However, sorghum alters the intestinal microbiota, resulting in a lower percentage of Clostridium and a higher percentage of Lactobacillus in the small intestine and caeca, respectively.

Effect of Feeding Curd as A Probiotic on Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization, Blood Biochemical and Ceacal Microbial Profile in Broilers

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of curd as probiotic on growth performance, nutrient utilization, blood biochemical and caecal microbial profile in broiler chicken. Day old broiler chicks (n=200) were procured and reared for one week with standard chick mash, and then divided into three dietary treatments having three replicates of 22 chicks in each. The treatment groups were fed the following rations for 42 days; T1 group fed basal diets alone (control), T2 and T3 groups fed basal diet with 10 and 20 percent probiotic product (curd fermented maize). At the end of the feeding experiment, a metabolic trial was conducted to evaluate the digestibility of nutrients. Average body weight change and gain in weight were higher (P

Effect of Encapsulated Protease Enzyme on the Performance, Carcass, Serum Protein and Retention of Protein and Energy in Broilers

Two hundred day old commercial broiler chicks were randomly distributed into 4 treatments with 10 replicates of 5 birds in each replicate, which were reared for a period of 6 weeks under uniform managemental conditions. Encapsulation of protease enzyme was done to prevent the stability of enzyme during pelleting of feed. A corn soya experimental diets were prepared for all the four treatments formulating four diets i.e Control diet, Basal diet (BD) (with 2% less CP compared to control diet), BD+ uncoated protease enzyme and BD+ coated protease enzyme. Blood samples were collected for serum protein estimation. Metabolic trial was conducted for the estimating retention of protein and energy. Supplementation of protease enzyme resulted in better FCR, as compared to control diet. Protease enzyme to low protein BD showed a significance (P

Effect of Tea (Camellia sinensis) Seed Saponin Supplementation on Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization, Microbial Protein Synthesis and Hemato- Biochemical Attributes of Gaddi Goats

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding tea seed saponin in oat fodder based diet on intake, growth performance, nutrient utilization, microbial protein synthesis and hemato-biochemical attributes of Gaddi goats in a 90 days feeding experiment. Eighteen male goats (6 to 7 months old and 17.70±0.75 kg body weight) were divided into three groups of six in each, as T0 (control), T1 and T2 in a completely randomized design. The animals in T0 were fed a basal diet containing concentrate mixture and oat fodder, while the animals in T1 and T2 groups were fed with same ration supplemented with tea seed saponin (TSS) on alternate days at the dose level of 0.4% and 0.8% of DMI, respectively. All animals were fed for a growth rate of 60 g/d. Daily feed intake and weekly body weight changes of each animal were recorded. A metabolism trial of six days duration was conducted. Dry matter, organic matter, NDF, ADF and cellulose digestibilities were though comparable in between T0 and T1, were significantly lower in T2 (P<0.05). Though digestible crude protein (g/kg diet) was comparable, TDN (g/kg diet) was significantly (P<0.05) lower in T2. A trend of lower urinary N excretion, higher N balance and microbial N supply were observed in TSS supplemented groups (T1 and T2) as compared to T0. Average daily gain was highest in T1 (75.56g) followed by T0 (61.78g)and was lowest in T2 (58.78g). The TSS supplementation did not change the levels of Hb, PCV, total protein, albumin, globulin, blood urea nitrogen, bilirubin and creatinine. However, saponin supplementation significantly (P<0.05) decreased triglyceride and increased HDL cholesterol levels. Thus, it may be concluded that TSS may be supplemented on alternate days at the level of 0.4% of DMI to improve growth rate, microbial protein synthesis and to favourably modify lipid profile in Gaddi goats.

Nutrient utilisation in grower pigs fed a protein concentrate blended with sweet potato roots either boiled or ensiled with or without vines

Blending sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam)) with a protein concentrate for pig feed is a common strategy used by small-scale livestock farmers across Africa, Asia and the Pacific. However, high dietary fibre in sweet potato (SP) forage may reduce nutrient utilisation and energy metabolism and reduce the growth rate of young pigs. A 32-day metabolic trial with grower pigs using a 4 × 4 Latin square design tested the hypothesis that there would be no difference in apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, energy and nitrogen (N) balance in 25 kg grower pigs (Large White × Landrace × Duroc) fed diets based on a blend of 43–40% protein supplement with 57–60% of DM as SP roots either boiled (BR43) or ensiled alone (ER43) or ensiled with vines (ERV40). Blended SP diets provided ~14–15% crude protein (CP), 16.1–16.3 MJ digestible energy (DE)/kg DM and 0.54–0.58 g lysine/MJ DE. The control diet (STD) contained 16.5% CP, 14.8 MJ DE/kg DM, 0.58 g lysine/MJ DE. The major findings were as follows: (1) DM intake was higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) for BR43 than ER43, ERV40 and STD diets, which were similar; (2) DM ATTD and energy utilisation were higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in pigs fed SP diets; (3) carbohydrate (N-free extracts) ATTD was higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in pigs fed BR43 and ER43 diets, while CP ATTD of both these diets was similar to that of STD and higher than that of ERV40; (4) ATTD of fats (ether extracts), CP, carbohydrates (N-free extracts) and total phosphorus was lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) on ERV40, but fibre ATTD was higher; (5) N intake and N retained were similar (P &amp;gt; 0.05) for pigs fed BR43, ER43 and STD diets but lower for ERV40 (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Boiled or ensiled SP roots provided high nutrient and energy utilisation in growing pigs, but the inclusion of SP vines lowered ATTD, energy utilisation and N retained from the mixed diet (ERV40). It is concluded that boiled or ensiled SP root are equally valuable as blended feed for grower pigs. However, at 30%DM, ensiled SP vine in blended feed led to reduced grower-pig performance.

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and rumen bypass-fat supplementation on growth, nutrient utilisation, rumen fermentation and carcass traits of lambs

Forty-eight weaned (3 months of age) lambs were randomly distributed in a 2 × 2 factorial design to assess the effect of rumen bypass-fat (RBF) feeding (with and without) and probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation (with and without) on growth, nutrient utilisation, rumen metabolic profile and carcass traits during the post-weaning phase (3–6 months of age) of life. The four experimental groups, each having 12 lambs (six male and six female), were thus designated as control (C, basic diet without RBF and probiotic), basic diet without RBF but with probiotic (C + P), basic diet with RBF but without probiotic (C + RBF) and basic diet with RBF and probiotic (C + P + RBF). The basic diet consisted of ad libitum concentrates and dry pala (Zizyphus nummularia) leaves. Additionally, each lamb received 500 g of green ardu (Ailanthus excelsa) leaves. The RBF was calcium salt of fatty acids (source: rice bran oil) and fed at 40 g per kg of concentrate and the probiotic was fed at 9.0 × 107 colony-forming units (CFU) per kg bodyweight. Weekly bodyweights were recorded to assess the growth performance of lambs and revealed significantly (P = 0.026) higher gain in weight and average daily gain in RBF-supplemented groups independent of probiotic supplementation. The intake of concentrate was higher (P = 0.025) in RBF-fed groups and lead to increased (P = 0.028) total daily dry-matter intake and higher (P &lt; 0.05) plane of nutrition (more metabolisable energy and a higher digestible crude protein intake) irrespective of probiotic supplementation. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was narrower (P &lt; 0.05) in RBF- and probiotic-supplemented animals. Digestibility of organic matter, ether extract and acid detergent fibre increased and higher nitrogen balance was observed in lambs fed with RBF. Probiotic supplementation showed a positive effect (P &lt; 0.05) on digestibility of acid detergent fibre. Ruminal metabolic profile was assessed at the end of the experimental feeding and it showed higher pH and ciliate protozoa population with RBF, independent of probiotic supplementation. Urinary purine derivatives were measured during the metabolic trial at the end of the experiment, which showed higher allantoin excretion leading to increased microbial nitrogen flow with RBF supplementation. Pre-slaughter weight, loin eye area and lean percentage were higher with a lower bone percentage and cooking loss, showing positive carcass attributes in RBF-fed groups, and the effect of probiotic was non-significant. It is concluded that RBF supplementation enhanced higher intake and utilisation of nutrients that supported improved weight gain, FCR and carcass traits, while Saccharomyces cerevisiae feeding had a positive effect on fibre digestibility and FCR, possibly by modifying the gut environment.