Total Body Gain Research Articles

Effects of ground date seeds as a partial replacer of ground maize on nitrogen metabolism and growth performance of lambs.

ABSTRACTDigestibility and feeding trials were conducted to investigate the effect of partial replacement of ground date seeds (GDS)to ground maize (GM) on nutritive values, nitrogen metabolism, and lambs growth performance. Four mature Ossimi rams of 40 ± 1.45 kg live body weight (LBW) were used in digestibility trial and sixteen Ossimi growing male lambs had LBW averaged 19.88 ± 0.86 kg were used in group feeding experiment for 120 days. The basal diets used in both experiments formed of concentrate feed mixture (CFM) + wheat straw (WS) where it represent 3% and 1% of LBW, respectively in the control group (D1). In experimental groups,15, 30 and 45% of ground maize (GM) in (CFM) were substituted by ground date seeds (GDS) for diet 2 (D2), diet 3 (D3) and diet 4 (D4), respectively. The results of the digestibility trial revealed that all replacing rates of GM with GDS was associated with significant increases in CP, EE, CF and NFE digestibilities. The corresponding nutritive value expressed as total digestible nutrients (TDN) and digestible crude protein (DCP) were increased significantly (P≤0.05) with GDS inclusion in the diets. There was significant (P≤0.05) increase in nitrogen balance (NB) with GDS treatments compared to the control group. Also nitrogen absorption (NA) was increased significantly (P ≤0.05) in the diets containing GDS, being 11.90, 12.13, 12.14 and 12.23 g/day for D1, D2, D3 and D4, respectively.Significant increases (P≤0.01) were recorded in total body gain and daily gain of lambs fed all diets containing GDS. Total dry matter consumed during the whole feeding period was significantly differed (P≤0.01) among groups, being 129.84, 135.91, 139.39 and 143.51 kg for D1, D2, D3 and D4, respectively. Feed conversion efficiency expressed as kg feed / kg gain was in favor to lambs fed D3 (6.49) than those fed either D2 (6.71), D1 (6.83)or D4 (7.18), respectively. The economic evaluation showed improvement (P≤0.01) due to GDS inclusion in the diets. Accordingly, results indicates that ground date seeds could replace up to 30% of the ground maize in concentrate feeds of sheep without any adverse effects.

Effect of Stymulan Cattle® feed additive on production and carcass traits in calves

The feeding trial was conducted on twelve (14-18 month old) Sharabi calves of 184 kg mean body weight. The calves were randomly divided into three groups of equal number. The first group was fed a standard concentrate ration containing 16.3% crude protein and 2.8 Mcal/kg, the second and the third groups were fed the same ration supplemented with 0. 25 and 0.5 kg/ton for the 2nd and 3rd rations additives (stymulan cattle), respectively. The rations were given on base of 3% of the calves live body weight for 130 days and Wheat straw was offered ad libitum. Total feed intake and body gain were recorded. A digestibility trial was carried out on two calves from each group at the end of the feeding period. Body weights, slaughter and carcass characters were studied. The results showed significant differences (P<0.05) in daily body weight gain. The calves fed control and second rations were heavier than those fed third ration. However, calves of the 2nd group should better feed conversion and dry matter digestion index than calves of the 1st and 3rd groups. There were no significant differences in carcass traits and its meat dissection for the three groups. Also, the results referred approximately 10% of the total feeding in the cost to produce one kg live body weight or carcass weight. This decrease was in the 2nd group compared to other groups. It can be concluded that the supplementation of 0.25 kg/ton of stymulan cattle could improve the fattening growth of sharabi calves as well as improving the dry matter digestibility which in turn lower the feed cost. Which is in accordance with acclamation of the feed additive manufacturer.

Comparison of feeding value of a treated sea plant, Posidonia australis, with lucerne, pasture and wheat

An experiment was carried out to compare the effect of feeding posidonia australis as a non-conventional feedstuff with cereal straw for sheep maintenance; and to compare seagrass/chicken litter with lucerne hay and pasture for sheep production on a scale such as would be applicable to lot-feeding of sheep in the area of suthern Australia in case of short term feed scarcity. To approach this target a Randomized Completely Block Design with six treatments was applied on sixty adult merino. The six experimental diets were: (A) 75% treated seagrass+25% lucerne; (B) 75% treated wheat straw+25% lucerne; (C) 75% treated wheat straw+25% chicken litter (seagrass bed+chicken manure from a 7-week broiler raising period); (D) 50% treated wheat straw+50% treated seagrass; (E) 100% treated straw; (F) Green pasture, mixture of legume and graminea. To treat seagrass and straw a solution containing 8% fertilizer grade urea, 15% sugarcane molasses and 1% calcium-diphosphate was mixed with either seagrass or straw (1 Kg/Kg DM). The mixture was stored under anaerobic conditions for 3 weeks. The total experimental period of 109 days was used to measure the effect of experimental rations on the voluntary intake, body weight gain, fat score, feed efficiency and wool growth rate of sheep. There were different DMI of diets A, B and C during the experiment but these differences were not significant. Similar results were obtained for diets D and E as well. Among sheep of groups A, B and C total body gain of the sheep in group A was significantly less than that of the other two groups. The body weight gain of sheep grazed on pasture was significantly less than that of the sheep groups B and C, more than for the sheep in groups D and E (P<0.05) and equal that of the to sheep group A. In general there were few statistical differences, except that sheep on diet A showed consistently lowest values for greasy and clean fleece weight, staple growth rate, length: diameter ratio and staple strength. There was not a significant difference in clean fleece growth rate between sheep grazed on pasture and sheep in diet groups B, C, D and E, but this value was higher than for sheep in group A. It can be suggested that seagrass litter can be used proportionally in a mixed diet to provide enough nutrients and energy for sheep production in time of drought or feed scarcity. Meanwhile the cheaper diets D (seagrass containing) or E (straw only) could be used with equal efficiency in a lot-feeding system.

The effect of high calcium intake by pregnant Awassi ewes at late gestation on minerals status and performance of ewes and newborn lambs

Calcium (Ca) requirement increase rapidly by pregnant ewes at late gestation as a result of high fetal growth. Furthermore, Ca deficiency results in poor growth and bone development in growing newborn lambs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of calcium supplementation (Calcium carbonate–CC) and vitamin AD 3E injection (75,000 IU/shot) to pregnant Awassi ewes at late gestation (− 45 days prepartum) on their mineral levels and performance of their newborn lambs. Forty pregnant Awassi ewes at late gestation (65 ± 6.1 kg) were selected before parturition (− 45 days; using hormonal sponges for estrus synchronization) and randomly divided to 4 dietary treatments. The treatments were: group 1 Control (1.4% CC); group 2 (2.4% CC); group 3 (1.4% CC + 2 shots vitamin AD3E at − 45 and − 21 days prepartum); group 4 (2.4% CC + 2 shots vitamin AD3E at − 45 and − 21 days prepartum). Blood samples were collected from ewes (− 45, 0 days prepartum: 30 and 60 days postpartum) and lambs (0, 30 and 60 days old). Average milk yield and samples were collected. Body weights of lambs were taken at birth, 30 and 60 days old. Blood serum and milk samples were prepared and analyzed by AAS for Ca, Mg, Co, Mn and Cu concentrations. Calcium concentrations in bloods serum of ewes, 0 and 60 days postpartum, and lambs at weaning (60 days old) from group 4 were significantly ( P < 0.05) higher compared to other groups. No significant effect ( P > 0.05) of treatment on Co, Mg and Cu in blood serum of ewes and lambs except for Cu concentration in ewes. Moreover, a significant increase ( P < 0.01) in milk inorganic% (30 and 60 days samples) in ewes from group 2 when compared with other groups. The average milk yield (AMY) of ewes from group 2 and 4 at late stage of lactation (45–60 days) were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) compared to groups 1 and 3. In addition, Ca% in colostrums samples from ewes in groups 2 and 4 were significantly higher ( P < 0.01). The average daily gain (ADG) and total body gain for lambs up to weaning (60 days old) were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in groups 1 and 2 compared with the other groups. In conclusion, increasing level of Ca intake in feed of Awassi ewes at late gestation, with or without vitamin AD 3E injections, improve the calcium concentration in colostrums and blood serum of ewes and their lambs without negative effect in their health and performance.

The effect of dietary yeast and protected methionine on performance and trace minerals status of growing Awassi lambs

Eighteen growing Awassi lambs were used in this study to determine the effect of supplementing two levels of yeast and methionine (cyc-methionine) on the trace elements bioavailability, growth rate, and general performance. The lambs were divided to three groups. The dietary treatments were the control diet (C), control diet plus 2 g cyc-methionine/lamb/day (T1) and control diet plus 4 g cyc-methionine/lamb/day (T2).Lambs fed 2 g/day of cyc-methionine (T1) showed a significantly higher (P<0.05) copper, zinc, and cobalt concentrations in liver and meat tissues, but not the same trend in kidney. No significant (P>0.05) effect of time and time×treatment interaction on copper, zinc, cobalt, and manganese concentrations in blood serum, but cobalt and manganese concentration showed significant (P<0.05) change by time. Moreover, a significantly (P<0.05) higher total body gain, average daily gain, dressing percentage, and lower feed conversion were detected in lambs from T1 compared with the control and T2 groups.Feeding 2 g of cyc-methionine to growing lambs increased the net profit by $6.017/lamb and only $3.52/lamb fed 4 g cyc-methionine/day when compared with the control group.In conclusion, feeding growing Awassi lambs yeast and methionine in a form of cyc-methionine, with a low level of 2 g/day, improve the bioavailability of copper, zinc, and cobalt by growing lambs and their growth performance.

Mutual influence of protein and lipid feed content on European catfish (Silurus glanis) growth

We wished to determine protein and lipid content in pelleted raw fish food, necessary for optimal growth of European catfish (Silurus glanis). Experiments were set up in 20 cages, each holding 30 young catfish. Fishes in each cage received a different food combination over a 98-day period at favourable physical and chemical water conditions. Food protein content varied between 37.5 and 45%, while lipid content, added in the form of soybean oil, varied between 3 and 11%. The oil contained an adequate -fatty acids concentration, necessary for fish growth. The main growth indicators determined at the end of experiment were total body gain, specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio. There was a high statistical difference among the experimental groups receiving variable food combinations for each growth parameter (P < 0.001). Both protein and lipid food content affected growth parameters, but in a different manner. Further analysis - percentage of change depending on lipid to protein ratio and bivariate surface analysis - allowed us to recognize the most economical combination: 39.5% protein + 9% lipid content. The addition of 9% soybean oil to the fish food reduces the necessary protein concentration by 5.5%, with resulting identical catfish growth effects.

Iron bioavailability from hemoglobin and hemin in chick, rat, cat, and dog: A comparative study

Experiments were conducted, using hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and total body gain in hemoglobin, to assess iron bioavailability from dietary hemoglobin and hemin across several species. Iron bioavailability was determined by adding hemoglobin and hemin to casein-dextrose basal diets to provide iron within the linear response range for each species. Similar diets were fed to all species with the exception that the cat diet contained 25% poultry fat to improve acceptability and growth whereas 3% corn oil was used in chick, rat, and dog diets. Percent bioavailability relative to ferrous sulfate-iron was calculated using standard curve methodology in chick, cat, and dog assays, and slope-ratio methodology in the rat assay. In species that were less homogeneous in size, i.e., cats and dogs, both initial and final body weights varied considerably, therefore estimates based on total body gain in hemoglobin were deemed to be more accurate estimates of iron bioavailability. Hemin was poorly available to rats but completely unavailable to chicks, cats and dogs. Hemoglobin iron bioavailability was 68% for rats, 93% for chicks, 90% for dogs, and 70% for cats. The protein portion of the hemoglobin molecule is hypothesized to play a critical role in heme iron absorption from a casein dextrose based diet in these species.

PROPERTIES OF AN EXTRUDED, EXPANDED SNACK FOOD CONTAINING MECHANICALLY SEPARATED BEEF (MSB) AND POTATO FLOUR

ABSTRACTExtrudates from a blend of mechanically separated beef and potato flour, one with and one without salt, were extruded in a Brabender® laboratory model, single screw HTST extruder. Subsequent to exiting the die opening, the extrudate was cut into pieces about 5 cm in length, cooled to ambient temperatures, and then packaged in nitrogen flushed bags. Bacon flavor and seasonings were topically applied to the stored extrudate after an application of vegetable oil. Extrudates were evaluated as to their physical, nutritional, microbial, and sensory properties. Addition of salt (1%) decreased extrudate expansion ratios, increased shear strength (30 days' storage), but had no influence on bulk density. Microbial and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values were not influenced during 60 days' storage; and the extrudate was rated as acceptable when evaluated by sensory panelists. The protein quality of the snack food was evaluated by using raw and extruded blends, which were incorporated into diets and fed to weaning rats. The extrudate with added salt had a lower PER than the raw blend with salt, extrudate without salt and a basal diet formulated with casein as the protein source. Rats receiving the diet of extrudate with salt developed diarrhea, which resulted in the lowest total body gain during the 28 day period.