Influence of exogenous enzymes ensiled with orange pulp on digestion and growth performance in lambs

Influence of probiotic supplementation on the growth performance, plasma variables, and ruminal bacterial community of growth-retarded lamb

Introduction

Growth-retarded lambs would reduce the economic incomes of sheep farming. Nutritional interventions are supposed to promote gastrointestinal health and the compensatory growth of growth-retarded lambs. This study evaluated the effects of probiotic supplementation on the growth performance, plasma characteristics and ruminal bacterial community of growth-retarded lambs.

Methods

Twenty-four 50-days old male Hu lambs, including 8 healthy lambs (13.2 ± 1.17 kg) and 16 growth-retarded lambs (9.46 ± 0.81 kg), were used in this study. The 8 healthy lambs were fed the basal diet and considered the positive control (GN), and the other 16 growth-retarded lambs were randomly assigned into 2 groups (basal diet without probiotic [negative control, GR] and basal diet supplementation with 1 g/kg concentrate feed probiotic [GRP]), with each group having 4 replicate pens. The feeding trial lasted for 60 days with 7 days for adaptation.

Results

The results showed that dietary supplementation with probiotic increased (p < 0.05) the average daily gain and dry matter intake of growth-retarded lambs. For growth-retarded lambs, supplementation with probiotic increased (p < 0.05) the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, as well as the concentrations of growth hormone and immunoglobulin G. Furthermore, the highest (p < 0.05) concentrations of interleukin-6, interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha were observed in the GR group. The concentrations of total volatile fatty acids and acetate in growth-retarded lambs were increased by probiotic supplementation (p < 0.05). The relative abundances of Ruminococcus, Succiniclasticum and Acidaminococcus were lower (p < 0.05) in growth-retarded lambs. However, probiotic supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the relative abundances of these three genera.

Discussion

These results indicate that dietary supplementation with probiotic are promising strategies for improving the growth performance of growth-retarded lambs by enhancing immunity and altering the ruminal microbiota.

Effects of different moist orange pulp inclusions in the corn grain rehydration for silage production on chemical composition, fermentation, aerobic stability, microbiological profile, and losses

This study evaluated the effects of different moist orange pulp (MOP) inclusions in corn grain rehydration for silage production as a strategy to store and use MOP and whether these inclusions result in adequate fermentation and aerobic stability (AE) and acceptable losses. Ground corn grain and MOP were weighed separately and mixed to obtain MOP inclusions of 21%, 34%, or 42%. The control treatment was obtained with corn rehydrated with distilled water and MOP inclusion of 0%, with five laboratory silos (15-L buckets) per treatment. Acid detergent fiber, acid detergent insoluble protein, acid detergent lignin, lactic acid, acetic acid, and ethanol contents increased linearly with increasing MOP inclusion, whereas starch, in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility and butyric acid contents and pH decreased linearly. NH₃ -N/TN content reduced quadratically and was minimal with 8.34 g/kg DM at 14% MOP inclusion. Total DM losses increased quadratically with maximal losses of 4.26% DM at 25% MOP inclusion. AE reduced by 2.8 h for each 1% increase in MOP inclusion. Rehydration of corn grain with MOP results in an adequate fermentation process. The inclusion of 34% MOP was the best because DM losses were lower and AE was not drastically reduced.

A pilot study on the effect of a novel feed additive containing exogenous enzymes, acidifiers, sodium butyrate and silicon dioxide nanoparticles on selected cellular immune indices and body weight gains of calves

Introduction

The rearing of calves is a difficult period for farmers due to health problems to which the animals are prone this time. Since the use of antibiotics as growth promoters has been forbidden, various innovative feed additives have been tested in many countries around the world.

Material and Methods

In this study, experimental (E) calves were supplemented with a novel feed additive consisting of the pancreatic-like enzymes protease and lipase, a fat-coated mixture of organic fumaric, malic, citric and sorbic acids, sodium butyrate and silicon dioxide nanoparticles. Control (C) calves received feed without additive. During the supplementation, white blood cell (WBC) counts with leukocyte differentiation, percentages of B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes and their subpopulations, phagocytic activity and oxidative burst of circulating monocytes and granulocytes were examined. Body weight (b.w.) gains of the calves were also monitored.

Results

The WBC counts in the E and C calves were within the reference ranges throughout the study. In the analysis of the percentages of the lymphocyte subpopulations, phagocytic activity and oxidative burst, no statistically significant differences were reported between the E and C groups. However, higher average daily body weight gains were obtained for the E calves.

Conclusion

The study revealed that the examined feed additive did not modulate the immune response of the calves significantly. The tendency to higher daily average b.w. gains in the E calves than in the C calves suggests a beneficial effect of this feed additive.

Antioxidant capacity, reproductive response and glucose concentration and insulin of ewes supplemented prior to insemination with orange residue

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity, glucose and insulin concentration and reproductive performance of ewes supplemented with orange residue prior to insemination. Fifty-five multiparous ewes were divided into two corrals, and 15 unbred ewes were kept individually to measure feed consumption. Two integral diets were administered; T0: control treatment and T1: with 20% of dry matter of orange residue. Ten days after the start of supplementation, the ewes were synchronized. Supplementation was finalized prior to artificial insemination, then, a blood sample was taken to measure the antioxidant capacity and glucose and insulin concentration. An analysis of variance was made to evaluate the effect of treatment on the antioxidant capacity, glucose and insulin; and to analyze the response to estrus, percentage of gestation and prolificity a ji squared test was performed. Of 9 antioxidant compounds found in the orange residue, hesperidin (7.44%), chlorogenic acid (0.50%) and protocatechuic acid had the highest concentration. Feed intake, estrus response, percentage of gestation, antioxidant capacity, and glucose and insulin concentration were not affected by the treatment. It is concluded that inclusion of 20% of orange residue in the diet prior to insemination in ewes is possible.

Effects of Addition of Exogenous Fibrolytic Enzymes on Digestibility and Milk and Meat Production – A Systematic Review

Exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) added to the ruminant diet can increase fiber digestibility and production efficiency. A systematic review was conducted to understand the interactions between EFE and diet on digestibility and animal performance. The database included variables from 384 experiments with EFE and 264 controls from 85 papers published since 2000 (classification criteria: 1) type of study (in vitro, in situ, in vivo), 2) type of ruminants (sheep, buffaloes, goats, beef and dairy cattle), 3) primary EFE activity (cellulases (Cel) or xylanases (Xyl)), 4) forage proportion (FP), 5) type of plant (TP: legumes or grasses), 6) number of ingredients in diets, and 7) application time (AT)). In over 52.85% of cases, EFE improved the degradability of dry matter (DMD), neutral and acid detergent fiber (NDFD and ADFD), in vitro gas production (GP), volatile fatty acids (VFA), the acetate: propionate ratio (A:P ratio), protein and fat milk, milk yield and average daily gain (ADG) (by 7.78–21.85%). Cel improved organic matter degradability (OMD), GP, VFA, milk yield, and milk protein and fat content. EFE in FP≥40% diets enhanced the ADG, and in grassbased diets increased the dry matter intake (DMI). The AT of EFE affected the DMD, NDFD, and ADFD. Significant correlations were found between the improvements of NDFD or ADFD with DMD (r>0.59), milk yield (r=0.64), and ADG (r=0.59). In conclusion, many factors interact with EFE supplementation effects, but EFE consistently enhanced the DMD, NDFD, and ADFD of ruminant diets, which are related to improvements in productive performance.

Growth performances, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation and energy partition of Thai native steers fed exclusive rice straw and fermented sugarcane bagasse with Lactobacillus, cellulase and molasses

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of sugarcane bagasse feeding treated with Lactobacillus casei TH14 (L. casei TH14), cellulase and molasses (BG) on nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, energy partition and growth performances of Thai native steers compared to conventional feeding of rice straw (RS). Eight Thai native steers (144 ± 19.5 kg of initial body weight) were randomly allocated to two roughage sources in a completed randomized design: RS (n ꞊ 4) and BG (n ꞊ 4). The feeding trial lasted for 90 days plus 21 days for treatment adaptation. The results showed that the BG group showed (p < 0.05) greater intake (2.34 vs 2.02 kg/day), total intake (3.90 vs 3.55 kg/day) and average daily gain (0.27 vs 0.23 kg/day) while feed conversion ratio was lower compared to RS group. The BG group had a greater (p < 0.05) organic matter and acid detergent fibre intake than the RS group as well as dry matter and neutral detergent fibre digestibility. The steers fed RS and BG were significantly (p < 0.05) different for total volatile fatty acids and propionic acid at 4 h after offering the diet. The intake of nitrogen (g/day) and apparent nitrogen absorption was significantly (p < 0.05) higher for BG than the RS group while nitrogen excretion in faeces was significantly lower in RS than the BG group. BG group showed significantly (p < 0.05) greater gross energy intake and digestible energy partition when compared to the RS group. In conclusion, feeding BG enhanced feed utilization, growth performance, ruminal fermentation, nitrogen utilization and energy utilization.

Influence of dietary probiotic inclusion on growth performance, nutrient utilization, ruminal fermentation activities and methane production in growing lambs

The use of two probiotic products as a means of improving in vitro and ruminal dry matter digestibility, fermentation characteristics and growth performance of Barki lambs were evaluated. The probiotic products in powder (PP) or liquid (PL) forms were produced from Ruminococcus flavefaciens, through an anaerobic fermentation process. Barki lambs (n = 30; 24.5 ± 0.5 kg body weight) were used in a completely randomized block design and randomly assigned among three experimental groups and fed for 75 days. Lambs were fed an equal amount of concentrate feed mixture with either no probiotic product (control), or with 20 g of PP, or 10 ml of PL per animal/d, with rice straw ad libitum. Both PP and PL treatments resulted in an increase (p < 0.05) in nearly all of the digestibility coefficients, nitrogen utilization, cell wall constituents, total volatile fatty acids, rumen volume, microbial nitrogen synthesis, gas production and average daily gain compared to the control group. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen, acetic acid and in vitro methane concentrations and protozoa count decreased (p < 0.03) in the treatment groups. Overall, the probiotic in a powder or liquid form increased in vitro dry matter digestibility, improved lambs daily gain and nutrient digestibility.

Kinetic parameters of ruminal degradation in vitro with combinations of exogenous enzymes in diets of production systems simulated

SUMMARY This study evaluated the effects of eight combinations of three exogenous enzymes with fibrolytic activity (FIB), amylolytic activity (AMZ), and proteolytic activity (PRO) on the accumulated gas production (PG) and kinetic parameters in simulated fermentations in two diet production systems using the in vitro gas production technique. In experiment 1, ruminal fluid was obtained from two Santa Ines sheep, cannulated in the rumen, kept in a feedlot and fed a diet containing a roughage:concentrate ratio of 20:80. In experiment 2, the ruminal fluid was obtained from two Santa Ines sheep, cannulated in the rumen, and kept on pasture (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu). The accumulated gas production was measured during a 96-hour incubation, measured at 18 different time points. After incubation, the pH, dry matter degradability, organic matter in vitro digestibility, digestibility of neutral detergent insoluble fiber, metabolizable energy, partitioning factor, gas yield, short chain fatty acids and microbial protein production were determined. In the in vitro fermentation using the feedlot diet, the increased use of fibrolytic enzymes increased PG and improved the profile characteristics and kinetic parameters of the fermentation, regardless of the combination with other enzymes. In the in vitro fermentation using the forage diet, increased fibrolytic enzymes also increased PG, with improvements in the kinetic parameters and the profile of the fermentation, independent of the use of the other enzymes. The addition only of fibrolytic enzymes has major potential to optimize the use of feedlot diets as well of forage in ruminant feed.

Kinnow madarin (Citrus nobilis lour × Citrus deliciosa tenora) fruit waste silage as potential feed for small ruminants

AIM

Study was conducted to ascertain the quality of Kinnow mandarin waste (KMW) silage and its utilization by adult male goats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

KMW was collected, dried to 30% dry matter level and ensiled in silo pit after addition of disodium hydrogen orthophosphate as source of phosphorus as KMW is deficient in phosphorus. Oat was collected at milking stage, chopped finely and ensiled in a silo pit for 2 months. Twelve nondescript local adult male goats of about 8-10 months age and mean body weight of 23.00±0.90 kg were selected. The goats were randomly allotted on body weight as per randomized block design into two equal groups, six animals in each group (n=6) namely "oat silage (OS)" and "Kinnow silage." Goats were offered weighed quantities of respective silage on ad libitum basis. The silages were evaluated for proximate principles and silage quality attributes.

RESULTS

Differences were found between chemical composition of both silages with higher organic matter, ether extracts, nitrogen free extract (p<0.05) and lower (p<0.01) crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fibre concentration in KMW silage as compared to OS. However, silages were isonitrogenous (8.20 vs. 8.17; p>0.05 for CP) and possess comparable (2.23 vs. 2.06; p>0.05) calcium content. The pH, ammonia nitrogen (percent of total nitrogen) and soluble carbohydrate content were lower (4.20 vs. 3.30; 4.14 vs. 3.80; 2.73 vs. 1.86; p<0.05) in KMW silage, whereas, lactic acid concentration was higher (6.23 vs. 8.14; p<0.05) in KMW silage indicating its superior quality as compared to OS. Body weight (kg) of goats and silage intake (g/day), were comparable (p>0.05) among the two dietary groups.

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that KMW can be used to prepare good quality silage for feeding of goats.