Food and Energy Consumption in Rodents from Different Environments: The Role of Photoperiod in Seasonal Acclimatization

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 505-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Haim ◽  
A. Rubal
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Rodent Species ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Apodemus Flavicollis ◽  
Seasonal Acclimatization ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Mediterranean Habitats ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
Different Response

In several rodent species, changes in photoperiod are important signals for seasonal acclimatization of thermoregulatory mechanisms. Nocturnal rodents inhabiting extremely hot and arid areas like the Arava (Israeli Rift Valley), may be exposed to very low ambient temperatures, which may be far below their lower critical point. In contrast, nocturnal species from the mesic Mediterranean habitats are not exposed to such dramatic seasonal changes. In the present study, food consumption was measured as apparent digestible dry matter intake (DDMI), while energy was measured as digestible gross energy intake (DGEI), in four rodent species from different habitats. The studied mice were kept under two different photoperiod regimes 16L:8D long photophase, 8L:16D long scotophase at a constant ambient temperature (T =28°C). In Meriones crassus, which inhabits extremely arid habitats, apparent DDMI and DGEI were significantly higher in long scotophase acclimated individuals when compared with long photophase acclimated. However, in the mesic species Apodemus flavicollis these parameters were similar under acclimation to the two different photoperiod regimes. These results suggest that, in seasonal acclimatization, species from different habitats may have a different response to photoperiodic cues.

Energy metabolism of oiled muskrats

1974 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 1057-1062 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. H. McEwan ◽  
N. Aitchison ◽  
P. E. Whitehead
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Heat Production ◽  
Thermal Conduction ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Feeding Activities

The heat production of muskrats (Ondatra zibethica), oiled with varying quantities of crude oil, was measured at three ambient temperatures, −5, 5, and 10C on days 0, 1, and 3 after oiling. On day 0, the heat production of muskrats oiled with 1.9 to 42.3 g of oil was from 14 to 119% higher, respectively, than the non-oiled muskrats. Three days after oiling, the metabolic rate of oiled muskrats was about the same as the control values. A similar trend was determined for ambient temperatures of 5 and 10C. Heavy oiling increased the thermal conduction of muskrats by as much as 122%. To compensate for the loss of insulation and increased thermal conductivity of the fur, there was a 2.5-fold increase in dry-matter intake. In view of their dependence on water, both for feeding activities and a place for refuge, it is doubtful if muskrats exposed to moderate quantities of oil could survive under natural conditions.

Prediction of the methane conversion factor (Ym) for dairy cows on the basis of national farm data

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 535
Author(s):  
A. L. F. Hellwing ◽  
M. R. Weisbjerg ◽  
M. Brask ◽  
L. Alstrup ◽  
M. Johansen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Methane Conversion ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Conversion Factor ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Intergovernmental Panel ◽  
Feed Composition ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Inventories ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
Jersey Cows

Methane constitutes a significant loss of feed gross energy in ruminants, and there is an ongoing struggle for identifying feed and animal characteristics feasible for documentation of National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. The aim of the current study was to develop a model that predicts the methane conversion factor (Ym, % of gross energy) for dairy cows on the basis of data obtained from a range of our respiration studies, and, subsequently, to use this model to predict Ym for Holstein and Jersey cows on the basis of compiled average national farm data on dry matter intake, yield of energy-corrected milk and dietary composition. In total, 183 observations were compiled, including 41 rations from 10 experiments with Holstein dairy cows where methane emission was measured by means of indirect calorimetry using the same experimental equipment. Two models were developed; one using dry matter intake and feed composition as variables, and one using yield of energy corrected milk and feed composition as variables. The methane conversion factor was significantly reduced with increased content of starch and fat in the ration, whereas neutral detergent fibre content surprisingly did not have a significant effect in any model. On the basis of compiled data from practical Danish farms, the predicted Ym for dairy cows was 6.02% and 5.98% of gross energy intake for Holstein and Jersey cows, respectively, in the model with dry matter intake and 6.13% and 6.00% for Holstein and Jersey cows, respectively, in the model with energy-corrected milk yield. In conclusion, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change default value for Ym of 6.5% overestimates. Ym for both Holstein and Jersey cows fed rations typically used in intensive dairy producing countries in northern Europe.

scholarly journals Do African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) eat crops because they crave micronutrients?

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Marieke Vogel ◽  
Willem Frederik de Boer ◽  
Moses Masake ◽  
Anna Catherine Songhurst ◽  
Graham McCulloch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixture Models ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Phosphorus Deficiency ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
List Type ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Digestible Energy ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Dietary Choices

AbstractElephants can cause negative consequences for both themselves and for humans by consuming agricultural crops. It is unclear whether savanna elephant crop consumption is merely opportunistic behaviour or related to insufficient quality of natural forage. We analysed the role of vegetation quality on elephant crop consumption. We focused on the role of micronutrients, as natural elephant diets are thought to be insufficient in elements such as sodium and phosporus, which can influence their foraging decisions.For 12 months across four seasons we collected elephant feeding trail data along with tree, grass and crop samples. We investigated how the quality and availability of these items influenced elephant dietary choices across months and seasons. Subsequently, we compared levels of fibre, digestible energy, dry matter intake, and micronutrients, together with secondary compounds (tannins) across the three vegetation groups. As elephants do not make dietary choices based on one component, we also analysed the nutrient balance of food items with right-angle mixture models.The levels of phosphorus, magnesium and dry matter intake corresponded to foraging preference. Compared to trees and grasses, crops contained significantly higher amounts of digestible energy content, dry matter intake, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. PCA results showed that crops differed in phosphorus and magnesium levels. The right-angle mixture models indicated that except for one tree species, all food items elephants consumed were relatively deficient in phosphorus.The combined results of these analyses suggest a phosphorus deficiency in elephant diet in northern Botswana. Crops, with their high absolute phosphorus levels and dry matter intake, provide an alternative source of phosphorus to reduce the deficiency. This may explain the high intensity of crop consumption in the wet season in our study area. A potential mitigation measure against elephant crop consumption might be to provide supplementary phosphorus sources.

Digestibility Studies on Venezuela Grass (Paspalum fasciculatum) and Plantain Pseudostalks (Musa paradisiaca)

1969 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 103-106
Author(s):  
J. A. Arroyo ◽  
L. Rivera Brenes
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Protein Digestibility ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Musa Paradisiaca ◽  
Gross Energy

A study was undertaken to determine the digestibility of Venezuela grass (Paspalum fasciculatum) and plantain pseudostalks (Musa paradisiaca). Two groups of four cows were fed separately with the two roughages. It was found that plantain pseudostalks were lower in dry matter, crude protein, and gross energy than Venezuela grass. Based on feed consumption and dry-matter intake, plantain pseudostalks were more palatable than Venezuela grass. The protein digestibility of Venezuela grass was higher than that of plantain pseudostalks. The reverse held for the energy digestibility.

scholarly journals A universal equation to predict methane production of forage-fed cattle in Australia

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Charmley ◽  
S. R. O. Williams ◽  
P. J. Moate ◽  
R. S. Hegarty ◽  
R. M. Herd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Methane Production ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Universal Equation ◽  
The Past ◽  
National Inventory ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
The Relationship

The methods for estimating methane emissions from cattle as used in the Australian national inventory are based on older data that have now been superseded by a large amount of more recent data. Recent data suggested that the current inventory emissions estimates can be improved. To address this issue, a total of 1034 individual animal records of daily methane production (MP) was used to reassess the relationship between MP and each of dry matter intake (DMI) and gross energy intake (GEI). Data were restricted to trials conducted in the past 10 years using open-circuit respiration chambers, with cattle fed forage-based diets (forage >70%). Results from diets considered to inhibit methanogenesis were omitted from the dataset. Records were obtained from dairy cattle fed temperate forages (220 records), beef cattle fed temperate forages (680 records) and beef cattle fed tropical forages (133 records). Relationships were very similar for all three production categories and single relationships for MP on a DMI or GEI basis were proposed for national inventory purposes. These relationships were MP (g/day) = 20.7 (±0.28) × DMI (kg/day) (R2 = 0.92, P < 0.001) and MP (MJ/day) = 0.063 (±0.008) × GEI (MJ/day) (R2 = 0.93, P < 0.001). If the revised MP (g/day) approach is used to calculate Australia’s national inventory, it will reduce estimates of emissions of forage-fed cattle by 24%. Assuming a global warming potential of 25 for methane, this represents a 12.6 Mt CO2-e reduction in calculated annual emissions from Australian cattle.

scholarly journals Can nitrogen-fertilised ryegrass substitute for white clover?

2002 ◽  
pp. 205-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.P. Cosgrove ◽  
C.B. Anderson ◽  
A.J. Parsons ◽  
J.L. Brock ◽  
J.C. Tilbrook
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Food Preference ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Mixed Species ◽  
Low Concentration ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

Sheep and cattle have difficulty satisfying their preference for white clover when it's proportion in pastures is low. We tested the hypothesis that they prefer clover because it has a higher concentration of nitrogen (N), and expected that they would reduce their preference for clover (increase their preference for grass) when grass had a higher concentration of N. In two experiments, mature sheep and growing cattle were offered choices between grass, having either a high or a low concentration of N, and white clover, growing as adjacent pure swards. To test the specific role of N in preference they were also offered each grass alone (sheep only) and a choice between the high and low N grass. Sheep and cattle preferred clover (75% of time grazing on clover and 25% on grass), but this preference was not affected by the concentration of N in the grass. They preferred the grass with a high concentration of N to that with a low concentration. Sheep and cattle detect differences in the N concentration of food items, but alter their grazing behaviour (express a preference) only when it does not affect dry matter intake or the proportion of clover in their diet. We conclude that N is not the reason why animals prefer white clover. Manipulating the N concentration in grass will not cause the switch in preference required for animals to easily satisfy their preference from typical mixed species pastures that are grass-dominant and have a low proportion of clover. Keywords: cattle, diet selection, food preference, grazing behaviour, nitrogen, sheep

The role of silicon in forages: A quantitative X-Ray study

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 416-417
Author(s):  
Janet H. Woodward ◽  
D. E. Akin
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Acetate ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Acetate Buffer ◽  
Plant Tissues ◽  
Sodium Acetate Buffer ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Percent Composition

Silicon (Si) is distributed throughout plant tissues, but its role in forages has not been clarified. Although Si has been suggested as an antiquality factor which limits the digestibility of structural carbohydrates, other research indicates that its presence in plants does not affect digestibility. We employed x-ray microanalysis to evaluate Si as an antiquality factor at specific sites of two cultivars of bermuda grass (Cynodon dactvlon (L.) Pers.). “Coastal” and “Tifton-78” were chosen for this study because previous work in our lab has shown that, although these two grasses are similar ultrastructurally, they differ in in vitro dry matter digestibility and in percent composition of Si.Two millimeter leaf sections of Tifton-7 8 (Tift-7 8) and Coastal (CBG) were incubated for 72 hr in 2.5% (w/v) cellulase in 0.05 M sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.0. For controls, sections were incubated in the sodium acetate buffer or were not treated.

ACCEPTABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF GRADED LEVELS OF GMELINA ARBOREA AND CASSAVA PEELS CONCENTRATES IN WEST AFRICAN DWARF SHEEP

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-422
Author(s):  
Amoka Pius ◽  
Tawose O M
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Gmelina Arborea ◽  
Leaf Meal ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Inclusion Level ◽  
Cassava Peels

The nutritive value ,voluntary dry matter intake, and the nutrient digestibility of graded levels of Gmelina arborea and cassava peels concentrates in WAD sheep was investigated. Twelve WAD sheep aged 1-2 years old and weighting 14.00± 0.45 kg were used in a complete randomized design. Diets were formulated such that cassava peels was replaced with Gmelina arborea leaf meal at 0, 33.33, 66.67, 100% levels, designated as diets A, B, C, and D respectively. Diet without Gmelina arborea leaf meal was tagged the control diet. The concentrate feed was compounded to contain 16% CP. Diets with 33.33% inclusion level of Gmelina arborea had significantly (P<0.05) higher dry matter intake (DMI) 598.80g day-1, while the lowest DMI 425.00g day-1 was obtained in animals fed 100% inclusion level of Gmelina arborea. Crude protein intake (CPI) of animals fed diets with 33.33% inclusion levels of Gmelina arborea were significantly (P<0.05) highest, followed by 66.67% inclusion level and the least was observed in 0% inclusion level of Gmelina arborea. Dry matter digestibility (DMD) was significantly (P<0.05) different across the dietary treatments, animals placed on diets with 33.33% inclusion level had the highest DMD, followed by animals on diets with 66.67, 100 and 0% inclusion levels. CP digestibility (P<0.05) increased from 33.33% to 100% inclusion levels of Gmelina arborea leaf meal, the lowest CP digestibility was observed at 0% inclusion level. CF digestibility (P<0.05) increased from 33.33% to 100% inclusion levels of Gmelina arborea leaf meal, while the lowest CF digestibility was observed at 0% inclusion level. N intake increased significantly (P<0.05) with increase in the level of Gmelina arborea inclusion from 33.33% to 100%. N retention was significantly (P<0.05) different, diets with 33.33% Gmelina arborea inclusion had the highest value (64.36g day-1) followed by 66.67%, 100% and the least (52.64g day-1) was at 0% inclusion level of Gmelina arborea.  N balance values also followed the same trend. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the inclusion of Gmelina arborea leaf meal in WAD rams diet was well tolerated without adverse effect on acceptability, intake and nutrient digestibility, and inclusion level of 33.33% is hereby recommended in ruminants diet for optimum performance and productivity.

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