Dietary inclusion of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seed meal on the haematological and serum biochemical response of rams in southwestern Nigeria.

This study was carried out to determine the haematological and serum biochemical effect of rams fed graded levels of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seed meal. In a 77-days feeding trial, sixteen west African dwarf rams, of 12 months old, were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments (4 animals per each), with different inclusion levels of kenaf seed meal as replacement with sorghum glume and cassava pulp, at 0 (K0), 15 (K15), 35 (K35) and 55 (K55) % respectively. Each animal was fed 5% of its body weight/head/day of the experimental diets and elephant grass with clean drinking water ad libitum. Two animals from each treatment were randomly selected and blood samples collected aseptically, via the jugular puncture for haematological and biochemical evaluation, at the termination of the experiment. The analysis of blood components at the end of the feeding trial revealed that packed cell volume, white blood cell and haemoglobin showed significant (P < 0.05) differences among the rams with packed cell volume, white blood cell, while the haemoglobin was significantly decreased in K55 (27.00%, 3200 × 103 µL and 8.95 g/dL respectively) than in K0, K15 and K35. There were also significant (P < 0.05) differences in all the serum biochemical analysis except in the albumin. It was concluded that kenaf seed meal can be inculcated in the diet of rams up to 35% without any deleterious effect on their haematology and serum biochemical characteristics. Feeding of kenaf seed meal above 35% inclusion level resulted in negative alteration of the white blood cells which could lead to the loss of their protective system, thereby preventing rapid and potent defence against infectious diseases.

Effects of dietary supplementation with organic selenium-enriched yeast on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of finishing lambs.

This study was aimed to assess the impact-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae with organic selenium addition in finishing lambs on fatty acid composition and physicochemical meat characteristics. Eighteen five-month-old Pelibuey female lambs were fed the same diet for 60 days. Animals were assigned a completely random design of three treatments, control (Se0) without the addition of selenium-yeast or supplemented with 0.35 ppm of selenium-yeast (Se35) and with 0.60 ppm of selenium-yeast (Se60). Lambs were slaughtered at an average weight of 39.5 ± 4.41 kg. Feed intake and meat water holding capacity were decreased (P = 0.001) in Se35 lambs, whereas meat moisture and fat were decreased (P = 0.002) in Se60 lambs. However, meat carbohydrates were increased (P = 0.001) in Se60 lambs. It is concluded that consumption of selenium-yeast in lambs did not alter the productive variables nor the fatty acid composition, though, the fat content is lower, and the carbohydrates are higher in physicochemical meat characteristics.

Influence of three microbial feed additives of Megasphaera elsdenii, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus sp. on ruminal methane and carbon dioxide production, and biofermentation kinetics.

AIMS: This study was performed to investigate the effects of Megasphaera elsdenii (Me), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) and lactic acid bacteria (FP-Lactobacillus fermentum plus Lactobacillus plantarum) alone or in combination on biogas production and ruminal biofermentation parameter in a heterofermenter system. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eight treatments were evaluated; (i) control (without additive; CON); (ii) Me; (iii) SC; (iv) FP; (v) Me plus SC (MSC); (vi) Me plus FP (MFP); (vii) SC plus FP (SCFP) and (viii) Me plus SC plus FP (MSCFP). Doses of FP, Me and SC were 1·5 × 108 (CFU per ml), 1·5 × 108 (CFU per ml) and 1·4 × 107 (CFU 0·002-1  g), respectively. Biogas production in all time increased (P < 0·05) by MSCFP than CON additive. The proportional methane (CH4 ) decreased (P < 0·05) in MSCFP and FP, while carbon dioxide (CO2 ) was decreased (P < 0·05) by SC compared MSCFP and MSC. The proportional CO2 decreased (P < 0·05) by MSCFP and FP additive. The mean concentration of NH3 -N was not affected by treatments. Concentration of total volatile fatty acids and the percent of acetate and propionate was not affected by treatments. The highest (P < 0·05) percent of butyrate and valerate were observed in MSCFP additive. The experiment showed that microbial additives of FP, SCFP and MSCFP reduced proportional CH4 and CO2 . CONCLUSIONS: Microbial additives of MFP and MSCFP had a sustainable positive efficiency on pH and volatile fatty acids and mitigate CH4 and CO2 . SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The use of microbial additives control on the ruminal pH (MFP) and improve VFA such as butyrate (MSC, MSCFP) and valerate (MSCFP) and reduce the greenhouse gases production showed a reduced risk of ruminal acidosis.

Lactobacillus plantarum as feed additive to improvement in vitro ruminal biofermentation and digestibility of some tropical tree leaves.

AIM: This study was performed to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) on the in vitro gas production (GP) kinetics and ruminal fermentation parameter of three species of tropical forage Ziziphus mauritiana, Acacia victoriae and Moringa oleifera. METHODS AND RESULTS: Treatments were (i) Z. mauritiana (Z) without LP (-ZLP), (ii) Z. mauritiana (Z) with LP (+ZLP), (iii) A. victoriae (A) without LP (-ALP), (4) A. victoriae (A) with LP (+ALP), (5) M. oleifera (M) without LP (-MLP) and (6) M. oleifera (M) with LP (+MLP). The LP was used at 0·5 Mcfarland (1·5 × 108 colony-forming unit per millilitre (CFU per ml)). Kinetic of GP (GP from the fermentable fraction [b], GP rate [c] and lag phase [L]) and GP were affected (P < 0·05) by plant species and LP. The highest value of b, c and GP were observed in +MLP treatment compared with other treatments. The lowest value of L was observed for the +ZLP treatment compared with other treatments. The GP and fermentation parameter included organic matter digestibility (OMD), metabolizable energy (ME) content, microbial CP (MCP) and truly degraded substrate (TDS) were affected by plant species and LP supplementation. The highest OMD, ME, TDS and MCP values were observed in +MLP treatment. At different incubation times, the highest amount of ammonia-N was observed in treatment +MLP compared with other treatments. Under the influence of experimental treatments (effect of plant species and LP), the highest concentrations of total volatile fatty acids, acetate and acetate to propionate ratio were observed in treatments +MLP, +ALP and +ALP, respectively. Concentrations of propionate, iso-butyrate, n-valerate and iso-valerate were affected by plant species, and the highest levels were observed in -ZLP, +MLP, -MLP and +MLP tretments, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of LP as a microbial additive had a positive effect on the in vitro digestibility and ruminal fermentation of tannins-rich tropical plants. Results suggest that dietary LP inclusion could be an option to improve ruminant energy utilization efficiency of tannins-rich tropical plants. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Regardless the effect of the forage species, the use of LP as a microbial additive improved GP and kinetics and also increased OMD, TDS, MCP and enhanced the total in vitro ruminal VFAs production.

Effects of dry period length on milk yield and content and metabolic status of high-producing dairy cows under heat stress.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of shortening dry period (DP) on milk yield, milk composition, and blood parameters in cows under heat stress. For this purpose, three DP groups were considered (30, 45, and 60 days), and 14 heat-stressed high-producing dairy cows (7 primiparous and 7 multiparous) were assigned to each DP group. The results showed that shortening the DP (from 60 to 30 days) decreased a 305-day milk yield in subsequent lactation. The difference in milk yield between 30- and 60-day DP groups was significant in the second 100 days of lactation. Accounting for additional milk yield before calving completely compensate for the loss of milk production resulting from shortening the DP. Milk protein, lactose, and solids non-fat percentages were significantly lower for cows with a 60-day DP compared to cows with a 45- or 30-day DP. Serum BHBA and urea concentrations were significantly higher, and serum glucose concentration was significantly lower for cows with a 60-day DP compared to cows with a 30-day DP. In conclusion, results showed that shortening the DP improved the metabolic status of heat-stressed transition dairy cows without decreasing total milk yield.

Dynamic role of single-celled fungi in ruminal microbial ecology and activities.

In ruminants, high fermentation capacity is necessary to develop more efficient ruminant production systems. Greater level of production depends on the ability of the microbial ecosystem to convert organic matter into precursors of milk and meat. This has led to increased interest by animal nutritionists, biochemists and microbiologists in evaluating different strategies to manipulate the rumen biota to improve animal performance, production efficiency and animal health. One of such strategies is the use of natural feed additives such as single-celled fungi yeast. The main objectives of using yeasts as natural additives in ruminant diets include; (i) to prevent rumen microflora disorders, (ii) to improve and sustain higher production of milk and meat, (iii) to reduce rumen acidosis and bloat which adversely affect animal health and performance, (iv) to decrease the risk of ruminant-associated human pathogens and (v) to reduce the excretion of nitrogenous-based compounds, carbon dioxide and methane. Yeast, a natural feed additive, has the potential to enhance feed degradation by increasing the concentration of volatile fatty acids during fermentation processes. In addition, microbial growth in the rumen is enhanced in the presence of yeast leading to the delivery of a greater amount of microbial protein to the duodenum and high nitrogen retention. Single-celled fungi yeast has demonstrated its ability to increase fibre digestibility and lower faecal output of organic matter due to improved digestion of organic matter, which subsequently improves animal productivity. Yeast also has the ability to alter the fermentation process in the rumen in a way that reduces methane formation. Furthermore, yeast inclusion in ruminant diets has been reported to decrease toxins absorption such as mycotoxins and promote epithelial cell integrity. This review article provides information on the impact of single-celled fungi yeast as a feed supplement on ruminal microbiota and its function to improve the health and productive longevity of ruminants.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a probiotic feed additive to non and pseudo-ruminant feeding: a review.

The production of livestock and poultry faces major challenges to meet the global demand for meat and dairy products and eggs due to a steady increase in the world's population and the ban of antibiotics in animal production. This ban has forced animal nutritionists to seek for natural alternatives to antibiotics. In this context, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has received considerable attention in the last decade. It has been reported that feed supplementation with live yeast cells improve feed efficiency, enhance feed digestibility, increase animal performance, reduce the number of pathogenic bacteria, improve animal health and reduce the negative environmental impacts of livestock production. The current review sheds light on the effects of the use of live S. cerevisiae cells in the diets of nonruminant and pseudo-ruminant's animals and the mechanisms by which they exert its effects. This review work revealed that the addition of S. cerevisiae in poultry feed causes a phenomenon called competitive exclusion of pathogenic bacteria capable of causing disease adhere to the yeast surface, and so removing a large amount of harmful micro-organisms and allowing the Animal defend more effectively, the production of antimicrobial agents, the balancing the gut microbiota and stimulation of host adaptive immune system and improving gut morphological structure, thus these benefits are reflected on the overall poultry health. In addition, in the presence of live S. cerevisiae cells, the immunity of rabbits was improved due to the high number of white blood cell. In addition, apparent digestibility of acid and neutral detergent fibre was improved in horses and rabbits. Saccharomyces cerevisiae in pig diets augment mucosal immunity by increasing IgM and IgA activity against pathogens, enhance intestinal development and function, adsorb mycotoxins, modulate gut microbiota and reduce postweaning diarrhoea.

Role of dose-dependent Lactobacillus farciminis on ruminal microflora biogases and fermentation activities of three silage-based rations.

AIMS: The influence of Lactobacillus farciminis on ruminal fermentation characteristics was elucidated in this study. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ruminal fermentation was conducted using maize silage ration (R) and concentrate (C) as 75R:25C, 50R:50C and 25R:75C, supplemented with lactic acid bacteria (LB) at 0, 20 and 30 mg g-1 dry matter substrate and their interaction (1st experiment). The same LB product was used at 0, 20, 40 and 60 mg g-1 dry matter of the mixture (1 : 1) of oat straw and concentrate for 48 h of incubation (2nd experiment). At 24 and 48 h of incubation, LB0 produced the highest biogas and LB20 produced the lowest, whereas at 48 h of incubation LB40 produced the lowest. In ration x LB, LB40 resulted in the highest biogas production, while LB0 had the lowest (P < 0·001) at 8, 10 and 12 h of incubation. Inclusions of LB0, 20, 40 and 60 mg g-1 dry matter resulted in a linear increase (P < 0·003) in the asymptotic biogas production and fermentation parameters in a dose-dependent manner, except in pH which decreased (P = 0·029). CONCLUSIONS: The use of L. farciminis in diet with high level of concentrate without any adverse effect on the pH of rumen fluid to the point of acidosis. Furthermore, in high forage diet, the use of L. farciminis would help to improve the ruminal fermentation digestibility and mitigate ruminal biogas production. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Using Lactobacillus as a feed additive can improve ruminal fermentation activities by maintaining the stability of pH in the rumen and improving the feed utilization through manipulation of the microbial ecosystem.

Role of diverse fermentative factors towards microbial community shift in ruminants.

Besides the liver, rumen is one of the most important components of metabolism in ruminants. However, the microbes residing in the rumen are influenced by several complex factors such as diet, which result in fluctuations in the rumen pH. Rumen pH affects feed intake and feed digestibility, subsequently causing microbial shift in the individual members of microbial community residing in the foregut and hindgut. This in turn causes an increase in lipopolysaccharide concentration, among other factors, in the gut fluid and animal blood. Irrespective of diet fed to animals, Firmicutes would probably be the most dominant in high grain diet while Bacteroidetes are dominant in hay diet, and both have a relative abundance of about 80% or more at times. The shift in microbial population is not limited to adult ruminants alone but also occur in calves. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria were the most abundant in both hay and concentrate diet of newly weaned calves. Prolonged, depressed pH, causes subacute ruminal acidosis. This leads to compromise in the integrity of both foregut and hindgut of ruminants, eventually causing structural changes in the gut physiology. Furthermore, diet containing C-12:0 and C-14:0, which are medium-chain fatty acids, were toxic to rumen protozoa. Phytochemical content in some plant residues when fed to animals also causes shift in microbial population. Therefore, foregut and hindgut pH stability is important for ruminant health and for optimal productivity.

Antibacterial activity of extracted bioactive molecules of Schinus terebinthifolius ripened fruits against some pathogenic bacteria.

The aim of this work is to identify the chemical constituents and the bioactivity of essential oil (EO), acetone extract (ACE) and n-hexane extract (HexE) of S. terebinthifolius ripened fruits using GC-MS. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of extracts were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assays, respectively. The toxicity against the growth of Acinetobacter baumannii, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus flavus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Sarcina lutea, and Staphylococcus aureus was determined with measuring the inhibition zones (IZs) using the disc diffusion method at the concentrations from 125 to 2000 µg/mL, also, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) using 96-well micro-plates and ranged from 4 to 2000 µg/mL. The major components in EO were α-pinene (36.9%), and α-phellandrene (32.8%). The major components in ACE were oleic acid (38.7%), α-phellandrene (13.33%), and δ-cadinene (11.1%), while the major methyl esters of fatty acids detected in HexE were oleic (12.8%), and palmitic (10.9%). The EO showed good activity against the growth of Staph. aureus and P. aeruginosa with MIC values of 16 µg/mL and 32 µg/mL, the ACE showed broad activity against the studied bacterial pathogens with MIC values ranged from of 4-128 µg/mL against the studied bacterial isolates, while HexE, however, showed weak antibacterial activity. The IC50 values of EO, ACE and HexE were 15.11 ±â€¯0.99, 118.16 ±â€¯1.7 and 324.26 ±â€¯2.45 µg/mL, respectively, compared to IC50 of Tannic acid (23.83 ±â€¯1.9 µg/mL) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, 2.9 ±â€¯0.1 µg/mL). Data suggested that the ripened fruits of S. terebinthifolius have potent antioxidant and antibacterial activities.

In vitro gas production of foliage from three browse tree species treated with different dose levels of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different dose levels of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) on in vitro ruminal fermentation kinetics and energy utilization of foliages from three browse trees (Pithecellobium dulce, Heliocarpus velutinus and Guazuma ulmifolia). Mixture of EFE product was added to the leaves of the three browse tree species at three dose levels: 0 (control), 3.5 and 7.0 mg/g of DM. Chemical composition of the foliages, including plant secondary metabolites such as total phenolics (TP), saponins (SAP) and aqueous fraction (AF), was determined. In addition, in vitro assaying of ruminal gas production kinetics was determined for the three browse three foliages treated with EFE. P. dulce had the highest crude protein content (p < 0.05), whereas G. ulmifolia had the highest content of neutral detergent fibre and SAP (p < 0.05) and H. velutinus had the lowest content of TP (p < 0.05). The interaction between tree species and dose level of EFE was significant (p < 0.05) for gas production (GP) at 24 h of incubation, parameters b and c of the accumulated GP curve, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and metabolizable energy (ME). The lowest (p < 0.01) extent of accumulated GP as well as the b and c values occurred in G. ulmifolia at 0 mg EFE/g DM. P. dulce had the highest (p < 0.05) values for ME and SCFA at the highest dose of EFE. Tree species and dose level had significant (p < 0.05) effects on all parameters describing in vitro ruminal fermentation kinetics and energy utilization. Addition of EFE improved the fermentation kinetics of the browse species considered in this study.

Influence of Sunflower Whole Seeds or Oil on Ruminal Fermentation, Milk Production, Composition, and Fatty Acid Profile in Lactating Goats.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of sunflower seeds, either as whole or as oil, on rumen fermentation, milk production, milk composition and fatty acids profile in dairy goats. Fifteen lactating Damascus goats were divided randomly into three groups (n = 5) fed a basal diet of concentrate feed mixture and fresh Trifolium alexandrinum at 50:50 on dry matter basis (Control) in addition to 50 g/head/d sunflower seeds whole (SS) or 20 mL/head/d sunflower seeds oil (SO) in a complete randomized design. Milk was sampled every two weeks during 90 days of experimental period for chemical analysis and rumen was sampled at 30, 60, and 90 days of the experiment for ruminal pH, volatile fatty acids (tVFA), and ammonia-N determination. Addition of SO decreased (p = 0.017) ruminal pH, whereas SO and SS increased tVFA (p<0.001) and acetate (p = 0.034) concentrations. Serum glucose increased (p = 0.013) in SO and SS goats vs Control. The SO and SS treated goats had improved milk yield (p = 0.007) and milk fat content (p = 0.002). Moreover, SO increased milk lactose content (p = 0.048) and feed efficiency (p = 0.046) compared to Control. Both of SS and SO increased (p<0.05) milk unsaturated fatty acids content specially conjugated linolenic acid (CLA) vs Control. Addition of SS and SO increased (p = 0. 021) C18:3N3 fatty acid compared to Control diet. Data suggested that addition of either SS or SO to lactating goats ration had beneficial effects on milk yield and milk composition with enhancing milk content of healthy fatty acids (CLA and omega 3), without detrimental effects on animal performance.

Nutrient Digestibility, Ruminal Fermentation Activities, Serum Parameters and Milk Production and Composition of Lactating Goats Fed Diets Containing Rice Straw Treated with Pleurotus ostreatus.

The study evaluated replacement of Egyptian berseem clover (BC, Trifolium alexandrinum) with spent rice straw (SRS) of Pleurotus ostreatus basidiomycete in diets of lactating Baladi goats. Nine lactating homo-parity Baladi goats (average BW 23.8±0.4 kg) at 7 d postpartum were used in a triplicate 3×3 Latin square design with 30 d experimental periods. Goats were fed a basal diet containing 0 (Control), 0.25 (SRS25) and 0.45 (SRS45) (w/w, DM basis) of SRS. The Control diet was berseem clover and concentrate mixture (1:1 DM basis). The SRS45 had lowered total feed intake and forages intake compared to Control. The SRS25 and SRS45 rations had the highest digestibilities of DM (p = 0.0241) and hemicellulose (p = 0.0021) compared to Control which had higher (p<0.01) digestibilities of OM (p = 0.0002) and CP (p = 0.0005) than SRS25 and SRS45. Ruminal pH and microbial protein synthesis were higher (p<0.0001) for SRS25 and SRS45 than Control, which also had the highest (p<0.0001) concentration of TVFA, total proteins, non-protein N, and ammonia-N. All values of serum constituents were within normal ranges. The Control ration had higher serum globulin (p = 0.0148), creatinine (p = 0.0150), glucose (p = 0.0002) and cholesterol (p = 0.0016). Both Control and SRS25 groups had the highest (p<0.05) milk (p = 0.0330) and energy corrected milk (p = 0.0290) yields. Fat content was higher (p = 0.0373) with SRS45 and SRS25 groups compared with Control. Replacement of BC with SRS in goat rations increased milk levels of conjugated linoleic acid and unsaturated fatty acids compared with Control. It was concluded that replacing 50% of Egyptian berseem clover with SRS in goat rations improved their productive performance without marked effects on metabolic indicators health.

Cattle welfare assessment at the slaughterhouse level: Integrated risk profiles based on the animal's origin, pre-slaughter logistics, and iceberg indicators.

Detection of on farm and transport animal welfare problems at slaughterhouse level is a key issue for the meat industry; however, usually, the assessments do not include basic aspects of animal health. For that reason, it is necessary to develop an assessment method that has an integrative scope and identifies the risk profiles in animals. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to detect cattle welfare indicators that can be implemented at the slaughterhouse level and to develop integrated risk profiles based on the animal's origin, pre-slaughter logistics, and animal-based indicators. We recorded the origin, commercial category, transportation details, and horn size of 1040 cattle upon arrival at the slaughterhouse. Cattle welfare was measured based on individual scores for vocalizations, stunning shots, carcass bruises, meat pH, severe hoof injuries, and organ condemnations. To characterize operational and logistic practices from the farm to the slaughterhouse, a two-step cluster analysis was applied to the aforementioned variables (production system, cattle type, horn size, journey distance, vehicle type), which identified four clusters: small feedlot and free-range profile (C1, n = 216, 20.8 %), feedlot profile (C2, n = 193, 18.6 %), culled dairy cows profile (C3, n = 262, 25.2 %), and free-range profile (C4, n = 369, 35.5 %). The animal's diet and environmental conditions might have influenced the development of hoof disorders in C1 animals (P = 0.023), the proportion of animals that were re-shot was highest in C2 animals (P = 0.033), and C3 and C4 animals were most likely to suffer injuries such as severe bruising (P = 0.001). In addition, the number of stunning shots, meat pH, carcass bruises, severe hoof injuries, and liver condemnations, explained a significant variation in the incidence of various health and welfare consequences based on an animal's origin, which confirmed their importance as 'welfare iceberg' indicators. The study provided detailed data that can be included into assessment methods for the welfare of slaughter cattle, which can be tailored to specific production systems.

Influence of spray-dried rumen fluid supplementation on performance, blood metabolites and cytokines in suckling Holstein calves.

Rumen fluid from slaughtered animals is one of the wastes of slaughterhouses released to the environment that, due to its high nitrogen and phosphorus contents, can lead to soil and groundwater pollution. Meanwhile, it contains ruminal microbes and some bioactive compounds such as enzymes, minerals, vitamins and organic acids. This study was designed to examine the potential of rumen fluid as a feed additive. Therefore, the effects of spray-dried rumen fluid (SDR) with 1% maltodextrin on the performance, blood metabolites and some cytokines of sucking dairy calves during the pre-weaning phase were investigated. Forty male Holstein calves, with a mean weight of 39.4 ± 3.7 kg and 7 ± 1 days old, were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 10 calves per group) in a completely randomized design. Experimental treatments were: control diet with no additive (CON); control diet with 0.5 g/day of SDR (SDR0.5); control diet with 1 g/day of SDR (SDR1); and control diet with 1.5 g/day of SDR (SDR1.5). Daily feed intake and average daily gain of calves were not affected by feeding SDR as a feed additive. Cholesterol concentration was significantly affected by the 20th and 40th days of the experiment and decreased linearly by increasing SDR feeding level. Levels of liver enzymes, including aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, in the blood decreased by feeding SDR at day 40 of the experiment. Serum concentration of interleukin-6 at day 20 was not affected by dried rumen fluid feeding, whereas at day 40, a significant effect was observed among experimental treatments. The lowest value was recorded for SDR1.5 v. control calves. At day 20, the serum concentration of interferon-γ was influenced by supplementing SDR, and the highest value was recorded for SDR1.5 calves. The inclusion of SDR with 1% maltodextrin in suckling dairy calves had beneficial effects on the stimulation of calves' immune system.

Influence of barley grain particle size and treatment with citric acid on digestibility, ruminal fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in Holstein calves.

Chemical and physical treatments of barley grain increase ruminally resistant starch and can improve the rumen fermentation pattern. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of chemical (addition of citric acid, CA) and physical (grinding to two different particle sizes, PS) treatment of barley grain on performance, rumen fermentation, microbial protein yield in the rumen and selected blood metabolites in growing calves. In all, 28 male Holstein calves (172±5.1 kg initial BW) were used in a complete randomised design with a factorial arrangement of 2 barley grain particle sizes×2 levels of citric acid. The diets were as follows: (i) small PS (average 1200 µm) barley grain soaked in water (no CA addition); (ii) small PS barley grain soaked in a CA solution (adding 20 g CA/kg barley); (iii) large PS (average 2400 µm) barley grain soaked in water (no citric acid addition) and (iv) large PS barley grain soaked in a citric acid solution (adding 20 g CA/kg barley). Barley grain was then incorporated at 35% in a total mixed ration and fed to the calves for 11 weeks. Feeding small PS barley decreased feed intake (P=0.02) and average daily weight gain (P=0.01). The addition of CA to barley grain did not affect intake but increased weight gain (P0.05). However, the molar proportion of propionate was increased (P=0.03) when barley was more finely ground, and that of acetate was increased (P=0.04) when CA was added to barley grain. The ruminal concentration of ammonia nitrogen was increased (P<0.01) and microbial nitrogen synthesis in the rumen tended to decrease by adding CA to barley. Treating barley grain with citric acid increased fibre digestibility of total mixed rations, attenuated the decrease in ruminal pH, and improved weight gain and feed efficiency in male Holstein growing calves fed a high-cereal diet (550 g cereal grain/kg diet).

Oral administration of Sauce llorón extract to growing lambs to control gastrointestinal nematodes and Moniezia spp.

OBJECTIVE: To explore anthelmintic effects of oral administration of aqueous extract of Sauce llorón (Salix babylonica; SB) against gastrointestinal nematodes and Moniezia spp. METHODS: Sixteen Pelibuey male lambs of 3-4 months of age and (23.7 ± 3.3) kg body weight were used in a completely randomized design to be fed a total mixed ration (Control; SB0), or Control plus SB extract using 20 (SB20), 40 (SB40) and 60 (SB60) mL/lamb(/)day for 45 days. Lambs had a natural gastrointestinal nematodes and Moniezia spp. infection and had never been treated with chemical anthelmintic drugs. Individual faecal samples were collected for ova counting using McMaster procedure after 0, 7, 14, 21, 30 and 45 days post extract administration. RESULTS: No extract dose × day interactions for both gastrointestinal nematodes and Moniezia spp. egg count were found. Administration of SB extract had a higher effect (quadratic effect, P = 0.006 4) at dose of 20 mL SB/lamb/day for gastrointestinal nematode eggs during the first 21 days; however, the dose of SB40 tended (linear effect, P = 0.089 7) to be more effective than the others for Moniezia spp. egg during the first 7 days. Sampling day had a linear (P = 0.043 6) effect on Moniezia spp. egg count. CONCLUSIONS: The aqueous extract of SB could be more effective against nematodes at 20 and at 40 mL/lamb/day for Moniezia spp. The use of the SB extract could represent a promising alternative to synthetic anthelmintics for the treatment of gastrointestinal nematodes and Moniezia spp. in small ruminants from organic and conventional production systems.

Short- to medium-term effects of consumption of quebracho tannins on saliva production and composition in sheep and goats.

Eight Merino sheep (49.4 ± 4.23 kg BW) and 8 Alpine goats (53.2 ± 2.51 kg BW) were used to study the effect of ingestion of quebracho tannins on salivation. Four sheep and 4 goats were individually fed a daily allotment of 20 g DM of alfalfa hay/kg BW (Control). Another 4 sheep and 4 goats were also given 20 g DM of alfalfa hay/kg BW supplemented with 50 g of quebracho/kg DM (Tannin) for a period of 64 d. The saliva secretion from the left parotid gland was collected by insertion of a polyvinyl chloride catheter into the parotid duct and the amount of parotid saliva produced recorded over three 48-h periods on d 1 and 2 (P1), d 31 and 32 (P2), and d 61 and 62 (P3) after the tannin feeding was initiated. The total amount of saliva produced was estimated from rumen water kinetics determined on d 4, d 34, and d 64 of the experiment. Experimental design was completely randomized, with repeated measures on each experimental unit, performing separate analysis for sheep and goats. Parotid saliva production was not affected by the sampling period in either animal species receiving the Control diet. Corresponding values for sheep were 2.04, 2.12, and 2.27 L/d (P = 0.89) and for goats 1.65, 1.79, and 1.86 L/d (P = 0.95). Sheep fed the Tannin diet produced 55, 73, and 107% of the amount of saliva recorded in sheep fed the Control diet on P1, P2, or P3, respectively. Corresponding values in goats were 88, 130, and 134% on P1, P2, or P3, respectively. Estimated total saliva production was not affected (P = 0.50 for sheep and P = 0.97 for goats) by the ingestion of quebracho. There was no difference (P > 0.10) in osmotic pressure, P, Mg, Ca, urea, and protein concentrations in parotid saliva. There were, however, differences in Na and K concentrations in response to the ingestion of quebracho tannins, with Na concentrations increasing (P = 0.05) and K concentrations decreasing (P = 0.04) in sheep saliva and pH increasing (P = 0.05) in goat saliva. In conclusion, the inclusion of quebracho at 50 g/kg DM for 64 d does not appear to alter saliva production in sheep and goats.