Supplemental CP Research Articles

Effect of increased dietary crude protein levels on production performance, nitrogen utilisation, blood metabolites and ruminal fermentation of Holstein bulls.

ObjectiveThis study investigated the effect of dietary crude protein (CP) supplementation on nutrient intake, nitrogen (N) utilisation, blood metabolites, ruminal fermentation and growth performance of young Holstein bulls.MethodsTwenty-one young bulls weighing 277±11.2 kg were equally divided into three groups and were offered diets formulated with low CP (LCP; 10.21% CP and 4.22% rumen degradable protein [RDP]), medium CP (MCP; 12.35% CP and 5.17% RDP) and high CP (HCP; 14.24% CP and 6.03% RDP). Yellow corn silage was used as a unique forage source and was mixed with concentrate. This mixed feed was given ad libitum to the young bulls included in the study.ResultsResults showed that CP intake, blood urea nitrogen, N intake, total N excretion and N balance increased linearly with an increase in dietary CP level (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in nutrient digestibility among the bulls receiving the different diets. Ruminal pH (p<0.05) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration (p<0.01) were significantly higher in the bulls receiving the MCP and HCP diets than in those receiving the LCP diet. The bulls receiving the HCP diet showed significantly higher ruminal bacterial protein level, propionate, acetate and total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentrations than bulls receiving the LCP diet (p<0.05). Moreover, dietary CP level exerted a significant positive effect on the final body weight, average daily gain and gain-to-feed ratio of the bulls (p<0.05).ConclusionHigh dietary CP level is optimal for achieving maximum growth and high profitability without exerting a negative effect on the physiology of growing Holstein bulls.

Effect of supplementation during the breeding season on a May-calving beef herd in the Nebraska Sandhills

ABSTRACT A 4-yr study at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory, Whitman, Nebraska, evaluated the effects of supplementation during the breeding season on May-calving heifers and primiparous cows. Beginning mid-July, and throughout a 45-d breeding season, heifers and primiparous cows grazed upland range and received either (1) no supplement (n = 128 heifers, 67 primiparous cows) or (2) 0.45 or 0.91 kg/animal per day for heifers and primiparous cows, respectively, of a 32% CP (DM) supplement (n = 129 heifers, 68 primiparous cows). Cows and heifers were synchronized using a single prostaglandin F 2α injection 5 d after bull placement (1:20 bull-to-cow ratio). Pregnancy was diagnosed via transrectal ultrasonography in mid-October or November for heifers and primiparous cows, respectively. Weaning occurred at pregnancy diagnosis. Body weight and BCS were taken at several time points throughout the year. Heifer BW and BCS following supplementation were unaffected by treatment ( P ≥ 0.10). Primiparous cow BW and BCS were greater in supplemented cows at the time of pregnancy diagnosis ( P P ≥ 0.41) between treatments for both age groups. Treatment did not affect calf BW at birth or dystocia rates for primiparous cows ( P ≥ 0.17). Calf BW at weaning was greater ( P

Nutrient intake, digestibility and growth performance of Washera lambs fed natural pasture hay supplemented with graded levels of Ficus thonningii(Chibha) leaves as replacement for concentrate mixture

BackgroundThe huge livestock resources of the country could not be used to its potential due to lack of good-quality feed throughout the year. Consequently, finding alternative feed supplements for livestock is an important step to sustain livestock production in the country. Ficus thonningii leaf is one of the potential feed resources for ruminants in the area. The experiment was conducted with the objective of evaluating the nutrient intake, digestibility and growth performance of local lambs fed natural pasture hay (NPH)-based diet supplemented with graded levels of Ficus thonningii dried leaves (FTL) and determining of the optimum level for replacing of concentrate mixture (CM). Twenty intact male yearling Washera lambs with initial body weight of 17.06 + 1.43 (mean + SE) kg were used in experiment. The experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design having four replications with five dietary treatments. The treatments were T1 = NPH + 0 g FTL +215 g CM; T2 = NPH + 112.5 g FTL +161.25 gCM; T3 = NPH + 225 g FTL +107.5 g CM; T4 = NPH + 337.5 g FTL + 53.75 g CM; and T5 = NPH + 450 g FTL +0 g CM. Data were analyzed using the general linear model procedures of SAS (version 9.3; 2002).ResultsThe results showed that FTL are a good source of crude protein (CP) (126.9 g/KgDM) and fibers (377–426 g/Kg DM). Results also showed that supplementation of higher-level FTL significantly (P < 0.001) increased total DM, OM and fibers intake (P < 0.001), but no significant difference (P > 0.05) observed in CP and ME intakes among treatments. Increasing level of FTL supplementation, however, reduced significantly (P < 0.001) the digestibility coefficient of all nutrients. In terms of ADG, nonsignificant (P > 0.05) differences were observed in lambs assigned up to 75% replacement of CM. The lowest performance was observed in sole FTL supplementation (T5), despite increased nutrients intake.ConclusionIt was concluded that indigenous fodder tree Ficus thonningii leaves could serve as alternative CP supplement in NPH-based feeding of Washera sheep and can be used to replace CM up to 75% to improve performance.

171 Effect of Backgrounding and Feedlot System Strategies on May-Born Steer Performance.

A 6-yr study examined the effects of differing backgrounding and feedlot systems on May-born steer performance was conducted at Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory (GSL), Whitman, NE, and West Central Research and Extension Center (WCREC), North Platte, NE. Weaned steers (n = 392) were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to one of two backgrounding treatments: meadow hay ad libitum and 1.81 kg/d of a 33% CP (DM) supplement (HI) or allowed to graze dormant sub-irrigated meadow with 0.45 kg/d supplement (LO). Steers were placed on backgrounding treatments for 136 d from January to May. In May, one-half of the steers from each backgrounding treatment were placed in the WCREC feedlot system (CALF). The remaining steers grazed upland range at GSL and were transported to the WCREC feedlot mid-September. In yr 2 – 5, steers were fed in a GrowSafe (GrowSafe Systems Ltd., Airdrie, AB, Canada) feeding system. Over the backgrounding period, HI steers had a greater (P < 0.01) ADG (0.64 vs. 0.35 ± 0.03 kg/d, HI vs. LO) and May BW (275 vs 244 ± 2 kg, HI vs. LO). Feedlot entry BW differed (P = 0.02) by combination of development and feedlot system, with HI-YRL steers having the greatest BW (353 ± 3 kg), followed by LO-YRL (341 ± 3 kg), HI-CALF (264 ± 3 kg), and LO-CALF (237 ± 3 kg). Gain:Feed ratios were improved (P = 0.01) in LO steers (0.16 vs. 0.15 ± 0.002 kg:kg, LO vs. HI). At slaughter, HCW was greater (P < 0.01) for HI development (419 vs. 407 ± 3 kg, HI vs. LO) and YRL feedlot system (426 vs. 401 ± 3 kg, YRL vs. CALF). Yield grade was greater (P = 0.04) for the YRL system (3.3 vs. 3.2 ± 0.05, YRL vs. CALF). Marbling score tended to be greater (P = 0.10) for LO development (480 vs. 467 ± 6; LO vs. HI) and was greater (P < 0.01) for YRL system (490 vs. 457 ± 6, YRL vs. CALF). Alternative backgrounding and feedlot systems impacted steer feedlot and carcass traits.

Effect of heifer development system on subsequent growth and reproduction in 2 breeding seasons

ABSTRACT A 4-yr study evaluated the effects of heifer development system on growth and reproductive performance in 2 breeding seasons. March- and May-born, crossbred heifers were stratified by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments from mid-January to mid-April: (1) ad libitum meadow hay (7.3% CP; 54.3% TDN) and 1.64 kg/d of a 32% CP supplement (HY) or (2) meadow grazing (10.3% CP; 61.7% TDN) and 0.41 kg/d supplement (MDW). In the March-born heifers, ADG during treatment was greater (P

Nephroprotective Hepatoprotective Potential and Antioxidant Role of Carob Pods (Cerotonia siliqua L.) against Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Toxicity in Rats

Abstract: Objective: The aims of current study are the evaluation of the protective effect and antioxidant role of carob pods against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity and nephropathy. Material and Methods: The present experiment was designed as I (control), II (0.5 ml/kg CCl4), III (%10 CP), IV (CCl4 0.5 ml/kg+%10 CP) groups. While rats in group I and III were fed with a diet without CCl4, II, and IV groups received twice 0.5 ml/kg/week, where IV group additionally received %10 CP supplementation for 50 days. The protective roles and antioxidant activity of the CP supplementation feed against CCl4-induced oxidative stress and toxicity were evaluated by histopathological changes, measuring hepatic and renal damage biomarkers (HRDB), antioxidant defence system constituents (ADSC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) parameters in the erythrocyte, liver, brain, kidney and spleen tissues of rats. Results: According to the results, the biochemical analysis showed a considerable increase in the serum AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanin aminotransferase), GGT (gamma glutamyl transpeptidase) and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) enzymes, creatinine and urea, and decrease in the group II as compared to that of I group. On contrary, such parameters were decreased in IV group as compared to that of group II. In addition, the results showed that CP supplementation diet restored the CCl4 induced MDA (malondialdehyde) and ADSC towards to control. The hepatoprotection of CP is further substantiated by the almost normal histological findings in IV group against degenerative changes in II group. Protective effects by CP are further substantiated by the almost normal HRDB for kidney and liver in IV treated group as against degenerative changes in the II treated rats. Conclusion: The results indicated that CP could be as an important as diet-derived antioxidants in preventing oxidative damage in the tissues by reducing the MDA or inhibiting the production of CCl4-induced free radicals and liver and kidney destruction. Key words: Carbon tetrachloride, Carob pods, Protective potential, Antioxidant role.

Co-ingestion of carbohydrate and whey protein increases fasted rates of muscle protein synthesis immediately after resistance exercise in rats.

The objective of the study was to investigate whether co-ingestion of carbohydrate and protein as compared with protein alone augments muscle protein synthesis (MPS) during early exercise recovery. Two months old rats performed 10 repetitions of ladder climbing with 75% of body weight attached to their tails. Placebo (PLA), whey protein (WP), or whey protein plus carbohydrate (CP) was then given to rats by gavage. An additional group of sedentary rats (SED) was used as controls. Blood samples were collected immediately and at either 1 or 2 h after exercise. The flexor hallucis longus muscle was excised at 1 or 2 h post exercise for analysis of MPS and related signaling proteins. MPS was significantly increased by CP compared with PLA (p<0.05), and approached significance compared with WP at 1 h post exercise (p = 0.08). CP yielded a greater phosphorylation of mTOR compared with SED and PLA at 1 h post exercise and SED and WP at 2 h post exercise. CP also increased phosphorylation of p70S6K compared with SED at 1 and 2 h post exercise. 4E-BP1 phosphorylation was inhibited by PLA at 1 h but elevated by WP and CP at 2 h post exercise relative to SED. The phosphorylation of AMPK was elevated by exercise at 1 h post exercise, and this elevated level was sustained only in the WP group at 2 h. The phosphorylation of Akt, GSK3, and eIF2Bε were unchanged by treatments. Plasma insulin was transiently increased by CP at 1 h post exercise. In conclusion, post-exercise CP supplementation increases MPS post exercise relative to PLA and possibly WP, which may have been mediated by greater activation of the mTOR signaling pathway.

Growth and reproductive performance of yearling beef heifers implanted with Revalor G in the Nebraska Sandhills

ABSTRACT Crossbred beef heifers (n = 3,242), approximately 12 mo of age, were managed at 3 locations in the Nebraska Sandhills. Heifers were randomly assigned (May 1) to be implanted with 40 mg of trenbolone acetate plus 8 mg of estradiol (IMP; Revalor G, Merck Animal Health, Summit, NJ) or not implanted (control; CON). Heifers (238 ± 2 kg) grazed native Sandhills range for the duration of the trial (164 ± 4 d). Eighty-two ± 2 d following trial initiation, heifers were synchronized for estrus and received AI followed with clean-up bulls as part of a 25-d breeding season. Body weight was measured at the beginning and end of the trial. Pregnancy detection occurred 45 d following bull removal. During the second breeding season heifers were supplemented with 0.45 kg of a 32% CP supplement 15 d before and 15 d after placement with bulls for a 56-d breeding season. Implanted heifers gained more and were heavier ( P P P = 0.02; 93 vs. 96 ± 2%, IMP vs. CON, respectively). Implanting beef heifers with trenbolone acetate plus estradiol at approximately 12 mo of age increased ADG and summer BW gain; however, it decreased initial and subsequent pregnancy rate compared with heifers not implanted.

Addition of arginine and leucine to low or normal protein diets: performance, carcass characteristics and intramuscular fat of finishing pigs

The effect of dietary crude protein (CP) reduction, supplementation with arginine or leucine on intramuscular fat (IMF) content was evaluated in (Landrace × Duroc) × Pietrain pigs. One-hundred and eight barrows (67 ± 4 kg) were assigned to six diets (n=6 pens of 3 pigs each): four normal CP diets containing 16% CP from 60 to 90 kg and 13% CP from 90 to 115 kg live weight (normal protein; normal protein high Arg, normal protein high Leu or normal protein high Arg and Leu) and two low CP diets containing 14% CP from 60 to 90 kg and 11.8% CP from 90 to 115 kg live weight (with or without supplementation of both amino acids). The high Leu and Arg diets were supplemented to obtain ratios of standard ileal digestible Leu/Lys and Arg/Lys of 4 and 2, respectively. While feed to gain ratio tended to increase (p&lt;0.05), final weight (p&lt;0.01), average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p&lt;0.05) and average daily gain (ADG) (p&lt;0.01) were reduced in animals fed low-protein diets supplemented with Arg and Leu compared to the ones fed low-protein diet unsupplemented. Marbling and IMF content in loin were reduced when Arg was supplemented (p&lt;0.05) in normal protein diets. Supplementing these diets with Arg also reduced belly weight (p&lt;0.01) and increased lean meat percentage (p&lt;0.05). Contrary to the initial hypothesis, reduction of CP or dietary supplementation with Leu had no effect on IMF content and supplementation with Arg reduced it.

Effect of dietary protein level and length of fattening period on dressing percentage and carcass conformation in broiler chickens

This study analyses the effect of different protein levels in broiler feeds (supplemented with protease) and different lengths of fattening period on some parameters related to dressed carcass quality. Medium-growing Master Gris broiler chickens were used in a fattening trial lasting 63 days. At slaughter, dressing percentages and abdominal fat percentages were determined based on traditionally dressed carcass weights and abdominal fat weights of broilers at 49 and 63 days, and conformation indices were calculated based on absolute conformation measurements. Results showed that dietary treatment had an effect only on one relative conformation measurement - body weight/shank length in chickens at 49 days, as control broilers had higher values of this index compared to chickens receiving feeds containing reduced levels of crude protein and protease supplementation (0.2% or 0.3%). Length of fattening period affected almost all studied parameters, except breast angle, dressing percentage of traditionally dressed carcass and abdominal fat percentage.

Effects of Two Commercial Game Bird Feeds on Captive Northern Bobwhite Chick Growth Rates

Supplemental feeding of northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) is a widespread management practice. Bobwhite chicks in the wild consume only arthropods for their first 30–60 days of life. Arthropods may become less abundant and managers have supplied bobwhites with supplemental feed during times of drought to mitigate the lack of arthropods. We compared growth rates of captive bobwhite chicks consuming a new, commercial 24% crude protein supplement to growth rates of bobwhites consuming a commercial 30% crude protein complete ration. There was no male/female bias related to chick growth. Chicks consuming the 24% protein diet grew slower and reached adult mass (150 g) 1 month later than birds on the 30% protein diet. Birds grew 4–6 times faster than documented rates from wild chicks in Florida, but this is attributed to captivity bias. A 24% protein supplement has insufficient protein to optimize growth of bobwhites and is a poor substitute for arthropods in time of drought. A 30% protein diet has sufficient nutrient levels to justify further research as a supplement to mitigate a lack of arthropods in times of drought.

1664 WS Effect of crude protein supplementation on performance of cow-calf pairs and replacement heifers grazing late growing season forage

1664 WS Effect of crude protein supplementation on performance of cow-calf pairs and replacement heifers grazing late growing season forage

Supplemental Protein during Heavy Cycling Training and Recovery Impacts Skeletal Muscle and Heart Rate Responses but Not Performance.

The effects of protein supplementation on cycling performance, skeletal muscle function, and heart rate responses to exercise were examined following intensified (ICT) and reduced-volume training (RVT). Seven cyclists performed consecutive periods of normal training (NT), ICT (10 days; average training duration 220% of NT), and RVT (10 days; training duration 66% of NT). In a crossover design, subjects consumed supplemental carbohydrate (CHO) or an equal amount of carbohydrate with added protein (CP) during and following each exercise session (CP = +0.94 g/kg/day protein during ICT; +0.39 g/kg/day during RVT). A 30-kilometer time trial performance (following 120 min at 50% Wmax) was modestly impaired following ICT (+2.4 ± 6.4% versus NT) and returned to baseline levels following RVT (−0.7 ± 4.5% versus NT), with similar responses between CHO and CP. Skeletal muscle torque at 120 deg/s benefited from CP, compared to CHO, following ICT. However, this effect was no longer present at RVT. Following ICT, muscle fiber cross-sectional area was increased with CP, while there were no clear changes with CHO. Reductions in constant-load heart rates (at 50% Wmax) following RVT were likely greater with CP than CHO (−9 ± 9 bpm). Overall it appears that CP supplementation impacted skeletal muscle and heart rate responses during a period of heavy training and recovery, but this did not result in meaningful changes in time trial performance.

Effect of protein supplementation in the rumen, abomasum, or both on intake, digestibility, and nitrogen utilisation in cattle fed high-quality tropical forage

Effects of differing proportions of ruminal and abomasal protein infusion on intake, digestion, ruminal dynamics and the metabolic parameters of nitrogen (N) compounds were evaluated in beef bulls fed high-quality tropical forage (98.6 g crude protein, CP/kg dry matter) for ad libitum intake. Four Nelore bulls (280 ± 10 kg bodyweight) fitted with ruminal and abomasal cannulas were studied in a 4 × 4 Latin square. Treatments included: Control (no supplement) or 230 g/day of supplemental CP (as casein), with ratios of abomasal : ruminal infusion of 0 : 100, 50 : 50 or 100 : 0. Organic matter intake was not affected by treatments (P ≥ 0.30), though N intake increased by supplementation (P &lt; 0.001). Total CP and organic matter digestibility were increased (P &lt; 0.02) by protein supplementation. Nitrogen balance was 43% greater (P &lt; 0.02) in the treatments with supplementation. Although supplementation did not affect (P = 0.98) the efficiency of absorbed N, a tendency towards a positive linear effect (P = 0.08) was observed when modifying the site of supplementation from the rumen to the abomasum. Supplementation increased (P &lt; 0.01) ruminal ammonia-N, serum urea-N, urinary N and urea-N excretion, which subsequently decreased linearly (P &lt; 0.01) by the displacement of supplementation from the rumen to the abomasum. The results indicate that protein supplementation, either in the rumen or abomasum produces similar effects on N retention. However, the metabolic mechanisms responsible for the improved N retention appear to differ between supplementation sites. Additionally, the efficiency of N utilisation increases with infusion of protein into the abomasum.

Cottonseed meal is a suitable replacement for soybean meal in supplements fed to Nellore heifers grazing Brachiaria decumbens

The objective was to evaluate the effect of substituting soybean meal with cottonseed meal in supplements containing 15% and 30% of crude protein (CP), as well as evaluate the effect of supplementation use, on the performance and nutritional status of Nellore heifers. Forty heifers that were 13 months old and 250 ± 4 kg were kept in five 2.5-ha paddocks covered with Brachiaria decumbens. They were compared as they received different supplements (1 kg/head.day) in a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial – two protein sources (soybean and cottonseed meal) by two protein concentrations (15% and 30%) plus a Control treatment, which was a mineral mix only. The supplemented heifers showed greater weight gains, final bodyweight (P &lt; 0.10) and higher intake of all evaluated nutrients (P &lt; 0.10), as well as greater digestibility of these nutrients compared with those from the Control treatment. The animals fed supplements containing 15% CP had lower digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, CP and neutral detergent insoluble fibre corrected for ash and protein. These animals also had lower total digestible nutrients as compared with those which received a supplement containing 30% CP (P &lt; 0.10). The treatments containing cottonseed meal provided greater dry matter digestibility (P &lt; 0.10). Cottonseed meal can fully substitute soybean meal to grazing heifers during the rainy season. Supplements containing 30% of CP provided greater digestibility than 15% CP supplements. Supplemented animals had better performance.

Effect of feeding different levels of proteins on growth, blood biochemical and immunological parameters in laying Khaki Campbell ducks

A feeding experiment was carried out to study the effect of feeding different levels of protein during laying (20-40 weeks) on growth, feed consumption and mortality in Khaki Campbell ducks. 180 ducks were distributed randomly into three treatment groups viz. T1, T2 and T3 with three replicates of 20 ducks (15 females and 5 males) in each replicate. Birds were allotted to different groups in such a manner that there was no significant difference between the average 20th week body weight among the treatment groups. Between 20-40 weeks, ducks were provided with isocaloric diets with 16, 18 and 20 per cent crude protein in to groups T1, T2 and T3 respectively with ad lib provision of feed and water. Results indicated that supplementation of crude protein of about 18% in the ration during laying period might be sufficient with respect to growth trait in Khaki Campbell layer ducks. Further, the mortality ranged from 2 to 3.2% during laying stage, which was within normal range indicating that the different levels of protein supplementation in diet could not influence the health condition of ducks. The effect of different levels of protein supplementation in the diet during active stage of laying (30th week) was found to be non-significant, with respect to blood biochemicals like total protein, albumin, abumin:gobulin ratio, glucose, urea and creatinine concentration. The level of primary antibody in T1, T2 and T3 of female ducks were 6.00 ± 0.00, 5.33 ± 0.33 and 6.33 ± 0.33 and for combined sex they were 5.00 ± 0.52, 5.33 ± 0.33 and 5.67 ± 0.42, respectively.

Delaying Postpartum Supplementation in Cows Consuming Low-Quality Forage Does Not Alter Cow and Calf Productivity

Reducing the amount of supplemental feed postpartum without affecting productivity may enhance profitability of cow-calf operations. Therefore, sixteen 2-yr-old fall calving cows were used to evaluate effects of delaying postpartum supplementation on milk production, serum metabolites, and cow and calf BW change. Cows were stratified by calving date and randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 908 g/d of a 46% CP supplement beginning 5 d postpartum (Supp5, n = 7); or 908 g/d of the same supplement beginning 30 d postpartum (Supp30, n = 9). Supplements were formulated to provide 425 g/d of CP with 225 g coming from ruminally undegradable protein (RUP), and were fed twice weekly. Cows were daily fed 8.2 kg chopped sudangrass hay (5.5% CP, 74% NDF, OM basis) during lactation. Cows and calves were weighed before feeding on two consecutive days on d 0, d 30, and d 80 postpartum. Milk production and constituents were evaluated on d 90. Cow BW was not different at d 0 (P = 0.21) and 80 (P = 0.12) between treatment groups. Cows receiving supplement starting on d 5 postpartum were heavier (P = 0.04) than Supp30 cows on d 30. However, no differences (P ≥ 0.17) were found in BW change or ADG during the duration of the study. Milk production was similar (P = 0.99) for postpartum supplementation treatments. No differences (P ≥ 0.27) were observed in milk fat, lactose, protein, or solids-non-fat. However, there was a tendency (P = 0.09) for milk urea nitrogen to be greater for cows receiving supplement on d 5 than d 30 of lactation. Serum urea nitrogen was greater (P = 0.02) in cows receiving Supp5 than cows receiving Supp30. Serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and glucose concentrations were not different (P ≥ 0.40) between treatment groups. Calf BW and average daily gain (ADG) was not influenced (P ≥ 0.81) by timing of initial postpartum supplementation. These results indicate that withholding supplementation during the first 30 d postpartum may change pattern of cow BW loss without affecting net BW loss, milk production, or calf growth. Therefore, timing of postpartum supplementation can be manipulated to reduce amount of feed provided without sacrificing cow or calf productivity.

Nutritive value of common tree leaves for livestock in the semi-arid and arid rangelands of Northern Pakistan

The aim of this study was to establish a database on nutrients and mineral profile, in vitro dry matter digestibility (DMD) and in situ ruminal degradability characteristics of leaves from 21 fodder tree species commonly fed to livestock in semi-arid and arid zones of Northern Pakistan. Leaves from 13 fodder tree species: Albizia lebbeck, Ailanthus altissima, Bauhinia variegata, Butea frondosa, Celtis australis, Ficus carica, Grewia oppositifolia, Leucaena leucocephala, Mallotus philippensis, Melia azedarach, Morus alba, Morus papyrifera and Ziziphus mauritiana were sampled from semi-arid zone. Leaves from 8 fodder tree species: Acacia modesta, A. lebbeck, Capparis aphylla, Olea cuspidata, Prosopis juliflora, Tecomella undulata, Ziziphus jujuba and Ziziphus mauritiana were sampled from arid zone. Within each ecological zone, leaves of each tree species were collected at four sub-locations, from three randomly selected trees. The results showed a large variation in the concentration of all measured chemical components, DMD and ruminal degradation characteristics among the tree species. The contents of crude protein (CP) varied from 8.76% (T. undulata) to 24.0% (M. alba); ash from 7.41% (O. cuspidata) to 22.4% (C. australis); and neutral detergent fibre from 20.6 (L. leucocephala) to 56.5% (C. aphylla). Except for T. undulata, leaves from all tree species had CP content of >10%, and 60% of the species had leaves with >15% CP, demonstrating that leaves from majority of tree species can be used as low-cost CP supplement. The mineral composition revealed that, except for C. aphylla, leaves from all tree species were rich sources of Ca, whilst most of the species were deficient in P, Na and Cu. The DMD of the majority (66%) of tree leaves were <50.0%, ranging from 33.1% (M. philippensis) to 67.6% (M. alba). The in situ data further showed that a large fraction of ruminal degradable dry matter was instantaneously degraded (soluble). The potentially rumen degradable (D) fraction and rate of degradation (kd) was highly variable, ranging from 0.234 to 0.958 and 0.026 to 0.99/h, respectively. The effective ruminal dry matter degradability (EDDM) was higher than the in vitro DMD, ranging from 0.34 to 0.84, at an outflow rate of 0.05/h. This information on nutrients and mineral profile, in vitro DMD and in situ ruminal degradability characteristics of leaves from 21 fodder tree species, obtained under well replicated and uniform experimental conditions can be used to optimize diet formulation in terms of nutrients supply to the animals that will ensure better utilization of this nutrients-rich feed resource and will increase economic profitability of subsistence livestock farmers in the region.

INTRAEPITHELIAL LYMPHOCYTES IN THE DUODENAL MUCOSA OF MEAT QUAILS RECEIVING DIETS CONTAINING OR NOT CONTAINING PROBIOTIC AND DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CRUDE PROTEIN

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation associated to different levels of crude protein (CP) on the count of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) in the duodenum of meat quails. A total of 2304 quails were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2 x 4 factorial scheme (with and without probiotic and four levels of CP - 15, 20, 25 and 30%), with two replicates per treatment in two experimental periods, in a total of 32 experimental units. At seven days old, two quails from each experimental unit were euthanized to harvest the duodenum segment. Semi-serial 7-μm histological sections were obtained, which were subsequently stained with hematoxylin-eosin to perform the IEL count. For the calculation, first 2500 epithelial cells were counted from the mucosa of each animal, and then the IELs present between these cells were counted, with the results expressed in amounts of IELs/100 epithelial cells. No differences were found in the IEL count among the treatments. Under the experimental conditions, it can be concluded that the use of probiotic associated to different levels of CP supplementation does not alter the IEL count in the duodenum of meat quails.

Assessing Nutrient Adequacy from the Crop Contents of Free-Ranging Indigenous Chickens in Rural Villages of the Venda Region of South Africa

The aim of the study was to evaluate the nutritional status of scavenging chickens by assessing the composition of their crop contents. The study was conducted on 288 free-ranging indigenous chickens from six adjacent rural villages in Venda region of South Africa over three seasons (autumn, winter and spring). The chickens consumed grains, kitchen waste, seeds from the environment, plant materials, worms and insects, and some undistinguishable materials. Household waste accounted for 78.6%, 91.1% and 75.8% and materials of animal origin, including insects and worms, accounted for 7.4%, 10.4% and 16% of the crop content in autumn, winter and spring, respectively. Grains and kitchen waste consumption and macro- and micro-nutrient concentrations varied with season. The crude protein (CP) level of the crop contents of adult chickens in all seasons and the calcium and phosphorus levels in winter corresponded with the requirements of poultry for maintenance and growth, but not egg production. Supplementation of CP to young birds in all seasons and calcium and phosphorus in autumn and spring might be necessary to improve their growth. Concentrations of copper, manganese, zinc and cobalt were above the requirements of poultry, but below their maximum tolerance levels (MTL). Iron concentrations ranged from 2907 mg/kg DM to 6424 mg/kg DM, which are well above MTL, suggesting potential detrimental effects on the birds if the iron in the crop contents is bioavailable. Aluminium concentrations ranged from 2256 mg/kg DM to 4192 mg/kg DM, though aluminium is considered non-toxic. It was concluded that the birds would not suffer from micro-mineral deficiencies, and that a risk of toxicity would depend on the bioavailability of the consumed element.