Effects of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) as feed supplements on muscle nutrient composition, meat quality, and antioxidant capacity in Qianbei goat.

Objective: Black soldier fly (BSF) as an animal protein feed source is currently becoming a research hot topic. This study investigated the effects of the BSF as a protein feed source for goats on slaughter performance, muscle nutrient composition, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, and antioxidant levels. Methods: Thirty Qianbei Ma goats (20.30 ± 1.09 kg) were randomly divided into three groups: the control group (GRPC) supplemented with 10% full-fat soybean, treatment 1 (GRPU) supplemented with 10% untreated BSF, and treatment 2 (GRPT) supplemented with 10% heat-treated BSF. One-way ANOVA among groups (with Fisher's least significant difference (LSD) post hoc comparison) was used in this study. Results: The nutrients, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, and antioxidants in muscle were analyzed. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the moisture, dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ash, amino acids, and mineral content of the muscles among the three feeding groups. The slaughter rate and carcass weight of the GRPU and GRPT groups were significantly lower (p<0.05). The overall meat quality of the GRPU and GRPT groups decreased (p<0.05). The individual unsaturated fatty acids and total unsaturated fatty acids in the GRPU group were higher (p<0.05) than those in the GRPC and GRPT groups. Both GRPU and GRPT decreased (p<0.05) the antioxidant capacity of the meat. Conclusion: Therefore, the heat-treated BSF had a better effect on meat quality compared to untreated BSF, but there were greater negative effects on the meat quality of GRPU and GRPT than GRPC.

Effects of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens L., BSF) Larvae Addition on In Vitro Fermentation Parameters of Goat Diets.

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of different levels of BSF on rumen in vitro fermentation gas production, methane (CH4) production, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), and volatile fatty acids (VFAs). The experiment comprised four treatments, each with five replicates. The control group contained no BSF (BSF0), and the treatment groups contained 5% (BSF5), 10% (BSF10), and 15% (BSF15) BSF, respectively. Results showed that at 3 h, 9 h, and 24 h, gas production in BSF5 and BSF10 was significantly higher than in BSF0 and BSF15 (p < 0.05). Gas production in BSF5 and BSF10 was higher than in BSF0, while gas production in BSF15 was lower than in BSF0. At 6 h and 12 h, CH4 emission in BSF15 was significantly lower than in the other three groups (p < 0.05). There were no differences in the pH of in vitro fermentation after BSF addition (p > 0.05). At 3 h, NH3-N levels in BSF10 and BSF15 were significantly higher than in BSF0 and BSF5 (p < 0.05). At 6 h, NH3-N levels in BSF5 and BSF10 were significantly higher than in BSF0 and BSF15 (p < 0.05). Acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and total VFAs in BSF0, BSF5, and BSF10 were significantly higher than in BSF15 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, gas production, CH4 emission, NH3-N, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and VFAs were highest in BSF5 and BSF10 and lowest in BSF15.

Physicochemical properties, mechanism of action of lycopene and its application in poultry and ruminant production.

Lycopene is a kind of natural carotenoid that could achieve antioxidant, anti-cancer, lipid-lowering and immune-improving effects by up-regulating or down-regulating genes related to antioxidant, anti-cancer, lipid-lowering and immunity. Furthermore, lycopene is natural, pollution-free, and has no toxic side effects. The application of lycopene in animal production has shown that it could improve livestock production performance, slaughter performance, immunity, antioxidant capacity, intestinal health, and meat quality. Therefore, lycopene as a new type of feed additive, has broader application prospects in many antibiotic-forbidden environments. This article serves as a reference for the use of lycopene as a health feed additive in animal production by going over its physical and chemical characteristics, antioxidant, lipid-lowering, anti-cancer, and application in animal production.

Enhancing Milk Quality and Antioxidant Status in Lactating Dairy Goats through the Dietary Incorporation of Purple Napier Grass Silage.

Oxidative stress resulting from an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants can cause damage to certain cellular components. Purple Napier grass, a semi-dwarf variety, is characterized by its purple leaves and contains anthocyanins, which provide it with antioxidant properties. This study examined the effects of feeding purple Napier grass ("Prince") silage to lactating dairy goats on blood antioxidant activity, milk yield, and milk quality. Eighteen female Saanen crossbred goats, weighing 52.34 ± 2.86 kg and producing milk for 14 ± 2 days, were systematically divided into three groups based on their lactation period in the previous cycle as follows: early, mid, and late lactation. In a randomized complete block design (RCBD), treatments were randomly allocated to six animals in each block. The dairy goats were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) consisting of the three following treatments: control (100% Napier Pakchong 1 grass silage), 50% (a 50% replacement of the control with purple Napier grass silage), and 100% (100% purple Napier grass silage). The results show that goats who were fed a diet including 100% purple Napier grass silage showed higher levels of certain milk contents, especially with regard to lactose, when compared to those who were fed a control diet, as well as a diet with a 50% replacement of purple Napier grass silage. The somatic cell count (SCC) of these goats was reduced. In terms of antioxidant activity, dairy goats who were fed 100% purple Napier grass silage showed higher levels of enzymes in both plasma and milk, including glutathione s-transferase, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, compared to the control group and the 50% replacement group. The plasma and milk of these goats showed lower levels of malondialdehyde. The dairy goats who were fed a 100% purple Napier grass silage diet showed higher concentrations of anthocyanins, including C3G, P3G, Peo3G, M3G, Cya, Pel, and total anthocyanins in milk, when compared to the control group and the 50% replacement group. The increased replacement of purple Napier grass silage led to significant differences in lactose levels, somatic cell count, glutathione S-transferase, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, and the composition of anthocyanins. This study provides evidence to support the use of purple Napier grass silage as a beneficial source of roughage for lactating dairy goats.

The Effect of Neem Leaf Supplementation on Growth Performance, Rumen Fermentation, and Ruminal Microbial Population in Goats.

This study aims to investigate the effect of neem leaf supplementation on the feed intake, digestibility, performance, fermentation characteristics, and ruminal microbes in goats. We included 24 Anglo-Nubian Thai native male goats with a body weight of 20 ± 2.0 kg, using 2 × 2 factorial in a completely randomized design for the following four treatments: (1) control, (2) control + 15% PEG in the concentrate, (3) 6% NL in concentrate, and (4) 6% NL + 15% PEG in concentrate. The results show that supplementation with 6% NL + 15% PEG in the concentrate had a higher (p < 0.05) feed intake gDM/d, % BW, g/kgBW0.75, nutrient intake, nutrient digestion, weight change, and ADG than did the goats that were fed with 0% NL + 0% PEG, 0% NL + 15% PEG, and 6% NL + 0% PEG in concentrate, respectively. The feeding with 6% NL + 15% PEG had a higher (p < 0.05) level of propionic acid at 2 and 4 h post feeding compared to the other treatments. Supplementation with 6% NL + 15% PEG in the concentrate had the lowest (p < 0.05) methanogen, protozoa, blood urea nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, acetic acid, and butyric acid, as well as a lower ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid at 2 and 4 h post feeding than the other treatments. However, supplementation with 6% NL + 15% PEG in concentrate had the highest values of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and Streptococcus gallolyticus at 2 and 4 h post feeding compared to the other treatments (p < 0.05). Collectively, this study indicates that neem leaf supplements can increase growth performance and propionic acid and can modulate the abundance of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and Streptococcus gallolyticus. Thus, neem leaf could potentially be a good supplement for goat feed.

Iron sulfate and molasses treated anthocyanin-rich black cane silage improves growth performance, rumen fermentation, antioxidant status, and meat tenderness in goats.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of feeding anthocyanin-rich black cane treated with ferrous sulfate and molasses on animal performance, rumen fermentation, microbial composition, blood biochemical indices, and carcass characteristics in meat goats. METHODS: Thirty-two Thai-native×Anglo-Nubian crossbred male goats (14.47±2.3 kg) were divided equally into two groups (n = 16) to investigate the effect of feeding diet containing 50% untreated anthocyanin-rich black cane silage (BS) vs diet containing anthocyaninrich black cane silage treated with 0.03% ferrous sulfate and 4% molasses (TBS) on average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI). At the end of 90 d feeding trial, the goats were slaughtered to determine blood biochemical indices, rumen fermentation, microbial composition, and carcass characteristics differences between the two dietary groups. RESULTS: Goats fed the TBS diet had greater ADG and ADG to DMI ratio (p<0.05). TBS diet did not affect rumen fluid pH; however, goats in the TBS group had lower rumen ammonia N levels (p<0.05) and higher total volatile fatty acid concentrations (p<0.05). Goats in the TBS group had a higher (p<0.05) concentration of Ruminococcus albus but a lower (p<0.05) concentration of methanogenic bacteria. The TBS diet also resulted in lower (p<0.05) thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances concentration but higher (p<0.05) total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase concentrations in blood plasma, while having no effect on plasma protein, glucose, lipid, immunoglobin G, alanine transaminase, and aspartate aminotransferase. Meat from goats fed the TBS diet contained more intramuscular fat (p<0.05) and was more tender (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In comparison to goats fed a diet containing 50% untreated anthocyanin-rich black cane silage, feeding a diet containing 50% anthocyanin-rich black cane silage treated with 0.03% ferrous sulfate and 4% molasses improved rumen fermentation and reduced oxidative stress, resulting in higher growth and more tender meat.

Sustainable Valorization of Tomato Pomace (Lycopersicon esculentum) in Animal Nutrition: A Review.

Under the background of the current shortage of feed resources, especially the shortage of protein feed, attempts to develop and utilize new feed resources are constantly being made. If the tomato pomace (TP) produced by industrial processing is used improperly, it will not only pollute the environment, but also cause feed resources to be wasted. This review summarizes the nutritional content of TP and its use and impact in animals as an animal feed supplement. Tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato processing, divided into peel, pulp, and tomato seeds, which are rich in proteins, fats, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids, as well as antioxidant bioactive compounds, such as lycopene, beta-carotenoids, tocopherols, polyphenols, and terpenes. There are mainly two forms of feed: drying and silage. Tomato pomace can improve animal feed intake and growth performance, increase polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and PUFA n-3 content in meat, improve meat color, nutritional value, and juiciness, enhance immunity and antioxidant capacity of animals, and improve sperm quality. Lowering the rumen pH and reducing CH4 production in ruminants promotes the fermentation of rumen microorganisms and improves economic efficiency. Using tomato pomace instead of soybean meal as a protein supplement is a research hotspot in the animal husbandry industry, and further research should focus on the processing technology of TP and its large-scale application in feed.

Effect of Purple Neem Foliage as a Feed Supplement on Nutrient Apparent Digestibility, Nitrogen Utilization, Rumen Fermentation, Microbial Population, Plasma Antioxidants, Meat Quality and Fatty Acid Profile of Goats.

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effect of Purple Neem foliage as a feed supplement on nutrient apparent digestibility, nitrogen utilization, rumen fermentation, microbial population, plasma antioxidants, meat quality and fatty acid profile of goats. Eighteen Boer male goats (approximately 20 ± 2 kg body weight; mean ± standard deviation (SD)) were randomly allocated into three treatments. All goats were fed a 60 d daily feeding with three treatments: (1) control, (2) 3% Purple Neem foliage (PNF) + 3% sunflower oil (SFO) in concentrate, and (3) 6% Purple Neem foliage (PNF) + 3% sunflower oil (SFO) in concentrate. The findings indicate that goat feed containing 6% PNF + 3% SFO in concentrate increased feed consumption, nutrient intake, nutrient apparent digestibility and nitrogen utilization compared to the goat feed at 3% PNF + 3% SFO and the control group. The feeding of goats with 6% PNF + 3% SFO in concentrate resulted in high ammonia nitrogen, BUN, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and the total VFA levels were increased at 2 and 4 h after feeding (p < 0.01). The individual microbial population with 6% PNF + 3% SFO had higher (p < 0.01) total bacteria, higher Butyrivibrio fibrisolven, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefacises, and Streptococcus bovis, decreased protozoa and methanogen levels at 2 and 4 h after feeding. The antioxidant in plasma indices varied, with 6% PNF + 3% SFO having higher total antioxidant (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and catalase (CAT) antioxidant activity and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma at 2 and 4 h after feeding. Additionally, goat fed 6% PNF + 3% SFO can improve meat quality by lowering drip loss, cooking loss, shear force, and saturated fatty acid as well as increase the fatty acid profile (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids) in goat meat. Our findings suggest that Purple Neem foliage might be an excellent alternative additive for goat feed.

Nutritional Composition of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) and Its Potential Uses as Alternative Protein Sources in Animal Diets: A Review.

The rapidly growing population has increased demand for protein quantities and, following a shortage of plant-based feed protein sources and the prohibition of animal-based feed protein, has forced the search for new sources of protein. Therefore, humans have turned their attention to edible insects. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) (Hermetia illucens L.) are rich in nutrients such as fat, protein and high-quality amino acids and minerals, making them a good source of protein. Furthermore, BSFL are easily reared and propagated on any nutrient substrate such as plant residues, animal manure and waste, food scraps, agricultural byproducts, or straw. Although BSFL cannot completely replace soybean meal in poultry diets, supplementation of less than 20% has no negative impact on chicken growth performance, biochemical indicators and meat quality. In pig studies, although BSFL supplementation did not have any negative effect on growth performance and meat quality, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was reduced. There is obviously less research on the feeding of BSFL in pigs than in poultry, particularly in relation to weaning piglets and fattening pigs; further research is needed on the supplementation level of sows. Moreover, it has not been found that BSFL are used in ruminants, and the next phase of research could therefore study them. The use of BSFL in animal feed presents some challenges in terms of cost, availability and legal and consumer acceptance. However, this should be considered in the context of the current shortage of protein feed and the nutritional value of BSFL, which has important research significance in animal production.

Dietary inclusion of anthocyanin-rich black cane silage treated with ferrous sulfate heptahydrate reduces oxidative stress and promotes tender meat production in goats.

Pre-treating anthocyanin-rich black cane with ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (FSH) produces high-quality silage with anthocyanin and nutritional losses. However, it's unclear how to apply this to studies on how FSH-treated silage affects animal performance and meat quality. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of a standard total mixed ration (TMR) containing anthocyanin-rich black cane silages either with or without dilutions of FSH on animal performance, blood biochemical indices, rumen fermentation, microbial community, and carcass characteristics in meat goats. Forty healthy crossbred Thai-native Anglo-Nubian male goats (14.42 ± 1.4 kg) were used to compare the feasibility of using anthocyanin-rich black cane silage (ABS) as a functional feed resource as opposed to anthocyanin-rich black cane treated with 0.030% commercial FSH silage (ABSF). All goats received a 90-day routine feeding of two isocaloric and isonitrogenous experimental diets: the control group received TMR containing 50% anthocyanin-rich black cane silage (ABS; n = 20), and one group received TMR containing 50% FSH-treating anthocyanin-rich black cane (ABSF; n = 20). As performance indicators, average daily weight gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI) were measured. Samples of meat, blood, and rumen were taken at the end of the experiment. There were no differences in final body weight, ADG, DMI, or ADG/DMI between the two groups. The ABSF group did not differ from the ABS group in terms of rumen pH, but the ABSF had a tendency to lower rumen ammonia N levels, and to higher total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations. Individual VFA concentrations differed, with the ABSF group having more Ruminococcus albus and the ABS group having more methanogenic bacteria. Blood biochemical indices differed, with the ABSF group having lower TBARS concentrations and the ABS group having lower TAC, SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and GSH-Rx concentrations. In comparison to goat meat from the ABS group, goat meat from the ABSF group contained more intramuscular fat and was more tender. The current results indicate that the feeding of a TMR containing 50% anthocyanin-rich black cane, along with FSH pre-treatment prior to ensiling, reduces oxidative stress and promotes the production of tender meat without affecting animal performance.

Silage Fermentation Quality, Anthocyanin Stability, and in vitro Rumen Fermentation Characteristic of Ferrous Sulfate Heptahydrate-Treated Black Cane (Saccharum sinensis R.).

Pretreatment of lignocellulose agricultural biomass with iron prior to ensiling is required to accelerate biomass breakdown during fermentation, which could result in functional microorganisms and chemicals that reduce nutrition loss, harmful substances, and improve animal performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of increasing dilutions of ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (FS) pretreatment at fresh matter concentrations of 0, 0.015, and 0.030% on the fermentation quality of black cane (BC) silage, anthocyanin stability, ruminal biogas, rumen fermentation profile, and microbial community. Pre-ensiled and silage materials were evaluated. High moisture, fiber, anthocyanin, and lignification of biomass, as well as undesirable ensiling microorganisms, were found in BC' pre-ensiled form. Increasing dilutions of FS incorporated into silages were observed to linearly decrease dry matter, anthocyanin, and nutritive value losses. The lignin values decreased linearly as the percentage of FS increased up to 0.030%. Given that the ruminants were fed pre-ensiled materials, BC silage treated with 0.030% FS dilution had comparable results to pre-ensiled BC in terms of increasing in vitro volatile fatty acid concentrations, maintaining total gas production, and reducing methane production, when compared to other FS-treated silages. In addition, BC silage treated with a 0.030% FS dilution inhibited methanogenic bacteria and regulated cellulolytic bacteria in rumen fluid. Overall, the anthocyanin content of BC remained constant throughout the rumen fermentation process after increasing dilutions of FS, indicating that BC is a viable ruminant feedstock and that pretreatment of BC with dilute FS-assisted ensiling at 0.030% could be used to generate ruminant diets.

Growth Performance, Blood Biochemical Indices, Rumen Bacterial Community, and Carcass Characteristics in Goats Fed Anthocyanin-Rich Black Cane Silage.

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of a standard total mixed ration (TMR) with containing anthocyanin-rich plants on animal performance, blood biochemical indices, rumen fermentation, microbial composition, and carcass characteristics in meat goats. Thirty-six healthy crossbred Thai-native Anglo-Nubian male goats (14.42 ± 0.6 kg) were used to compare the possibility of using anthocyanin-rich black cane silage (AS) in place of Napier grass silage (NS) as a functional feed resource. All goats received a 90-d routine feeding consisting of two experimental diets that were isocaloric and isonitrogenous: the control group received TMR containing 50% NS (NS; n = 18), and one group received TMR containing 50% AS (AS; n = 18). Average daily weight gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI) were measured as indicators of performance. At the end of the experiment, meat, blood, and rumen samples were collected. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of final body weight, ADG, DMI, or ADG/DMI. There were no differences in rumen pH or total volatile fatty acids (VFAs); however, rumen ammonia N concentrations were lower in the AS group than in the NS group. Individual VFA concentrations varied, with AS group containing more Ruminococcus albus and NS group containing more methanogenic bacteria. Blood biochemical indices varied, with NS group having higher TBARS concentration and AS group having higher concentrations of TAC, SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and GSH-Rx. Goat meat from the AS group had higher levels of intramuscular fat and was more tender compared to goat meat from the NS group. The feeding of anthocyanin-rich black cane appears to be an attractive alternative for Napier grass in the nutrition of meat goats. The current results indicate that the feeding of a TMR containing 50% anthocyanin-rich black cane alleviates oxidative stress and promotes the production of tender meat.

Effect of Cultivar, Plant Spacing and Harvesting Age on Yield, Characteristics, Chemical Composition, and Anthocyanin Composition of Purple Napier Grass.

Purple Napier grass is a semi-dwarf, purple-leaved Napier grass. The purple color is anthocyanins. Anthocyanin is classified as a group of flavonoids. It has antioxidant properties. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of plant spacing and harvesting age on the forage yield, morphological characteristics, chemical composition, and anthocyanin composition of purple Napier grass. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of plant spacing and harvesting age on the forage yield, morphological characteristics, chemical composition, and anthocyanin composition of purple Napier grass when grown on a sandy soil. The cultivars were Napier Pakchong 1 (Pennisetum purpureum × Pennisetum americanum cv. Pakchong 1) and purple Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum "Prince"), with plant spacings of 50 × 50, 50 × 75, and 75 × 75 cm, and the harvesting ages were 45, 60, and 75 days. The experiment was a 2 × 3 × 3 factorial layout in a randomized complete block design with four replications, for a total of 72 plots, each 5 × 5 m. The purple Napier grass had a higher number of tillers per plant than the Napier Pakchong 1 grass. The LSR value (leaf/stem ratio) was influenced by the interaction of cultivar × plant spacing × harvesting age. The purple Napier grass planted at 75 × 75 cm for 45 days had the highest LSR value. The crude protein of the purple Napier grass, the grass planted at 75 × 75 cm, and the grass for 45 days were significantly higher than the other treatments. The purple Napier grass planted at 75 × 75 cm for 45 days had the highest (p < 0.05) anthocyanin content. It was concluded that purple Napier grass planted at 75 × 75 cm for 45 days would contain the proper number of tillers per plant, LSR value, chemical composition for ruminants, and the highest anthocyanin composition.

Empirical Evaluation and Prediction of Protein Requirements for Maintenance and Growth of 18-24 Months Old Thai Swamp Buffaloes.

In some geographical areas and in certain breeding situations, the interpretation of increased gain in the bovine is difficult to investigate. Due to their inherent genetic variations, their energy and protein needs vary as a function of inherent genetic differences, making these requirements difficult to accurately assess in bull species, e.g., Thai swamp buffalo. The study aimed at investigating and predicting protein requirement systems, by the provision of an abundant energy intake of 2.2 Mcal/kg DM for the maintenance and growth of Thai swamp buffaloes using a comparative prolonged feeding trial for 90 days. Sixteen bull Thai swamp buffaloes at the initial (Age: 18-24 months; BW: 233 ± 25.0 kg) were assigned into four treatment groups, four buffaloes each, fed 5.4, 6.6, 8.5, and 10.5% DM crude protein (CP). CP intake, BW, and physiological fluid were determined. The net CP requirements for maintenance and growth of Thai swamp buffaloes were 5.41 g CP/kg W0.75 and 0.46 g CP/g average daily gain (ADG), respectively. Our results indicated that CP requirement increases when the BW increases. An increased dietary CP resulted in increased amounts of blood urine nitrogen (N), N absorption, total volatile fatty acid, urinary purine derivative, and the microbial N. Notably, the net CP requirement for growth of Thai swamp buffalo was higher than it reported in NRC, but the maintenance was lower.

Treatment of Rice Stubble with Pleurotus ostreatus and Urea Improves the Growth Performance in Slow-Growing Goats.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the fungal treatment (Pleurotus ostreatus) of urea-treated rice stubble on growth performance in slow-growing goats. Eighteen crossbred Thai-native x Anglo-Nubian male goats (average body weight: 20.4 ± 2.0 kg) were randomly assigned to three experimental total mixed rations containing 35% rice stubble (RS) that were either untreated (URS), urea treated (UTRS), or treated with urea and fungi (UFTRS). URS and UTRS were cultivated and harvested from an aseptically fungal spawn, incubated at 25-30 °C for 25 days. Indicators of growth performance were monitored, and feces were collected quantitatively to assess nutrient digestibility, during a 12-week feeding trial. All goats remained healthy throughout the experiment. The goats fed UFTRS had a lower feed conversion ratio (kg feed/kg growth) compared to goats fed URS or UTRS. Compared to URS, dietary UFTRS increased the nutrient digestibility of slow-growing goats, such as organic matter (OM) (+8.5%), crude protein (CP) (+5.5%), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (+39.2%), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) (+27.4%). Likewise, dietary UFTRS tended to increase rumen ammonia concentrations, but rumen pH and volatile fatty acids were not affected by UFTRS. In conclusion, the present study indicates that the fungal treatment of RS is an effective tool to improve the growth performance of slow-growing goats.

Nitrate supplementation of rations based on rice straw but not Pangola hay, improves growth performance in meat goats.

OBJECTIVE: Supplemental nitrate is known to be an effective tool to mitigate methane emission by ruminants. Based on theoretical considerations, supplemental nitrate can improve but also deteriorate the growth performance. The overall effect of supplemental nitrate on growth performance, however, is not yet known. The objective of the current study was therefore to evaluate the effect of a higher dose of NO3- on overall growth performance when feeding either Pangola grass hay or rice straw. METHODS: Thirty-two crossbred, 3-month-old Thai native×Anglo-Nubian crossbred male goats were used. The experiment had a 2×2 factorial design with an experimental period of 60 days. Eight goats were randomly allocated to each dietary treatment, i.e. a ration containing either Pangola hay (Digitaria eriantha Steud) or rice straw (Oryza Sativa) as a source of roughage, supplemented with a concentrate containing either 3.2% or 4.8% potassium nitrate. The rations were formulated to be isonitrogenous. The animals were weighed at the start of the experiment and at days 30 and 60. Feces were collected during the last five days of each 30-day period. RESULTS: High-nitrate increased overall DM intake by approximately 3%, irrespective the source of roughage, but only the goats fed a rice straw-based ration responded with an increase in body weight (BW). Thus, the overall feed conversion ratio (kg feed/kg BW gain) was influenced by roughage source ×nitrate and decreased by almost 60% when the goats were fed rice straw in combination with a high versus a low dietary nitrate content. The digestibility of macronutrients was only affected by the source of roughage and the digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fibre was greater when the goats were fed Pangola hay. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the replacement of soybean meal by nitrate improves the growth performance of meat goats fed rations based on rice straw, but not Pangola hay.

The links between supplementary tannin levels and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) formation in ruminants: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to predict and identify ways to increase conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) formation in ruminant-derived products to treat human health issues with dietary tannins. The objective was to compare and confirm the effects of dietary tannins on CLA formation by analyzing in vitro and/or in vivo studies. We reported the results of the meta-analysis based on numerical data from 38 selected publications consisting of 3712 treatments. Generally, via multiple pathways, the CLA formation increased when dietary tannins increased. Concurrently, dietary tannins increased Δ9 desaturation and the CLA indices in milk and meat (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, with average R2 values of 0.23 and 0.44, respectively), but they did not change the rumen fermentation characteristics, including total volatile fatty acids (mmol/L) and their acid components. In vitro observations may accurately predict in vivo results. Unfortunately, there was no relationship between in vitro observations and in vivo results (R2 < 0.10), indicating that it is difficult to predict CLA formation in vivo considering in vitro observations. According to the statistical meta-analysis results regarding animal aspects, the ranges of tannin levels required for CLA formation in vitro and in vivo were approximately 0.1-20 g/kg dry matter (DM) (P < 0.001) and 2.1-80 g/kg DM (P < 0.001), respectively. In conclusion, the in vivo method was more suitable for the direct observation of fatty acid transformation than the in vitro method.

Effects of anthocyanin-rich purple corn (Zea mays L.) stover silage on nutrient utilization, rumen fermentation, plasma antioxidant capacity, and mammary gland gene expression in dairy goats1.

Eight healthy multiparous Saanen dairy goats (41.50 ± 1.84 kg) were assigned to a double 4 × 4 Latin square design. The four treatment diets were: (i) negative control, rice straw (NC); (ii) first positive control, sticky corn stover silage (PC1); (iii) second positive control, PC1 with 1 g/d commercial purple corn pigment (PC2); and (iv) anthocyanin-rich purple corn stover silage (PSS; AR). DMI did not differ (P > 0.05) among the treatments. Goats receiving the NC tended (P < 0.05) to reduce nutrient apparent digestibility, nitrogen (N) absorption, N retention, and volatile fatty acid production relative to the other groups. The levels of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in plasma were greater (P < 0.05) in goats fed PC2 and AR compared with NC and PC1. The inclusion of PC2 and AR increased (P < 0.05) the abundance of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NFE2L2), but decreased (P < 0.05) the level of tumor necrosis factor in the mammary gland. Moreover, goats receiving AR tended to increase (P < 0.05) the levels of SOD2, GPX1, and GPX2 mRNA expression in the mammary gland. There were significant (P < 0.05) positive correlations between DPPH scavenging activity, total antioxidant capacity, SOD, catalase enzymes in plasma, and the abundance of NFE2L2 in the mammary gland. In addition, stronger (P < 0.05) positive correlations were noted between the expression of several inflammation related and antioxidant genes. Collectively, the results from the current study indicated that the consumption of anthocyanin-rich PSS by dairy goats had the potential to enhance antioxidant potential by improving antioxidant capacity in plasma and by modulating the abundance of several inflammation related and antioxidant genes in the mammary gland.