Seasonal variations of vitamin A, D and E levels in serum of female camels (Camelus dromedarius) and their calves raised in five geographic regions of Saudi Arabia.

The aim of this study was to investigate the serum level of fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E in clinically healthy lactating female camel (Camelus dromedarius) and suckling calf > one-year-old during winter and summer seasons in five main regions of Saudi Arabia. 60 sera samples were collected and tested for vitamins A, D and E levels and the results were statistically analyzed. The statistical mean value of vitamin A was within the reported range but for D and E, there were minor variations. The effect of season was insignificant (p > 0.05) for vitamins A and E in the combined results of the dam and newborn together. This seasonal effect was highly significant in dam serum (p < 0.05). Region effect was significant for vitamin A in the northern area (p < 0.05) and for vitamin E in the southern region (p < 0.05). Correlations analysis revealed significant results in the season vs vitamin A and E p < 0.05. Mean values of vitamins A, D and E in dam and newborn did not observe significant variations however, in the season and regions there were significant variations which can be attributed to the climate difference, availability of balanced rations and camel management in each location of the five main regions of Saudi Arabia. There is a great need for further studies and the consequent development of supplementation programs and camel feed manufacturers awareness of such results is highly recommended.

Effects of different levels of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) supplementation on productive performance, nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites, and meat quality of growing Najdi lambs.

In a 90-day study, 32 growing lambs aged 3 months were utilized to evaluate the effects of various levels of spirulina dietary supplement on productive performance, nutritional digestibility, and meat quality in growing Najdi lambs. The lambs were put into 4 groups of 8 lambs each at random. The diet consisted of a total mixed ration (TMR) without spirulina (CONT), and the TMR diet supplemented with spirulina at the levels of 2 ppm (SPP2), 4 ppm (SPP4), and 8 ppm (SPP8). The treatment groups, especially SPP8, showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in body weight and average daily gain (p < 0.05) compared to the CONT group. Dry matter intake and acid detergent fiber were also significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher in SPP8 compared to other treated groups and CONT. The N absorption, N retention, and percentage of N digestibility coefficient were greater (P < 0.05) in lambs in the treatment groups than in the CONT. Blood biochemistry variables were not significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected by the treatments, with the exception of the serum concentration of triglyceride and bilirubin. Carcass profile and meat quality, including back fat, body wall fat, and cooking loss, were increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with dietary spirulina. From the results of the present study, it was concluded that spirulina dietary supplementation at the level of 8 ppm increased weight gain, nutritional digestibility, nitrogen utilization, and meat composition in growing Najdi lambs.

Effect of dietary supplementation of wildCumin (Bunium persicum) seeds on performance, nutrient digestibility and circulating metabolites in broiler chicks during the finisher phase.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of inclusion of wild cumin seeds (WCS) on performance, nutrient digestibility and blood profile in broilers during the finisher phase. For this purpose, 360, 14 days old chicks were randomly divided into four groups designated as CONT (control), 0.5WCS, 1.0WCS and 1.5WCS with 5 replicates, which were supplemented with WCS at the rate of 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5% respectively. On the overall, feed intake was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the CONT compared to the 1.0WCS. At the end of the finisher phase, and overall basis, body weight and feed conversion ratio were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in 0.5WCS. Crude protein apparent digestibility in the ileum was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in 0.5WCS compared to the CONT, while crude fat digestibility was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in 0.5WCS and 1.5WCS compared to the control. Similarly, serum triglyceride was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in 0.5WC but high density lipoprotein was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the same group. It was concluded that wild Cumin at the rate of 0.5% was superior compared to the other treatments in the diet to improve the performance, nutrient digestibility and blood metabolites in broiler during the finisher phase.

Effect of zeolite supplementation on the dynamics of some trace elements and pigmentation of rumen in growing lambs.

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding complete feed as total mixed ration (TMR) with two levels of zeolite on copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) status and rumen color of growing Naemi lambs. Twenty-four growing lambs (25 ± 2.1 kg body weight) were individually kept in separate pens with ad libitum feed and water. The lambs were randomly distributed to three treatments as follow: control, TMR diet only; T1, TMR with 1% zeolite daily; T2, TMR with 2% zeolite daily. The trial was lasted for 56 days. Four lambs from each treatment were slaughtered and tissue (liver, kidney, meat, and rumen tissues) and rumen fluid samples were collected. A significantly (P < 0.05) high concentration of Fe was found in T2 in blood and rumen fluid samples of lambs supplemented with zeolite. In the meat tissue, significantly (P < 0.05) high concentration of Zn was found in the treatment groups compared with the control, while Cu concentration decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in T1. In addition, rumen dark color was reduced in the zeolite-supplemented groups. We concluded that supplementation of zeolite at the rate of 1 or 2% did not appear to have any adverse effects on the blood profile of trace elements. Moreover, under these two levels of zeolite, discoloration of the rumen was significantly reduced in response to the supplementation of zeolite.

Effects of prepartum sustained-release trace elements ruminal bolus on performance, colustrum composition and blood metabolites in Najdi ewes.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the supplementation of slow release bolus of selenium (Se), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), phosphorous (P), manganese (Mn), and iodine (I) at late gestation (60 day prepartum) on performance of Najdi ewes and their newborn. Twenty Najdi ewes at late gestation were randomly selected from a herd raised under an intensive system and equally divided into two groups (control and treated). Blood samples were collected from ewes and newborns at parturition. Body weights of newborns were taken at birth, 30 and 60 days. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in Cu and Co in blood of dams treated with boluses with an increase (P < 0.05) in blood P, Zn, Cu, Co, and Se of their newborn lambs were observed. Creatinine and triglyceride were significantly (P < 0.05) low in treated newborn while urea was significantly (P < 0.05) high in the same group. In dams, significantly (P < 0.05) low concentration of triglyceride was observed. Body weight of lambs from treated group at 30 days was significantly (P < 0.05) higher when compared with the control. In conclusion, bolus of trace minerals at late gestation improved some mineral status of ewes and the newborns with higher body weight.

Characteristics of rumen in Naemi lamb: Morphological changes in response to altered feeding regimen.

This study sought to chart the ontogenesis of rumen in Naemi lambs through histomorphometeric evaluation subjected to alfalfa hay in total mixed rations (TMR). A total of 40 growing healthy Naemi male lambs (28.85±1.09kg), at weaning (90±3days) was randomly distributed into four groups. One group was fed on TMR (control) only, while others were supplemented with restricted amount of alfalfa hay at the rate of 100g per day (T1), 200g once per two days (T2) and 300g once per three days (T3) in addition to ad libitum TMR. The results indicated that body weight and dry matter intake increased significantly in treated groups. Significantly higher (P<0.05) pH was recorded in all the treated groups after 8h of feeding. Similarly, the brightness (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness ((b*) of rumen was significantly higher (P<0.05) in treated groups. The papillary length, width and surface area of rumen were significantly (P<0.05) high in alfalfa supplemented groups. Iron (Fe) concentration in rumen tissue decreased significantly (P<0.05) in treated groups. We concluded that a dietary plan based on ad libitum TMR with the addition of alfalfa at the rate of aforementioned protocol not only enhanced feed intake and growth rate of the growing Naemi lambs but also improved the structural characteristics of the rumen.

Effects of a long-acting trace mineral rumen bolus supplement on growth performance, metabolic profiles, and trace mineral status of growing camels.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a long-acting trace mineral rumen bolus (TMB) supplement on the productive performance, metabolic profiles, and trace mineral status of growing camels under natural grazing conditions. Fifteen 6-month-old growing male camels (average bodyweight 139.51 ± 26.49 kg) were used in a 150-day trial. Animals were individually housed in a shaded pen and randomly assigned to receive zero (control group, CON), one (TMB1), or two (TMB2) long-acting TMBs. Feed intake was measured weekly, and camels were weighed monthly. Blood samples were collected from all camels on days 1, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 to obtain metabolic profiles. Zinc, selenium, copper, cobalt, and manganese concentrations were determined in the diet, serum, and liver. In comparison with controls, giving camels one TMB increased the average daily gain (14.38%; P < 0.04) and feed efficiency (13.68%; P < 0.01). Additionally, the serum and liver concentrations of zinc, copper, selenium, cobalt, and manganese were greater (P < 0.01) in camels in the TMB2 group. These data indicate that TMB supplementation has positive effects on the growth performance and trace mineral profiles of camels. Different levels, sources, and synergistic combinations of trace minerals can be used in further studies to elucidate their abilities to increase productive variables as well as their availability and cost to the camel industry.