Supplementation with protected kapok seed oil and choline chloride to improve the performance and lipid status of thin-tailed sheep.

Background and Aim: Healthy meat production is an important aspect of increasing sheep productivity. This study aimed to examine the influence of protected kapok seed oil (KSO) in combination with choline chloride (CC) on the feed utilization, lipid status, and performance of thin-tailed sheep. Materials and Methods: Thirty male thin-tailed sheep (approximately 6 months old, with an average body weight of 12.59 ± 1.48 kg) were divided into six treatment groups (five heads/treatment). Factor 1 consisted of two treatments: K1 (KSO supplementation at 10% supplementation and 75% protection level) and K0 (without KSO supplementation). Factor 2 consisted of three levels of CC: (C0: 0%; C1: 1.5% and C2: 3% feed dry matter (DM) basis supplementation levels). The variables measured were the DM consumption, DM digestibility, organic matter digestibility, nitrogen retention, daily body weight gain (DBWG), and blood and meat lipid status. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance in a completely randomized design in a factorial pattern of 2 × 3 × 5. Results: Choline chloride supplementation (up to 3%) increased DM consumption in the K0C2 group. The CC and protected KSO (K1C2) supplementation combination resulted in the highest DM consumption level (p < 0.05). The protected KSO supplementation increased DBWG (the DBWG in the K1C0 group was higher than that in the K0C0 group, and the highest DBWG was found in the K1C2 group) (p < 0.05). Protected KSO and CC supplementation decreased cholesterol levels and increased the relative proportion of linoleic acid in meat (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Combined supplementation with protected KSO and CC improved the feed utilization and performance of male thin-tailed sheep. There were increases in DBWG, decreases in intramuscular fat and cholesterol levels, and increases in meat linoleic acid levels.

Recent advances in chromosome capture techniques unraveling 3D genome architecture in germ cells, health, and disease.

In eukaryotes, the genome does not emerge in a specific shape but rather as a hierarchial bundle within the nucleus. This multifaceted genome organization consists of multiresolution cellular structures, such as chromosome territories, compartments, and topologically associating domains, which are frequently defined by architecture, design proteins including CTCF and cohesin, and chromatin loops. This review briefly discusses the advances in understanding the basic rules of control, chromatin folding, and functional areas in early embryogenesis. With the use of chromosome capture techniques, the latest advancements in technologies for visualizing chromatin interactions come close to revealing 3D genome formation frameworks with incredible detail throughout all genomic levels, including at single-cell resolution. The possibility of detecting variations in chromatin architecture might open up new opportunities for disease diagnosis and prevention, infertility treatments, therapeutic approaches, desired exploration, and many other application scenarios.

Gut Microbiota Profiles in Dairy Cattle from Highland and Coastal Regions Using Shotgun Metagenomic Approach.

There is significant difference in milk production of highland and coastal regions in Indonesia of which the latter is critically low. The recent studies indicate a possibility of improving the milk yield and quality by manipulating the gut microbiota, for which profiling and abundance of gut microbiota in these divergent regions need to be addressed. The present study was the first of its kind to explore the dairy cattle gut microbiota diversity, abundance, and functional annotation of the two divergent Indonesian regions, the highland and coastal regions, by shotgun metagenomic approach. Unfavorable environmental conditions such as type of forage grass in coastal regions and high temperature remain a limiting factor; however, the improvement through manipulating the gut microbiota was not considered until recently to improve the quality and quantity of coastal region dairy cattle. The application of recent advance technologies can help achieve this goal on sustainable basis. The results show Bacteroidetes in higher abundance in coastal region (FPP) than in highland (Salatiga) while Firmicutes were higher in Salatiga. Furthermore, a collective physiology of the community was found by annotating the sequences against KEGG, eggNOG, and CAZy databases. To identify the role in pathways, an mPATH analysis was performed to have insight into the microbiota community in different metabolic pathways. The identified targets can be used as prebiotic and/or probiotic to improve the average milk yield of coastal region dairy cattle by manipulating the dairy feed with desired microbes.

Effect of feeding goat meat containing low cholesterol and rich omega-6 fatty acid on blood lipid status of white rat (Rattus norvegicus).

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Healthy goat meat is an essential aspect in increasing consumer acceptance for this livestock product. The research aimed to examine the effect of goat meat containing low cholesterol and rich omega-6 fatty acid on the performance and blood lipid status of white rats (Rattus norvegicus). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty 2-month-old male white rats (R. norvegicus) weighing 195-230 g were randomly divided into three groups, with each group consisting of 10 rats. Group I was treated with a control feed (T0; BR I concentrate). Group II (T1) was treated with a mixed feed containing 50% control feed and 50% goat meat. Group III (T2) was treated with a mixed feed comprising 50% control feed and 50% goat meat with low cholesterol and rich omega-6 fatty acids. Each treatment was given ad libitum for 30 days. The variables measured were dry matter and organic matter consumption, daily body weight gain, feed conversion, triglyceride levels, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and atherogenic index (AI). The data were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance in a completely randomized design. RESULTS: The total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol levels at T0, T1, and T2 were as follows: 99.97, 35.97, and 50.43 mg/dL (total cholesterol); 108.35, 33.92, and 58.17 mg/dL (HDL cholesterol); and 101.43, 38.09, and 48.65 mg/dL (LDL cholesterol). The highest HDL and the lowest LDL cholesterol levels (p<0.05) were observed in the T2 treatment group, which had the lowest AI (1.69 vs. 1.77 and 2.19). CONCLUSION: The consumption of goat with low cholesterol and rich omega-6 fatty acids reduces the total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, raises the HDL cholesterol levels, and decreases the AI.

Exploration of anthelmintic activity of Cassia spp. extracts on gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the phytochemical constituents and anthelmintic activities of four Cassia spp. leaves against Haemonchus contortus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The extracts were prepared from four species of Cassia spp. (C. siamea, C. fistula, C. surattensis, and C. spectabilis). Phytochemical screening of the extract was done based on the Harborne method. Evaluation of the anthelmintic activities against H. contortus was done in vitro using infective larvae (L3) migration inhibition assay (LMIA). Measurement of larvae migrating was conducted through a nylon filter with a pore size of 20 µm. The doses of Cassia spp. extract implemented were 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/ml. RESULTS: Tannins, alkaloids, phenol hydroquinone, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids, and saponins were present in all the extracts, whereas alkaloids were absent in C. fistula. No triterpenoids were found in C. surattensis and C. spectabilis. Movement of H. contortus larvae was significantly inhibited after exposure to Cassia extracts at various dosage levels (p < 0.05). The test results using LMIA on L3 H. contortus showed the lowest inhibition in the negative control. Among the species of Cassia, the C. surattensis (at 200 mg/ml) showed the highest (p < 0.05) inhibition level on the larvae. The latter result corresponded to the effect of albendazole. CONCLUSION: Compared to other Cassia spp., C. surattensis exhibited the highest inhibition against L3 H. contortus. However, the inhibition effect of C. surattensis was still lower as compared to albendazole.