T2 Diets Research Articles

The Effect of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis PTCC 1403 on the Growth Performance, Digestive Enzymes Activity, Antioxidative Status, Immune Response, and Disease Resistance of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

The effect of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis strain PTCC 1403 as a potential probiotic was investigated on the growth, hematobiochemical, immune responses, and resistance to Yersinia ruckeri infection in rainbow trout. A total of 240 fish were distributed into 12 fiberglass tanks representing four groups (× 3 replicates). Each tank was stocked with 20 fish (average initial weight: 11.81 ± 0.32g) and fed L. lactis subsp. lactis PTCC 1403 at 0 (control, T0), 1 × 109 (T1), 2 × 109 (T2), and 3 × 109 (T3) CFU/g feed for 8weeks. The results showed enhanced protein efficiency ratio and reduced feed conversion ratio in the fish-fed T2 diet. Further, fish-fed T2 and T3 diets showed a significantly higher survival rate than the control (p < 0.05). Trypsin, lipase, and protease activities were increased in fish-fed L. lactis subsp. lactis PTCC 1403 compared to the control (p < 0.05). Fish fed with a T2 diet showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower glucose content than other groups. The blood lysozyme activity and IgM showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher values in fish-fed T2 and T3 diets than in other groups. The antioxidative responses were increased in fish-fed T2 and T3 diets (p < 0.05). After 7days post-Y. ruckeri challenge, the cumulative mortality rate showed the lowest value in fish fed with T1 and T2 diets, while the highest value was recorded in the control group. In conclusion, the results revealed beneficial effects of L. lactis subsp. lactis PTCC 1403 on the feed efficiency, immune response, and resistance to Y. ruckeri infection in rainbow trout.

Growth response, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens fed dried kitchen waste meal as a partial replacement for corn

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dry kitchen waste meal (KW) as a partial replacement for maize on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. A total 160 broiler chicks were used for the study. The broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatment groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 of 40 birds of each treatment with 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). The study was lasted for six weeks. Four experimental diets were formulated with KW replacing maize at levels of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% representing T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively for both starter and finisher diets. The results showed that daily and total feed intake showed significant difference among treatment groups. Broilers fed 20% KW showed highest average daily feed intake while those fed 30% KW recorded the least. Nutrients digestibility parameters such as ash and crude fiber were significantly different across treatments. Therefore, KW can replace up to 20% of maize in broilers diet without any negative effect on feed intake and will be suitable for feeding chickens.

Performance, Carcass and Relative Organ Weights of Young Boars Fed Graded Dietary Levels of Raw Icacinia manni (Earth Ball)

A study conducted for a period of fifty (50) days to determine the growth performance, carcass and organ weight of growing boars fed graded dietary levels of raw Icacinia manni tuber meal. Four experimental diets were formulated with Icacinia manni (Earth ball) replacing maize at 0, 5, 10 and 15% levels designated as T1(control), T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Forty-eight (48) young boars (Landrace x Large white) each weighed 7.72+ 0.35kg were assigned to the four dietary treatments and replicated three times of four boars each in a completely randomized design. Carcass traits and relative organs weights were evaluated. These traits were; dressed weight, dressing percentage, head, shank, trotter, belly, thick rib chop, rib chop, loin, chump chop, leg fillet end, Leg shank end, liver, lungs, kidney spleen and heart. The results indicated that apart from T4, diets T1, T2 and T3 did not differ significantly (P&gt;0.05) in terms of feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio. This implies that Icacinia manni did not affect growth performance except at 15% level of inclusion Similarly, Pigs fed diets T2 and T3 showed significant (P&lt;0.05) increase in dressed weight, dressing percentage as well as certain primal cuts such as breast, rib chop, loin and chump chop. However, relative organs weight did not differ (P&gt;0.05) across dietary treatments except the lungs in T4 (15%) signifying the non-deleterious effect of raw icacinia manni, at 10%. To attain optimum performance and carcass characteristics in young boars therefore, inclusion of raw Icacinia manni in young boars’ diet at 10 percent is recommended.

Immunomodulatory Effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. Aqueous Extract on the Burrowing Crab, Cardiosoma guanhumi (Latreille, 1828)

Moringa oleifera has impressive range of nutritional and medicinal values which when consumed have influence on hematological profile which is applied as an index of physiological condition of various organisms and thus provide information about the health status of local populations. The study aimed to determine the effects of M. oleifera aqueous leaves extract on the hematology, serum biochemical profile and antioxidant enzyme activities of the burrowing crab, Cardiosoma guanhumi. Thirty juveniles of C. guanhumi (Average weight 43.20±0.05 g) were tested, where six crabs were randomly selected and distributed per each tank (1 x 1x 0.6m3) of 1litre of water. Different diets containing M. oleifera aqueous extract at inclusion levels of 0.5 ml, 1.0 ml, 1.5 ml, 2.0 ml and control were used to feed the crabs. Total Haemocyte Count ranged between 2733.33±0.90 mL and 6350.00±0.60 mL; there were significant differences among the treatment groups (p &lt; 0.05). Haemocyte sub-population variables showed that crabs fed the control and 2.0ml M. oleifera kg-1 diet had increased in the granulocyte and monocyte populations but a decrease in the agranulocytes. The results of the serum enzymes showed an increase as the level of M. oleifera aqueous extract increases in the diet. Highest superoxide dismutase (75.43 ±21.25 min/mg pro) and catalase activities (2.96±0.18 min/mg pro), malondialdehyde (12.05±2.09 nmol/L) and glutathione concentrations (0.19 ±0.02 μmol/L) were recorded in crabs fed diet T4 (2.0ml M. oleifera kg-1), while the lowest were obtained in crabs fed control diet. The present study showed that the inclusion of M. oleifera aqueous extract up to 1.0ml kg-1 will have immunomodulatory performance on Cardiosoma guanhumi without any deleterious effect on the crab’s health status.&#x0D; Keywords: Hemato-Biochemicals, Land Crab, Lagos Lagoon, Plant Extract, Nigeria

Date press cake replaces corn grains in the diet of lactating Egyptian buffaloes and Barki rams.

High prices of corn grains due to their shortage in some regions force researcher to explore nonconventional alternatives. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of replacing corn grains at 25% (dry matter (DM) basis) with date press cake (DPC) without/with exogenous enzymes at 2 L/ton feed in diets of Barki sheep (24 rams divided as 6 rams/treatment) and Egyptian buffaloes (16 buffaloes divided as 4 buffalo/treatment). Each experiment was conducted under 4 treatments regime: control diet containing only corn grains, T1 diet where the control diet supplemented with exogenous enzyme, T2 diet where the control diet contained DPC on corn replacement (25% DM basis), and T3 diet where the control diet contained DPC on corn replacement (25% DM basis) along with exogenous enzyme supplement. The control diet contained concentrate feed mixture, corn silage, and rice straw at 50:40:10, respectively. Data on nutrient intake, digestibility, and nitrogen balance in sheep, as well as on blood parameters, milk production, and composition in buffaloes, were analyzed using the PROC GLM/MIXED procedure of SAS. The sheep under T2 and T3 treatments demonstrated greater digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fibers, along with improved nitrogen balance. The milk yield and its constituents were improved in the buffaloes under T3 treatment followed by those buffaloes under T2 and T1 treatments. This investigation could conclude that replacing corn grains with DPC at 25% (DM basis) in ruminant diets had beneficial effects on nutrients digestibility and milk yield along with its composition.

Meat production of young and adult Kejobong goats fed diets with different protein concentration

This study was aimed to examine the effect of dietary crude protein (CP) concentration on carcass and meat production in young and adult Kejobong goats. This study used 8 young (5 months) and 8 adult (9 months) Kejobong goats; which were allocated to a randomized nested design, with an age of goat as the nest, and treatment applied was dietary protein concentration (T1: 9.96%; T2: 14.66%). The parameters observed were dry matter intake (DMI), CP intake (CPI), body weight gain (BWG), and the production of carcass meat. The results showed that the DMI of adult goats (910 g/d) was higher (P&lt;0.05) than that of young goats (680 g/d). The goats fed diet T2 had higher (P&lt;0.05) DMI, CPI, and BWG (855 g, 140 g, and 94 g/d, respectively) than those of T1 (725 g/d, 80 g/d, and 59 g/d). Slaughter weight, carcass weight and carcass meat weight, and carcass meat percentage of adult goats (28.09 kg, 13.19 kg, 8.60 kg and 64.94%, respectively) were higher (P &lt;0.05) than those of young goats (20.06 kg, 8.72 kg, 5.46 kg, and 62.06%, respectively). The weight and percentage of carcass meat of T2 (8.30 kg and 64.99%, respectively) were higher (P&lt;0.05) than those of T1 (5.75 kg and 62.06%, respectively). The meat-bone ratio of adult goats was higher (P&lt;0.05) than that of young goats (3.53 vs 2.85). The meat-bone ratio of T2 (3.58) was higher (P&lt;0.05) than that of T1 (2.80). It was concluded that adult Kejobong goats produced more meat than the young ones, and the goat-fed diet with 14.66% CP produced more meat than that with 9.96% CP.

Pathophysiological response and IL-1β gene expression of Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) fingerlings fed with Oxytetracycline based pharmaceutical diet against Aeromonas hydrophila infection

The present study was conducted to explicate the effect of oxytetracycline (OTC) based pharmaceutical diets on hematology and immuno-pathophysiological response and IL-1β gene expression in Labeo rohita fingerlings against Aeromonas hydrophila infection. The experiment was conducted in five groups (T1 to T5) for 40 days in circular 300 l tanks. T1, T2 and T3 group fishes were infected with A. hydrophila and fed with OTC based diet 55, 70 and 83 mg/kg body weight/day, respectively for 10 days (as per FDA standards) followed by normal diet for rest 30 days. T4 (NC-Negative Control) and T5 (PC- Positive Control) containing normal and infected fishes respectively, were fed with normal diet throughout the experimental period. The sampling was done on 0th, 10th, 20th, 30th, and 40th day of the feeding and various immunological, haematological, biochemical parameters and IL-1β gene expression were analysed. The best response was observed in the fish, fed with diet T3 within 20 days. The result showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in haemoglobin, haematocrit, total RBC & WBC count, NBT, lysozyme activity and total protein whereas significant (p < 0.05) decrease in glucose, ALP, SGPT and SGOT level compared to NC. The T3 fishes showed significantly higher immune gene (IL-1β) expression in kidney and spleen. Hence, the study concludes that inclusion of OTC @ 83 mg/kg BW/day for 10 days in diet enhances the immune response and reduces the effect of A. hydrophila infection in L. rohita fingerlings.

Diets supplemented with limonene and thymol modify intestinal histomorphology of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

Diets can influence the histomorphology of the gut of fish by either causing changes that are associated with growth promotion or causing damage that impairs fish growth. This study evaluated effects of diets with limonene and thymol on the histomorphology of the anterior intestine of Nile tilapia. A Nile tilapia diet was supplemented with different concentrations of limonene and/or thymol to form 6 diets, namely: 0 ppm limonene and thymol (Control); 400 ppm limonene (LM); 500 ppm thymol (T1); 750 ppm thymol (T2); 400 ppm limonene and 500 ppm thymol (LMT1); and lastly 400 limonene and 750 thymol (LMT2). Each diet was assessed in four tanks, each stocked with 35 fish of 1.60 g ± 0.24 and fed to satiation for 56 days. The length and number of intestinal folds, diameter of the lumen, status of lamina propria, and size of sub-mucosa were evaluated. Fish fed on diet LM and LMT1 had longer intestinal folds suggesting that diet LM and LMT1 increased the surface area covered by the intestinal folds and this is associated with increased nutrient absorption. The number of intestinal folds was not affected by the test diets. Treatment LMT1 had significantly narrow intestinal lumen potentially due to the elongated intestinal folds observed with dietary LMT1. Fish fed on diet T2 had enlarged lamina propria infiltrated with cells while the sub mucosa was larger in the anterior intestine of fish fed on diet LMT2 and the control feed. Enlarged lamina propria and intestinal sub mucosa indicate an inflammatory response and inefficient passage for blood and nutrients in the enterocytes in the intestine, potentially affecting efficient nutrient absorption. Overall, the diet with 400 ppm limonene and the dietary combination of 500 ppm thymol and 400 ppm limonene increased the surface area covered by intestinal folds indicating that they can enhance nutrient absorption in juvenile Nile tilapia.

Effect of Supplementation of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) Leaf and Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Powder as Feed Additive on Daily Weight Gain, Comparative Economics and Mortality Percent of Broiler Chicks

A study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of tulsi and ginger as feed additives on comparative economics of broiler chicks. Two hundred and ten day-old chicks divided into 7 groups and each group having 30 chicks. Control group was fed on basal diet and T1 and T2 group were supplemented with 0.5% and 1% of tulsi leaf powder in the ration, respectively. Likewise, G1 and G2 group were supplemented with 0.5% and 1% of ginger powder in the ration, respectively. T1G1 and T2G2 treatment groups were supplemented with 0.5% and 1% of both herbs in combination, respectively. The statistical analysis of data revealed highly significant (p&lt;0.01) effect of tulsi leaf and ginger powder on average daily body weight gain. Highest average daily body weight gain during starter phase was recorded in T2G2 group fed with tulsi leaf and ginger powder @ 0.5% each, which was comparable with G2 group. During finisher phase of trial statistical analysis revealed highest (p&lt;0.01) average daily body weight gain in T2G2 group. Lowest average daily body weight gain was observed in control group during starter and finisher period. Statistical analysis of data revealed highly significant (p&lt;0.01) effect on comparative economics of broilers due to supplementation of tulsi leaf and ginger powder. Highest net profit per kg of live weight was observed in T2G2 group supplemented with 0.5% tulsi leaf and ginger powder each and lowest net profit per kg of live weight was observed in T2 group which was comparable with control group. The overall mortality per cent of chicks under different treatment groups was observed to be 16.17% in control group and 6.66% in T1 and T2, and in G1, G2, T1G1, T2G2 groups observed no mortality. It may be concluded that supplementation tulsi leaf and ginger powder as feed additives improves daily weight gain, comparative economics and reduced mortality of broiler chicks.

Influence of Anacardium occidentale leaf supplementation in broiler chicken diet on performance, caecal microbiota, blood chemistry, immune status, carcass, and meat quality

ABSTRACT 1. This study investigated the growth performance, caecal microbiota, blood chemistry, splenic cytokines, serum immunoglobulins, carcase, meat quality and oxidative status of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with Anacardium occidentale leaf powder (AOLP) in comparison with antibiotic and synthetic antioxidant. 2. Three hundred and twenty, one-day old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were randomly allotted into four treatment groups consisting of eight pen replicates with 10 birds per pen. The treatment groups were T0, basal diet only; T1, basal diet + 0.4 g/kg oxytetracycline + 0.12 g/kg butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA); T2, basal diet + 2 g/kg AOLP and T3, basal diet + 4 g/kg AOLP. The birds were fed for 42 d when performance was assessed, and then euthanised. 3. During 0–42 d, feed conversion ratio was higher (P = 0.033) in T0 birds compared with birds fed other diets. Diet did not affect carcase traits, organ weights, serum biochemical indices, and meat composition, pH, cook loss or meat colour. Supplemented birds had higher erythrocyte (P = 0.042) and haemoglobin (P = 0.025), and lower leukocytes (P = 0.012) compared with the T0 birds. 4. Diet T3 upregulated (P = 0.020) splenic interleukin-10 compared with other diets. The T0 birds had higher (P < 0.05) interleukin-6 and serum IgG and IgM compared with the supplemented birds. Caecal E. coli and Salmonella spp. counts were higher (P < 0.05) in T0 birds than in the supplemented groups. Lactobacillus spp. counts were higher (P = 0.001) in T3 birds than in those fed other diets. Breast and thigh meat from the T0 birds had higher (P < 0.05) TBARS value, and carbonyl content compared to the supplemented birds. The T0 breast meat had higher drip loss (P = 0.001) than meat from the supplemented birds. 5. The results suggested that AOLP exhibited antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that were comparable to the responses to oxytetracycline and BHA (T1) in broiler diets. Nonetheless, the efficacy of AOLP needs to be verified under disease challenge or compromised health condition.

Evaluation of probiotic potential of Bacillus strains on growth performance and physiological responses in Penaeus vannamei

This study was conducted to exhibit the effectiveness of four different Bacillus sp., that is Bacillus subtilis, B. megaterium, B. cereus and B. infantis on growth performance and physiological response in Penaeus vannamei. Experimental diets were identical in all the aspects except Bacillus incorporation: control (basal diet without probiotic) and four treatment diets T1 (basal diet + B. subtilis), T2 (basal diet + B. megaterium), T3 (basal diet + B. cereus) and T4 (basal diet + B. infantis). Each diet was fed at 10% of animal body weight, four times in a day and reared for 6 weeks in triplicate tanks. Among the treatments, final weight (0.97 ± 0.06 g), weight gain (0.94 ± 0.06 g), specific growth rate (7.88 ± 0.18%/day) and survival rate (64.66 ± 4.16%) were significantly higher in B. subtilis-treated group. Interestingly, in digestive enzyme activities, protease (3.57 ± 0.42 U/mg protein), lipase (747.83 ± 139.03 U/mg protein) and amylase (7.53 ± 1.27 U/mg protein) were higher in B. subtilis-supplemented diet fed group compared with other treatments. However, cellulase (246.83 ± 29.77 U/mg protein) activity was greater in group received B. megaterium. Significantly lower activities of superoxide dismutase, phenoloxidase and catalase were found in B. subtilis incorporated diet fed group. Hence, the study revealed that B. subtilis improves the growth performance and digestive enzyme activities. This proved the versatility of B. subtilis as a probiotic in shrimp farming practices. However, further exploration is required to commercialize the B. subtilis before recommending its application in aquaculture.

Blood chemistry and relative organ weights of rabbits fed neem leaf meal based diets

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of neem leaf meal (NLM) based diets on blood and relative organ weight characteristics of rabbits. In the first experiment, 36 rabbit bucks aged 7 to 8 months were distributed into four dietary groups, T1, T2, T3 and T4 of 9 rabbits using completely randomized design. Each group was replicated 3 times with 3 rabbits per replicate. Rabbits in T1 group were fed diet that contained 0% NLM while those in T2 T3 and T4 groups were fed diets that contained NLM at 5%, 10% and 15%, respectively for 112 days. In the second experiment, 36 rabbit does were used and experimental procedures were laid out as described in experiment 1. Blood samples for analysis, live weight and organ weights were collected from each replicate and data obtained analysed statistically. Higher (p&lt;0.05) kidney weight was obtained for rabbit does on diets T 2 T 3 and T4. Bucks on diet T2, recorded significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher pancreas weight than those on diet T1 diet. No significant effect (p&gt;0.05) on haematological parameters was observed among all treatments except for MCV and neutrophils which were significantly (p&lt;0.05) decreased in the groups fed diets T2 and T4 and diets T1 and T3 groups respectively than others. Rabbit bucks and does on diet I, recorded significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher serum cholesterol values than those on the other diets. Serum glucose value of rabbits on diet T, was significantly (p&lt;0.05) different from those on the other diets. Serum ALP value of rabbits on diet T4 differed significantly (p&lt;0.05) from those on the other 3 diets with the exception of bucks on diet T4 that had similar value with those on diet T1. Addition of neem leaf meal in rabbit diets increased serum AST and ALT values but the differences were not significant (p&gt;0.05). It was therefore concluded that up to 5% of neem leaf meal can be included in the diet of pubertal rabbits without any deleterious effects on their organs and blood characteristics.

Growth and carcas characteristics of broilers fed alkali processed soybeans

An eight-week feeding tial was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding alkali processed soyabeans to broilers. Soyabeans were processed in aqueous solutions of sodium chloride, sodium sesquicarvonate (trona) and alum respectively. The concentration of each of the salts was 3%. The soyabeans, after drying, were used in compounding 3 diffefrent diets. The control (T1) contained roasted soyabeans while diets T2 , T3 and T4 contained NaCl, trona and alum respectively. Broiler feeding lasted for 8 weeks starting from day - old. The results indicated that feeding NaCl processed soyabeans to broilerss significantly (P&lt;0.05) depressed growth rate, feed consumption and body gain. NaCl treated soyabeans produced feed/gain ratio, protein efficiency ratio (PER), carcass and organ proportion comparable to thr control. The growth rate, feed intake and weight gain of NaCl to sufficiently inactive trypsin inhibitors and remove a substsntisl proportion of polyphenols and oligosaccharides in soyabeans. It was concluded that since alkaline salts are cheap and readily available all the year round their use in processing soyabeans should be encourage.

PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF RABBITS FED FERMENTED AND UNFERMENTED COCOA POD HUSK

This study was designed to investigate the performance and nutrient digestibility of rabbits fed cocoa pod husk (CPH). Thirty weaner rabbits of about five weeks old were used for the study. They were allotted to five treatment consisting of three replicates of two rabbits each. Diet T, served as the control with 0%CPH, Diet T2 and T3 contained 30% unfermented and fermented CPH respectively. The experiment lasted for ten (10) weeks. The results showed a significant increase (P &lt; 0.05) in feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ration of rabbits fed increasing levels of inclusion of fermented and unfermented CPH in experimental diets. The apparent nutrient digestibility also improved with increasing levels of fermented and unfermented CPH in the diets. However, rabbits performed better on the fermented CPH than the unfermented CPH based diets.

Performance and nutrient digestibility of West African Dwarf rams fed Panicum maximum and Tridax procumbens supplemented with Cajanus cajan leaves

An experiment was carried out to investigate the performance and nutrient digestibility of West African dwarf growing rams fed mixture of Panicum maximum and Tridax procumbens supplemented with Cajanus cajan leaves for 56 days feeding trial. A total of twelve WAD rams were randomly allocated to three treatments with four animals per treatment while two animals served as replicate. The experimental diet was fed at 3% body weight of individual animals while Cajanus cajan leaves were supplemented at varied inclusion levels. The results revealed that animals fed T1 recorded the least weight gain (36.96g/day) while the highest weight gain (56.42g/day) was recorded for T3. The daily weight gain of animals was significantly different across all treatments (P&lt;0.05). The highest DMI (18.30kg) was recorded on the T1, and the least value of DMI (17.40kg) was recorded in T3. The highest feed efficiency ratio (0.18) and the lowest value (0.11) were observed in animals fed T1 and T3 diet respectively. There were significant differences (P&lt;0.05) in the nutrient digestibility parameters of the experimental animals. The results showed that T1 (100% sole Cajanus cajan leaves) promoted the best dry matter (DM) digestibility (89.56%) which was enough to meet the production and maintenance requirement of small ruminants while the lowest value (88.67%) of DMD was recorded in T2 . The highest crude protein (CP) digestibility (13.20%) was observed in T3 diet. The highest value for crude fibre digestibility (38.95%) and the lowest value (35.35%) were observed in animals fed T2 and T1 diet respectively. In conclusion, supplementation of Cajanus cajan leaves with mixture of Tridax procumbens and Panicum maximum as basal diet for feeding sheep enhanced nutrient intake, growth performance and improved nutrient digestibility without health challenges to the animals.

Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) meal as digestive enhancer and replacer of DORB in the diet ofL. rohita: Effect on growth, digestive enzymes and amylase gene expression

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate growth response, digestive enzyme activities, digestibility and amylase gene expression of Labeo rohita fingerling fed with Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) meal (SWM) by gradually replacing de-oiled rice bran (DORB). One hundred and eighty fingerlings were randomly distributed into four distinct experimental groups in triplicates. Four semi-purified iso-nitrogenous diets (330 g kg−1 CP) with different combinations of SWM and DORB such as T1 (diet with 300 g kg−1 DORB + 0.0 g kg−1 SWM), T2 (diet with 200.0 g kg−1 DORB + 100.0 g kg−1 SWM), T3 (diet with 100.0 g kg−1 DORB + 200.0 g kg−1 SWM) and T4 (diet with 0.0 g kg−1 DORB +300.0 g kg−1 SWM) were prepared and fed to satiation level. Among the various groups, T4 showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in feed intake than the other experimental groups. T3 group exhibited highest (p < 0.05) WG, SGR, PER compared to T1, T2 and T4 groups. Significantly higher (p < 0.05) amylase, protease, trypsin activities and amylase mRNA expression while lower chymotrypsin activity were recorded in the T3 group compared to the control group. In vitro and in vivo digestibility and metabolic enzyme activities were significantly higher (p < 0.05) for T3 diet fed fish compared to other groups. Overall results revealed that SWM can effectively include up to 300.0 g kg−1 by successfully replacing equal amount of DORB without compromising the growth. Hence, it could be used as an alternate ingredient in the diet of Labeo rohita fingerlings.

Comparison of Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in Golden Syrian Hamster Administrated trans-Octadecenoic Acid Positional Isomers.

We previously conducted a study using HepG2 cells to compare the effect on the secreted apolipoprotein B-100 and apolipoprotein A-1 ratio (B-100/A-1) corresponding to the ratio of low-density to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL/HDL) among 13 types of trans-octadecenoic acid (t-18:1) positional isomers. The results revealed that trans-5-18:1 (t5) significantly increased B-100/A-1. In this study, 1% of t5 in the diet, corresponding to 2.08 energy%, was administrated golden Syrian hamsters for 4 weeks to reveal the effects on lipid profiles, including LDL/HDL, by comparing cis-9-octadecenoic acid (OA, oleic acid), trans-9-octadecenoic acid (EA), trans-11-octadecenoic acid (VA), and trans-9,trans-12- octadecadienoic acid (TT). LDL/HDL was not significantly different among the groups. However, the cholesterol concentration of medium very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) was significantly lower in the TT diet than in the OA and t5 diets. The cholesterol concentration of small VLDL was significantly lower in the TT diet than in the OA, t5, and EA diets. The cholesterol concentration of large LDL was significantly lower in the TT diet than in the t5 and EA diets. However, no significant difference was detected between the TT and OA diets. In contrast, the cholesterol concentration of very small HDL was significantly higher in the TT diet than in the t5 diet. These results would support that lipid metabolism is affected by the structure of TFA in animals. However, t5-18:1 did not significantly change any lipid profile compared to OA existing in nature, and the previous result from the cell experiment showing that t5 increased B-100/A-1 (LDL/HDL) was not confirmed in this animal experiment.

Influence of dietary phytase and protease, individually or in combination, on growth performance, intestinal morphology, microbiota composition and nutrient utilisation in broiler chickens fed sesame meal-based diets

Efficacy of phytase and protease supplements, individually or in combination, on growth performance, carcass, intestinal morphology, microbiota composition and nutrient digestibility was investigated in broilers fed diets containing sesame meal. A total of 375 day-old male broiler chickens of ROSS 308 strain were randomly allocated into five dietary treatments with five replicates per treatment and 15 broilers per each. Dietary treatments were T1: a basal diet (control), T2: sesame meal diet (150 g/kg sesame meal to replace soybean meal), T3: T2 + 500 FTU/kg phytase, T4: T2 + 0.2 g/kg protease and T5: T2 + combination of phytase and protease supplements. At the end of the study, body weight gain of the T5 broilers was greater than those of the T1 birds (p<.05). Feed conversion ratio improved in broiler chickens fed the T3, T4 and T5 diets compared with T1 diet (p<.05). An increase in villus length (VL) was found in broilers which received T3, T4 and T5 diets compared with control (p<.05). The greatest value of crypt depth (CD), and villus surface area observed in the birds fed with T4 diet compared with control (p<.05). Inclusion of phytase in broiler diet increased VL/CD ratio compared with control group (p<.05). Combination of phytase and protease (T5) increased the caecal Lactobacillus and decreased E. coli counts compared with T1, T2 and T4, while T3 group was intermediate (p<.05). Ileal nutrients digestibility was greatest in broilers which received T5 diet (p<.05). In conclusion, addition of protease and phytase to sesame meal diets may be a suitable strategy for improving growth performance, intestinal morphology, microbiota composition and nutrient utilisation in broiler chickens. Highlights Combination of phytase and protease enzymes in sesame meal diets improved growth performance, nutrient utilisation and microbiota activity of broiler chickens. Supplemental phytase or protease improved jejunal morphology of broiler chickens fed sesame meal diets.

Growth Response of Nile Tilapia (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Oreochromis niloticus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) Fries Fed on Silage-based Diets

Fish silage was prepared using minced fish body leftovers by adding formic acid and formulated with other plant source ingredients. The silage making process was completed after 48 days, and incorporated into the experimental diets. The growth trial was conducted to investigate the effect of silage incorporation in the diets of Nile tilapia (<i>Oreochromis niloticus L.</i>) fries. Three dried diets containing (T1) 0%, (T2) 20% and (T3) 30% silage were prepared with 30% crude protein and the experiment was conducted in 12 glass aquaria with a stocking density of 30 fish/aquarium for 16 weeks. Results indicated that WG, FCR, and SGR of <i>O. niloticus</i> fries fed on T2 and T3 diets were not affected (p<0.05) by the difference in feed. The least growth performance was recorded in T1 and it was significantly different (P < 0.05) with T2 and T3. The fries fed on silage incorporation showed the best survival rate (100%) but the fries that fed without silage had less survival rate (83.3%). This indicates fish silage can be used as a feed for <i>O.niloticus</i> at an early stage. Under the present study condition, incorporation of fish silage at 20% inclusion in the diets of <i>O. niloticus</i> fries is better and further study is necessary for different inclusions.

Growth Performance Evaluation of Crossbred Male Calves of Holstein Friesian with Arsi Cattle Fed on Different Dietary Ration

The study was done at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center (ATARC) to investigate the effect of different dietary ration on growth performance of crossbred male calves and to identify the most economical feeding dietary ration. Three dietary treatments rations (treatment one=65% wheat bran+ 35% Cotton seed cake, treatment two=50% wheat bran + 49% Noug cake and treatment three=20% Maize grain + 45% wheat bran + 35% Noug seed cakes) were evaluated. Complete Randomized Block Design was used to assign eighteen cross bred male calves randomly to three dietary rations. All experimental calves were supplemented dietary rations based on their body weight at the rate of 2.5% of their live body weight throughout the experimental period. The results indicated that there were significant difference in average daily weight gain and total weight gain between crossbred male calves fed with dietary T1 and T3. Calves fed with dietary ration T1 and T2 numerically difference in final body weight, even though not statistically significant. Partial budget analysis indicated that there was no significant difference among calves fed with three dietary feed rations. But cross bred male calves fed with dietary treatment T2 was numerically higher in gross margin as compared to T1 and T3 rations. Further evaluation of different dietary rations on growth performance of yearling age (1-1.5 years old) cross bred bull calves were warranted to attain export market live weight at early age.