scholarly journals Preliminary evidence for a forestomach washing mechanism in llamas (Lama glama)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Michel Hatt ◽  
Daryl Codron ◽  
Henning Richter ◽  
Patrick R. Kircher ◽  
Jürgen Hummel ◽  
...  

AbstractDust and grit are ingested by herbivores in their natural habitats along with the plants that represent their selected diet. Among the functions of the rumen, a washing of ingesta from adhering dust and grit has recently been demonstrated. The putative consequence is a less strenuous wear on ruminant teeth by external abrasives during rumination. The same function should theoretically apply to camelids, but has not been investigated so far. We fed six llamas (Lama glama) a diet of grass hay and a lucerne-based pelleted food in which fine sand had been included at about 8% of ingredients, for ad libitum consumption for 6 weeks. Subsequently, animals were slaughtered and content of the different sections of the gastrointestinal tract was sampled for the analysis of dry matter (DM), total ash, and acid detergent insoluble ash (ADIA, a measure for silica). Additionally, two of the animals were subjected to whole-body computer tomography (CT) after death in the natural sternal resting position. No clinical problems or macroscopic changes in the faeces were observed during the experimental period. The results indicate an accumulation of ADIA in the C3 compartment of the stomach complex, in particular in the posterior portion that is the equivalent of the abomasum in ruminants. By contrast, contents of the C1, from which material is recruited for regurgitation and rumination, were depleted of ADIA, indicating that the contents had largely been washed free of sand. The washing effect is an unavoidable side effect of the flotation- and sedimentation-based sorting mechanisms in the ruminant and the camelid forestomachs. In theory, this should allow ruminants and camelids to live in similar habitats as nonruminant herbivores at lower degrees of hypsodonty.

1960 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-61
Author(s):  
Armi Kaila ◽  
Pentti Hänninen

The results of two field trials in which the efficiency of superphosphate phosphorus and rock phosphate (Hyperphosphate Reno) phosphorus were compared on a fine sand soil and a humus soil, did not show any differences in the dry matter yields produced by the two fertilizers within the experimental period including the nurse crop and three years of ley. The analyses of the hay yields harvested from the third year red clover-timothy ley, fairly poor in red clover, proved that the phosphorus content of the hay from the hyperphosphate plots was markedly lower than that of the hay from the superphosphate plots. The respective figures were 0.17 and 0.21 per cent P of dry matter, while the phosphorus content of the hay from the untreated plots was 0.15—0.16 per cent. Red clover seemed to be able to synthesize plant material equally rich in phosphorus both when feeding on superphosphate and when feeding on hyperphosphate. On the other hand, the grasses, in these cases mainly timothy, took up far less phosphorus from hyperphosphate than from superphosphate. The differences in the phosphorus content of the respective plant groups were almost exclusively due to differences in their content of inorganic phosphorus, or phosphorus determined as inorganic forms by the simple fractionation procedure employed. No effect of the different phosphate treatments on the content of ash, calcium, potassium, or nitrogen in the ley plants could be detected. The results of the present study corroborate the earlier observation that on a ley, poor in clover, rock phosphate may produce crops too low in phosphorus for the needs of domestic animals. The results also emphasize that it is important not to judge the response to phosphate fertilizers only on the basis of the dry matter yields.


1965 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Barber ◽  
R. Braude ◽  
Zena D. Hosking ◽  
K. G. Mitchell

SUMMARY1. Seventy-two individually fed pigs on six treatments were used to determine the effects on performance and in particular on carcass quality of (a) giving quantities of liquid skim-milk (preserved with formalin) in excess of those normally recommended; (b) replacing meal by skim-milk in the ration on a calculated dry-matter basis (1 gal. skim-milk equivalent to 1 · 1 lb. meal) as compared with a calculated energy basis (1 gal. skim-milk equivalent to 1 · 3 lb. meal) and (c) giving skim-milk for only a part of the growing period instead of throughout. The experimental period continued from 9–10 weeks of age until slaughter at an average live-weight of 135 lb.2. Extensive carcass measurements were taken and in addition assessment of the carcasses was made by a representative of the County Quality Pork Association and by an expert pork butcher.3. Carcasses from pigs given an all-meal diet were comparable in all respects with those from pigs given skim-milk throughout up to a maximum of either 5¼ or 10½ pints per pig per day.4. Carcasses from pigs given the highest level of skim-milk (maximum of 15¾ pints per pig per day) were superior in many respects to those on any of the other treatments, but the possibility that this was due to their slower rate of growth rather than to the high level of milk per se, is discussed.5. Pigs given skim-milk as replacement of part of their meal allowance on a calculated dry matter basis grew significantly faster than those in which the replacement was made on a calculated energy basis or than those given an all-meal diet. The importance is stressed of ensuring that in assessing the value of skim-milk for pigs the caloric value of the rations being compared is similar. The need for experiments based on actual determinations of the caloric value of the rations used is also emphasised.6. While the performance of pigs given skim-milk up to 75 lb. live-weight only was similar to that of pigs given skim-milk throughout, evidence was obtained that the quality of their carcasses was slightly inferior.7. There was some suggestion that as the level of skim-milk in the diet increased an eye muscle of a rather paler colour was produced.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1713
Author(s):  
Muhammad Awais ◽  
Muhammad Sharif ◽  
Khurram Ashfaq ◽  
Amjad Islam Aqib ◽  
Muhammad Saeed ◽  
...  

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of single cell protein (SCP) supplement as a protein source on nutrient intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and in situ digestion kinetics in four Nili Ravi buffalo bulls. Four iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous concentrates containing 3, 6, 9 and 12% of Saccharomyces cerevisiae-fermented citrus pulp were formulated. All animals were fed a ration with a concentrate/forage ratio of 50:50. Diets were provided ad libitum twice a day as a total mixed ration in a 4 × 4 Latin Square Design. Each experimental period lasted 3 weeks while the overall study 12 weeks. The first 2 weeks of each experimental period were used as adaptation period while the third week as collection period. Chemical composition of fermented citrus pulp appeared as an excellent source of protein. No significant difference was observed on dry matter intake, digestibility of nutrients and SCP among all the treatments. Moreover, no significant effect was observed on ruminal pH and ammonia nitrogen at different times. Rate of disappearance and lag time of in situ dry matter digestion kinetics remained nonsignificant regardless of SCP percentage. Based on results of similar nutrients intake, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal parameters it is concluded that SCP could be used in the concentrate diet of ruminant up to 12%. Furthermore, the SCP has the potential of an alternative protein source in animal diet formulation.


2021 ◽  
pp. 106559
Author(s):  
Francisco Enrique Franco Febres ◽  
Lucrecia Aguirre Terrazas ◽  
Javier Ñaupari Vasquez ◽  
Juan Elmer Moscoso Muñoz ◽  
Felipe San Martín Howard ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 1548-1557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson Massaru Fukumoto ◽  
Julio Cesar Damasceno ◽  
Fermino Deresz ◽  
Carlos Eugênio Martins ◽  
Antônio Carlos Cóser ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate milk yield and composition, dry matter intake, and stocking rate in pastures with tanzania grass (Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia), star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis cv. Estrela-Africana), and marandu grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu). The grasses were managed in a rotational grazing system with Holstein x Zebu crossbreed cows, with a 30-day resting period and three days of paddock occupation. The pastures were fertilized with 1,000 kg/ha/year using the 20:05:20 (NPK) formula, split in three applications during the rainy season. It was used a complete random block experimental design with three factors being studied and two replications. In the experiment, four cows/paddock were used and, when it was necessary, regulator animals were added in order to obtain a supply of 7% body weight green forage dry matter. The animals were individually fed concentrate at 2 kg/day during the experimental period. Milk yield did not differ among the three grasses, with values of 9.1; 9.1; and 8.7 kg/cow/day for pastures with tanzania grass, star grass and marandu grass, respectively. Similarly, grass did not affect milk chemical composition. Stocking rate was similar among the three grasses, with values of 4.6; 4.5 and 5.0 UA/ha for tanzania grass, star grass and marandu grass, respectively. The highest dry matter intake was observed for tanzania grass with 2.6% of the body weight while stargrass (2.3%) and marandu grass (2.4%) did not differ among each other. The highest dry matter intake on tanzania grass pasture was not reflected on milk yield per animal. Milk yield and composition and stocking rate are similar among the evaluated grasses.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 1451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hellenn Cardoso Oliveira ◽  
Rasmo Garcia ◽  
Vitor Visintin Silva de Almeida ◽  
Aline Cardoso Oliveira ◽  
Aureliano José Vieira Pires ◽  
...  

The experiment aimed to evaluate the feeding behavior of Santa Inês lambs fed diets containing different levels of detoxified castor meal in the concentrate. Twenty-four sheep with an average body weight of 18.5± 2.26 kg, at four months of age, were distributed in a randomized complete design with four treatment and six replications. Treatments consisted of four levels of castor meal (0, 33, 67, and 100%) replacing soybean meal. Animals underwent a 15-day adaptation period and an experimental period of 84 days. The diet was composed of 60% sugarcane silage and 40% concentrate, on a dry matter basis. Animal behavior (idle, rumination, and feeding activities) were observed visually for two 24-h periods with 5-min intervals, and recorded. The number of rumination chews and the time taken to ruminate each cud per day were counted using a digital stopwatch. Dry matter (DM) intake was not affected by inclusion of castor meal in the concentrate, averaging 884.02 g day?1. The feeding activity was not affected by addition of castor meal. Rumination time increased linearly, whereas the idle and rumination times decreased linearly with addition of castor meal. Feeding time, expressed in min per kg of DM and NDF, was not influenced by the inclusion of the meal in the diet, averaging 373.3 and 880.0 min, respectively. The number of chews and the time taken to ruminate each cud were not changed by inclusion of castor meal in the diet. Feed efficiency, expressed in grams DM and NDF per hour, was not influenced by castor meal inclusion in the diet. Rumination efficiency expressed in g DM h?1 decreased, but was not affected when expressed in g NDF h?1. Total replacement of soybean meal by castor meal in the concentrate does not affect the feeding time or feed efficiency of feedlot sheep, but leads to a small reduction of their rumination efficiency. Thus, we recommend the inclusion of castor meal in sheep diets at the levels tested in this study.


1996 ◽  
Vol 127 (4) ◽  
pp. 549-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Mora ◽  
A. Shimada ◽  
F. J. Ruiz

SUMMARYTwo experiments were done in Mexico (1992–93) to determine the response of goats to different periods of feed restriction on liveweight, organ weights and tissue composition. In each, the weight, body condition and daily dry matter intake (DM1) of two groups of 12 female, adult, non-lactating, non-pregnant, Nubian crossbred goats were recorded for 7 weeks (stabilization period; SP), to allow the animals to reach and maintain their liveweight and body condition. At the end of the SP the animals in Expt 1 (RP1) were feed restricted for 18 weeks and for 36 weeks in Expt 2 (RP2). Animals were divided into three groups receiving either 100 (FL1), 80 (FL2) or 60% (FL3) of the levels of DM1 previously observed. At the end of each experimental period all animals were slaughtered, carcass weights were recorded and viscerae were weighed.A sample of the soft tissues was chemically analysed. There were no significant changes in body condition in either experiment (P > 0·05). None of the feeding levels had an effect on carcass weight or the chemical composition of soft tissues (P > 0·05). Liver weights (as a proportion of slaughter weight) were significantly different among goats fed at different feeding levels in both experiments. The results of this study show the adaptation capacity of adult goats to medium and long term malnutrition, and the importance of the liver as a source for the generation of energy and for sustaining protein turnover. This could be especially important for goats grazing in arid and semiarid zones where dry periods can last for months and feed availability is therefore sometimes limited.


Author(s):  
Zdeněk Peksa ◽  
Jan Trávníček ◽  
Roman Konečný ◽  
František Jelínek ◽  
Hana Dušová ◽  
...  

In 2010 and 2011 two experiments on gimmers of Šumava mountain sheep were performed. The first experiment was carried out on 12 animals (experimental period was 11 months); control group was fed with 3 mg I*kg−1 in dry matter per day and experimental group was fed with 5 mg I*kg−1 in dry matter per day. The second experiment lasted 10 months and it was carried out on 12 animals. Feed ration for control group contained 10 mg I*kg DM−1. Feed ration for experimental group contained 10 mg I*kg DM−1 too; moreover it included rapeseed meal and 1 g of sodium nitrate. The aim of the first experiment was focused on impact of high iodine intake on structure of thyroid gland. The aim of the second experiment was to discover effect of strumigens during high iodine intake on structure of thyroid gland. The animals were slaughtered after the experiment and there was executed the dissection of thyroid gland. The samples of thyroid gland were processed during classic paraffin method and dyed with haematoxylin and eosin. For finding of histometrical parameters was used program Leica IM 500 Version 4.0. The length, the width and the area of follicles were measured. The follicles were divided into three groups after this procedure (by the length); in each group were measured 20 thyreocytes. In group with intake 5 mg I*kg DM−1 (experiment from year 2010): higher weight of thyroid (p < 0.01), significant higher (p < 0.05) proportional representation of large and medium follicles, significantly (p < 0.05) higher average size of follicles, demonstrably lower (p < 0.05) height of epithelium were found. There were not found any differences in monitored parameters between the groups from experiment which was carried out during the year 2011. After comparing results from the both experiments significantly higher percentage representation of large follicles a significantly lower representation of small follicles, distinctly higher average size and higher height of epithelium in all size categories, in groups with iodine intake 10 mg I*kg DM−1was found (from second experiment – year 2011).


2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 351 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. KRÍZOVÁ ◽  
J. TRINÁCTÝ ◽  
M. RICHTER

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of leucine supplement in the form of rumen-protected tablets on milk yield and composition and plasma amino acids in four high-yielding lactating Holstein cows. The experiment was carried out as a cross-over procedure and was divided into 4 periods of 14 d (10 d preliminary period and 4 d experimental period). Cows were fed ad libitum a diet based on maize silage, lucerne hay and a supplemental mixture. The diet, defficient in methionine, lysine, and leucine, was supplemented with methionine+lysine (Control) or methionine+lysine+leucine (Leu) in rumen protected form. The dry matter intake, milk yield and milk yield expressed in energy corrected milk did not differ significantly between the treatments. Milk protein content and yield did not show statistically significant variation. The contents and yield of casein, fat, lactose and urea were unaffected by the treatment. Blood metabolites did not vary between the treatments. The introduction of Leu resulted in higher plasma levels of proline (p


1979 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 158-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antti Jaakkola ◽  
Johan Korkman ◽  
Tuomo Juvankoski

The aim of the study was to find out to what extent the cadmium contained in fertilizer influences the cadmium content of vegetables. For this purpose, highly cadmium-bearing batches of fertilizer were prepared from selected quantities of raw material with an exceptionally high cadmium content. To one such batch of fertilizer, an extra amount of cadmium was added at the mixing stage. In a two-year field experiment carried out in soil consisting of clayey fine sand and begun in 1977, 1000 kg/ha of NPK fertilizer with a cadmium content of either 57 or 81 mg/kg brought about a clear increase in the cadmium content of radish tops. The cadmium content of radish roots, spinach and lettuce appeared likewise to rise, but the differences registered were not, owing to the unevenness of the field, significant. The cadmium content of the dry matter of rye grass was lower than that of the other experimental plants, and it appeared to rise less with an increase in the cadmium content of the fertilizer. Owing to the wide range of variation, the cadmium uptake of the experimental plants could not be determined reliably, The spinach, however, appeared to have taken up the largest amount of cadmium, and the rye grass the least amount. The increase in the cadmium content of the spinach harvested in 1978 corresponded to 1.5‰ of the cadmium introduced into the ground during the two-year period through application of the fertilizer with the highest content of the metallic element.


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