Proposing a strategy based on body-thermal status to improve the welfare of heat-stressed and water-deprived goats (Capra hircus).

Objective: Despite the considerable body of research on the effects of heat stress coupled with water scarcity (either through restriction or deprivation) on goats, aimed at enhancing their welfare, there remains a notable gap in the literature regarding the subsequent period following water restoration, during which the cumulative impact is fully alleviated. In response to this gap, we propose a strategy grounded in the assessment of body-thermal status to improve the welfare of heat-stressed and water-deprived goats. Specifically, our strategy seeks to determine the minimally required recovery interval necessary to completely mitigate the residual effects of water deprivation endured for a duration of 72 hours. Methods: Eight healthy Aardi bucks, aged 10 months and weighing 30 kg, were subjected to three distinct stages: euhydration, dehydration, and rehydration. Each stage spanned for 72 hours except for the rehydration stage, which was left unrestricted. Various meteorological, biophysiological, and thermophysiological measurements were subsequently recorded. Results: Exposure of heat-stressed goats, as indicated by the temperature-humidity index values, to a 72 hours deprivation period resulted in noticeable (p<0.05) alterations in their biophysiological (daily feed intake, body weight, and feces water content) and thermophysiological responses (core, rectal, skin, and surface temperatures, respiratory and heart rates, internal, external, and total body-thermal gradients, heat tolerance and adaptability coefficients, heterothermial total body-heat storage, and total water conservation). Remarkably, our findings demonstrate that all assessed variables, whether measured or estimated, returned to their baseline euhydration levels within 10 days of commencing the rehydration phase. Conclusion: In order to improve the welfare of heat-stressed and 72 hours water-deprived goats, it is imperative to allow a recovery period of no less than 10 days following the restoration of water access prior to initiating any subsequent experiments involving these animals. Such experiments, addressing these critical aspects, serve to advance our understanding of goat welfare and obviously hold promise for contributing to future food security and economic viability.

Applicability of thermography as a potential non-invasive technique to assess the body-thermal status of heat-stressed and water-deprived goats (Capra hircus).

To evaluate the use of infrared thermography to assess the thermal status of heat-stressed and water-deprived Capra hircus, full-body surface temperature (TS) and six other body-thermal variables [core, rectal (TR), and skin (TSK) temperatures, respiratory and heart rates, and total body-thermal gradient (core-to-ambient, BTG)] were measured after three days of euhydration (EU), dehydration (DE), and rehydration (RE). Results revealed that the combined effect of heat stress and water deprivation had affected all tested variables including the TS, and once these animals gained access to water in the RE stage variables returned to their EU levels. Moreover, there were positive correlations between TS and all variables with the exception of BTG. From these six variables, only three variables (i.e. the TR, TSK, and BTG) during the DE stage and two variables (i.e. the TSK and BTG) throughout the experimental stages showed higher constancy (R2 ≥ 0 75, P < 0 001; agreement intervals ±1 96 95 % CI) with TS. However, BTG appeared more closely correlated with TS, representing the body-thermal status more realistically than other variables. In effect, the mean and thresholds of the BTG were predicted using the recorded TS and were within 0.02 °C of original estimates. Collectively, these findings show that infrared thermography is appropriate for assessing body-thermal status, and thus the welfare, of these animals under the three conditions studied, and conclude that full-body TS can be a surrogate proxy for BTG in these animals. Further experiments are needed to adequately examine the reproducibility of these results under biometeorologically-simulated environments and natural habitats.

Effect of irrigation frequency and selenium fertilization on the vegetative growth and biomass yield of Moringa oleifera and Moringa peregrina.

To maximize the production value of Moringa species, there is a need to understand the morphological effect of irrigation frequency and Se fertilizer levels on Moringa species' growth and development. Hence, the aim of this trial was to determine the combined effect of irrigation frequency and Selenium (Se) fertilizer levels on the growth of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) and Moringa peregrina (M. peregrina) in the central region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A split-plot arrangement was used, where the treatments were arranged in a Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with three replicates, as the study included two plant species (M. oleifera and M. peregrina), four irrigation frequencies (7, 10, 15, and 20 days), and three Se levels (0.0, 12.5 and 25 mg/L foliar spray). M. peregrina showed slow emergence and plant establishment as compared to M. oleifera. The results indicated that plant height, leaves and stems fresh weight increased with the increase in Se level, and were highest when the two plant species were irrigated every 10 days which surpassed all other irrigation frequencies. The findings of this research study indicated that the two Moringa species, particularly M. oleifera could successfully be grown using drip irrigation at a 10-days irrigation frequency.

Using chrono-physiological management in form of shifting the feeding time has no advantage in goat kids exposed to experimentally induced heat stress.

Despite the proven outcomes of implementing chrono-physiological management (CPM) in several animals to promote their production performance, studies on its usefulness in goats are lacking. Twelve healthy Aardi male goat kids (22.60±1.10kg body weight; 6 months of age) were randomly allocated into two groups (morning-fed at 09:00 h and evening-fed at 21:00 h). The physiological and productive advantage of CPM (in form of shifting feeding time) was investigated in both groups while exposed to experimentally induced heat stress for 42 days (daily ambient temperature was cycling from 25 to 45°C). Thermophysiological (rectal, skin, and coat temperatures as well as respiratory rate), blood biochemical (plasma level of albumin, glucose, triacylglycerol, and urea), and production performance (daily feed intake, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio) measurements were all obtained throughout this period. Current findings collectively revealed that shifting feeding time from 09:00 to 21:00 h had no (P > 0.05) impact on the thermophysiological status and blood metabolites of heat stressed kids. Above all, evidences have indicated that shifting feeding time had failed (P > 0.05) to demonstrate any consequence on promoting growth in these kids, thereby suggesting that shifting feeding time under hot climatic conditions has no advantage in goats. In fact, implementation of such an approach might not to be encouraged for heat-adapted animals. Experiments using other CPM methods (such as simultaneous shift of both feeding time and lighting program) can be however of further interest.

Effects of dietary supplementation with different concentration of molasses on growth performance, blood metabolites and rumen fermentation indices of Nubian goats.

BACKGROUND: Molasses is a potential energy supplement; extensively used to improve growth performance, milk and meat characteristics in goats at relatively low concentrations of 5-40% of the diet. Few data are available concerning feeding molasses to goat kids; therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with higher concentrations of molasses on growth performance, blood metabolites and rumen fermentation indices. Twenty male Nubian goat kids (4-6 months old; 9-10 kg BW) were randomly assigned to 4 groups receiving different concentration of molasses: 0% (M-0), 30% (M-30), 40% (M-40) and 45% (M-45) for 5 weeks. Feed (DFI) and water intake (DWI) were measured daily, while the blood and rumen liquor samples were collected weekly. RESULTS: The DFI increased and feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased in all molasses-supplemented groups (P ≤ 0.05), whereas DWI increased in M-30 and decreased in M-45 (P ≤ 0.05). The final BW and average daily gain (ADG) increased (P < 0.0001) in groups M-30 and M-40 compared to the control and M-45. Blood pH was significantly influenced by dietary molasses concentration (MC) and the duration of molasses supplementation (MD), where it decreased in groups M-30 and M-45 compared to the control and M-40 (P < 0.05). The MC had no significant effect on blood Hb, HCT, TLC, albumin, [K+], AST, ALT and total protozoa count (TPC), as well as ruminal-[Na+], [K+], strong ion difference concentration ([SID3]) and [NH3]; however, only [NH3] was significantly affected by MD and the interaction between MC and MD (MC × MD). Serum TP, globulins, [Na+] and [Cl-] increased (P ≤ 0.05) in all supplemented groups, while A/G ratio and [SID3] decreased (P ≤ 0.05). Ruminal pH decreased (P < 0.0001) in M-40 and M-45 compared to the control and M-30. However, [VFAs] increased (P < 0.04) in M-30 and M-40 compared to the control and M-45, while osmolality increased (P ≤ 0.05) in M-30 compared to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplementation with molasses at a concentration of 30% for 3 weeks improved growth performance, protein metabolism and rumen fermentation without compromising animal health, immunity, and electrolytes and acid-base homeostasis.

Resilience of Lambs to Limited Water Availability without Compromising Their Production Performance.

Water scarcity is a common phenomenon in arid and semi-arid regions, which could have tremendous effects on livestock production. This study aimed to determine the level of water restriction that lambs fed on a pelleted diet can tolerate without compromising their production performance. A total of 24 male Najdi lambs were housed individually and randomly allocated into three equal groups, namely ad libitum water intake, 33% water-intake restriction, and 67% water-intake restriction. Dry-matter intake, feed conversion ratio, and average daily gain were decreased (p < 0.05) with the increasing level of water restriction. Water restriction had also reduced (p < 0.05) nutrient digestibility. The water-conserving ability of the water-restricted lambs was manifested by the production of concentrated and lower (p < 0.05) quantities of urine and feces. Meanwhile, serum osmolality and concentrations of albumin, total protein, urea-N, glucose, and non-esterified fatty acids were increased (p < 0.05) with the increasing levels of water restriction. It is surprising that lambs subjected to 67% water restriction retained more (p < 0.05) nitrogen relative to intake and had better (p < 0.05) efficiency of nitrogen utilization. It was strongly evident that lambs could tolerate water-intake restriction of up to 33% without compromising their production performance.

Identifying potential thermal drivers of sudomotor in camels (Camelus dromedarius).

The mechanism of sudomotor regulation in the family Camelidae, as in other mammals, is poorly understood. Five healthy dromedary bulls (400 kg and 4 years-old) were used to examine the interrelationship of sweating rate (SR) with ten thermal parameters measured (and/or estimated) every 3-hr for a 24-hr time period under natural and shaded environmental conditions, in order to subsequently identify the potential thermal drivers of sudomotor in this species. Results revealed that all parameters, including SR, had clearly (P < 0·001) exhibited monophasic circadian rhythms. Moreover, the obtained findings pointed out that strong/moderate positive correlations were existed between SR and eight parameters [i.e. ambient (Ta), rectal (Tr), body (Tb), skin (Tsk), coat (Tct) temperatures as well as total (ambient-to-body, BTGt), external (ambient-to-skin, BTGex), and internal (skin-to-body, BTGin) body thermal gradients] suggesting that they may all be good indicators of sweating activity. Nonetheless, out of those highly-correlated parameters, merely six (i.e. Ta, Tb, Tsk, Tct, BTGt, and BTGex) showed superior coefficients of determination (R2 ≥ 0·90; P < 0·000) when interrelated with SR; thereby, implying that they have the potential to drive sudomotor. Notably, however, results were more probably allude that sudomotor is regulated through BTGt. Accordingly, the onset of sweating (i.e. threshold) and its effective level was determined using BTGt. A method of how SR can be regulated through BTGt was proposed according to Webb's theory of controlling body-heat content. Some shortcomings prevent confirming that BTGt is the best thermal driver of sudomotor in this species were noted. Research dealing with this interesting physiological process requires further experimentation to fully elucidate the basic functional mechanisms of Camelidae's thermoregulatory system .

Effect of partial replacement of alfalfa hay with Moringa species leaves on milk yield and composition of Najdi ewes.

The present study was carried out to investigate changes in milk yield and composition of Najdi ewes fed 25 % Moringa oleifera (MOD) or Moringa peregrina (MPD) leaf diets as a supplement to alfalfa hay diet (AHD). Thirty ewes (average 55 kg, 2 years old) were randomly sorted into three experimental groups with 10 animals each and were fed for a 6-week period with these diets (AHD, MOD, or MPD). Diets dry matter, crude protein, and crude fiber were comparable, while fat, nitrogen-free extract (NFE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), metabolizable energy (ME), total phenolic, and antioxidant activity varied (p ≤ 0.05) between the diets. Feeding ewes with MOD increased (p ≤ 0.05) the milk yield compared to those fed AHD while milk composition was similar (p ≤ 0.05) between treatments. The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the ewes' milk and serum was lower (p ≤ 0.05) for MOD, while the total antioxidant capacity, catalase activity, and vitamin C contents were increased (p ≤ 0.05). The serum cholesterol and glucose of the ewes were lower (p ≤ 0.05) for those fed MOD. Moringa diets increased (p ≤ 0.05) average daily weight gain of lambs compared to those fed alfalfa diets. The results obtained showed that the inclusion of Moringa, especially M. oleifera, in the diet of Najdi ewes can improve milk yield and quality.

Daily rhythms of physiological parameters in the dromedary camel under natural and laboratory conditions.

Camels are well adapted to hot arid environments and can contribute significantly to the economy of developing countries in arid regions of the world. Full understanding of the physiology of camels requires understanding of the internal temporal order of the body, as reflected in daily or circadian rhythms. In the current study, we investigated the daily rhythmicity of 20 physiological variables in camels exposed to natural oscillations of ambient temperature in a desert environment and compared the daily temporal courses of the variables. We also studied the rhythm of core body temperature under experimental conditions with constant ambient temperature in the presence and absence of a light-dark cycle. The obtained results indicated that different physiological variables exhibit different degrees of daily rhythmicity and reach their daily peaks at different times of the day, starting with plasma cholesterol, which peaks 24min after midnight, and ending with plasma calcium, which peaks 3h before midnight. Furthermore, the rhythm of core body temperature persisted in the absence of environmental rhythmicity, thus confirming its endogenous nature. The observed delay in the acrophase of core body temperature rhythm under constant conditions suggests that the circadian period is longer than 24h. Further studies with more refined experimental manipulation of different variables are needed to fully elucidate the causal network of circadian rhythms in dromedary camels.

Regional and circadian variations of sweating rate and body surface temperature in camels (Camelus dromedarius).

It was the aim of this study to investigate the regional variations in surface temperature and sweating rate and to visualize body thermal windows responsible for the dissipation of excess body heat in dromedary camels. This study was conducted on five dromedary camels with mean body weight of 450 ± 20.5 kg and 2 years of age. Sweating rate, skin and body surface temperature showed significant (P < 0.001) circadian variation together with the variation in ambient temperature. However, daily mean values of sweating rate, skin and body surface temperature measured on seven regions of the camel body did not significantly differ. The variation in body surface temperature compared to the variation in skin temperature was higher in the hump compared to the axillary and flank regions, indicating the significance of camel's fur in protecting the skin from daily variation in ambient temperature. Infrared thermography revealed that flank and axillary regions had lower thermal gradients at higher ambient temperature (T(a) ) and higher thermal gradients at lower T(a) , which might indicate the working of flank and axillary regions as thermal windows dissipating heat during the night. Sweating rate showed moderate correlation to skin and body surface temperatures, which might indicate their working as potential thermal drivers of sweating in camels.

Improvement of growth and nitrogen utilization in sheep using sugar beet pulp treated with Trichoderma reesei or urea.

Twenty-five intact Barki lambs with mean body weight of 24.81 ± 0.16 kg were used to investigate the effect of including in the diet sugar beet pulp (SBP) treated biologically with Trichoderma reesei or chemically with urea 4 % on nutrients digestibility, growth performance, nitrogen (N) utilization, and hematological and biochemical parameters. Two experiments were conducted. In the growth experiment, five lambs were randomly assigned to one of five dietary treatments. Lambs were offered isonitrogenous and isoenergetic concentrate feed mixture containing on dry matter basis 0 % SBP (D0), 50 % SBP (D1), 50 % SBP treated with 4 % urea (D2), 50 % SBP treated with T. reesei (D3), and 25 % SPB treated with 4 % urea plus 25 % SPB treated with T. reesei (D4). In the metabolism experiment, five rams were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design and housed in metabolism crates for 21 days. The present study showed that inclusion of SBP at the level of 50 % (D1) negatively affected diet digestibility coefficients of crude protein, crude fiber, and ether extract, in addition to average daily gain, feed conversion, and N utilization. However, treatment of SBP with urea (D2), T. reesei (D3), or the combination (D4) of both had improved (P < 0.05) these parameters with superiority of D3. Despite the significant differences in the tested hematological and biochemical parameters of lambs fed on biologically or chemically treated SBP diets, their levels remained within the physiological ranges which could indicate that treated SBP did not have any adverse effect on lambs' health.

Seasonal variation in botanical and chemical composition of plants selected by one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius).

The present study has been conducted in order to investigate the seasonal variation in the botanical and chemical composition of plant parts consumed by camels (Camelus dromedarius). The study has been conducted on 210 indigenous Arabian camel of different age (1-18 years) and sex and kept under natural range in southern Darfur, Sudan. The findings of the present study indicate that camels are selective browser rather than grazer. Furthermore, they are selective feeder to the parts of pasture plants they consume. The percentages of Crude Protein (CP), Crude Fibre (CF) and Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE) of pasture plants selected by camels were significantly higher, while ash percentage was significantly lower during the dry season.

Seasonal variation in blood constituents of one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius).

This study was carried out in southern Darfur, Sudan during dry-and green (wet) season and was designed to investigate the effects of season (dry-versus green season) on the blood constituents of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius). Two hundred and ten blood samples collected from apparently healthy one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) of different age and sex groups were used in this study, out of which 110 blood samples were collected during the dry season, while 100 blood samples were collected during the green season. The data analysis revealed that the season had significant effects on some of the haematological indices and the blood metabolites and minerals concentrations. The red blood cells count, lymphocytes and basophils percentages increased significantly during the dry season, while the osmotic resistance, MCV, MCH and neutrophils percentage increased significantly during the green season. The serum levels of total protein, globulins and triglycerides increased significantly during the dry season, while the concentrations of plasma glucose and serum urea, creatinine, phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) increased significantly during the green season. The results obtained in the present study indicate that the nutritional status could induce significant changes in the physiological responses of the dromedary camel. The available forage during the green season improved the body condition, the blood metabolic and mineral profile in camels. The results indicate that despite camel's selectivity and unique adaptation to arid conditions; glucose, urea, P and Ca levels were lower during the dry season. Therefore, it could be beneficial to provide concentrate feed to camels kept under dry tropical conditions.

Milk composition of dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius): nutritional effects and correlation to corresponding blood parameters.

This study has been conducted in order to study the possible correlations between the nutritional value of plants selected by camels during the dry and green season and the corresponding blood and milk composition of the dromedary camels. The study has been conducted on 50 indigenous Arabian camels of different age and kept under natural range in Southern Darfur. The dromedary camels selected plants with significantly (p<0.05) higher crude protein content during the dry season and kept the serum albumin concentration and milk protein content at the same levels as those observed during the green season. However, the significantly (p<0.05) higher lipogenic content (ether extract + crude fiber) of the plant selected during the dry season resulted in significantly (p<0.05) higher serum triacylglycerides concentration and significantly (p<0.05) higher milk fat content compared to that of the green season. Although, the camels selected plants with significantly (p<0.05) higher nitrogen free extract content during the dry season, the plasma glucose level and the milk lactose content were significantly (p<0.05) reduced compared to that of the green season. The significantly (p<0.05) lower ach content of the plants selected during the dry season resulted in significantly lower serum calcium + phosphorus concentration, but did not reflect on the ash content of the milk. The results indicate that despite camels selectivity and unique adaptation to arid conditions, the milk lactose-and fat content were affected by the nutritional scarcity during the dry season. Therefore, it could be beneficial to provide energy-rich feed supplemented with calcium and phosphorus to camels kept under dry tropical conditions.