Growth performance, nutrient utilization, rumen fermentation, blood biochemistry, and carcass traits of lambs fed Atriplex nummularia L. hay-based diet supplemented with yeast or bacterial direct- fed microbial.

Direct fed microbial may enhance the utilization of halophyte forages leading to improved animal growth and productivity. This study was conducted to evaluate Atriplex hay-based diet supplemented with yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae; SC) or bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus casei; BAC) on lamb growth performance, digestibility, rumen fermentation, and carcass characteristics. Fifteen Barki lambs (90 ± 7 days of age and 18.6 ± 0.41 kg SE body weight; BW) were randomly assigned to three treatments for 120 days as follows: Control (basal diet without supplementation), SC and BAC diets, the basal diet supplemented with SC or BAC at 2 g/head/day, respectively. All lambs had similar dry matter (DM) intake, while lambs fed SC or BAC dies had higher (P < 0.05) total gain and average daily gain than those fed the control diet. Supplementation of SC or BC increased (P < 0.05) the digestibility of DM, organic matter, and acid detergent fiber, tended to decrease (P < 0.05) the urine N excretion and enhanced the N balance compared to the control. Ruminal pH, acetate, total volatile fatty acids concentrations, and bacterial protein were increased (P < 0.05), while creatinine and urea concentrations were decreased (P < 0.05) by both additives. Compared to other diets, the BAC diet reduced (P < 0.05) triglycerides, total lipids, kidney fat, and eye muscle fat. In conclusion, both additives resulted in similar positive growth performance and feed utilization, while only the BAC additive had a beneficial advantage in reducing the fat content of the carcass.

Potential of montmorillonite modified by an organosulfur surfactant for reducing aflatoxin B1 toxicity and ruminal methanogenesis in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Montmorillonite clay modified by organosulfur surfactants possesses high cation exchange capacity (CEC) and adsorption capacity than their unmodified form (UM), therefore they may elevate the adverse impact of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on ruminal fermentation and methanogenesis. Chemical and mechanical modifications were used to innovate the organically modified nano montmorillonite (MNM). The UM was modified using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and grounded to obtain the nanoscale particle size form. The dose-response effects of the MNM supplementation to a basal diet contaminated or not with AFB1 (20 ppb) were evaluated in vitro using the gas production (GP) system. The following treatments were tested: control (basal diet without supplementations), UM diet [UM supplemented at 5000 mg /kg dry matter (DM)], and MNM diets at low (500 mg/ kg DM) and high doses (1000 mg/ kg DM). RESULTS: Results of the Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy analysis showed shifts of bands of the OH-group occurred from lower frequencies to higher frequencies in MNM, also an extra band at the lower frequency range only appeared in MNM compared to UM. Increasing the dose of the MNM resulted in linear and quadratic decreasing effects (P < 0.05) on GP and pH values. Diets supplemented with the low dose of MNM either with or without AFB1 supplementation resulted in lower (P = 0.015) methane (CH4) production, ruminal pH (P = 0.002), and ammonia concentration (P = 0.002) compared to the control with AFB1. Neither the treatments nor the AFB1 addition affected the organic matter or natural detergent fiber degradability. Contamination of AFB1 reduced (P = 0.032) CH4 production, while increased (P < 0.05) the ruminal pH and ammonia concentrations. Quadratic increases (P = 0.012) in total short-chain fatty acids and propionate by MNM supplementations were observed. CONCLUSION: These results highlighted the positive effects of MNM on reducing the adverse effects of AFB1 contaminated diets with a recommended dose of 500 mg/ kg DM under the conditions of this study.

Effect of replacing corn grains with date palm kernels on ruminal fermentation, feed degradability, and methane production under different initial in vitro pH conditions.

Date kernels (DK) are cheap by-products rich in energy and phenolic compounds. It can be used as an alternative to the conventional sources of energy in ruminant diets while reducing methane (CH4) production. Using a semi-automated gas production (GP) system, the initial pH of buffered rumen liquor was adjusted to 5.5 and 6.8. Five experimental diets were evaluated, control (0% DK), and DK25, DK50, DK75, and DK100 presented 25, 50, 75, and 100% replacement of maize by DK, respectively. Of the 16 phenolic compounds detected in DK, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic and catechin were the most abundant. At pH 6.8, the control diet recorded higher (p < 0.05) GP values throughout the first 12 h incubation than all other DK diets, while at 5.5 pH, DK50 displayed the highest (p < 0.05) GP at 3 and 6 h compared to all other diets. At either pH conditions, all DK diets reduced (p < 0.05) CH4 compared to the control without affecting protozoal counts. At 5.5 pH, DK diets showed enhanced (p < 0.05) nutrients degradability compared to control. DK modified (P < 0.05) the fermentation patterns toward more propionate than the control under either pH conditions. Substitution of maize by 50% DK was highly recommended in ruminant diets.

Impact of specific essential oils blend on milk production, serum biochemical parameters and kid performance of goats.

Effects of cinnamon, thyme, and peppermint essential oils blend (EOB) on milk production, serum constituents, and energy balance of early lactating does and performance of their kids were investigated. Twenty-seven late pregnant Damascus goats were grouped into two treatments: EOB (n = 14) received orally 1.5 ml EOB/d and control (n = 13) received orally 1.5 ml water/d. The trail started 15 days before the expected kidding date and lasted for 30 days postpartum while sample collection continued until the eighth week of lactation. Milk yield and composition, maternal metabolic profile, immunoglobulin (IgG), and weights of kids were monitored throughout 8 consecutive weeks postpartum. Energy corrected milk (ECM), milk energy value (MEV), net energy for lactation (NEL), and energy balance were estimated. Does treated with EOB had higher (p < 0.05) milk yield, ECM, and NEL than control. Treated does had higher (p = 0.02) energy balance than control does. The EOB increased (p < 0.05) concentrations of serum albumin, cholesterol, triglycerides, and IgG. Treatment with EOB improved (p < 0.05) weaning weight and total weight gain of single kids. Administration of EOB for 45 days during the transition period could improve milk production, metabolic status and energy balance of goats and performance of kids.

Agronomic and qualitative characterization of multi-cut berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) cultivars.

BACKGROUND: Berseem clover is the main forage crop grown in Mediterranean regions. There are plenty of cultivars that possess variability in their productivity and quality among the different cuts. Therefore, accurate agronomic and qualitative characterization is crucial for selecting the most promising cultivars for breeding and feeding purposes. In the present study, the agronomic characteristics, ruminal degradability and fermentation measures of five cuts of the five most prominent Egyptian beseem clover cultivars (Helaly, Serw, Giza6, Gemmeza1 and Sakha4) were evaluated. RESULTS: The Giza6 cultivar produced a significantly higher fresh yield and high whole plant dry matter content on the 3rd cut. Giza6 was among the superior cultivars in crude protein content and had the highest values of gas production at the 3rd cut, and ruminal degraded acid detergent fiber and propionate concentrations at the 2nd cut, at the same time as presenting the lowest ammonia concentrations at the 3rd and 5th cuts. Overall, the 3rd cut produced significantly higher fresh yield across all cultivars, except for Sakha4. The 3rd cut also produced a higher leaf to stem ratio compared to the 4th and 5th cuts. The 1st three cuts had higher degraded neutral detergent fiber than the 4th and 5th cuts. The 1st cut was characterized by low propionate concentration in the Helaly and Gemmeza1 cultivars compared to the other cuts. CONCLUSION: Expanded production of the high-yielding, high-quality cultivar Giza6 is recommended. When harvesting, three cuts is optimal for berseem clover cultivation for breeding and feeding programs. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Impact of Brazilian red propolis extract on blood metabolites, milk production, and lamb performance of Santa Inês ewes.

Twenty Santa Inês ewes used to evaluate effects of oral administration of Brazilian red propolis extract on blood metabolites, milk production, and lamb performance were randomly grouped (n = 10 ewes/group) to control without propolis administration and propolis treated (3 g red propolis extract/ewe/day) 21 days before expected lambing date. Blood samples were collected weekly, and daily milk yield was recorded twice weekly until 7 weeks postpartum. Propolis administration increased (P < 0.05) total leukocyte counts, protein, and globulin and glucose concentrations, decreased (P < 0.05) somatic cell counts, and enhanced (P < 0.05) yields of milk, fat, protein, and lactose. Propolis supplementation increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain and milk conversion ratio but had no effect on lamb birth and weaning weights. The prepartum administration of propolis extract supported positively the transition of ewes from pregnancy to lactation with health benefits achieved for both of ewes and lambs performances.

Lactation Performance and Rumen Fermentation in Dairy Cows Fed a Diet Supplemented with Monensin or Gum Arabic-Nano Montmorillonite Compost.

The exploration of natural alternatives to antibiotics for enhancing productivity and performance in dairy cows is a crucial objective in farm animal management. This is the first study aimed at developing and evaluating the physicochemical properties and effects of Arabic gum-nano montmorillonite (AGNM) compost compared to ionophore monensin as feed additives on rumen fermentation, blood metabolites, and milk production of Holstein dairy cows. In a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design, four multiparous mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows with an average body weight of 520 ± 15 kg were enrolled. The dietary treatments included a control diet (basal diet without feed additives), monensin diet [a basal diet supplemented with 35 mg/kg dry matter (DM) monensin], and AGNM diets comprising basal diet supplemented with two levels: low (L-AGNM) at 1.5 g/kg DM, and high (H-AGNM) at 3 g/kg DM. AGNM as a feed additive demonstrated promising physiochemical parameters, including containing highly bioactive components (α-amyrin and lupeol), functional groups (OH and Si-O), and essential mineral contents (Mg2+). Supplementations with H-AGNM significantly improved ruminal (p = 0.031) concentrations of total volatile fatty acids (VFAs), acetic (p = 0.05) and butyric (p = 0.05), enhanced (p < 0.05) digestibility of fiber and organic matter, while decreased (p = 0.013) estimated methane production. However, an increase (p = 0.04) in blood high-density lipoprotein levels and decrease (p < 0.05) in concentrations of creatinine (CREA), bilirubin (BILT), cholesterol (CHOL), and sodium (Na) were observed with H-AGNM supplementation. Both monensin and H-AGNM improved (p = 0.008) feed efficiency compared to L-AGNM; however, neither AGNM nor monensin affected the milk composition or energy status indicators of the dairy cows. The findings of this study highlight the potential of AGNM as a natural candidate to replace monensin in enhancing ruminal VFA production, nutrient digestibility, feed efficiency, blood metabolites, and milk yield in dairy cows.

Effect of Brazilian red propolis administration on hematological, biochemical variables and parasitic response of Santa Inês ewes during and after flushing period.

Brazilian red propolis was administered orally to Santa Inês ewes, and evaluation was made of general health and hematological, biochemical, and parasitic responses during and after flushing. Thirty mature, nonlactating, nonpregnant Santa Inês ewes (40 ± 2 kg and 2.5 years old) were grazing tropical pasture (Brachiaria decumbens and Pennisetum purpureum) and, as flushing after synchronization, were supplemented with a concentrate-roughage mixture at a rate of 4 % body weight (BW). Ewes were divided according to BW and fecal egg count (FEC) into two groups (n = 15 each): control and propolis that received propolis ethanolic extract at rates of, respectively, 0 and 3 g/ewe/day. The treatments lasted 21 days until the end of flushing period. BW and body condition score (BCS) were recorded, and blood and fecal samples were taken weekly for 8 weeks. Mean values of BW and BCS were not (P > 0.05) affected by propolis administration. Propolis increased (P < 0.01) total leukocytes (WBC), but no significant differences were observed for other hematological parameters. Propolis increased (P < 0.01) total protein and globulin concentrations and decreased (P < 0.01) triglycerides, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, and glutamate pyruvate transaminase. Propolis decreased (P < 0.05) FEC. Propolis administration had good impact on ewe health and may be a promising feed additive during critical periods such as flushing.

Extracts of Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) and Peach (Prunus pérsica) Kernels as Feed Additives: Nutrient Digestibility, Growth Performance, and Immunological Status of Growing Rabbits.

This study assessed the effects of the kernel extracts of apricot (AKE; Prunus armeniaca) and peach (PKE; Prunus pérsica), and their mixture (Mix) on growth efficiency, feed utilization, cecum activity, and health status, of growing rabbits. Weaned male New Zealand White rabbits at six weeks old [n = 84, 736 ± 24 SE g body weight (BW)] were randomly allotted to four dietary groups. The first group received no feed additives (control), the second and third groups received 0.3 mL/kg BW of AKE and PKE, respectively, and the fourth group received a mixture of AKE and PKE (1:1) at 0.3 mL/kg BW (Mix). Results indicated that 2(3h)-Furanone, 5-Heptyldihydro was found in abundance in both extracts, while 1,1-Dimethyl-2 Phenylethy L Butyrate and 1,3-Dioxolane, and 4-Methyl-2-Phenyl- were the most components detected in AKE and Cyclohexanol and 10-Methylundecan-4-olide were found in abundance in PKE. All the experimental extracts enhanced (p < 0.05) the growth performance, cecal fermentation parameters, and cecal L. acidiophilus and L. cellobiosus count, while PKE and the mixture treatments presented the highest (p = 0.001) total weight gain and average weight gain without affecting the feed intake. Rabbits that received the mix treatment had the highest (p < 0.05) nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retained, and the lowest (p = 0.001) cecal ammonia concentration. All the experimental extracts enhanced (p < 0.05) the blood antioxidant indicators (including total antioxidant capacity, catalase, and superoxide dismutase concentrations), and immune response of growing rabbits. In general, fruit kernel extracts are rich sources of bioactive substances that can be used as promising feed additives to promote the growth and health status of weaned rabbits.

Alginate Nanoencapsulated Synbiotic Composite of Pomegranate Peel Phytogenics and Multi-Probiotic Species as a Potential Feed Additive: Physicochemical, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities.

A synbiotic composed of alginate nanoencapsulated prebiotic (pomegranate peel phytogenics) and multi-species probiotics (Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has been developed as a potential eco-friendly alternative to antibiotics. The physicochemical properties of the encapsulated synbiotic were evaluated, and its gastric and storage tolerance, as well as its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, were tested and compared to that of the non-encapsulated synbiotic (free synbiotic). The results showed that the prebiotic pomegranate peel ethanolic extract contained seven phenolic compounds, with cinnamic being the most abundant (13.26 µL/mL). Sodium alginate-CaCl2 nanocapsules were effective in encapsulating 84.06 ± 1.5% of the prebiotic's phenolic compounds and 98.85 ± 0.57% of the probiotics. The particle size of the alginate-CaCl2 nanoencapsulated synbiotic was 544.5 nm, and the polydispersity index and zeta potential values were 0.593 and -12.3 mV, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the alginate-CaCl2 nanoencapsulated synbiotic had high thermal stability at high temperatures, with only 2.31% of its weight being lost within the temperature range of 70-100 °C. The count of viable probiotics in the nanoencapsulated synbiotic was significantly higher than that in the free synbiotic after exposure to gastric acidity and storage for six months at room temperature. The percent inhibition values of the nanoencapsulated synbiotic and ascorbic acid (as a standard antioxidant) were comparable and significantly greater than those of the free synbiotic. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of the nanoencapsulated synbiotic and ascorbic acid were significantly lower than those of the free synbiotic (3.96 ± 0.42 µg/mL and 4.08 ± 0.79 µg/mL for nanoencapsulated synbiotic and ascorbic acid, respectively, vs. 65.75 ± 2.14 µg/mL for free synbiotic). The nanoencapsulated synbiotic showed the highest significant antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739). Both the nanoencapsulated and free synbiotics showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), similar to that of gentamicin, although the nanoencapsulated synbiotic showed significantly higher inhibition activity compared to the free synbiotic. The nanoencapsulated synbiotic showed antimicrobial activity comparable to gentamicin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 90274), whereas the free synbiotic showed the least antimicrobial activity (p < 0.05). Both synbiotics showed significantly higher antimicrobial activity against Salmonella typhi (ATCC 6539) than gentamicin. Both synbiotics showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus, with a stronger effect observed for the nanoencapsulated synbiotic. However, the activity of both synbiotics was significantly lower than that of fluconazole (an antifungal drug).

Contribution of condensed tannins and mimosine to the methane mitigation caused by feeding Leucaena leucocephala.

Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala), a leguminous shrub promising to cope with feed scarcity in the tropics, may help in mitigating ruminal methane (CH4) emission in the tropics as well. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of Leucaena and major secondary compounds of this plant in ruminants. At first, effects of Leucaena tannins and mimosine on ruminal CH4 and nutrient degradability were tested in vitro. Incubations were made with Leucaena without or with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to exclude the tannins effects, as well as with Bermuda grass (Tifton) and lucerne hays, both either untreated or supplemented with mimosine at the same concentration that has been provided by the tested Leucaena (6.52 mg/g DM). Furthermore, in an in vivo experiment a control diet (per kg DM 700 g Tifton hay) and Leucaena diets (per kg DM 350 g Tifton hay and 350 g Leucaena), either with or without 20 g PEG/d per head, were evaluated in six Santa Inês sheep following a double Latin square design. In vitro, Leucaena resulted in the lowest (p < 0.05) gas and CH4 production and the highest (p < 0.05) partitioning factor, a measure for microbial efficiency, whereas the amount of truly degraded organic matter (TDOM) was lowest (p < 0.05) with Tifton among the experimental forage plants. Mimosine addition to lucerne and Tifton as well as PEG addition to Leucaena had no effect on ruminal CH4 and TDOM. In vivo Leucaena, compared to the Tifton diet, enhanced (p < 0.05) intake, faecal nitrogen excretion, body nitrogen retention and the excretion of urinary purine derivatives as an indicator for microbial protein synthesis and availability. This was independent of PEG addition. Leucaena also decreased (p < 0.001) CH4 emission per unit of digested organic matter by 14.1% and 10.8%, without and with PEG, respectively. No significant diet differences were observed in total-tract nutrient digestibility. The study demonstrated efficiency of Leucaena to mitigate in vivo methane emission of sheep, but did not reveal which constituent of Leucaena was primarily responsible for that since no clear efficiency of either tannins or mimosine could be demonstrated.