Feed utilization and lactational performance of Barki sheep fed diets containing thyme or celery

Effect of Dietary Supplementation with a Mixture of Natural Antioxidants on Milk Yield, Composition, Oxidation Stability and Udder Health in Dairy Ewes

Due to the limitations in the use of antibiotic agents, researchers are constantly seeking natural bioactive compounds that could benefit udder health status but also milk quality characteristics in dairy animals. The aim of the current study was therefore to examine the effects of a standardized mixture of plant bioactive components (MPBC) originated from thyme, anise and olive on milk yield, composition, oxidative stability and somatic cell count in dairy ewes. Thirty-six ewes approximately 75 days after parturition were randomly allocated into three experimental treatments, which were provided with three diets: control (C); without the addition of the mixture, B1; supplemented with MPBC at 0.05% and B2; supplemented with rumen protected MPBC at 0.025%. The duration of the experiment was 11 weeks, and milk production was weekly recorded, while individual milk samples for the determination of composition, oxidative stability, somatic cell count (SCC), pH and electric conductivity were collected. Every two weeks, macrophage, lymphocyte, and polymorphonuclear leukocyte counts were also determined in individual milk samples. It was observed that milk yield was the greatest in the B2 group, with significant differences within the seventh and ninth week (p < 0.05), whereas no significant differences were found for milk composition, with the exception of the seventh week, when protein, lactose and non-fat solid levels were lower in MPBC groups (p < 0.05). Oxidative stability was improved in the groups that received the MPBC, with significant differences at the third, seventh, tenth and eleventh week (p < 0.05). SCC was also significantly lower at the second, eighth and ninth week in B2 compared to the other groups (p < 0.05), while no significant effects on the macrophage, lymphocyte, and polymorphonuclear leukocyte counts were observed. In conclusion, the MPBC addition had a positive effect on sheep milk yield, oxidative stability and somatic cell count, without any negative effect on its composition.

Roles of Essential Oils, Polyphenols, and Saponins of Medicinal Plants as Natural Additives and Anthelmintics in Ruminant Diets: A Systematic Review

Public awareness on health and safety issues in using antibiotics for livestock production has led many countries to ban the use of all growth-promoting antibiotics (GPA) for livestock feeding. The ban on the utilization of antibiotics in livestock, on the other hand, is an opportunity for researchers and livestock practitioners to develop alternative feed additives that are safe for both livestock and the consumers of animal derived foods. Many feed additives were developed from a number of plants that contain secondary metabolites, such as essential oils, polyphenols, and saponins. These secondary metabolites are extracted from various parts of many types of plants for their uses as feed additives and anthelmintics. Recent investigations on using essential oils, polyphenols, and saponins as dietary additives and anthelmintics demonstrate that they can increase not only the production and health of ruminants but also ensure the safety of the resulting foods. There are many publications on the advantageous impacts of dietary plant bioactive components on ruminants; however, a comprehensive review on individual bioactive constituents of each plant secondary metabolites along with their beneficial effects as feed additives and anthelmintics on ruminants is highly required. This current study reviewed the individual bioactive components of different plant secondary metabolites and their functions as additives and anthelmintics to improve ruminant production and health, with respect to safety, affordability and efficiency, using a systematic review procedure.

A newly developed bacteriocin like substance to replace monensin in diets of lactating ewes

The aim of the present experiment was to evaluate the effect of feeding a newly produced bacteriocin-like substance (BLS) as a replacement for monensin in the diets of lactating ewes. In Experiment 1, the effects of BLS or monensin at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 g/kg diet on in vitro ruminal fermentation were compared. In Experiment 2, 30 multiparous Barki ewes were divided into three treatments in a complete randomized design for 90 days. The ewes were fed a basal diet without supplementation or supplemented with monensin or BLS at 0.5 g/kg DM diet. In Experiment 1, the highest levels of BLS and monensin decreased gas production, while all levels of additives linearly decreased methane production. In Experiment 2, BLS increased nutrient digestibility. Additives increased ruminal total and individual volatile fatty acids and decreased ruminal ammonia-N. The BLS increased serum albumin and decreased the concentrations of serum liver enzymes, while both additives increased serum glucose and decreased urea-N. Additives increased daily production of milk, while the BLS treatment increased the feed efficiency. It is concluded that dietary inclusion of BLS at 0.5 g/kg DM for lactating ewes is recommended to replace monensin.

Potential of Moringa oleifera silage to replace concentrate feed mixture in diet of lactating Damascus goats

The present study evaluates the effect of partial replacement of concentrate with Moringa oleifera silage (MOS) in the diet of lactating Damascus goats on milk production, nutrient utilization and ruminal fermentation. Fifteen lactating ewes were stratified in a quintuplicate 3 × 3 Latin square design (3 diets × 3 periods) for 90 days and fed a diet composed of a concentrate mixture and rice straw in 60:40 (DM basis) in the control group for 30 days in each period. In the other two diets, MOS was included in the control diet at 20 (MOS20 diet) or 40% (MOS40 diet) replacing the same amounts of concentrate on DM basis. Feeding MOS containing diets linearly (P<0.05) decreased non-structural carbohydrates intake, while it increased the intakes of crude protein and acid detergent fiber as well as the digestibility of the nutrients compared to the control. Moreover, MOS diets linearly increased (P<0.01) ruminal pH, concentrations of ruminal total volatile fatty acids, acetate and propionate, and concentrations of serum glucose and high-density lipoprotein. Increased milk production, concentrations of milk fat and total conjugated linoleic acid, and feed efficiency were observed with feeding MOS diets. It is concluded that concentrate feed mixture in diets of lactating Damascus goats can be replaced with M. oleifera silage up to 40% to improve their lactational performance.

Essential Oils as a Dietary Additive for Small Ruminants: A Meta-Analysis on Performance, Rumen Parameters, Serum Metabolites, and Product Quality

There is an increasing pressure to identify natural feed additives that improve the productivity and health of livestock, without affecting the quality of derived products. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with essential oils (EOs) on productive performance, rumen parameters, serum metabolites, and quality of products (meat and milk) derived from small ruminants by means of a meta-analysis. Seventy-four peer-reviewed publications were included in the data set. Weighted mean differences (WMD) between the EOs treatments and the control treatment were used to assess the magnitude of effect. Dietary inclusion of EOs increased (p < 0.05) dry matter intake (WMD = 0.021 kg/d), dry matter digestibility (WMD = 14.11 g/kg of DM), daily weight gain (WMD = 0.008 kg/d), and feed conversion ratio (WMD = −0.111). The inclusion of EOs in small ruminants’ diets decreased (p < 0.05) ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentration (WMD = −0.310 mg/dL), total protozoa (WMD = −1.426 × 105/mL), methanogens (WMD = −0.60 × 107/mL), and enteric methane emissions (WMD = −3.93 L/d) and increased ruminal propionate concentration (WMD = 0.726 mol/100 mol, p < 0.001). The serum urea concentration was lower (WMD = −0.688 mg/dL; p = 0.009), but serum catalase (WMD = 0.204 ng/mL), superoxide dismutase (WMD = 0.037 ng/mL), and total antioxidant capacity (WMD = 0.749 U/mL) were higher (p < 0.05) in response to EOs supplementation. In meat, EOs supplementation decreased (p < 0.05) the cooking loss (WMD = −0.617 g/100 g), malondialdehyde content (WMD = −0.029 mg/kg of meat), yellowness (WMD = −0.316), and total viable bacterial count (WMD = −0.780 CFU/g of meat). There was higher (p < 0.05) milk production (WMD = 0.113 kg/d), feed efficiency (WMD = 0.039 kg/kg), protein (WMD = 0.059 g/100 g), and lactose content in the milk (WMD = 0.100 g/100 g), as well as lower somatic cell counts in milk (WMD = −0.910 × 103 cells/mL) in response to EOs supplementation. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with EOs improves productive performance as well as meat and milk quality of small ruminants. In addition, EOs improve antioxidant status in blood serum and rumen fermentation and decrease environmental impact.

Fennel and Ginger Improved Nutrient Digestibility and Milk Yield and Quality in Early Lactating Egyptian Buffaloes

The supplementation with herbal and medicinal plants to animals showed positive effects on feed digestion, performance and animal’s health. Fifteen multiparous Egyptian buffaloes (537 ± 18.1 kg body weight), 7 days after parturition, were randomly assigned to 3 treatments in a quintupled 3 × 3 Latin square design in a 63-day experiment. Each experimental period lasted 21 days (15 days of adaptation + 7 days for measurements and samples collection). Buffaloes were assigned according to their previous milk production, weight and parity to study the effect of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) or ginger (Zingiber officinale) supplementation on feed utilization and lactational performance. Buffaloes were fed a basal diet of concentrates, berseem clover and rice straw in a ratio of 60:30:10 dry matter (DM) basis. The first group was fed the basal diet with no additive as the control treatment, while other buffaloes were fed on the basal diet supplemented with 75 g fennel or ginger/buffalo daily. Additives supplementation did not affect feed intake; however, fennel followed by ginger improved (P<0.05) dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber digestibilities compared to the control. Without affecting blood chemistry, fennel and ginger supplementation improved (P<0.05) production of milk and energy corrected milk, fat concentration and milk energy content and output. Fennel followed by ginger decreased the somatic cell count (P=0.035) compared with the control. Fennel and ginger improved feed efficiency (P<0.05) compared with the control. Fennel increased the proportion of milk trans-10, cis-12 C18:2 (P=0.028), total conjugated linoleic acid without affecting other fatty acids. It is concluded that fennel or ginger at 75 g/buffalo/d improved nutrient digestibility and milk production of lactating buffaloes. Fennel improved milk nutritive value more than ginger.

Dietary strategies to enrich milk with healthy fatty acids – a review

Feed is the main factor impacting the composition and quality of milk of dairy animals. Therefore, the present review explores the effects of feed and nutrition on milk fat content and levels of healthy fatty acids (FA) in milk consumed by humans. Milk and dairy products are two main sources of healthy and unhealthy FA in human nutrition. The concentrations of FA in milk depend mainly on diets; therefore, milk FA concentrations and ratios can be greatly altered by some feeding strategies. Dietary supplementation of the diets of dairy livestock with vegetable seeds or oils, microalgae and phytogenic feed additives, and feeding of some grasses can enhance the contents of healthy FA, including n-3 FA, α-linolenic acid, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and, generally, unsaturated FA in milk and dairy products. Enrichment of milk with healthy FA may make milk a source of anticarcenogens (CLA and polyphenols) for human health. This review, therefore, focusses on the current research findings on enrichment of milk with healthy FA and summarizes some effective supplementation strategies to alter milk FA profile.

Lemongrass supplementation to Farafra ewes improved feed utilization, lactational performance and milk nutritive value in the subtropics

Application of phytogenic feed additives in livestock production is a sustainable practice and the search for more phytogenic options continues. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of lemongrass supplementation on nutrient utilization, rumen fermentation and milk production and composition. Thirty gestating Farafra ewes were randomly assigned to three experimental treatments of control (without a supplement), or with the supplementation of 5 g (LEM5 treatment), or 10 g of lemongrass/ewe/d (LEM10 treatment) for 12 weeks. Lemongrass supplementation at both doses did not influence ( p > 0.05) nutrient intake, but improved nutrient digestibility (p < 0.05). Furthermore, LEM5 and LEM10 treatments improved (p ≤ 0.001) ruminal total volatile fatty acids, acetate and propionate. Blood glucose was increased (p < 0.05) and cholesterol was decreased in ewes supplemented with lemongrass at both doses. Milk yield, energy corrected milk yield, and milk component were improved (p ≤ 0.001) in ewes supplemented with lemongrass at 5 and 10 g while the feed efficiency was decreased. Lemongrass supplementation at both doses increased (p = 0.040) the proportion of milk total conjugated linoleic acid without affecting other milk fatty acids. In most of the parameters evaluated, there was no significant difference between LEM5 and LEM10. Therefore, lemongrass supplementation at 5 g/ewe/d can be used in dairy production with positive impacts.