scholarly journals Varied diets: Implications for lamb performance, rumen characteristics, total antioxidant status, and welfare

Author(s):  
K Garrett ◽  
M R Beck ◽  
C J Marshall ◽  
T M R Maxwell ◽  
C M Logan ◽  
...  

Abstract Intensive pastoral systems have moved away from diverse and varied diets towards overly simple monotonous diets. Feed choice through time is an obsolete way of providing forage to animals, as intensive management schemes generally allocate a single herbage or a dyad mixed sward. Monotonous feeding regimes impose nutritional repetition, which may impair animal performance and welfare. The objective of this experiment was to determine the impact of a diverse diet [DIV; free choice from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) at all times], a varied diet [VAR; choice from ryegrass and plantain in the AM (0700 – 1600 h), and chicory and alfalfa in PM (1600 – 0700 h)], and a single forage diet of alfalfa [SFA; alfalfa at all times], on DMI, performance, and welfare of lambs. Six-month-old Coopworth ram lambs (n=21) were offered their respective fresh-forage treatment (n = 7) diet indoors for 20 days. The DIV lambs consumed 1.64 ± 0.03 kg DM/d (mean ± SEm), which was 6% more (P < 0.05; 1.54 ± 0.03 kg DM/d) than the SFA and were not different (P > 0.05; 1.59 ± 0.03 kg DM/d) to the VAR lambs. Average daily gain (ADG) of DIV (296 g/d) and VAR (378 g/d) was 30 and 67 % greater (P < 0.05) compared with the SFA lambs (227 g/d), respectively. The VAR lambs had 28% greater (P < 0.05) ADG than the DIV lambs. Differences among treatments were detected (P < 0.05) for the proportion of the day spent conducting the following behaviors: eating, ruminating, idling, lying, and standing. In addition, the number of bouts of stereotypic behaviors recorded from the SFA lambs (13.2 ± 2.2) was 150% greater (P < 0.05) than the DIV (5.1 ± 1.0) and VAR (5.5 ± 1.0) lambs. Our results suggest that the varied diet offered can improve animal performance and welfare compared to a monotonous SFA diet. Feeding management to provide a varied diet can improve performance relative to giving lambs free choice from taxonomically diverse forage options. Moreover, performance is affected by more than the primary chemical composition of the diet consumed, but how the diet is presented through time and the herbage species and quantities of each that are consumed to reach that chemical composition.

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 3861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulysses Cecato ◽  
Josmar Almeida Junior ◽  
Fabíola Cristine de Almeida Rego ◽  
Sandra Galbeiro ◽  
Wagner Paris ◽  
...  

This study aimed to assess forage production, animal performance, and the chemical composition of Tanzania grass pasture fertilized with 50, 100, 200, and 400 kg ha-1 of nitrogen. The variables analyzed were: leaf mass, daily accumulation rate, leaf/stem ratio, average daily gain, stocking rate, live weight gain per unit of area crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and in vitro dry matter digestibility of leaves. The pasture management maintained the pasture height at 50 cm by using a continuous grazing method with the adjustment of stocking rate. The experimental design was a randomized block with three replicates. The leaf mass increased linearly in response to nitrogen, with an increase of 1003 kg (34%) observed between a nitrogen content of 50 and 400 kg ha-1. Nitrogen did not affect the average daily gain, but increased the stocking rate and live weight gain ha-1. The value of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber were higher with increased nitrogen levels, whereas the leaf digestibility did not affect nitrogen use. The comparison of 50 and 400 kg ha-1 levels indicated that there was an average increase of 19.2% in the leaf crude protein. The increased application of nitrogen fertilizer in Tanzania grass improved the chemical composition and animal performance; with regard to studied variables, the dose of 200 kg ha-1 resulted in the greatest improvement.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (74) ◽  
pp. 44-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Omelian ◽  
Y. V. Pozniakovskiy

Recently, interest of consumers to quails meat to rising. The reason for this – high biological value of meat. But in literature the little informationon on rationing of arginine and lysine in mixed fodders. This greatly effects on the quality of meat. Many studies confirmed the need for rationing of arginine and lysine for animal growth. Quails are no exception. The effect of these amino acids was not studied on productivity of this birds. That is why we delivered the aim to establish the optimal level and correlations of arginine and lysine in feeding of quails and study their impact on the growth. To solve it, we delivered the following objectives: to investigate the effect of different levels and correlations of amino acids in mixed fodder on live weight, average and relative increase of body weight. So were carried relevant research in the scientific and research laboratory of feed additives of National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine on quails of breeds Pharaoh. For the experiment were selected 300 quails. Of them were formed 3 groups. We twice daily fed the mixed fodder of quails. The chemical composition of mixed fodders the differed only on the content of amino acids which we studied. We studied the growth of young quails depending on the content of lysine and arginine in mixed fodder and their correlations. We established that growing quails on fodder with optimal levels of arginine and lysine within a period of growth, and adapted compound feed, subject to the optimum ratio of amino acids for two periods of growth, had a little difference in favor of the first: live weight, relative, average daily gain – 1.0%, 0.1% and 1.1% respectively. Оptimal levels of arginine and lysine for young quails in the second period of growth is 1.26% and 1.29% respectively. The optimal correlation of arginine to lysine is 0.98. Subsequent of this work is to study the effect of different levels and correlations of lysine and arginine in mixed fodder for young quails for meat quality and chemical composition of meat.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e4729108643
Author(s):  
Jeskarlândia Silva Barros ◽  
Kennyson Alves de Souza ◽  
Fabiana Villa Alves ◽  
Roberto Giolo de Almeida ◽  
Ossival Lobato Ribeiro ◽  
...  

Agrosilvopastoral system is a type of production that involves the soil-forage-animal interface, both of which are benefited by the system. Hence, the present study evaluated the effects of agrosilvopastoral system on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics from pasture, and the animal performance during the feeding period of Nellore heifers. The treatments included: Soil-forage-animal – 357 eucalyptus trees per hectare (LFA14x2m); Soil-forage-animal – 227 eucalyptus trees per hectare (LFA22x2m); and Soil-animal – Five native trees remaining per hectare (CON). The forage used was Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã and having as trees planted the Eucalyptus urograndis clones H 13. Treatment effects (P <0.05) for forage accumulation and pasture height, which were lowest in LFA14x2m compared to the others. Total forage dry mass in CON treatment was significantly greater (P <0.05) compared to the other treatments, showing maximum production in March. The LFA14x2m treatment was favorable for greater forage quality, showing an effect on chemical composition (P <0.05), compared to other treatments. Whereas, in November the LFA22x2m treatment was better for neutral detergent fiber. January and March, the treatments were similar (P >0.05) for average daily gain, while in November period, LFA14x2m treatment showed the lowest value (P <0.05). The lowest weight gain by area (November) occurred in the LFA14x2m treatment (P <0.05), although in March the LFA14x2m treatment stocking rate was similar to the others. Forage production and animal performance are altered by the trees densification in agrosilvopastoral systems. The chemical composition of pasture is better in systems with a higher trees density.


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 961-964
Author(s):  
Andrei Vasile Olteanu ◽  
Georgiana Emmanuela Gilca Blanariu ◽  
Gheorghe Gh. Balan ◽  
Dana Elena Mitrica ◽  
Elena Gologan ◽  
...  

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become of major interest worldwide, it is estimated that more than 20% of the general population suffer from liver steatosis. NAFLD is highly associated with metabolic risk factors like type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity and dyslipidemia, the patients diagnosed with NAFLD should adopt a high fiber low calorie diet, with reduced saturated fat and carbohydrates content, leading to weight loss and improvement of metabolic profile. Our study is aiming to shape the profile of the patient interested in being informed related to food quality and chemical composition and to evaluate the aspects on the food products label which are important for the customer. Between June 2017 and December 2017, 83 patients diagnosed with NASH were included in the study, representing the study group, while 33 subjects, without metabolic syndrome or digestive diseases, selected from patient list belonging to two general practitioners, constituted the control group. Related to the interest of being informed about the chemical composition and nutritional value of the products bought, the study showed a low interest for the provided information on nutritional value. lack of confidence in the provided information and complexity of the information are understandable, the high number of subject reasoning through lack of immediate clinical benefit is surprising. Among the healthy population the willingness to pay attention to this aspect is extremely low.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 268-279
Author(s):  
Mohamed E.I. Badawy ◽  
Ibrahim E.A. Kherallah ◽  
Ahmed S.O. Mohareb ◽  
Mohamed. Z.M. Salem ◽  
Hameda A. Yousef

Background:Plant extracts are important products in the world and have been widely used for isolation of important biologically active products. Because of their significant environmental impact, extensive research has been explored to determine the antimicrobial activity of plant extracts.Methods:Acetone extracts of the bark and leaf of Cupressus sempervirens and Juniperus phoenicea, collected from three different altitudes (125, 391, and 851 m high of sea level) at Al- Jabel Al-Akhdar area, Libya were obtained and analyzed by GC/MS. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was further evaluated against plant bacteria Rhizobium radiobacter, Erwinia carotovora, Rhodococcus fascians and Ralstonia solanacearum and fungus Botrytis cinerea.Results:The impact of the altitude from the sea level on the quantity and chemical constituents of the extracts was investigated. The yield was largely dependent on tree species and the highest yield (6.50%) was obtained with C. sempervirens L bark of altitude III (851 m of the sea level), while the lowest (1.17%) was obtained with the leaf extract of C. sempervirens L from altitude I (125 m). The chemical composition analyzed by GC/MS confirmed that the leaf extracts of C. sempervirens and J. phoenicea contained a complex mixture of monoterpene hydrocarbons, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, diterpenoids, terpenophenolic, steroids and phthalates. However, the bark extracts of both trees contained a mixture of sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, diterpenoids, terpenophenolics, phthalates, retinol and steroids. These constituents revealed some variability among the extracts displaying the highest interesting chemotype of totarol (terpenophenolic) in all extracts (14.63-78.19% of the total extract). The extracts displayed a noteworthy antifungal potency with varying degrees of inhibition of growth with EC50 values ranged from 78.50 to 206.90 mg/L. The extracts obtained from the leaves of C. sempervirens showed that the highest inhibitory activity was obtained with the extract of altitude II (391 m) with MIC 565, 510, 380 and 710 mg/L against E. carotovora, R. fascians, and R. radiobacter and R. solanacearum, respectively.Conclusion:Based on antimicrobial activity, raw plant extracts can be a cost-effective way to protect crops from microbial pathogens. Because plant extracts contain several antimicrobial compounds, the development of resistant pathogens can be delayed.


BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pattarapol Sumreddee ◽  
El Hamidi Hay ◽  
Sajjad Toghiani ◽  
Andrew Roberts ◽  
Samuel E. Aggrey ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although inbreeding caused by the mating of animals related through a recent common ancestor is expected to have more harmful effects on phenotypes than ancient inbreeding (old inbreeding), estimating these effects requires a clear definition of recent (new) and ancient (old) inbreeding. Several methods have been proposed to classify inbreeding using pedigree and genomic data. Unfortunately, these methods are largely based on heuristic criteria such as the number of generations from a common ancestor or length of runs of homozygosity (ROH) segments. To mitigate these deficiencies, this study aimed to develop a method to classify pedigree and genomic inbreeding into recent and ancient classes based on a grid search algorithm driven by the assumption that new inbreeding tends to have a more pronounced detrimental effect on traits. The proposed method was tested using a cattle population characterized by a deep pedigree. Results Effects of recent and ancient inbreeding were assessed on four growth traits (birth, weaning and yearling weights and average daily gain). Thresholds to classify inbreeding into recent and ancient classes were trait-specific and varied across traits and sources of information. Using pedigree information, inbreeding generated in the last 10 to 11 generations was considered as recent. When genomic information (ROH) was used, thresholds ranged between four to seven generations, indicating, in part, the ability of ROH segments to characterize the harmful effects of inbreeding in shorter periods of time. Nevertheless, using the proposed classification method, the discrimination between new and old inbreeding was less robust when ROH segments were used compared to pedigree. Using several model comparison criteria, the proposed approach was generally better than existing methods. Recent inbreeding appeared to be more harmful across the growth traits analyzed. However, both new and old inbreeding were found to be associated with decreased yearling weight and average daily gain. Conclusions The proposed method provided a more objective quantitative approach for the classification of inbreeding. The proposed method detected a clear divergence in the effects of old and recent inbreeding using pedigree data and it was superior to existing methods for all analyzed traits. Using ROH data, the discrimination between old and recent inbreeding was less clear and the proposed method was superior to existing approaches for two out of the four analyzed traits. Deleterious effects of recent inbreeding were detected sooner (fewer generations) using genomic information than pedigree. Difference in the results using genomic and pedigree information could be due to the dissimilarity in the number of generations to a common ancestor. Additionally, the uncertainty associated with the identification of ROH segments and associated inbreeding could have an effect on the results. Potential biases in the estimation of inbreeding effects may occur when new and old inbreeding are discriminated based on arbitrary thresholds. To minimize the impact of inbreeding, mating designs should take the different inbreeding origins into consideration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 18-19
Author(s):  
Izabela Aline Gomes da Silva ◽  
Jose Carlos Batista Dubeux ◽  
Alexandre C Leão de Mello ◽  
Márcio Vieira da Cunha ◽  
Mércia Ferreira dos Santos ◽  
...  

Abstract Silvopasture systems (SPS) area management option to enhance delivery of ecosystem services and diversification of income. This study evaluated productive responses of signalgrass (UrochloadecumbensStapf.) in monoculture or in SPS in the sub-humid tropical region of Brazil during six months of the rainy season. The experimental design was randomized complete block with three replications. Treatments were signalgrass + Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. (SPS-Mimosa); signalgrass + Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) (SPS-Gliricidia); and signalgrass monoculture. Cattle were managed under continuous stocking with variable stocking rate. Response variables included herbage mass (HM), herbage accumulation (HA), stocking rate (SR), average daily gain (ADG), and gain per area (GPA). Herbage mass (HM) was greater (P &lt; 0.0001) on signal grass monoculture (2045 kg DM/ha) than in SPS (1370 kg DM/ha, average for both SPS). Herbage accumulation rate was similar for signalgrass in monoculture and SPS-Gliricidia (avg. 61 kg DM ha-1 d-1), and both were greater than SPS-Mimosa (37 kg DM ha-1 d-1). Average daily gain was greater(P &lt; 0.0001) for SPS-Gliricidia (1.1 kg head-1 d-1), followed by signalgrass in monoculture (0.9 kg head-1 d-1), and SPS-Mimosa (0.3 kg head-1 d-1). Stocking rate ranged from 0.6 animal units (1AU = 450-kg animal) per ha in April to 2.2 AUha-1 in June. Stocking rate and animal performance per area were similar for signalgrass in monoculture and SPS-Gliricidia, and both greater than SPS-Mimosa. Gliricidia enhanced animal performance and provided ecosystem services. Mimosa, however, reduced animal performance likely due to the competition with signalgrass. Mimosa trees, however, are an important source of income (timber used for fence posts) and that might overcome the losses in animal performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 132-132
Author(s):  
Sergio Calsamiglia ◽  
Maria Rodriguez-Prado ◽  
Gonzalo Fernandez-Turren ◽  
Lorena Castillejos

Abstract In the last 20 years there has been extensive in vitro research on the effects of plant extracts and essential oils on rumen microbial fermentation. The main objectives have been to improve energy metabolism through a reduction in methane emissions and an increase in propionate production; and to improve protein metabolism by reducing proteolysis and deamination. While the positive results from in vitro studies has stimulated the release of commercial products based on blends of essential oils, there is limited in vivo evidence on the rumen fermentation and production performance effects. A literature search was conducted to select in vivo studies where information on rumen fermentation and animal performance was reported. For dairy cattle, we identified 37 studies of which 21 were adequate to test production performance. Ten studies reported increases and 3 decreases in milk yield. For beef cattle, we identified 20 studies with rumen fermentation profile and 22 with performance data. Average daily gain improved in 7 and decreased in 1 study. Only 1 out of 16 studies reported an improvement in feed efficiency. Data indicate that out of more than 500 products tested in vitro, only around 20 have been tested in vivo in different mixtures and doses. The use of statistical approaches will allow to describe the conditions, doses and responses in dairy and beef cattle performance. The search for postruminal effects offers another alternative use. Evidence for effects on the intestinal and systemic effects on the immune system and antioxidant status (i.e., capsicum, garlic, eugenol, cinnamaldehyde curcuma, catechins, anethol or pinene), and in the modulation of metabolic regulation (capsicum, cinnamaldehyde, curcuma or garlic) may open the opportunity for future applications. However, stability of the product in the GI tract, description of the mechanisms of action and the impact of these changes on performance needs to be further demonstrated.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 152-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans J Ensikat ◽  
Petra Ditsche-Kuru ◽  
Christoph Neinhuis ◽  
Wilhelm Barthlott

Lotus leaves have become an icon for superhydrophobicity and self-cleaning surfaces, and have led to the concept of the ‘Lotus effect’. Although many other plants have superhydrophobic surfaces with almost similar contact angles, the lotus shows better stability and perfection of its water repellency. Here, we compare the relevant properties such as the micro- and nano-structure, the chemical composition of the waxes and the mechanical properties of lotus with its competitors. It soon becomes obvious that the upper epidermis of the lotus leaf has developed some unrivaled optimizations. The extraordinary shape and the density of the papillae are the basis for the extremely reduced contact area between surface and water drops. The exceptional dense layer of very small epicuticular wax tubules is a result of their unique chemical composition. The mechanical robustness of the papillae and the wax tubules reduce damage and are the basis for the perfection and durability of the water repellency. A reason for the optimization, particularly of the upper side of the lotus leaf, can be deduced from the fact that the stomata are located in the upper epidermis. Here, the impact of rain and contamination is higher than on the lower epidermis. The lotus plant has successfully developed an excellent protection for this delicate epistomatic surface of its leaves.


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 7875-7894 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. El Haddad ◽  
B. D'Anna ◽  
B. Temime-Roussel ◽  
M. Nicolas ◽  
A. Boreave ◽  
...  

Abstract. As part of the FORMES summer 2008 experiment, an Aerodyne compact time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (cToF-AMS) was deployed at an urban background site in Marseille to investigate the sources and aging of organic aerosols (OA). France's second largest city and the largest port in the Mediterranean, Marseille, provides a locale that is influenced by significant urban industrialized emissions and an active photochemistry with very high ozone concentrations. Particle mass spectra were analyzed by positive matrix factorization (PMF2) and the results were in very good agreement with previous apportionments obtained using a chemical mass balance (CMB) approach coupled to organic markers and metals (El Haddad et al., 2011a). AMS/PMF2 was able to identify for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, the organic aerosol emitted by industrial processes. Even with significant industries in the region, industrial OA was estimated to contribute only ~ 5% of the total OA mass. Both source apportionment techniques suggest that oxygenated OA (OOA) constitutes the major fraction, contributing ~ 80% of OA mass. A novel approach combining AMS/PMF2 data with 14C measurements was applied to identify and quantify the fossil and non-fossil precursors of this fraction and to explicitly assess the related uncertainties. Results show with high statistical confidence that, despite extensive urban and industrial emissions, OOA is overwhelmingly non-fossil, formed via the oxidation of biogenic precursors, including monoterpenes. AMS/PMF2 results strongly suggest that the variability observed in the OOA chemical composition is mainly driven in our case by the aerosol photochemical age. This paper presents the impact of photochemistry on the increase of OOA oxygenation levels, formation of humic-like substances (HULIS) and the evolution of α-pinene SOA (secondary OA) components.


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