Utilization of concentrate diets containing acorns (Quercus aegilops and Quercus coccifera) and urea by growing Awassi lambs

Effects of green oak acorn (<i>Quercus ilex</i>) intake on nutrient digestibility, lamb growth, and carcass and non-carcass characteristics

Abstract. The green oak (Quercus ilex) plays an important role in forest ecology when oaks are the dominant species or are plentiful. The use of acorns as an alternative to barley for livestock feeding can be beneficial for breeders. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the acorn intake by lambs in two stages, suckling and fattening, on growth, diet digestibility, carcass and non-carcass characteristics. For this, 32 lambs were used. During the suckling period, 16 lambs were reared on range pasture, supplied by barley (S-Ba), the other 16 on forest pasture and supplied by acorns (S-Ac). During the fattening period, lambs were assigned to concentrate based either on barley (F-Ba) or acorn (F-Ac) resulting in eight animals per suckling treatment per fattening treatment. The feed intake, diet digestibility and lamb growth were recorded. At 90 d of fattening, all animals were slaughtered and carcass traits studied. The main results show that the incorporation of acorn in concentrate was without effect on digestibility of organic matter, crud protein and neutral detergent fibre. The nitrogen balance was positive for animals fed barley concentrate or acorn one (>8 g d−1). The lamb growth rates and slaughter body weight were not affected by acorn incorporation in both phases (p>0.05). Consequently, the carcass weights and carcass yields were similar. The F-Ac and S-Ac lambs had relatively heavier liver than F-Ba and S-Ba. The carcass composition in cutting pieces and that in tissues (muscle, fat and bone) was similar for all groups. These results suggest that acorns could replace partially conventional feedstuffs as concentrate without affecting animal performance and carcass quality.

Effect of oak acorn level on colostrum composition and plasma immunoglobulin G of late-pregnant goats and their kids

Oak acorn contains high levels of tannins which have capacity to form complexes with proteins and consequently reduce their availability and as a result it could reduce colostrum quality and immunoglobulin (Ig) synthesis. Thus, the aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of dietary oak (Quercus persica) acorn (OA) level during the last 60 days of pregnancy on colostrum composition and plasma metabolites and IgG level of goats and their kids. In all, 24 multiparous pregnant goats (41.7±2.3 kg BW) were assigned into one of the three experimental diets consisted of control diet (without OA) and diets containing 20% (OA20) or 40% (OA40) OA on dry matter basis. Goats fed OA40 had lower BW change compared with other groups (P⩽0.05). Kids birth weight was not affected by experimental diets (P>0.05). Goats fed OA containing diets had lower plasma glucose, triglyceride and Fe concentrations compared with those fed the control diet (P0.05), whereas kids born from goats fed OA containing diets had lower plasma IgG level compared with the control diet (P<0.01). It is concluded that feeding OA during the last 60 days of pregnancy decreased colostrum quality which may have adverse effect on kid's survival.

Determination of the Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Leaves and Fruits of SpanishQuercus coccifera

In this work, we report the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of methanol extracts of leaves and fruits (acorns) ofQuercus coccifera(kermes oak). Forty-one compounds were characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray multistage mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MSn) with an ion trap mass spectrometer. A high percentage of the detected compounds were gallic acid derivatives, although some saccharides and flavonoids were also present. This phytochemical pattern is typical inQuercusspecies, which are rich in gallotannins. These compounds are partially responsible for the cardioprotective effects observed in different food samples containing them. We evaluated the antioxidant activity by ABTS and DPPH assays. In both cases, high antioxidant activity was observed, being higher in acorns than in leaves. The high antioxidant potential of the extracts, which is related to the high total phenolic content, indicates the potential benefit of the use of this species as a source of bioactive compounds.

Effect of oak (Quercus persica) acorn level on apparent digestibility, ruminal fermentation, nitrogen balance and urinary purine derivatives in pregnant goats

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of dietary oak (Quercus persica) acorn (OA) level on dry matter intake (DMI), apparent nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) utilization, ruminal fermentation, protozoa population and urinary purine derivatives (PD) during the last 60 days of goat pregnancy. Twenty-four multiparous pregnant goats (41.7 ± 2.3 kg BW) were assigned to one of three experimental diets consisted of control diet (C, without OA) and diets containing 20 (OA₂₀ ) or 40 g/100 g of OA (OA₄₀ ) on a DM basis in a completely randomized block design. Goats fed OA₄₀ had lower DMI (p < .01), DM (p < .01), OM (p < .01) and NDF (p < .05) digestibility, ruminal NH₃ -N concentration (p < .01), N intake (p < .01) and N retention (p < .01). Crude protein digestibility and ruminal acetate and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration were lower in animals fed OA-contained diets (p < .01), whereas ruminal propionate concentration was higher in goats fed the C diet (p < .01). Animals fed OA₄₀ had higher faecal N excretion and lower urinary N excretion (p < .01). Urinary PD was lower in goats fed diets containing OA in relation to those fed the C diet (p < .01). Total protozoa population decreased linearly with increasing OA level in the diet (p < .05). These results suggest that feeding OA, especially high level, has negative impacts on DMI, nutrient digestibility, VFA concentration, N retention and urinary PD excretion that may have adverse effects on metabolism and performance of pregnant goats.

Nutritional quality of kermes oak (<i>Quercus coccifera</i> L.) acorns as affected by altitude in a typical Mediterranean area

Abstract. The impact of altitudinal zone on the nutritional quality of kermes oak (Quercus coccifera L.) acorns was assessed in Xirovouni Mountain shrublands in northwestern Greece. Whole acorns were collected during autumn 2011 from 15 sites located at three altitudinal zones (i.e. lower, middle, upper). Kermes oak acorn samples were manually separated into kernel and hull and analysed for chemical composition (crude protein, CP; neutral detergent fibre, NDF; acid detergent fibre, ADF; lignin), in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility (IVDMD), in vitro NDF digestibility (IVNDFD), digestible energy (DE), and minerals (i.e. Ca, P, K, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu). Altitude had a negative correlation with CP, IVDMD, and IVNDFD and positively correlated to cell wall contents in both kernel and hull. Acorns growing under higher temperatures (at lower altitude) have more digestible cell wall compared to acorns growing under lower temperatures (at higher altitude) due to increased CP content and decreased cell wall content. It seems that environmental factors affect the nutritional value of acorns. Thus, goat farmers should take this into account when collecting acorns to feed their animals.

Effects of different concentrations of ground oak acorn on growth performance, blood parameters and carcass characteristics of goat kids

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of ground oak acorn on growth performance, blood parameters and carcass characteristics. Twenty-four goat kids averaging 16.93 ± 1.25 kg initial bodyweight were randomly assigned to four experimental diets in a completely randomised design for 90 days. The experimental diets consisted of (1) 0% oak acorn (control), (2) 8% oak acorn, (3) 17% oak acorn and (4) 25% oak acorn on a DM basis. The goats were slaughtered after 105 days of feeding and carcass characteristics were measured. DM intake increased linearly in small amounts as the level of acorn in the diet increased (P < 0.004). The results showed that average daily gain, water intake and feed conversion ratio were unaffected by levels of ground oak acorn (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in blood parameters (P > 0.05). Carcass fat depth and abdominal fat weight decreased with increasing ground oak acorn in the diet. Other carcass characteristics were not affected by different levels of ground oak acorn. On the basis of the results of the present study, it may be concluded that ground oak acorn can be used up to 25% in the diets of young goats without any adverse effects on growth performance and carcass characteristics. At this level of acorns, the goats received low concentrations of hydrolysable tannins (11 g/kg DM) in their diet.

Effects of partial or total replacement of maize with alternative feed source on digestibility, growth performance, blood metabolites and economics in limousin crossbred cattle

Increasing cost and scarcity of maize has stimulated the use of alternative feed sources (AFS) in the diets of cattle. In this study, we investigated the effects of partial or total replacement of maize on nutrient digestibility, growth performance, blood metabolites, and economics in Limousin crossbred feedlot cattle. Forty-five Limousin×Luxi crossbred bulls were randomly assigned to the three treatment groups, orthodox diet (OD; 45.0% maize), partial replacement diet (PRD; 15% maize, 67% AFS), total replacement diet (TRD; 0% maize, 100% AFS). The growth feeding trial lasted for 98 days. Dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) were recorded. The digestion trial was carried out after the end of the growth trial. Total faeces and feed samples were measured daily. Digestibilities of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were calculated. After the feeding trial, blood metabolites were measured in 12 animals from each group. Initial and final body weights did not differ significantly among treatment groups (p>0.05). The ADG and DMI were 1.72 and 8.66, 1.60 and 9.10, and 1.40 and 9.11 kg/d for OD, PRD, and TRD, respectively. The PRD and TRD exhibited lower ADG (p<0.01) and higher DMI (p<0.01) than OD. The DMI (%body weight) was comparable between groups (p>0.5). Feed efficiency of PRD and TRD were lower than OD (p<0.01). The DM digestibility decreased with reduced level of maize (p = 0.10), OM digestibility was higher in OD (p<0.05), and CP, NDF and ADF digestibilities were similar for all groups (p>0.05). Blood urea nitrogen (mg/dL) in PRD and TRD was higher than OD (p<0.01), while other blood parameters did not differ significantly. Feed costs ($/head/d) were 1.49, 0.98, and 0.72 for OD, PRD, and TRD, respectively (p<0.01). Feed costs per kg gain ($) were significantly lower for PRD (0.63) and TRD (0.54) than OD (0.89; p<0.01). Overall profit ($/head) and daily profit ($/head/d) did not differ significantly between treatments (p>0.05), although TRD showed the highest economic benefits overall (p<0.01). While a traditional diet maximized the growth rate, partial or total replacement of dietary maize with AFS proved economically feasible due to their lower costs and comparable nutrient digestibilities of DM, CP, NDF, and ADF. Partial replacement may prove economically competitive in the current situation of China.

Alternative feedstuffs and their effects on performance of Awassi sheep: a review

Fat-tailed sheep (FTS) is a group of breeds characterized by large (fatty) tails that it is commonly distributed in Africa, Middle East, Pakistan, and to a lesser extent in other countries. Awassi, a common FTS breed in many Mediterranean countries, is adaptive and suitable to live in harsh conditions of the arid and semiarid areas. One of the main constraints for sheep industry in those areas is the limited supply and variable quality and quantity of feedstuffs. Using several alternative feedstuffs (AF) has been a common practice to decrease production cost of Awassi sheep industry in those areas. The appropriate AF to be used is determined by several animal and feed factors. These AF includes, but not limited to, unconventional feedstuffs, agricultural byproducts, and agro-industrial byproducts. A good body of literature about the use of AF and the effects of such use on performance of Awassi sheep is available. Some of these AF have been shown to be safely used in Awassi diets with no detrimental effects on sheep performance or health and, thus, recommended to lower the production cost. Other AF has controversial effects and recommendations. This paper reviews the effects of using AF on performance of Awassi ewes and lambs. Effects on intake, nutrient digestibilities, growth rate, and carcass characteristics of lambs and on intake, nutrient digestibilities, body weight change, milk yield, and milk composition of ewes will be emphasized. Recommendations and limitations for using AF will also be briefly discussed.