Ecological, morpho-agronomical, and nutritional characteristics of Sulla flexuosa (L.) Medik. ecotypes

The present work was part of assessing wild genetic plant resources of forage interest in Northern Morocco and aimed to study the agro-morphology and nutritional value of Sulla flexuosa (L.) Medik. (Hedysarum flexuosum L.) ecotypes. The seeds of twenty-one wild S. flexuosa (L.) Medik. ecotypes were collected from 21 sites. The edaphic and climatic characteristics of the collection sites were studied and testified to the remarkable adaptability of S. flexuosa (L.) Medik. These 21 ecotypes were cultivated in three complete randomized blocks design for two consecutive years. Statistical analysis showed substantial variability between the collected ecotypes. Principal component analysis and heatmap analysis allowed to distinguish four groups of ecotypes mainly based on nutritional parameters (fiber content and digestibility), forage production (dry matter yield, number of leaves per plant, and total number of branches), and reproduction (number of inflorescences per plant and, weight of thousand seeds and seeds per plant). Furthermore, the present study pointed out the value of ecotype 1, which was dual purpose with its high productivity, nutritional value, and reproductive parameters. Ecotype 4 was also highlighted as having late flowering but intermediate productivity, which can be used mainly for haymaking as the drying period could coincide with the last rainfall in the region.

Effects of Sulla Flexuosa Hay as Alternative Feed Resource on Goat's Milk Production and Quality

Sulla flexuosa (Hedysarum flexuosum L.) is an endemic legume growing in some Mediterranean areas in rainfed and cold mountainous conditions. It could be used in goat diets as an alternative protein source instead of alfalfa to supplement forest rangeland. This study aimed to test the effects of incorporating Sulla flexuosa (SF) hay in the diet of Beni Arouss goats on their milk production and quality. The hay was introduced at two levels, i.e., 35 or 70% (SF70), on a DM basis; it partially or totally replaced the alfalfa hay of the control diet. Sulla flexuosa incorporation did not affect milk production or physicochemical composition. However, milk FA content varied in proportion to the percentage of SF incorporation. The SF70 diet was associated with increased milk levels in C18:1n-9, C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3, and C22:6n-3 and total monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and n-3 fatty acids. As a consequence, atherogenic and thrombogenic indices were improved. Additionally, better antioxidant capacity was observed in SF70.

Agro-industrial byproducts in rabbit food: Case of the complex of detoxified apricot kernel cake and dehydrated tomato pulp

Background and Aim:

The use of agro-industrial byproducts as an unconventional source of raw materials for monogastric feed is one possible solution. This study aimed to determine the effects of incorporating detoxified apricot kernel meal (DAKM) as a substitute for soybean meal and dehydrated tomato pulp (DTP) as a substitute for alfalfa hay on the local rabbit fattening.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 120 white strain rabbits, weaned at 33 days, were randomly assigned to four groups of 30. The rabbits in each group were ringed, placed in cages at 6 rabbits/cage, and fed according to DAKM and DTP incorporation rates (0%, 30%, 40%, and 60%).

Results:

The weights at 77 days were improved (p<0.05) with unchanged mean daily intakes. The vast majority of slaughter parameters and carcass characteristics improved. The chemical composition of the meat constituents improved significantly, with a 60% increase in the protein content of the batch (26.55% vs. 28.53%), 38% reduction in the total feed cost, and 40 DA saved for each kilogram of feed consumed per rabbit. The relative economic efficiency improved in proportion to the substitution rates of soybean meal by DAKM and alfalfa hay by DTP.

Conclusion:

Substituting DAKM and DTP, as byproducts of agro-industrial processing, for up to 60% induced satisfactory results in rabbit fattening. Therefore, it would be more insightful to increase the incorporation rates to determine the optimal threshold.

Response of Fattening Rabbits with Acorns (Quercus pubescens Willd.) Combined in the Diet: First Acquaintances on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Perirenal Fatty Acid Profile

The request for functional and healthy meat presents a challenge to modern animal nutritionists and rabbit meat consumption appears to increase alongside the aging population. Novel functional feeds for food-producing animals gather the interest of the scientific community and acorns appear frequently accounted among non-competitive-with-human feeding sources, above all in slow food production systems. This investigation aimed to assess the response to acorns combined in the diet of 40 fattening rabbits, in respect of growth performance, carcass characteristics and fatty acids composition in perirenal fat. A same commercial fattening diet combined or not with shredded acorns (control, CON = 0 vs. acorn combined diet, ACD = 200 g/kg feed as fed weight, respectively) was administered for six weeks to two groups of Separator rabbits, consisting of 20 animals each. No differences in feed conversion, carcass weight at slaughter and carcass yields (24 h) were found between groups at the end of the experimental feeding. Perirenal fat profile of rabbits from the ACD group pointed to significant differences in ΣPUFA content (25.1 vs. 31.6, as a percentage of total lipids, respectively, p < 0.001) and in the Σ n - 6/n - 3 ratio (5.95 vs. 2.41). In conclusion, acorns can be used as an energy source in mixed feeds for rabbits, especially in slow production systems.

Nutritive value of two types of olive cake (Olea europaea l.) for growing rabbit

<p>The nutritive value of 2 types of sun-dried olive cake (OC), extracted traditionally (COC) or with a 3-phase olive cake (TPOC), was studied for the growing rabbit. Four diets containing 10 or 20% of COC (COC10 and COC20) or of TPOC (TPOC10 and TPOC20) in substitution for a basal diet were compared to a control diet without OC (OC0). Five groups of 12 rabbits were fed one of the 5 diets ad libitum from weaning (35 d) to 46 d of age. The faecal digestibility was individually measured between 42 and 46 d of age. COC and TPOC are high fibre and lignin sources, with 707 and 787 g/kg dry matter (DM) of neutral detergent fibre, 530 and 554 g/kg DM of acid detergent fibre, 242 and 243 g/kg DM of acid detergent lignin, respectively. Replacing 20% of basal diet by COC sharply reduced (<em>P</em>&lt;0.001) the digestibility of energy and crude protein from 0.67 to 0.54, but that of protein only moderately (from 0.80 to 0.76). The same effect was observed with the incorporation of 20% of TPOC. The digestible energy (DE) content of COC and TPOC were calculated by regression and were 3.24±0.41 and 2.94±0.52 MJ DE/kg DM respectively, corresponding to an apparent faecal digestibility of the gross energy of 0.14 (COC) and 0.13 (TPOC). The apparent faecal digestibility of the crude protein of COC was 7 units higher than TPOC (0.44 vs. 0.37) and the digestible protein (DP) content was 20% higher (27.9±4.2 g vs.22.4±6 g DP/kg DM). Olive cake could be considered as a high fibre source with a low protein and energy content for the growing rabbit.</p>

Nutritive value of sun-dried common reed (Phragmites australis) leaves and its effect on performance and carcass characteristics of the growing rabbit

The nutritive value and potential use of sun-dried common reed (<em>Phragmites australis</em>) leaves (CRL), for growing rabbits was studied by comparing 3 diets (regression method) containing an increasing incorporation rate of CRL: 0% (control, CRL0), 15% (CRL15) and 30% (CRL30) in substitution for the control diet (356 g neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and 197 g crude protein (CP)/kg). Three groups of 37 rabbits (individually caged) were fed the 3 diets <em>ad libitum</em> from weaning (35 d, mean weight: 722±142 g) to 77 d of age. The faecal digestibility of the diets was measured between 42 and 46 d of age in 10 rabbits per group. CRL can be considered high-fibre roughage, as it contained 64% of NDF (38% of ADF and 10% ADL) and 10.2% of CP. The digestible energy (DE) content of CRL calculated by regression was null (–1.8±0.29 MJ/kg as fed). CP digestibility reached 29%, corresponding to a digestible crude protein concentration of 29.0±5.6 g/kg as fed basis. The fibre digestibility was reduced with CRL incorporation. Dietary incorporation of CRL impaired the rabbit growth (34.2 vs. 31.5 g/d during the period 35-77 d without CRL or with CRL (CRL15 and CRL30), respectively; P=0.002). Consequently, feed conversion was impaired with the high incorporation rate in feed (30%). Health status or main slaughter traits were not affected by CRL incorporation rate. Thus, the sun-dried common reed leaves had a poor nutritive value for growing rabbits and it can be considered a high-fibre feedstuff, interesting to supply low digested fibres (cellulose) and lignin.

Effect of simplified feeding based only on wheat bran and brewer’s grain on rabbit performance and economic efficiency

<p>Simplified diets are based on maximum incorporation of fodder and/or by-products into animal feed, thus minimizing the formulation and the costs. This study aimed to evaluate the possibility of feeding fattening rabbits with a simplified diet composed of only two agro-industrial by-products inexpensive and locally available: brewer’s grain and wheat bran. At weaning (35 days), 68 rabbits were divided into two identical groups (mean weight = 833 g) and housed in individual cages until slaughter (77 days). Each of the two groups (B0 and SF) was fed <em>ad libitum</em> either a commercial pelleted feed (control), or a simplified pelleted  experimental diet "SF" containing 72% wheat bran and 27% brewer’s grain. The feed conversion was within the standards and similar in the two groups (3.55 on average). The growth rate and feed intake of B0 group were 12% higher (P &lt;0.001) than that of the SF group (35.2g <em>vs</em> 31.2 and 128.3 <em>vs </em>113 g/d). The cold carcass yield and the carcass weight were respectively higher (P &lt;0.001) by 4 units and by 9% in the control group. The carcass of SF group was less fatty (perirenal fat: -23%, inguinal fat: -41% and scapular fat:-14%). The economic efficiency was 40% better for SF diet with almost 50 Algerian Dinar more benefit (/kg of meat).</p><p> </p>

Evaluation of haematological, serum biochemical and histopathological parameters of growing rabbits fed Amaranthus dubius

Amaranthus dubius is an alternative source of fibre and protein for the feed formulation for growing rabbits, although its effects on their health status are yet unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of three dietary levels (0, 160 and 320 g/kg) of A. dubius on haematological, serum biochemical and histopathological parameters of fattening rabbits. One hundred and thirteen New Zealand White rabbits were fed ad libitum from weaning (35 days) to slaughter (87 days). The health status of the animals was monitored, and mortality was recorded. Before slaughtering, 30 rabbits were randomly selected for haematological and serum biochemical analysis. During slaughter, 18 rabbits were randomly selected for histopathological study in heart, liver, lung and small intestine. The health status of rabbits was good, with no differences among treatments in mortality. Diet and sex did not affect the values of most haematological and serum biochemical parameters. Fibrinogen, glucose and high-density lipoprotein values increased significantly from 0 to 320 g/kg A. dubius diets. The white blood cell count and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase values decreased significantly from 0 to 320 g/kg A. dubius diets. The organs showed histologically well-structured tissues. However, in all experimental groups several samples with lesions were observed, always highly focalized in small tissue areas. The main lesions observed, probably related to conditions of thermal stress affecting the rabbits, were cholesterolosis (heart), steatosis (liver), inflammatory lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate (lung) and chronic inflammatory tissue damage (small intestine). In conclusion, the inclusion of up to 320 g/kg A. dubius in diet did not jeopardize the health status of growing rabbits. Therefore, A. dubius can become an alternative raw material for the formulation of feeds in tropical and subtropical countries where this plant is widespread.

Nutritive value of brewers’ grain and maize silage for fattening rabbits

<p>Specific knowledge of the nutritive value of raw materials is fundamental to formulate balanced diets for rabbits and allows greater use of by-products and non-conventional feedstuffs. This paper examines the feeding value of sun-dried brewers’ grain and maize silage (whole plant) for fattening rabbits. Twenty-four individually caged 8-wk-old rabbits were used to determine the digestibility. Both wet products were sun-dried and ground before being incorporated into a basal diet. The inclusion level at the expense of all basal ingredients amounted to 30%. Basal diet and both experimental diets were fed ad libitum to 8 rabbits during the 4-d balance trial. The determined digestibility of protein, fat, crude fibre and neutral detergent fibre digestibility amounted to 76.2 and 77.2%; 86.5 and 99.1%; 8.1 and 8.3% and 28.0 and 13.5%, respectively, for brewers’ grain and maize silage. The digestible energy content amounted to 11.66 MJ/kg dry matter (DM) (brewers’ grain) and 11.10 MJ/kg DM (maize silage). Both by-products have potential as alternative feedstuff in rabbit diets. However, further experiments are necessary to determine the effect of ensilaging the whole maize plant, as a significantly lower (P&lt;0.001) feed intake was observed.</p>

Phenotypic and genetic characterization of rhizobia isolated from Hedysarum flexuosum in Northwest region of Morocco

Seventy bacterial strains were isolated from root nodules of the legume Hedysarum flexuosum grown wild in soils from Northwest Morocco. Repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) clustered the strains into 30 REP-PCR groups. The nearly complete sequence of the 16S rRNA gene from a representative strain of each REP-PCR pattern showed that 17 strains were closely related to members of the genus Rhizobium of the family Rhizobiaceae of the Alphaproteobacteria. Pairwise alignments between globally aligned sequences of the 16S rRNA gene indicated that the strains from H. flexuosum had 99.75-100% identity with Rhizobium sullae type strain IS123(T). The phenotypic characteristics analyzed allowed description of a wide physiological diversity among the isolates, where the carbohydrate assimilation test was the most discriminating. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of a representative strains from the remaining 13 REP-PCR groups showed they belong to a wide variety of phylogenetic groups being closely related to species of genera Stenotrophomonas, Serratia, Massilia, Acinetobacter, Achromobacter, and Pseudomonas from the Beta- and Gammaproteobacteria. The R. sullae strains identified in this study produced effective symbiosis with their original host plant. None of the other bacterial strains could form nodules on H. flexuosum.