Effects of restricted feeding and re-feeding of Barbarine lambs: intake, growth and non-carcass components

Substitution of soyabean meal by faba bean improves body weight, sperm production and testosterone concentration in mature Queue Fine de l'Ouest rams

The current study aimed at investigating the effects of partial or total substitution of soybean meal with faba bean on reproductive parameters of Queue Fine de l'Ouest rams. Eighteen adult rams (49.8 ± 3.7 kg and 2.4 ± 1.5 years old) were divided into three homogenous groups. Rams received oat hay ad libitum and 3 types of concentrate (33 g/BW^0.75) where soybean meal was the main protein source (SBM diet, n = 6), partially (50%, SBMFB diet, n = 6) or totally (100% FB diet, n = 6) substituted in nitrogen basis by local faba bean. The volume of ejaculate, sperm concentration and sperm mortality rate were measured weekly by collecting semen using an artificial vagina. Serial blood samples were collected 30 days and 120 days after the beginning of the experiment in order to assess plasma testosterone concentrations. The results showed that hay intake was affected (P < 0.05) by the nature of the nitrogen source incorporated (1032.3 ± 12.2; 1026.8 ± 56.6 and 972.8 ± 39.05 g DM/d for SBM, FB and SBMFB respectively. The average live weight of the rams increased from 49.8 ± 0.4 (week 1) to 57.3 ± 0.9 kg (week 17) without effect of the diet. A positive effect of faba bean incorporation in the concentrate was observed on ejaculate volume, concentration and spermatozoa production. All these parameters were significantly higher in SBMFB and FB groups than in SBM group (P < 0.05). The protein source did not affect the percentage of dead spermatozoa and the total abnormalities which were similar for the three diets (38.7; 35.8 and 38.1% for SBM; SBMFB and FB, respectively). The mean testosterone concentration was higher (P < 0.05) in rams fed with faba bean (1.7 ± 0.7 to 1.9 ± 0.7 ng/ml for the SBMFB and the FB groups respectively) than in rams fed SBM diet (1.06 ± 0.5 ng/ml). It was concluded that the substitution of soybean meal by faba bean improved the reproductive performance and did not affect sperm quality in Queue Fine de l'Ouest rams.

Effects of green oak acorn (&lt;i&gt;Quercus ilex&lt;/i&gt;) 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.

Effects of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) by-products and linseed (Linumusitatissimum) intake on digestibility, body weight gain, and estimated tissular composition in cull fat-tailed ewes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) residues (RR) as dietary supplement in association with linseed (Linumusitatissimum) on digestive aspects and body weight (BW) gain in fat-tailed Barbarine ewes. To achieve this, 24 cull ewes (BW: 33 ± 2.7 kg) were divided into four groups receiving a basal diet composed of 500 g of straw for two groups (S) and 300 g of straw in addition to 200 g of RR for two other groups (R). All animals received 750 g of concentrate; the usual concentrate (UC) was offered for one S (S-UC) and one R group (R-UC); the linseed concentrate (LC) was also offered for one S (S-LC) and one R group (R-LC). The fattening and digestibility trials lasted 90 days. The dry matter (DM) intake and digestibility were similar across the groups. However, the crude protein (CP) intake and digestibility and the neutral detergent fiber intake were significantly affected by the treatments (P > 0.05). The nitrogen intake (NI), the fecal, and retained nitrogen were significantly affected by the regimen (P < 0.05); however, the urinary nitrogen was unchanged. The nitrogen balance was positive for all groups averaging 60% of the NI. The ruminal pH, ammonia nitrogen, and protozoa concentration were not affected by the RR intake and linseed supply; however, the control time affected significantly these parameters. Final BW, the average daily gain, the muscle, and fat contents were neither affected by the basal diet nor by the concentrate type (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the RR intake in association with linseed did not alter the animal's performances by improving their productive characteristics and consequently, the commercial value of this sheep's category.

Performance and ruminal and intestinal morphometry of Santa Inês sheep submitted to feed restriction and refeeding

A study was carried out to evaluate the performance and ruminal and intestinal morphology of Santa Inês sheep subjected to feed restriction followed by refeeding. A total of 40 uncastrated lambs with an approximate age of 120 ± 15 days and mean body weight (BW) of 17.04 ± 1.18 kg were randomly divided into two groups of BW (20 and 25 kg of BW), which were subjected to different levels of feed restriction (0%, 25%, and 40% of feed restriction). For performance variables, six treatments were considered (0, 25%, and 40% of feed restriction for both groups (20 and 25 kg of BW)) and five treatments for morphometric variables (ad libitum, 25% and 40% for both groups (20 and 25 kg of BW)). All animals were slaughtered with 14 weeks of experimentation. During the feed restriction phase, the dry matter intake (DMI), feed efficiency (FE), and average daily gain (ADG) decreased (P < 0.05) as the level of restriction increased. During the refeeding phase, lambs with 20 kg of body weight subjected to restriction presented lower (P < 0.05) DMI in the ad libitum treatment. However, lambs with 25 kg of body weight under feed restriction presented DMI, FE, and ADG similar (P > 0.05) to the group ad libitum. The final body weight of restricted lambs after refeeding (both groups 20 and 25 kg of body weight) was lower (P < 0.05) than lambs feed ad libitum. In relation to morphology, restricted lambs showed greater height ruminal papillae and larger (P < 0.05) area of ruminal absorption and intestinal absorption, especially the lambs under treatment 40% of feed restriction. The feed restriction followed by refeeding in sheep provided partial compensatory gain, in addition, caused morphological changes in the rumen and intestine that allowed greater absorption and possibly compensatory gain in periods of greater refeeding.

Effects of metabolizable energy intake on post weaning lamb growth performance, carcass tissue composition and internal fat depend on animal characteristics: A meta-analysis

This study aimed to establish the quantitative relationship between metabolisable energy intake (MEI) and growth performance, carcass tissue composition and internal fat, taking into consideration animal precocity, maturity and tail nature. Data from 67 publications were used in the meta-analysis. Diets were characterized and three classes were identified (low medium and high energy density diets). Breeds were characterized according to tail nature, precocity and maturity stage. Average daily gain (ADG) responded to MEI in all animals weighing less than 60% of their adult weight regardless their precocity or their tail nature. At the same level of MEI, the higher the diet energy density, the higher the ADG. In animals weighing less than 42% of adult weight and receiving a high starch diet, carcass muscle and internal fat responded to MEI. Whereas, for animals that weighed between 43% and 75% of adult weight, increases in MEI influenced carcass adipose tissue.

Carcass Traits and Meat Quality of Fat-Tailed Lambs Fed Rosemary Residues as a Part of Concentrate

Simple Summary

This study aims to investigate the carcass and meat quality from lambs fed a dietary treatment including rosemary residues obtained after distillation as cereal substitute in concentrate knowing that cereals are the main component of concentrate. Twenty-four male lambs from local fat-tailed Barbarine breed were allocated into three groups. They received individually oat hay as roughage and as complementation standard concentrate for control group (C) and two concentrate types containing rosemary residues (RR) for the other groups. The protein source was soybean (S) for RRS group while faba bean (F, Vicia Faba) which is a legume was the protein source for RRF group. The results suggest a positive action of rosemary by-products in improving phenolic and tocopherol compounds given their richness in these components. In addition, growth, the non-carcass and carcass traits and the meat physical properties were not altered.

Abstract

Facing climate change implications on feeds unavailability, unconventional resources are being considered with a growing interest such as aromatic plant distillation residues with a two-fold object, enhancing meat quality by increasing the antioxidant properties and reducing feed prices which are often imported though expensive. Hence, this study aims to assess the effects of rosemary distillation residues (RR) incorporation in concentrate associated to two nitrogen sources as a substitute for standard concentrate on lamb’s growth, carcass traits and meat quality. For this, 24 Barbarine male lambs (3 months old, 17.83 ± 2.6 kg body weight) were divided into three groups. All lambs received individually 600 g of oat hay as roughage and 600 g of standard concentrate for control group, 600 g of concentrate based on RR and soybean meal for RRS group and 600 g of concentrate based on RR and faba bean for RRF group. After 65 days of experiment, all lambs were slaughtered. Phenolic and tocopherol intakes were significantly higher for both RR groups compared to control (p < 0.05). Growth, carcass weights, dressing percentages and non-carcass component weights were unaffected by the diet (p > 0.05). Moreover, regional and tissular compositions and meat physical properties were similar irrespective of the diet (p > 0.05). All color parameters were similar among groups (p > 0.05). However, meat produced by lambs receiving RR-based concentrate was richer on vitamin E and polyphenol contents than control lambs (p < 0.05). Rosemary by-products may substitute the standard concentrate resulting in similar lamb’s growth and carcass traits, while improving meat quality by increasing vitamin E content, which could improve its antioxidant power.

Rehabilitation of Barbarine cull ewes using rosemary residues and linseed: effect on weight gain, carcass characteristics and meat quality

The cull ewes represent an important part of sheep flock. However, this category of animal is often submitted to under nutrition leading to poor BW and skeletal carcasses. Their rehabilitation using a high energy diet can be an alternative to improve their body condition. The objective of this experiment was to study the BW gain and carcass characteristics of Barbarine cull ewes using rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) distillation residues (RR) and extruded linseed. For this, 28 ewes above 6 years old and 33±0.5 kg of BW were divided into four groups: CCC was fed 500 g of barley-straw with concentrate, RCC received 300 g of straw and 200 g of RR as basal diet with concentrate; whereas two other groups received the experimental concentrate, containing 10% of linseed, with 500 g of straw for CLC and 300 g of straw plus 200 g of RR for RLC group. At the end of experiment (90 days), all animals were slaughtered. For all ewes, the daily concentrate intake averaged 700 g; the average daily gain was 131 g and the slaughter BW 43.4 kg without significant difference between groups. Neither basal diet nor concentrate type did affect the carcass' weight, yield and composition. In addition, the organ's proportions were similar for all groups. The RR intake slightly improved muscle's protein content (P=0.03) and tended to decrease initial pH (P=0.06) and to increase meat redness (P=0.06), whereas linseed concentrate had no effect on meat color and its chemical composition. The subcutaneous fat color and firmness score relived a good quality trade for carcasses from all diets, in spite of higher yellowness and lower firmness recorded for linseed diet (P&lt;0.05), which were moderately improved by rosemary combination with linseed. To conclude, the Barbarine cull ewes could gain up to 120 g/day in BW. The used diets permitted this BW gain without undesirable effects on carcass characteristics and meat quality. However, the study of meat fatty acid profile and antioxidant status should continue.

The effects of diet, slaughter weight and docking on growth, carcass composition and meat quality of fat-tailed Barbarine lambs. A review

This review summarises the main factors that influence meat production and quality in fat-tailed Barbarine (FTB) lambs. As a general feature, FTB lamb's growth is moderate, and the average daily gain ranges between 100 and 350 g. The carcass being relatively fatty, carcass fat content varies from 10% to 32%; white fat and rose meat are often dominant in these carcasses. The meat fatty acid profile of this fat-tailed breed is similar to that of thin-tailed ones, with a prevalence of palmitic, stearic and oleic acids. The order of dissected adipose tissues accumulation, estimated by allometry coefficients, is in agreement with observations in thin-tailed sheep. However, tail fat allometry coefficient is closer to kidney fat values rather than to the subcutaneous one. Concerning effects of feed level, growth of FTB lambs fed silage is higher than those fed oat hay. With moderate concentrate supply, FTB lambs' growth is more pronounced on pasture diet than on the feedlot (FL) diet. Furthermore, at similar slaughter weights, carcasses of lambs fed pasture diet have less tail and carcass fat than those from lambs fed FL diet (5% and 18% vs. 9% and 24% for grazing and FL lambs, respectively). No difference in fat colour, fat firmness or cooked meat flavour is observed between carcasses obtained at different slaughtering weight (i.e. from 25 to 35 kg). The tail docking of FTB improved lambs' growth particularly before weaning. Its effect on carcass composition and fat proportion depends on stage of slaughtering and type of fattening diet. For suckled lambs (4 months), the docking resulted in the lower carcass fat weight (and proportion), while for fattened lambs, carcass composition was similar for all types of lambs. Overall, FTB lambs always grow slower than Noire de Thibar lambs. This is particularly pronounced during the fattening phase. Then, for FTB breed, the possibilities to obtain heavy carcasses are at risks of fat accumulation, 22.8% vs. 14.4% for FTB and Noire de Thibar thin-tailed lambs, respectively. However, the main advantage of FTB breed is that adults are well adapted to food scarcity and may produce lambs even under harsh conditions.

Effects of feeding system and nitrogen source on lamb growth, meat characteristics and fatty acid composition

For this study, 28 lambs were allocated to four groups: two groups were raised in stalls and fed a hay-concentrate ration. The two remaining groups were reared on dry pasture and received concentrate in stalls. In each feeding system, two iso-nitrogen concentrates were used, soya bean and soya plus faba bean. At the end of the growth trial (77 days), all lambs were slaughtered. Samples of longissimus dorsi muscle were used for muscle analysis and fatty acid (FA) composition determination. Average daily gain (134g) was similar for all treatments. Stall lambs deposited significantly (p<0.001) more fat per day (13 vs 5g) and slightly more muscle (41 vs 35g) than pasture grazing ones; the first had more fat tissue (5.2kg) than the later (4.6kg). All these parameters were not influenced by nitrogen source. FA profile and meat characteristics were similar for all dietary treatments. It could be concluded that dry pasture did not affect meat quality but lead to the leaner lambs.