Effect of supplementing lysins and methionine to low-protein diets on growth performance, hepatic antioxidant capacity, immune status, and glycolytic activity of tibetan sheep.

Reducing the levels of dietary protein is an effective nutritional approach in lowering feed cost and nitrogen emissions in ruminants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary Lys/Met ratio in a low protein diet (10%, dry matter basis) on the growth performance and hepatic function (antioxidant capacity, immune status, and glycolytic activity) in Tibetan lambs. Ninety two-month-old rams with an average weight of 15.37 ± 0.92 kg were randomly assigned to LP-L (dietary Lys/Met = 1:1), LP-M (dietary Lys/Met = 2:1) and LP-H (dietary Lys/Met = 3:1) treatments. The trial was conducted over 100 d, including 10 d of adaption to the diets. Hepatic phenotypes, antioxidant capacity, immune status, glycolytic activity and gene expression profiling was detected after the conclusion of the feeding trials. The results showed that the body weight was higher in the LP-L group when compared to those on the LP-M group (P < 0.05). In addition, the activities of the catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the LP-L group were significantly increased compared with the LP-M group (P < 0.05), while the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in LP-H group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with LP-H group, both hepatic glycogen (P < 0.01) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (P < 0.05) were significantly elevated in LP-L group. For the LP-L group, the hepatocytes were arranged radially with the central vein in the center, and hepatic plates exhibited tight arrangement. Transcriptome analysis identified 29, 179, and 129 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the LP-M vs. LP-L, LP-H vs. LP-M, and LP-H vs. LP-L groups, respectively (Q-values < 0.05 and |log2Fold Change| > 1). Gene Ontology (GO) and correlation analyses showed that in the LP-L group, core genes (C1QA and JUNB) enriched in oxidoreductase activity were positively correlated with antioxidant indicators, while the MYO9A core gene enriched in the immune response was positively associated with immune indicators, and core genes enriched in molecular function (PDK3 and PDP2) were positively correlated with glycolysis indicators. In summary, low-protein diet with a low Lys/Met ratio (1:1) could reduce the hepatic oxidative stress and improve the glycolytic activity by regulating the expression of related genes of Tibetan sheep.

Characterization of dry-cured ham microbiota at 12 months of seasoning obtained from different rearing strategies using 16S rRNA profiling.

In this study, we investigated the microbiota of 72 Italian ham samples collected after 12 months of seasoning. The hams were elaborated from pigs fed different rearing methods, including the traditional restricted medium protein diet chosen as control (C group); restrictive low protein diet (LP group); two ad libitum high-protein diet groups (HP9M group: slaughter at 9 months of age; HP170 group: slaughter at 170 kg). A multi-amplicon 16S metabarcoding approach was used, and a total of 2845 Amplicon Sequence Variants were obtained from the 72 ham samples. Main phyla included: Firmicutes (90.8%), Actinobacteria (6.2%), Proteobacteria (2.7%), and Bacteroidota (0.12%). The most common genera were Staphylococcus, Tetragenococcus, and Brevibacterium. Shannon index for α-diversity was found statistically significant, notably for the HP9M group, indicating higher diversity compared to C. PERMANOVA test on ß-diversity showed significant differences in rearing methods between HP170 and C, HP170 and LP, and HP9M vs. C. All three rearing methods revealed associations with characteristic communities: the HP9M group had the highest number of associations, many of which were due to spoilage bacteria, whereas the LP group had the highest number of seasoning-favourable genera.

Nutritional synergy: optimizing growth in Siruvidai chicken via diverse dietary energy and protein strategies and gene expression analysis - brooder phase.

Nutrient supply regulates overall body growth directly or indirectly through its influence on regulatory factors optimizing nutrient requirements becomes crucial before embarking on genetic improvements. Hence this study addresses this gap by evaluating the effect of feeding varying energy and crude protein levels on growth performance and gene expression related to the growth of indigenous Siruvidai chicken from 0 to 12 weeks. A 360-day-old straight-run Siruvidai chick were randomly distributed into six experimental groups with three replicates of each 20 chicks. The birds were fed corn-soy-based diets formulated with two levels of energy (2500 and 2700 kcal ME/kg) each with three levels of crude protein (16, 18, and 20%) during the brooder stage (0-12 weeks) in 2 × 3 factorial design. Results revealed that there was no significant effect on the energy and protein interaction levels on average feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio in Siruvidai chicken at 12 weeks. The results showed significantly (P < 0.05) lower feed intake in 18% protein fed groups and significantly (P < 0.01) lower feed intake in higher energy 2700 kcal ME/kg fed groups. A better feed conversion ratio (4.06 and 4.21) was observed on the effect of protein levels in bird diets with 18% and 20% protein fed groups. The Growth Hormone (GH) and Myostatin (MSTN) gene expression were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in 16% CP and 2500 kcal ME/kg in hepatic tissue. The high protein and low energy diet up-regulated the Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) gene expression in hepatic tissue. The study concluded that Siruvidai chicken fed with 18% crude protein and 2500 kcal ME/kg is optimum for 0-12 weeks of age.

Growth and physiological response of proactive and reactive juvenile "tambaqui" (Colossoma macropomum) in a recirculating aquaculture system.

This study evaluated the growth and physiological response of proactive and reactive Colossoma macropomum juveniles in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). In Phase 1 of the experiment (50 days of cultivation), juveniles, weighing 2.16 ± 0.52 g, were stocked in 12 28-L tanks to test the following treatments: proactive (PT), reactive (RT) and mixed (MT) composed of reactive (MRT) and proactive (MPT) animals. In Phase 2 of the experiment (40 days of cultivation), the animals were transferred to 175-L tanks with the same treatments as Phase 1. The animals were fed twice a day with commercial diet during both phases. After Phase 1, MPT animals showed higher growth than MRT animals (P < 0.05), and higher weight gain and daily weight than PT animals (P < 0.05). After Phase 2, PT animals showed higher weight gain and daily weight gain than RT and MT animals (P < 0.05), as did MPT animals compared to PT animals. Performance for RT animals was superior (P < 0.05) to that of MRT animals. Glucose (P < 0.04) and cholesterol (P < 0.01) were higher for RT animals compared to PT animals. Cholesterol was higher for MPT animals compared to MRT animals (P < 0.01), while plasma protein was lower (P < 0.001). Glucose (P < 0.001) and cholesterol (P < 0.01) were higher for MPT animals compared to PT animals and for MRT animals compared to RT animals (glucose P < 0.02, cholesterol P < 0.01). After 90 days of cultivation, proactive animals cultivated separately presented better performance. When cultivated together, reactive animals experienced a decrease in performance and both stress coping styles showed more signs of stress.

An innovative protocol to increase egg production of chicken layers.

This study investigated the effects of different doses of limestone, light durations, light intensities, and vitamins on both the productive performance and egg quality. The study utilized two rearing houses (control and treatment), each accommodating 75000 Lohmann Brown Classic chicks reared in open-sided rearing cages from one day old until they reached 89 weeks of age. Throughout the laying period, the hens were subjected to a specific light regimen (light = 14 h; dark = 10 h a day). At the end of experiment, the treatment group displayed significant (p<0.05) differences compared to the control group across various parameters. Notably, the treatment group exhibited lower daily feed intake (treatment: 112 g/bird vs control: 115 g/bird), 9.6% higher egg production (treatment: 78.5% vs control: 68.9%), lower body weight (treatment: 2057 g vs control: 2073 g), lower feed conversion ratio (FCR)/egg (treatment: 1.44 vs control: 1.69), higher egg weight (treatment: 69.4 g vs control: 68.5 g), greater egg mass (treatment: 56.14 vs control: 48.76), greater shell thickness (treatment: 3.52 mm vs control: 3.44 mm), and greater shell weight (treatment: 9.3 g vs control: 8.79 g). However, the albumin weight, yolk weight, yolk diameter, shape index, and Haugh units (HU) were not significantly (p˃0.05) affected after 75 weeks of treatment when compared with those of the control group. Therefore, this study is the first of its kind to demonstrate that different ratios of limestone, different durations and intensities of light, and different vitamin supplementation doses in the treatment group (subjected to the novel rearing recommendations described in this study) may yield a profit of 180,541 USD, exceeding the baseline profit of the control group (subjected to conventional rearing methods).

Microencapsulation of lemongrass and mangosteen peel as phytogenic compounds to gas kinetics, fermentation, degradability, methane production, and microbial population using in vitro gas technique.

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the impact of various doses of microencapsulated lemongrass and mangosteen peel (MELM) on gas dynamics, rumen fermentation, degradability, methane production, and microbial population in in vitro gas experiments. With five levels of microencapsulated-phytonutrient supplementation at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4% of substrate, 0.5 g of roughage, and a concentrate ratio of 60:40, the trial was set up as a completely randomized design. Under investigation, the amount of final asymptotic gas volume was corresponding responded to completely digested substrate (b) increased cubically as a result of the addition of MELM (P < 0.01) and a cubic rise in cumulative gas output. The amount of MELM form did not change the pH and NH3-N concentration of the rumen after 12 and 24 h of incubation. However, methane production during 24 h of incubation, the levels were cubically decreased with further doses of MELM (P < 0.01) at 12 h of incubation. Increasing the dosage of MELM supplementation at 2% DM resulted in a significant increase in the digestibility of in vitro neutral detergent fiber (IVNDF) and in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) at various incubation times (P < 0.05), but decreased above 3% DM supplementations. Moreover, the concentration of propionic acid (C3) exhibited the variations across the different levels of MELM (P < 0.05), with the maximum concentration obtained at 2% DM. The populations of Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, and Megasphaera elsdenii revealed a significant increase (P < 0.05), while the quantity of Methanobacteriales decreased linearly with increasing doses of MELM. In conclusion, the inclusion of MELM at a concentration of 2% DM in the substrate which could enhance cumulative gas production, NDF and true digestibility, C3 production, and microbial population, while reducing methane concentration and Methanobacterial abundance.

Analysis of rotational grazing management for sheep in mixed grassland.

Sown mixed grassland is rarely used for livestock raising and grazing; however, different forages can provide various nutrients for livestock, which may be beneficial to animal health and welfare. We established a sown mixed grassland and adopted a rotational grazing system, monitored the changes in aboveground biomass and sheep weights during the summer grazing period, measured the nutrients of forage by near-infrared spectroscopy, tested the contents of medium- and long-chain fatty acids by gas chromatography, and explored an efficient sheep fattening system that is suitable for agro-pastoral interlacing areas. The results showed that the maximum forage supply in a single grazing paddock was 4.6 kg DM/d, the highest dry matter intake (DMI) was 1.80 kg DM/ewe/d, the average daily weight gain (ADG) was 193.3 g, the DMI and ADG were significantly correlated (P < 0.05), and the average feed weight gain ratio (F/G) reached 8.02. The average crude protein and metabolizable energy intake by sheep were 286 g/ewe/d and 18.5 MJ/ewe/d respectively, and the n-6/n-3 ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids in mutton was 2.84. The results indicated that the sheep fattening system had high feed conversion efficiency, could improve the yield and quality of sheep, and could be promoted in suitable regions.

Performance and incidence of diarrhea in suckling Jersey calves supplemented with mineral-vitamin complex and Virginiamycin.

The rearing of calves is an essential activity of a dairy system, as it impacts the future production of these animals. This study aims to evaluate the incidence of diarrhea, performance, and blood parameters of suckling calves that received mineral-vitamin supplementation in milk plus virginiamycin that was offered in milk (via the abomasum) or by esophageal tube (via the rumen). Twenty-seven calves were used, from the first week to 60 days of age, submitted to the following treatments: CONTROL, without supplementation; MILK, supplementation of 20 g of a mineral-vitamin complex with 100 mg of virginiamycin, diluted in milk; RUMEN, supplementation of 20 g of a mineral-vitamin complex diluted in milk and 100 mg of virginiamycin in gelatin capsules via an esophageal applicator. MILK and RUMEN calves had lower fecal consistency scoring, fewer days with scores 2 and 3 throughout the experimental period, and lower spending on medication compared to the CONTROL animals. Supplemented calves had higher fat and protein intake and reached feed intake of 600 g earlier than CONTROL animals, but did not differ in performance and hematological parameters. Supplementation with virginiamycin and vitamin-mineral complex for suckling calves reduced the incidence and days of diarrhea, and reduced medication costs, with no difference in performance, but the supplemented animals had higher initial protein and fat intake and reached targeted feed intake earlier to begin the weaning process.

Evaluation of different ratios of neutral detergent-soluble carbohydrate fractions on performance, ingestive behavior, and nitrogen balance in dairy goats.

Cell components soluble in neutral detergent are a diverse group, both compositionally and nutritionally. The present study aimed to evaluate production responses, behavior (eating, ruminating, and idling), and nitrogen balance of dairy goats fed different ratios of neutral detergent-soluble carbohydrate fractions. Five multiparous Alpine does with mean ± SD initial body mass of 49.5 ± 7.9 kg and 60 days of lactation were randomly assigned in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The treatments were the ratios of starch (starch associated with soluble sugar [StSS]) to neutral detergent-soluble fiber (NDSF) (StSS:NDSF): 0.89, 1.05, 1.24, 1.73, and 2.92. No effect was observed (P > 0.05) of StSS:NDSF on the intakes of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and NDSC. However, DM intake showed a quadratic behavior (P = 0.049). The ingestive behavior was affected by StSS:NDSF linearly increased (P = 0.002) the feeding efficiency. The increase in StSS:NDSF caused a linear increase in fecal (P = 0.011), urinary (P < 0.001), and milk nitrogen excretion (P = 0.024). The increase in StSS:NDSF affected (P = 0.048) milk yield and net energy lactation (P = 0.036). In conclusion, dairy goats experience reduced dry matter intake and milk yield when subjected to high-NDSC diets, specifically those above 1.24 StSS:NDSF ratio. Elevated NDSC levels in the diets lead to decreased feeding time, whereas rumination remains unaffected. Nitrogen losses in goats increase linearly with high-NDSC diets, and a significant impact on nitrogen balance.

Apparent digestibility and nutritional status of capuchin monkeys (Sapajus sp.) under human care.

BACKGROUND: Studing the nutritional needs and dietary habits of primates is essential to ensure their health and well-being. This includes the understanding of the use of nutrients and its correlation with health parameters. METHODS: Diet and nutritional parameters of 13 captive capuchin monkeys (Sapajus sp.) were assesed. Apparent digestibility of dry matter and nutrients were evaluated. Nutritional status was established based on body condition score (BCS) and muscle mass score (MMS). RESULTS: High apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) were observed for crude protein and ether extract, but low for minerals and crude fiber. The ADC of EE and CF were related to MMS, and the biochemical parameters did not correlate with the AD coefficients obtained in the group. The nutritional status of the animals remained inadequate in 84.6% of the individuals, suggesting a reformulation of the diet and nutritional management.

Supplementation of Acacia dealbata versus Acacia mearnsii leaf-meal has potential to maintain growth performance of lambs grazing low-quality communal rangelands in South Africa.

Supplementing livestock grazing communal rangelands with leaf-meals from Acacia trees, which are currently considered as problematic invasive alien plants globally, may be a sustainable way of exploiting their desirable nutritional and anthelmintic properties. The current study evaluated worm burdens and growth performance of lambs grazing low-quality communal rangelands supplemented with leaf-meals prepared from the invasive alien plant species; Acacia mearnsii or A. dealbata. Forty, three-month-old ewe lambs weighing an average of 18.9 ± 0.60 kg were randomly allocated to four supplementary diets: (1) rangeland hay only (control), (2) commercial protein supplement plus rangeland hay, (3) A. mearnsii leaf-meal plus rangeland hay and (4) A. dealbata leaf-meal plus rangeland hay. All the supplementary diets were formulated to meet the lambs' minimum maintenance requirements for protein. All the lambs were grazed on communal rangelands daily from 0800 to 1400 after which they were penned to allow them access to their respective supplementary diets until 08:00 the following morning. The respective supplementary diets were offered at the rate of 400 g ewe- 1 day- 1 for 60 days. Lambs fed the commercial protein supplement had the highest dry matter intake followed by those fed the Acacia leaf-meals and the control diet, respectively (P ≤ 0.05). Relative to the other supplementary diets, lambs fed the commercial protein supplement and A. dealbata leaf-meal had higher (P ≤ 0.05) final body weight and average daily gains. Dietary supplementation did not affect lamb faecal worm egg counts over the study period (P > 0.05). There was no association between supplementary diets and lamb FAMACHA© scores (P > 0.05). It was concluded that supplementation of Acacia dealbata versus Acacia mearnsii has the potential to emulate commercial protein in maintaining growth performance of lambs grazing communal rangelands in the dry season.

Evaluation of the feeding safety of Moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) in the Sprague Dawley rat.

This study aimed to evaluate the safety of Moringa by comparing the effects of different gavage doses of Moringa. The general behavior, body weight, food intake, blood indexes, serum biochemical indexes, and histopathology of rats were used to determine the safety threshold and to provide a reference for the further development and use of Moringa as animal feed. 40 Sprague Dawley rats were selected and given transoral gavage for 28 consecutive days. The T1, T2 and T3 groups were observed for general behavior, body weight, and food intake. Blood and serum biochemical indices were quantified, and histopathology was performed to evaluate the effect and safety of Moringa. The results of the toxicological test showed that (1) Only T1 groups experienced diarrhea. (2) The body weight and food intake of rats in each group were normal compared with the control group. (3) The hematological and serum biochemical indices of rats in the T1 group were significantly different from those of CK but were in the normal range; (4) The results of microscopic examination of the heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney of rats in each group were normal, but inflammation occurred in stomach and jejunum of rats in the T1 group, but not in the ileum. The gastrointestinal tract of rats in the T2 and T3 groups were normal. (5) No abnormal death occurred in any of the treatment groups.The results of this study revealed that gavage of Moringa homogenate at a dose of 6 g/kg BW can cause diarrhea in rats. Although there is no pathological effect on weight, food intake, blood and serum biochemical indicators in rats, there are pathological textures in the gastrointestinal tissue caused by diarrhea. Therefore, the safety threshold of Moringa homogenate should be ≤ 3 g/kg BW.

Feeding strategy and feed protein level affect the gut microbiota of common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were fed food with different protein concentrations following different feeding regimes, which were previously shown to affect growth, nitrogen excretion and amino acid catabolism. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was performed to investigate the gut microbiota of these fish. Lower dietary protein content increased microbial richness, while the combination of demand feeding and dietary protein content affected the composition of the gut microbiota. Hepatic glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity was correlated to the composition of the gut microbiota in all dietary treatments. We found that demand-fed carp fed a diet containing 39% protein had a significantly higher abundance of Beijerinckiaceae compared to other dietary groups. Network analysis identified this family and two Rhizobiales families as hubs in the microbial association network. In demand-fed carp, the microbial association network had significantly fewer connections than in batch-fed carp. In contrast to the large effects of the feeding regime and protein content of the food on growth and nitrogen metabolism, it had only limited effects on gut microbiota composition. However, correlations between gut microbiota composition and liver GDH activity showed that host physiology and gut microbiota are connected, which warrants functional studies into the role of the gut microbiota in fish physiology.

Effects of supplementation of different selenium sources on lipid profile, selenium, and vitamin E concentration of yolk.

Egg preference as a source of protein also provides beneficial fatty acids, vital for human consumption. However, rich in lipid products are prone to oxidative damage. The study aims to determine the effect of supplementing biogenic selenium (Se) from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, ADS18 (ADS18) in laying hens' diet on yolk lipid oxidation status (MDA), beta-carotene (ß-carotene) content, cholesterol, fatty acids, Se, and vitamin E (VE) level. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) laying hens of Lohmann Brown strains aged 50 weeks, weighing 1500 to 2000 g were reared individually in A-shape two-tier stainless-steel cages sized 30 cm x 50 cm x 40 cm (width, depth height). The hens were randomly allotted into four treatments with six replications in a complete randomised design for the period of 12 weeks. The basal diet contains 100 mg/kg VE. Treatment diets consist of basal diet as control, SS containing 0.3 mg/kg sodium selenite, Se-yeast containing 0.3 mg/kg selenised yeast, and VADS18 containing 0.3 mg/kg of ADS18. Forty-eight eggs were collected and freeze-dried biweekly for analysis. The results of the present study showed that hens supplemented ADS18 had significantly (P < 0.05) lower MDA and cholesterol levels while their egg yolks had higher levels of Se and mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). The control group had significantly (P < 0.05) higher saturated fatty acid (SFA) contents than the VE and dietary Se-supplemented groups, while the ADS18 group had the lowest SFA contents. Conversely, in comparison to the inorganic and control groups, the VE content of the egg yolk was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in organic Se-supplemented (Se-yeast and VADS18) groups. Hens with SS supplementation had significantly (P < 0.05) higher egg yolk ß-carotene content. When compared to other treatment groups, the control group had higher (P < 0.05) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content. The ADS18 is therefore deemed comparable to other Se sources. To prevent Se toxicity, however, a better understanding of the levels of ADS18 incorporation in poultry diets is required.

An approach to optimizing dietary protein to growth and body composition in walking catfish, Clarias batrachus (Linneaeus, 1758).

Clarias batrachus is a commercially important food fish. In the present study, effect of varying dietary protein levels was evaluated on the survival, growth parameters and proximate composition of C. batrachus. Diets comprising 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, and 50% crude protein (CP) were supplied to fish in T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6, respectively, at the rate of 5% of fish body weight for the entire 90 days, twice daily. Size of each stocked C. batrachus was recorded after 15 days. Results revealed 100% survival rate of C. batrachus in all treatments. Significantly highest (P<0.001) mean value of weight gain (g/fish), percent weight gain, daily growth rate, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio (PER) in C. batrachus were recorded, reared in T4 by feeding 40% CP in diet. The best FCR value (1.90±0.02) for C. batrachus was obtained in T4 by feeding 40%CP in diet. Mean value of water, ash, fat and protein contents (wet mass) were ranged 74.10-79.23%, 3.12-4.68%, 3.90-4.43% and 13.09-16.79% for C. batrachus in the studied treatment groups. Water content (%) was found significantly (P<0.05) higher in the body of C. batrachus for T1, T2, T3 and T6 than for T4 and T5. Ash was found significantly (P<0.05) higher in the fish reared in T4 and T5. Fat content in the wet body mass of C. batrachus was found significantly higher in T4 and T1. While, significant higher (P<0.05) values of mean protein content was noted in C. batrachus reared in T4 and T5. Body composition of C. batrachus was also categorically affected by body size, however, condition factor showed non-significant correlation in most of the relationships in the present study. Overall, results indicated that feeding appropriate diet (containing 40% CP) to the fish resulted good growth performance, lower FCR and higher protein content in the fish. Present study provides valuable knowledge of optimal dietary protein level in C. batrachus which will help in commercial success of aquaculture.

Dairy goat performance in two grazing regimes: silvopastoral rangeland or abandoned agricultural land, and two supplementation treatments in central Mexico.

Twenty Saanen third parturition dairy goats were used in an on-farm 2 × 2 factorial arrangement that ran for 12 weeks, with two grazing regimes and two concentrate types. The grazing regimes evaluated were an extensive silvopastoral native rangeland (SPR) and grazing in an abandoned agricultural land (AAL). Grazing happened between 9:00 and 17:00 h. The two types of concentrate supplement were a high protein concentrate (HP = 180 g CP/kg DM and 13 MJ ME/kg DM) or high energy concentrate (HE = 110  g CP/kg DM and 14.3 MJ ME/kg DM). Goats were milked once a day, providing 250 g of concentrate supplement per goat and day. Animal variables were fat and protein corrected milk yield recorded every day, and milk composition determined for two consecutive days at the end of each experimental week. Flora in the experimental paddocks was characerised and sampled, including grasses, shrubs, trees, legumes and cacti. The data was analysed with the R software using a mixed model with day nested in period as random effect and goat as repeated measure. The SPR had greater (P = 0.002) fat and protein corrected milk yield than AAL, with no differences between concentrate type and no interaction (P > 0.05). There was an interaction (P < 0.01) between grazing regime and concentrate type for fat content in milk, where a reduction in fat content was notorious in the SPR regime. Protein content of milk was greater (P < 0.01) in SPR with no significant effects of concentrate type or the interaction. The number of plant species in SPR was greater. The native silvopastoral system supplemented with the high energy concentrate was the strategy with higher milk yield, and protein and milk fat content, although the interaction between grazing regime and supplement was significant only for milk fat content.

Effects of swimming activity and feed restriction on antioxidant and digestive enzymes in juvenile rainbow trout: Implications for nutritional and exercise strategies in aquaculture.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we investigated the effects of swimming activity and feed restriction on digestion and antioxidant enzyme activities in juvenile rainbow trout (average body weight of 26.54 ± 0.36 g). METHODS: The stomach, liver and kidney tissues were obtained from four distinct groups: the static water group (fish were kept in static water and fed to satiation), the feeding restricted group (fish were kept in static water with a 25% feed restriction), the swimming exercised group (fish were forced to swimming at a flow rate of 1 Body Length per second (BL/s)) and the swimming exercised-feed restricted group (subjected to swimming exercise at a 1 BL/s flow rate along with a 25% feed restriction). We determined the levels of glutathione, lipid peroxidation and the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase, as well as the presence of reactive oxygen species in the tissues obtained from the fish. Additionally, the activities of pepsin, protease, lipase and arginase in these tissues were measured. RESULTS: Swimming activity and feed restriction showed different effects on the enzyme activities of the fish in the experimental groups. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that proper nutrition and exercise positively influence the antioxidant system and enzyme activities in fish, reducing the formation of free radicals. This situation is likely to contribute to the fish's development.

Dietary combination of linseed and hazelnut skin as a sustainable strategy to enrich lamb with health promoting fatty acids.

This study investigated the effect of the inclusion of extruded linseed and hazelnut skin on fatty acid (FA) metabolism in finishing lambs. Forty lambs were divided into 4 groups and fed for 60 d with: a conventional cereal-based diet, or the same diet with 8% of extruded linseed, or 15% of hazelnut skin, or 4% of linseed plus 7.5% of hazelnut skin as partial replacement of maize. Dietary treatments did not affect growth performances, carcass traits, and ruminal fermentation. The combined effect of linseed and hazelnut skin enriched the intramuscular fat with health promoting FA. Particularly, increases in α-linolenic acid (3.75-fold), and very long-chain n-3 poly-unsaturated FA (+ 40%) were attributed to the supplementation with linseed, rich in α-linolenic acid. In addition, increases in rumenic (+ 33%), and vaccenic (+ 59%) acids were attributed to hazelnut skin tannins modulating ruminal biohydrogenation and accumulating intermediate metabolites. The simultaneous inclusion of linseed and hazelnut skin can be a profitable strategy for enriching the intramuscular fat of lambs with health promoting FA, without adverse effects on ruminal fermentation and animal performance.

Essentiality of dietary cholesterol and its interactions with phospholipid in juvenile slipper lobster (Thenus australiensis).

This study was conducted to verify the essentiality of dietary cholesterol for early juvenile slipper lobster, Thenus australiensis (initial weight 4.50 ± 0.72 g, mean ± SD, CV = 0.16), and to explore the potential for interactions between dietary cholesterol and phospholipid. An 8-week experiment was conducted using six experimental feeds containing three supplemental cholesterol concentrations (0, 0.2 and 0.4% dry matter) at two supplemental phospholipid concentrations (0% and 1.0% dry matter). Dietary cholesterol concentrations of ≥ 0.2% resulted in up to threefold greater weight gain compared to 0% dietary cholesterol, but without any significant main or interactive dietary phospholipid effect. An interaction was observed for lobster survival with lowest survival (46%) recorded for combined 0% cholesterol and 0% phospholipid compared to every other treatment (71-100%). However, all surviving lobsters at 0% dietary cholesterol, regardless of dietary phospholipid level, were in poor nutritional condition. Apparent feed intake (AFI) was significantly higher at dietary cholesterol ≥ 0.2% but was lower for each corresponding dietary cholesterol level at 1% dietary phospholipid. This implied that the feed conversion ratio was improved with supplemental phospholipid. In conclusion, this study confirms the essential nature of dietary cholesterol and that dietary phospholipid can provide additional benefits.

The effect of supplementation with rubber seed kernel pellet on in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics and fatty acid profiles in swamp buffalo.

BACKGROUND: Rubber seed kernel is a by-product derived from rubber tree plantations. It is rich in C18 unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and has the potential to be used as a protein source for ruminant diets. This investigation has been conducted to determine the influence of rubber seed kernel pellet (RUSKEP) supplementation on in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics and fatty acid profiles in swamp buffalo. Using a completely randomized design (CRD) and supplementation of RUSKEP at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% dry matter (DM) of substrate. RESULTS: The supplementation with RUSKEP had no effect on gas kinetics, cumulative gas production, or degradability. Ruminal pH decreased linearly (P < 0.01) and ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration decreased quadratically (P < 0.01) by RUSKEP supplementation. The proportion of acetate (C2) decreased linearly (P < 0.01), but propionate (C3) and butyrate (C4) increased linearly (P < 0.01), resulting in a decrease in the acetate to propionate ratio (C2:C3) (P < 0.01) by RUSKEP supplementation. With an increasing level of dietary RUSKEP, there was a slight increase in UFA in the rumen by increasing the oleic acid (OA; C18:1 cis-9 + trans-9), linoleic acid (LA; C18:2 cis-9,12 + trans-9,12), and α-linolenic acid (ALA; C18:3 cis-9,12,15) concentrations (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Adding up to 10% of RUSKEP could improve in vitro rumen fermentation and C18 unsaturated fatty acids, especially ALA, in swamp buffalo.