Composition, Mineral and Fatty Acid Profiles of Milk from Goats Fed with Different Proportions of Broccoli and Artichoke Plant By-Products.

In the Mediterranean region, artichoke and broccoli are major crops with a high amount of by-products that can be used as alternative feedstuffs for ruminants, lowering feed costs and enhancing milk sustainability while reducing the environmental impact of dairy production. However, nutritional quality of milk needs to be assured under these production conditions and an optimal inclusion ratio of silages should be determined. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of three inclusion levels (25%, 40%, and 60%) of these silages (artichoke plant, AP, and broccoli by-product, BB) in goat diets on milk yield, composition, and mineral and fatty profiles. Treatments with 60% inclusion of AP and BB presented the lowest milk yield. No differences were found on the milk mineral profile. Inclusion of AP in the animals' diet improved the milk lipid profile from the point of view of human health (AI, TI) compared to BB due to a lower saturated fatty acid content (C12:0, C14:0, and C16:0) and a higher concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially vaccenic acid (C18:1 trans11) and rumenic acid (CLA cis9, trans11), without any differences with the control treatment.

Effect of grazing cows in an intensive silvopastoral system with Leucaena leucocephala on Panela cheese properties: yield, composition, fatty acid profile and sensory acceptability.

Yield, chemical composition, fatty acid profile, and sensory acceptability of Panela cheese produced from cows grazing in an intensive silvopastoral system (ISS) with Leucaena leucocephala and Cynodon nlemfuensis were evaluated and compared with Panela cheese from cows grazing a monoculture system (MS) of C. nlemfuensis only. The experiment lasted for 9 weeks in a tropical area in Mexico using ten crossbred cows (30-90 days of milking) assigned homogenously as five cows in each experimental group. No significant differences were found between the two systems for milk and cheese gross composition. Panela cheese from ISS showed lower content of the hypercholesterolemic fatty acids, accompanied with higher content of omega-3, omega-6 and polyunsaturated fatty acids. In addition, Panela cheese from ISS showed higher preference for the attributes of appearance, texture, flavor, and overall acceptability. It is concluded that Panela cheese from cows grazing in ISS has better acceptability and nutritional properties than that produced from MS with grass only.

Effect of condensed tannins from Leucaena leucocephala on rumen fermentation, methane production and population of rumen protozoa in heifers fed low-quality forage.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the experiment was to assess the effect of increasing amounts of Leucaena leucocephala forage on dry matter intake (DMI), organic matter intake (OMI), enteric methane production, rumen fermentation pattern and protozoa population in cattle fed Pennisetum purpureum and housed in respiration chambers. METHODS: Five crossbred heifers (Bos taurus×Bos indicus) (BW: 295±6 kg) were fed chopped P. purpureum grass and increasing levels of L. leucocephala (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of dry matter [DM]) in a 5×5 Latin square design. RESULTS: The voluntary intake and methane production were measured for 23 h per day in respiration chambers; molar proportions of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were determined at 6 h postprandial period. Molar concentration of VFAs in rumen liquor were similar (p>0.05) between treatments. However, methane production decreased linearly (p<0.005), recording a maximum reduction of up to ~61% with 80% of DM incorporation of L. leucocephala in the ration and no changes (p>0.05) in rumen protozoa population were found. CONCLUSION: Inclusion of 80% of L. leucocephala in the diet of heifers fed low-quality tropical forages has the capacity to reduce up to 61.3% enteric methane emission without affecting DMI, OMI, and protozoa population in rumen liquor.

Ovarian activity and estrus behavior in early postpartum cows grazing Leucaena leucocephala in the tropics.

The legume Leucaena leucocephala (Leucaena) is widely used to supplement forage in silvopastoral livestock systems in Latin America. Little is known about its possible effects on the cow reproductive dynamic. The aim was to evaluate the effect of Leucaena foliage intake on re-establishment of ovarian activity and estrus behavior in early postpartum (7-90 days) cows. Twenty-four multiparous Bos taurus × Bos indicus cows were divided into two homogenous groups and assigned to one of two treatments: a silvopastoral system (SS, n = 12), consisting of an association of Cynodon nlemfuensis grass and L. leucocephala; and a control system (CS, n = 12), consisting of C. nlemfuensis alone. Intake of Leucaena in the SS ranged from 3.80 to 6.43 kg DM/cow/day. Plasma mimosine concentrations ranged from 1270 to 1530 µg/mL, and those for 2,3-dihydroxypyridine (DHP) from 147 to 729 µg/mL. No 3,4-DHP was detected in plasma. No difference (P > 0.05) between treatments was observed for the number of cows exhibiting small, medium, or dominant follicles, or estrus behavior. The number of cows which re-established ovarian cyclicity (n = 6) was lower (P < 0.05) in the SS than in the CS (n = 9). Corpus luteum lifespan was longer (P < 0.05) in the SS than in the CS. Intake of Leucaena affected the number of cows exhibiting ovarian cyclicity and extended corpus luteum life, but did not affect follicular development and estrus behavior.

Dry matter intake and digestibility of rations replacing concentrates with graded levels of Enterolobium cyclocarpum in Pelibuey lambs.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of graded levels of Enterolobium cyclocarpum pods in the ration on feed intake and digestibility by Pelibuey lambs. Five dietary treatments were imposed where ground pods replaced concentrate diet at 0, 20, 30, 40 and 50 % of dry matter (DM), respectively. The concentrate portion was composed of ground sorghum, soybean meal, cane molasses and minerals. Five entire Pelibuey lambs with initial bodyweight 34 ± 2 kg were allocated in the treatments in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Values of dry matter intake (DMI) and dry matter (DMD) and organic matter (OMD) digestibility were measured and metabolisable energy intake (MEI) estimated. Rumen degradation constants for E. cyclocarpum were also measured. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in average DMI (86.6 g/kg(0.75)) and OMI (81.2 g/kg(0.75)) among treatments. As the level of incorporation of E. cyclocarpum pods increased, voluntary DMI and OMI increased, whereas apparent DMD and OMD decreased linearly. Average digestible DM (65 g/kg(0.75)) and OM (61 g/kg(0.75)) intakes were similar (P > 0.05) among treatments. Similarly, MEI (0.976 MJ ME kg(0.75)/day) was not different (P > 0.05) among treatments. The potential rumen degradation (A + B) of ground pods of E. cyclocarpum was 866.4 g/kg DM. Ground pods of E. cyclocarpum can be employed for lamb feeding up to 50 % of the ration, without affecting DMI, DM apparent digestibility and MEI.

Productive performance and urinary excretion of mimosine metabolites by hair sheep grazing in a silvopastoral system with high densities of Leucaena leucocephala.

The aim of this study was to evaluate daily weight gain (DWG), total dry matter (DM) intake, rumen degradability of forage, and urinary excretion of mimosine metabolites by hair sheep in a silvopastoral system with high densities of Leucaena leucocephala. A completely randomized design was carried out with two treatments: treatment 1 (T1) silvopastoral system with leucaena at a density of 35,000 plants/ha and treatment 2 (T2), leucaena at a density of 55,000 plants/ha. Leucaena was associated with tropical grasses Panicum maximum and Cynodon nlemfluensis. Twenty-four male Pelibuey lambs of 23.2 ± 3.4 kg live weight (LW) were used (12 lambs per treatment). Results showed differences (P < 0.05) in DWG of T1 (106.41 ± 11.66 g(-1) sheep(-1)) with respect to that of T2 (81.33 ± 11.81 g(-1) sheep). Voluntary intake was higher in lambs from T1 (83.81 ± 04.07 g DM/kg LW(0.75)) with respect to that from T2 (71.67 ± 8.12 g DM/kg LW(0.75)). There was a difference in color of urine between sheep of T1 and T2, the latter giving positive results for the presence of metabolites derived from mimosine (3-4 dihydroxypyridine and 2-3 dihydroxy pyridone). Rumen degradability of DM of L. leucocephala was higher (P < 0.05) compared to that of P. maximum and C. nlemfluensis (72.94 ± 0.40 vs. 67.06 ± 1.50 and 63.25 ± 1.51 %, respectively). It is concluded that grazing at high densities of L. leucocephala affects daily weight gain of hair sheep, possibly due to ingestion of high amounts of mimosine which may exert an adverse effect on voluntary intake.

Efecto de la condición corporal y la época del año sobre el ciclo estral, estro, desarrollo folicular y tasa ovulatoria en ovejas Pelibuey mantenidas en condiciones de trópico / Effect of body condition and season of the year on estrous cycle, estrous, follicular development and ovulation rate in Pelibuey ewes under tropical conditions

The effect of season and body condition on the follicular development and the ovulation rate in Pelibuey ewes were assessed. During the periods August-November and February-May, 38 ewes were distributed in two groups according to their body condition score: high body condition (HBC) and low body condition (LBC). Estrus was detected twice a day and the ovaries were daily examined by ultrasonography through an interestral period. Ovulation rate (OR) was determined by ultrasonography and then confirmed by laparoscopy. An effect of body condition on the estrous length was found (29.6 ± 2.3 and 20.2 ± 2.5 h HBC and LBC, respectively), whereas there were no differences in the estrous cycle length and the maximum follicular diameter. The number of follicles > 4 mm and the ovulation rate were higher in ewes of high body condition and during the main reproductive season (1.8 vs 1.3 and 2.0 vs 1.4 OR and follicles, respectively).

Se evaluó el efecto del periodo del año y de la condición corporal sobre el desarrollo folicular y la tasa ovulatoria en ovejas de la raza Pelibuey. En los periodos de agosto-noviembre y febrero-mayo, 38 ovejas fueron distribuidas en dos grupos de acuerdo con su condición corporal: condición corporal alta (CCA) y condición corporal baja (CCB). Se trabajó durante dos veces al día para detectar estros, además los ovarios de las ovejas fueron examinados diariamente mediante ultrasonografía durante un periodo interestral. La tasa ovulatoria se determinó con ultrasonografía y se confirmó por medio de laparoscopía. Se encontró efecto de la condición corporal sobre la duración del estro (29.6 ± 2.3 y 20.2 ± 2.5 h CCA y CCB, respectivamente), mientras que no se observaron diferencias en la duración del ciclo estral y el diámetro folicular máximo. La tasa ovulatoria y el número de folículos > 4 mm fue mayor en las ovejas de CCA y en la época de mayor actividad reproductiva (1.8 vs 1.3 y 2.0 vs 1.4 TO y folículos, respectivamente).

Digestibility of Duddingtonia flagrans chlamydospores in ruminants: in vitro and in vivo studies.

BACKGROUND: The use of Duddingtonia flagrans as a tool for the biological control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) is a promising alternative to anthelmintics. The chlamydospores of D. flagrans are orally dosed and their thick cell wall gives them the capacity to resist digestion and pass through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Chlamydospores reaching the faeces are able to germinate and trap nematode larvae. The efficacy of this control method is based on reducing the numbers of infective larvae leaving the faeces. Techniques have recently been developed for quantifying the numbers of chlamydospores in faeces. As the number of non-digested spores could be relevant in the design and optimization of dosing programmes for the control of GIN infective larvae, the aim of the present study was to estimate the loss of D. flagrans chlamydospores during their passage through the ruminant gastrointestinal tract using in vitro and in vivo techniques. RESULTS: After in vitro rumen digestion, chlamydospore recovery was not different from the quantity originally incubated (undigested spores) (P > 0.05). In vitro rumen+abomasum digestion caused nearly 36% loss of the chlamydospores originally incubated (P < 0.05). Germination of chlamydospores classified as viable was 24.3%. Chlamydospores classified as non-viable did not germinate. Rumen digestion resulted in more spore germination (R1 = 35.7% and R2 = 53.3%) compared to no digestion (time 0 h = 8.7%). Subsequent abomasal digestion reduced germination (R1+A = 25%) or stopped it (R2+A = 0%). In vivo apparent chlamydospore digestibility in sheep showed a loss of 89.7% of the chlamydospores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The loss of chlamydospores was evident under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Negligible amounts of spores were lost during the in vitro rumen digestion. However, in vitro rumen+abomasum digestion resulted in a chlamydospore loss of approximately 36%. In vivo passage through the sheep GIT resulted in a total loss of 89.7% of the orally administered spores.

Assessing the efficacy of Duddingtonia flagrans chlamydospores per gram of faeces to control Haemonchus contortus larvae.

The aims were (a) to quantify the number of Duddingtonia flagrans chlamydospores per gram of faeces (CPG) recovered from sheep administered with different oral doses and, (b) to describe the relationship between CPG and eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) on the efficacy to reduce Haemonchus contortus infective larvae. Three doses of chlamydospores per kg BW were orally administered during seven days: (T1) non treated control group, (T2) 1 x 10(6), (T3) 2.5 x 10(6) and (T4) 5 x 10(6). Three lambs, infected with H. contortus, were used per group. Faeces were obtained from the rectum of each lamb during the fungal administration period (days 0-6) and for six days after that period. Four coproculture replicates were made from each animal in days 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. A higher chlamydospore dose produced higher CPG in faeces (p < 0.05), but a clear dose dependent effect was not found either in the larvae reduction or in the CPG:EPG ratio. When ratios were re-analyzed, independently of the treatment groups of origin, a better efficacy was obtained with a ratio from 5 to 10 CPG:EPG and a higher ratio (> 10 per egg) showed a lower reduction efficacy (p < 0.05). The binomial analysis showed that for each unit of increment in CPG:EPG ratio there was a reduction of larvae number until a point (between 5 and 10 CPG:EPG) where no further reduction was detected. The surface response test indicated that the number of larvae was reduced by CPG until possible saturation. The highest CPG:EPG ratios did not necessarily improve efficacy of D. flagrans.

Efecto del tamaño de partícula de la fibra en la dieta sobre la conducta ingestiva, digestión de nutrientes y suministro de proteína microbial al duodeno de bovinos / Effect of fiber particle on cattle ingestive behavior, nutrients digestion and duodenal microbial-N supply

El objetivo de la investigación fue evaluar el efecto del tamaño de la partícula de la fuente de fibra sobre digestabilidad aparente (DA) de la MS, MO y PC, conducta ingestiva (CI) y aporte de proteína microbial (APM). Se utilizaron 6 vacas (450±60.7 kg PV) Bos indicus x Bos Taurus canuladas en el rumen conmutativo 2 x 2. El experimento se realizó en la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia-Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México. La dieta fue mixta forraje: concentrado (40:60). El forraje consistió en un heno con predominancia de zacate Jonson (Sorghum halapense). La diferencia en las dietas fue el tamaño de partícula del heno (36 g PC/kgMS) que fue molido con criba de 3 mm (pequeña, FP) y de 25 mm (grande, FG). El contenido de PC de la dieta fue 150 g/kg MS. La energía Metabolizante (9.3 MJ/kg MS) fue estimada a 1.5 veces el requerimiento de mantenimiento. Se midió la DA de la MS, MO y PC; la producción de saliva se estimó mediante la colecta de bolos. Se utilizó Polietilenglicol para determinar la cinética de líquidos. Se determinó el balance de nitrógeno (N) y la excreción de derivados de purina (DP) en orina. El efecto de la FP y FG sobre la DA de la MS, MO y PC, el balance de nitrógeno y la APM fue similar (P>0.05). La CI presentó mayor actividad de rumia (233 vs 159 min/d) y producción de saliva (74.17 vs 55.77 L/d) para la dieta con FG (P<0.05). No hubo efecto sobre la tasa de flujo y de recambio de líquidos. En conclusión, el tamaño de partícula afectó el tiempo de rumia. La digestabilidad de la MS, MO y PC, así como el APM al duodeno no mostró diferencias significativas entre las dietas.

The effect of fibre particle size on apparent digestibility, ingestive behaviour and microbial-N supply was investigated. Six Bos indicus x B. taurus cows (450 ± 60.7 kg LW) fitted with ruminal canulas were used in a 2 x 2 cross-over design. The diet was made of 40% roughage and 60% concentrate. The difference amongst them was the particle size of hay (36 g CP/kg DM) which was reduced to 3 mm (small particle) and 25 mm (large particle). Diets had 150g CP and 9.3 MJ /kg DM. Apparent digestibility of DM, OM and CP and N balance were measured. Saliva production was estimated via bolus collection at the rumen. PEG was used to measure rumen liquid kinetics. Microbial-N supply was assessed with the urinary purine derivatives technique. No effects were found due to particle size on DM, OM, CP and Microbial-N supply (P>0.05). Large particle size caused and increase on the time devoted for rumia (233 vs 159 min/d) and saliva production (74.17 vs 55.77 L/d) (P<0.05). However, liquid outflow rate and rumen turnover rate were not affected (P>0.05). It was concluded that fiber particle size can increase time devoted to rumia. However, apparent DM, OM and CP digestibility, as well as microbial-N supply are not affected.