Metabolic Benefit of Bulls Being Fed Moringa Leaves Twigs and Branches as a Major Concentrate Ingredient

The study was conducted to investigate nutrient metabolism and semen quality of bulls fed with moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves, twigs, and branches as a major concentrate ingredient. Twenty-one Red Chittagong bulls of about 204 (±50) kg initial live weight (LW) were randomly divided into three equal LW groups. They were fed maize silage as a basal feedstuff for 65 days with the supplementation of concentrate mixtures at 1% of LW, consisting of either 0, 25, or 50% moringa mash on a fresh basis. Moringa mash was a sun-dried ground preparation of leaves, twigs, and branches of moringa. The results indicated that different levels of moringa in concentrate mixtures (0, 25, and 50%) did not change daily DM intake, digestibility, and LW gain of bulls (p > 0.05). However, increasing dietary moringa (up to 203 g/kg DM) significantly decreased production cost of methane (CH4) (methane emission [kg/kg gain] = 1.6422—[0.0059 × moringa intake, g/kg DM], n = 12, R2 = 0.384, P = 0.032) in a similar metabolizable energy intake level (0.21 ± 0.01 MJ/kg LW). Also, higher dietary moringa significantly reduced urinary nitrogen loss (urinary nitrogen [% digested nitrogen] = 43.0 – 0.069 × moringa intake [g/kg DM]; R2 = 0.3712, P = 0.034). Thus, increasing moringa by 1 g/kg DM decreased CH4 emission by 6 g/kg gain and absorbed nitrogen loss by 0.069 %. Also, progressive motility of sperm increased significantly (33.0, 51.0, and 60.1%, respectively; p = 0.03) in bulls fed with concentrate mixtures containing moringa at 0, 25, or 50%. It may be concluded that feeding moringa mash at 203 g/kg DM may decrease energy loss as methane and urinary nitrogen loss without impacting the production of beef cattle. Feeding moringa mash to beef cattle may abate dietary energy and nitrogen loss and consequently decrease the environmental pollution.

Effects of serine palmitoyltransferase inhibition by myriocin in ad libitum-fed and nutrient-restricted ewes

The fungal isolate myriocin inhibits serine palmitoyltransferase and de novo ceramide synthesis in rodents; however, the effects of myriocin on ceramide concentrations and metabolism have not been previously investigated in ruminants. In our study, twelve non-lactating crossbred ewes received an intravenous bolus of myriocin (0, 0.1, 0.3, or 1.0 mg/kg/body weight [BW]; CON, LOW, MOD, or HIGH) every 48 h for 17 d. Ewes consumed a high-energy diet from d 1-14, and were nutrient-restricted (straw only) from d 15-17. Blood was collected preprandial and at 1, 6, and 12 h relative to bolus and nutrient restriction. Tissues were collected following euthanasia on d 17. Plasma was analyzed for free fatty acids (FFA), glucose, and insulin. Plasma and tissue ceramides were quantified using mass spectrometry. HIGH selectively decreased metabolizable energy intake, BW, and plasma insulin, and increased plasma FFA (Dose, P < 0.05). Myriocin linearly decreased plasma very-long-chain (VLC) ceramide and dihydroceramide (DHCer) by d 13 (Linear, P < 0.05). During nutrient restriction, fold-change in FFA was lower with increasing dose (P < 0.05). Nutrient restriction increased plasma C16:0-Cer, an effect suppressed by MOD and HIGH (Dose × Time, P < 0.05). Myriocin linearly decreased most ceramide and DHCer species in liver and omental and mesenteric adipose, VLC ceramide and DHCer in pancreas, and C18:0-Cer in skeletal muscle and subcutaneous adipose tissue (Linear, P ≤ 0.05). We conclude that the intravenous delivery of 0.3 mg of myriocin/kg of BW/48 h decreases circulating and tissue ceramide without modifying energy intake in ruminants.

Energy metabolism of pregnant zebu and crossbred zebu dairy cattle

The purpose of this study was to determine the energy partition of pregnant F1 Holstein x Gyr with average initial body weight (BW) of 515.6 kg and Gyr cows with average initial BW of 435.1 kg at 180, 210 and 240 days of gestation, obtained using respirometry. Twelve animals in two groups (six per genetic group) received a restricted diet equivalent to 1.3 times the net energy for maintenance (NEm). The proportion of gross energy intake (GEI) lost as feces did not differ between the evaluated breeds and corresponded to 28.65% on average. The daily methane production (L/d) was greater for (P<0.05) F1 HxG compared to Gyr animals. However, when expressed as L/kg dry matter (DM) or as percentage of GEI there were no differences between the groups (P>0.05). The daily loss of energy as urine (mean of 1.42 Mcal/d) did not differ (P>0.05) between groups and ranged from 3.87 to 5.35% of the GEI. The metabolizable energy intake (MEI) of F1 HxG animals was greater (P < 0.05) at all gestational stages compared to Gyr cows when expressed in Mcal/d. However, when expressed in kcal/kg of metabolic BW (BW0,75), the F1 HxG cows had MEI 11% greater (P<0.05) at 240 days of gestation and averaged 194.39 kcal/kg of BW0,75. Gyr cows showed no change in MEI over time (P>0.05), with a mean of 146.66 kcal/kg BW0. 75. The ME used by the conceptus was calculated by deducting the metabolizable energy for maintenance (MEm) from the MEI, which was obtained in a previous study using the same cows prior to becoming pregnant. The values of NEm obtained in the previous study with similar non-pregnant cows were 92.02 kcal/kg BW0.75 for F1 HxG, and 76.83 kcal/kg BW0.75 for Gyr (P = 0.06). The average ME for pregnancy (MEp) was 5.33 Mcal/d for F1 HxG and 4.46 Mcal/d for Gyr. The metabolizability ratio, averaging 0.60, was similar among the evaluated groups (P>0.05). The ME / Digestible Energy (DE) ratio differed between groups and periods evaluated (P<0.05) with a mean of 0.84. The heat increment (HI) accounted for 22.74% and 24.38% of the GEI for F1 HxG and Gyr cows, respectively. The proportion of GEI used in the basal metabolism by pregnant cows in this study represented 29.69%. However, there were no differences between the breeds and the evaluation periods and corresponded to 29.69%. The mean NE for pregnancy (NEp) was 2.76 Mcal/d and did not differ between groups and gestational stages (P>0.05).

Residual feed intake of Nellore calves is not repeatable across pre and post weaning periods

ABSTRACT: This study measured milk and solid feed intake in pre- weaning period and feed intake in postweaning period of Nellore calves, and to correlated them with performance traits and ingestive behavior of animals classified as most and least efficient. During pre weaning phase, feed efficiency was evaluated in 51 cow-calf pairs from 21±5 days after calving until weaning. During post-weaning phase, only male calves (n=23) were evaluated. Pre-weaning milk intake of calves was estimated based on cow’s milk production. Pre-weaning daily metabolizable energy intake (MEI) of calves was estimated as the sum of MEI from milk and solid diet. There was no difference in ADG between calves with negative and positive pre RFI, with a consequent better feed conversion to more efficient calves. The most efficient calves spent less time at the feed bunk, with a shorter feeding duration and higher rate of intake, compared to the least efficient animals. Correlations between feed intake and metabolic body weight of the animals during pre- and postweaning phases were positive, of medium to high magnitude, and significant, while correlation between ADG values was close to zero. Results suggested that part of the animals ranked based on pre weaning feed intake won’t maintain their rank during postweaning phase. In conclusion, calves classified as most efficient during pre-weaning phase have similar weight gain but lower milk intake and MEI than least efficient animals. The estimated pre RFI is weakly correlated with post RFI, showing that RFI is not consistent or repeatable across two periods.

Effect of Prebiotics and Probiotics as natural growth promoters in broiler chicks

Sixty day-old broiler chicks (Ross breed) were treated with or without prebiotics and probiotics (Natural growth promoters) containing immune extracts at the starter (1-5wks) and finisher (6-10wks) phases. The birds were allocated to no diets (one test and one control) in a contpletely randomized design. Each treatment had three replicates of ten birds per replicate. Energy and protein levels of the diets were 3000 Kcal ME/kg and crude protein (CP) of 20% and 3000 Kcal ME/kg and 17% CP at starter and finisher phases, respectively. The experiment lasted ten weeks. The daily metabolizable energy intake for body maintenance, 146.97 cal./ day for birds on the tesi diet was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those birds on the control diet, 113.04 cal./day at the starter phase. At the finisher phase, efficiency of feed utilization (0.38 as against 0.19), mean weights of live (1920g as against /570g) and plucked (1740 as against 1380g) parts of the treated birds were significantly (P<0.05) betier than the untreated birds. Other parameters measured increased more for the treated birds but were not significant (P>0.05). The immune status conferred on the birds ensured adequate protection from death for the treated birds. The untreated birds suffered 67% more mortality than the treated birds. Though mortality rate was within the acceptable limits for both treated and untreated birds. The results of the experiment showed that Enterococcus faesium, inulin together with cell-wall fragments and immune stimulant extracts as probiotics and prebiotics enhanced growth performance of broiler chicks. The trial was successful.

222 Partitioning of retained energy between protein and fat gain, and heat of product formation and support metabolism in growing beef cattle

Multiple linear regression inaccurately computes the efficiency of energy use for protein and fat gain. The objective was to quantify efficiency of metabolizable energy use for protein and fat gain along with heats of product formation and support metabolism. A literature search was performed to compile data (31 studies, 214 treatment means) on metabolizable energy intake (MEI) and composition of empty body gain in growing steers and heifers. Data analyses were performed using R statistical package for mixed models with study as random variable. Linear regression of MEI on energy gain (EG; P &lt; 0.001; R2 = 0.627) resulted in an estimate of metabolizable energy for maintenance (MEm) of 156 kcal/kg.75 and efficiency of ME use for gain of 0.518. Linear regression of MEI on EG as protein and fat (P &lt; 0.001; R2 = 0.623) resulted in an estimate of MEm of 149 kcal/kg.75, and efficiency of protein (kp) and fat (kf) gain of 0.274 and 0.585, respectively, resulting in an overall efficiency of EG of 0.520. Nonlinear regression model (EG = kg*(MEI-MEm)) resulted in an estimate of MEm of 103 kcal/kg.75 and efficiency of EG of 0.342. The heat of product formation was assumed to be 0.48 (1 – 0.52) and the heat of support metabolism (HiEv) 0.18 (0.52 – 0.34). Multivariate regression was used to fit simultaneous models for EG as protein (EGp = (kp+HiEvp)*k*MEA) and fat (EGf = (kf+(0.18-HiEvp))*(1-k)*MEA). Estimates (P &lt; 0.001) of kp and kf were 0.12 ± 0.01 and 0.63 ± 0.02, and HiEvp and proportion of ME available for protein gain (k) were 0.11 ± 0.01 and 0.75 ± 0.01, respectively. The heat of product formation and support metabolism for protein were 0.77 and 0.11, and fat were 0.30 and 0.07, respectively. In conclusion, efficiency of ME use for protein was lesser than for fat gain, and heat of support metabolism was greater for protein than fat gain.

223 Evaluation of dietary characteristics and empty body chemical components affecting the relationship between heat production and metabolizable energy intake in growing beef cattle

Metabolizable energy required for maintenance varies with diet and empty body chemical composition. The objective was to quantify the relationships of dietary characteristics and empty body chemical composition with heat production. A literature search was performed to compile data (31 studies, 214 treatment means) on metabolizable energy intake (MEI) and composition of empty body gain in growing steers and heifers. Data analysis were performed using R statistical package for mixed models with study as random variable. Nonlinear regression of energy gain (EG) on MEI indicated the relationship was not curvilinear in this data set, likely due to lack of negative values of EG. Further analyses were conducted using a linear model. Dietary characteristics of roughage level (0–100% of diet DM) and CP (10–25% diet DM), metabolizable energy concentration (1.3–3.3 Mcal/kg DM), and roughage type were evaluated in the model. Roughage sources were categorized into no roughage, silage, hay, pellets, silage + pellets, and hay + pellets. Of the empty body chemical components, proportion of fat in the empty body (EBFp) and in the gain (EBFgp) had a significant (P &lt; 0.001) interaction with MEI on HP. Of the dietary characteristics, roughage level and type had a significant (P &lt; 0.001) interaction with MEI on HP; however, when both were included in the model, roughage type was not significant (P &gt; 0.10). The final model was 47.01 ± 12.54 + 0.630 ± 0.05*MEI – 132.3 ± 64.7*EBFp + 0.0007 ± 0.0001*MEI*Roughage level + 0.753 ± 0.24*MEI*EBFp – 0.268 ± 0.032*MEI*EBFgp with an R2 of 0.919 and an AIC of 1614 compared with 0.867 and 1695 for the simple linear regression model of HP on MEI. In conclusion, greater empty body fat decreased the intercept, and greater empty body fat proportion and levels of roughage in the diet increased the slope between HP and MEI, whereas greater percentage of fat in the empty body gain decreased the slope between HP and MEI.

Effects of dietary beef tallow on performance, rumen fermentation, carcass traits and meat quality of growing lambs

Growing lambs were evaluated for the effect of increasing dietary levels of beef tallow (BT) on performance, rumen fermentation, and carcass and meat characteristics. Twenty-one 5-month-old male Rambouillet lambs were assigned randomly to one of three diets with 0, 20, and 40 g BT/kg dry matter (DM) and similar energy and protein contents. Lambs were adapted to the diets for 15 days, followed by a 45-day evaluation trial. Data were analysed using a mixed model. Growth, feed intake and ruminal fermentation were not affected by the dietary level of BT. Daily metabolizable energy intake (MEI), carcass yield and degree of fatness, increased linearly as the BT level increased. Carcass classification and muscle conformation were not affected by BT. Most meat characteristics (texture, pH, myoglobin, protein content, colour, cathepsins, and chemical composition) five and eight days post-mortem were not affected, except for fat content in meat, which increased linearly as diet BT level increased. Fatty acid (FA) profiles of the meat from lambs fed the three diets were similar. In conclusion, addition of BT at 20 and 40 g/kg DM to diets for growing lambs allowed reduced grain usage and increased forage levels (from 0 to 270 g/kg DM), increasing energy intake, carcass yield and fatness, and intramuscular fat without causing harmful effects on growth, feed intake or ruminal fermentation characteristics. Keywords: dietary fat, fatty acids, meat colour, sheep

Combined supplementation of chromium-yeast and selenium-yeast on finishing barrows

ABSTRACT: The present study was performed to evaluate the association of chromium-yeast and selenium-yeast as nutritional additives to enhance performance and quantitative characteristics in the carcass of finishing barrows. A total of 48 barrows, commercial hybrid, with initial weight of 68.3±3.5 kg and final weight of 99.6±3.6 kg, were utilized for the study. The animals were distributed in a randomized complete block design, consisting of three levels of chromium-yeast and selenium-yeast (i.e., without supplementation of chromium-yeast and selenium-yeast, supplementation of 0.4 mg kg-1 chromium-yeast and 0.3 mg kg-1 selenium-yeast, and supplementation of 0.8 mg kg-1 chromium-yeast and 0.6 mg kg-1 selenium-yeast) with eight replicates and two animals per experimental unit. The supplementation of chromium and selenium-yeast did not significantly affect (P>0.05) the average daily feed intake, digestible lysine, crude protein and metabolizable energy intake, average daily weight gain, feed conversion, weight and carcass length, back fat thickness, muscle depth, percentage and amount of lean meat, and carcass allowance. These findings suggest that supplementation of chromium and selenium-yeast does not affect the performance or quantitative characteristics in the carcass of finishing barrows.