scholarly journals Astragalus membranaceus root supplementation improves average daily gain, rumen fermentation, serum immunity and antioxidant indices of Tibetan sheep

animal ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 100061
Author(s):  
X.J. Wang ◽  
L.M. Ding ◽  
H.Y. Wei ◽  
C.X. Jiang ◽  
Q. Yan ◽  
...  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianju Wang ◽  
Luming Ding ◽  
Haiyan Wei ◽  
Cuixia Jiang ◽  
Qi Yan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The use of antibiotics as supplements in animal feed is restricted due to possible health hazards associated with them. Consequently, there is increasing interest in exploiting natural products as antibiotics with no detrimental side effects. In this study, we examined the effect of Astragalus membranaceus root (AMT) supplementation on dry matter intake, growth performance, rumen fermentation and immunity of Tibetan sheep. Materials and methods: Twenty-four male Tibetan sheep (31 ± 1.4 kg; 9 months old) were assigned randomly to one of four dietary treatments with different levels of AMT: 0 g/kg, 20 g/kg, 50 g/kg and 80 g/kg dry matter (A 0 , A 2 , A 5 and A 8 , respectively) in addition to their basal diets. A 0 acted as a control group and measurements were recorded over a 56-d feeding period. Results: Sheep fed with AMT had a higher average daily gain (ADG) and a lower feed:gain ratio (F:G) than controls ( P < 0.001). Rumen concentrations of NH 3 -N ( P < 0.001), total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) ( P = 0.028), acetate ( P = 0.017) and propionate ( P = 0.031) in A 5 and A 8 were higher than in A 0 . The addition of AMT in the feed significantly increased serum antioxidant and immunity factors of the sheep and increased the concentrations of serum interleukin, immunoglobulin and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) ( P = 0.010). Conclusions: We concluded that AMT can be used as a feed additive to improve growth performance and rumen fermentation and enhance the immunity of Tibetan sheep. Some responses exhibited a dose-dependent response, whereas other did not exhibit a pattern, with an increase in AMT. The addition of 50 g/kg and 80 g/kg AMT of total DMI showed the most promising results.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Zhu ◽  
Zhen Su ◽  
Wei Xu ◽  
Hanxue Sun ◽  
Jinfeng Gao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Garlic and its constituents exhibit activities on modifying rumen fermentation and improving growth performance. As a by-product of garlic processing, garlic skin contains similar bioactive components as garlic bulb. However, studies in ruminants using garlic skin are scarce. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of garlic skin supplementation on rumen fermentation characterizes, growth performance, ruminal microbes and metabolites in ruminants. Twelve Hu lambs were randomly assigned into one of two treatments: basal diet (CON) or basal diet supplemented with 80 g/kg DM of gallic skin (GAS). The experiment lasted for10 weeks, with the first 2 weeks for adaptation. Results The results revealed that the average daily gain and volatile fatty acid concentration were higher (P < 0.05) in lambs fed GAS than that in the control group. Garlic skin supplementation did not significantly (P > 0.10) affect the α-diversity indices. Increased (P < 0.05) abundances of Prevotella, Bulleidia, Howardella, Methanosphaera but a decreased (P < 0.05) abundance of Fretibacterium were observed in GAS-fed lambs. In addition, the garlic skin supplementation favorably regulated (P < 0.05) pyrimidine metabolism, purine metabolism, vitamin B6 and B1 metabolism. Moreover, high correlations were observed between fluctuant rumen microbiota and metabolites. Conclusions Supplementation of garlic skin improved the growth performance of sheep by modifying rumen fermentation through inducing shifts in the rumen microbiome and metabolome.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
José A. Martínez-Aispuro ◽  
María Teresa Sánchez-Torres ◽  
German D. Mendoza-Martínez ◽  
José L. Cordero Mora ◽  
José L. Figueroa-Velasco ◽  
...  

Calcium (Ca) propionate can be added to ruminant diets as a glucogenic substrate. However, due to its hypophagic effect, it is necessary to establish the optimal dose that can be used to replace grains in finishing diets for lambs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the effect of four concentrations of Ca propionate in lamb diets on productive performance and rumen fermentation. Thirty two Hampshire x Suffolk lambs (23.82 ± 0.40 kg initial body weight), distributed in a completely randomized design, were given a diet with four concentrations of Ca propionate (g kg−1): 0, 10, 20 or 30 g, for 42 days. The results were tested for linear or quadratic responses. The final weight, average daily gain and feed: gain ratio showed quadratic responses (P ≤ 0.01). The optimal dose was established at 13.77 g kg−1 DM. Addition of Ca propionate did not affect variables related to rumen fermentation (pH, total volatile fatty acids, acetate, butyrate or rumen ammonia-N; P ≥ 0.05) . Nonetheless, glucose and propionate concentrations showed a quadratic response (P ≤ 0.05). The highest concentrations of propionate in rumen were observed with 15.14 g kg−1 DM. Results indicate that Ca propionate can be included in a dose of up to 13.77 g kg−1 DM in feedlot rations, to attain best lamb performance.


Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhang ◽  
Zhao ◽  
Chen ◽  
Zhou ◽  
Meng ◽  
...  

This study aimed to investigate the effect of applying various silage additives to whole corn crops at ensiling on growth performance, rumen fermentation, and blood physiology in growing–finishing bulls. Sixty Simmental × Yellow Cattle crossbred bulls were blocked by initial body weight (BW; 324.0 ± 5.4 kg) into 15 blocks. Animals in each block were randomly assigned to one of four diets formulated based on the following corn silage: control (CON), inoculated with complex lactic acid bacteria (CLB), ensilaged with mixed organic acid salts (MS), and ensilaged with CLB and MS (CLBMS). The feeding experiment lasted over 155 days, with an additional 7 days for adaptation. The results showed that bulls fed CLB-inoculated silage had greater (p < 0.05) daily dry matter intake than the other groups. The experimental treatment had no significant effect on average daily gain (p = 0.33) and feed-to-gain ratio (p = 0.13), although bulls fed CLB-inoculated silage had a larger numeric average daily gain. All additive-treated silage increased ruminal NH3–N content (p < 0.05) and reduced the acetate-to-propionate ratio (p < 0.05) of bulls compared with the control group. Bulls fed CLB-inoculated silage had a lower ruminal pH value (p < 0.05) than that of the other groups. Compared with the control group, bulls fed CLB-inoculated silage had greater blood cholesterol, albumin, and urea nitrogen (p < 0.05). Blood physiological responses were similar in bulls fed MS-treated and control silage, whereas those in cattle fed CLBMS-treated silage were between bulls fed CLB- and MS-treated silages and more similar to the former. Taking animal performance and cost effectiveness into consideration, the application of CLB alone to whole corn crops at ensiling appears to be a better choice compared with the application of either MS alone or both of them together.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 173-174
Author(s):  
Tianyu Chen ◽  
Jianxin Xiao ◽  
Tingting Li ◽  
Jing Ma ◽  
Zhijun Cao

Abstract To determine the appropriate time to feed hay to calves, 210 healthy Holstein calves at d 2 were randomly divided into 3 groups: feeding basic diet (starter) without hay (CON), inclusion of oat hay from the second week (H2) or fourth week (H4) in addition to the basic diet. All calves were weaned on d 56 and raised in the same hutches until the end of the experiment (d 70). Calf starter intake and fecal score were recorded daily throughout the experimental period. Body weight, body size, blood and rumen fluid samples were collected every 2 weeks before weaning and once a week after weaning. Inclusion of oat hay in the basic diet (H2 and H4) resulted in increased body weight (P &lt; 0.01) and average daily gain (P &lt; 0.01) throughout the experiment when compared to the basic diet (CON) only. Calves fed oat hay from 2 weeks of life had the highest starter intake (P &lt; 0.01), average daily gain (P &lt; 0.01) in the pre- and post-weaning periods. Body length and heart girth was similar between treatments. The H2 calves had lower diarrhea frequency (P &lt; 0.05) and diarrhea days (P &lt; 0.05) during the post-weaning period. Compared to the CON calves, inclusion of hay increased the rumen pH (P &lt; 0.01), while decreasing the NH3-N (P &lt; 0.01) and tend to decrease the total VFA (P &lt; 0.06) during the entire trial. Calves in H2 treatment spent more time ruminating (P &lt; 0.01), but less time standing (P &lt; 0.05), eating starter (P &lt; 0.01) and engaging in abnormal behaviors (P &lt; 0.01). In conclusion, calves supplemented with oat hay improved growth rate and rumen fermentation when compared with calves fed only starter, and adding hay from 2 weeks of calves life may be the best choice for the farm to have the greatest growth and health performance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 303-310
Author(s):  
Jinling Hua ◽  
Tianfeng Xu ◽  
Quanwen Shen ◽  
Yan Liu ◽  
Guijuan Huang ◽  
...  

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of Broussonetia papyrifera (BP) on growth performance, rumen fermentation, digestion and meat quality in Huanghuai white goats. Diets were developed with increasing doses of BP to replace maize silage [0% (control), 15% (BP15), 30% (BP30) and 45% (BP45)]. The design was completely randomized with 4 groups of 10 animals each, totalizing 40 animals (aged 150 ± 10 days and body weight of 25.32 ± 0.52 kg). Final body weight, average daily gain and average daily feed intake increased (linear and quadratic, P &lt; 0.05) as BP increased in the diet. The highest body weight and average daily gain were seen in the BP30 group. Feed conversion ratio also improved significantly (linear and quadratic, P &lt; 0.05) with the increasing level of BP. Although the concentration of microbial protein (MCP) in a linear (P = 0.0028) and quadratic (P = 0.0035) fashion with increasing level of BP, however, NH<sub>3</sub>-N in a quadratic (P = 0.0841) fashion with increasing level of BP. Crude protein was increased with increasing BP in the diets (linear and quadratic, P &lt; 0.05). Nitrogen intake, urinary excretion nitrogen and nitrogen retention were significantly improved (linear and quadratic, P &lt; 0.05) with dietary BP addition in goats. Dietary BP supplementation increased pH (linear and quadratic, P &lt; 0.05) and tended to reduce L* (lightness) (linear and quadratic, P &lt; 0.05). Additionally, the redness value of meat was significantly improved by BP addition (linear and quadratic, P &lt; 0.05). The inclusion of BP in the goat diet promotes growth and increases the digestibility of crude protein in addition to improving the meat colour and rumen fermentation.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2428
Author(s):  
Jiao Chen ◽  
Xiaolin Niu ◽  
Fei Li ◽  
Fadi Li ◽  
Long Guo

(1) Background: we investigated the influence of dietary soybean meal (SBM) replaced with distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) plus rumen-protected (RP) lysine and methionine on the growth performance, nutrients digestion, rumen fermentation, and serum parameters of Hu sheep. (2) Methods: ninety Hu sheep were allocated to five groups: the control group (CON) which received the SBM diet, the DDGS group (NSM), the DDGS diet with RP lysine group (DRPL), the DDGS diet with RP methionine group (DRPM), and the DDGS diet with a mixture of RP lysine and methionine group (DRPLM). (3) Results: Final BW and carcass weight of the DRPLM and CON groups were greater (p ≤ 0.05) compared to NSM, DRPL, and DRPM groups. The DRPLM group tended to increase the dry matter intake (DMI, p = 0.06), average daily gain (ADG, p = 0.06), dressing percentage (p = 0.07), and tail fat weight (p = 0.09). The DRPLM group had increased (p ≤ 0.05) apparent digestibility and had altered ruminal fermentation characteristics. (4) Conclusions: replacement of SBM with DDGS in a diet with adequate metabolizable protein and by-pass amino acids (lysine and methionine) could maintain the growth performance of Hu sheep.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 485-486
Author(s):  
Daehyeok Jin ◽  
Jinwook Lee ◽  
Bong-Hwan Choi ◽  
Sung-Soo Lee ◽  
Dong-Kyo Kim ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding levels on nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation and blood metabolites of fattening Korean native goats. Five Korean native goat (Capra hircus coreanae) bucks (38.0±1.7 kg) with an average age of 2.4-year-old were randomly allocated to one of five feeding levels (maintenance [M], 1.1 x M, 1.2 x M, 1.4 x M, and 1.6 x M). The experimental design was 5 × 5 Latin square design and all animals were housed individual pens (1.2 m × 0.9 m) for an adaption period of 2 weeks and collection period for 1 weeks. The average daily gain (P &lt; 0.05) and nutrient digestibility (P &lt; 0.01) were increased linearly in goat as feeding level increased. Rumen pH showed no significantly differences among feeding levels. Total volatile fatty acid, acetate and propionate concentrations were increased linearly (P &lt; 0.01) and quadratically (P &lt; 0.01) with increased feeding levels. Butyrate and ammonia nitrogen concentrations were linearly increased with increased feeding levels (P &lt; 0.01), but valerate concentration did not differ among feeding levels. Blood metabolites did not differ among feeding levels except for albumin concentration which was linearly increased with increased feeding levels (P &lt; 0.05). The fecal energy loss was not influenced by feeding levels, but digestible energy was increased linearly (P &lt; 0.01) and quadratically (P &lt; 0.05) with increased feeding levels. The metabolizable energy requirement was estimated using quadratic line model and ranged from 153 to 161 kcal per metabolic body weight based on average daily gain and ME intake. These results found that the increased feeding level might be improve an average daily gain and ruminal fermentation of Korean native goats in fattening phase. These results may also serve as a basis for the establishment of feeding standard of goats in Republic of Korea.


Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luxin Kong ◽  
Chuntao Yang ◽  
Lifeng Dong ◽  
Qiyu Diao ◽  
Bingwen Si ◽  
...  

Although flavonoids or yeast have been used as feed additives to improve the production efficiency and health of adult cattle, little information is available on their effects on rumen fermentation in calves. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of feed supplementation with mulberry leaf flavonoids and Candida tropicalis on performance, blood parameters, and rumen fermentation characteristics during pre-weaning and post-weaning periods. Forty-eight Holstein calves were used in a four-groups trial and were supplemented with (1) no yeast or flavonoids (CON), (2) active dry yeast (ADY; C. tropicalis, 5.0 × 109 CFU/d), (3) flavonoids (FLA; 3 g/d), or (4) yeast and flavonoids (YF; C. tropicalis, 5.0 × 109 CFU/d; flavonoids, 3 g/d). The feeding strategy was as follows: milk replacer was offered at 12% of body weight in two meals per calf each day at age 21 d, and a gradual weaning process was adopted at age 50 to 56 days. Data of daily feed intake, body weight, and serum and rumen fermentation parameters were obtained at 28, 42, 56, and 80 d ages, respectively. A significant time effect and interaction between treatment and time was found for average daily gain, feed efficiency, total volatile fatty acid concentration, and proportion of propionate in calves (p < 0.05). Average daily gain and feed efficiency increased during post-weaning and overall periods for calves in FLA and YF groups compared with CON and ADY groups (p < 0.05). A reduction of fecal scores with supplementation was found in FLA and YF groups (p < 0.05). Rumen fluid pH and ammonia nitrogen concentration remained constant across the groups, whereas total volatile fatty acid concentration and molar proportion of propionate significantly increased during the pre-weaning and overall periods in FLA and YF groups (p < 0.05). Calves in YF group had the highest serum concentrations of IgG and IgA during the overall period (p < 0.05). Additionally, serum β-hydroxybutyric acid concentration was higher in ADY and FLA groups during the post-weaning period (p < 0.05). Supplementation with C. tropicalis showed little effect on increasing growth performance and health compared with flavonoids alone. Meanwhile, the combination of C. tropicalis and flavonoids was not synergistic with respect to improving health and rumen fermentation compared with use of flavonoids alone in pre- and post-weaning calves (p > 0.05).


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