Tranquillizing Effect of Passiflora incarnata Extract: Outcome on Behavioral and Physiological Indicators in Weaning Pigs with Intact Tails

Tail docking has been used in the pig industry to decrease the occurrence of tail biting behavior. This abnormal behavior has a multifactorial origin since it is a response to simultaneous environmental, nutritional and management changes. Given the calming properties of Passiflora incarnata, we hypothesized that dietary supplementation with the extract in weaned pigs could result in a modification of behavior and physiologic indicators linked to stress. Weaned piglets (n = 120, mean body weight 9.07 ± 2.30 kg) were randomly allocated to one of two dietary treatments: control diet (CON) and CON supplemented with 1 kg/t of P. incarnata (PAS). The trial was 28 days long. The presence of skin lesions was assessed at d-1, d-10, d-19, and d-28, and saliva samples were collected for IgA and cortisol determinations at the same sampling times. Results showed the PAS group was characterized by equal growth performance as the CON group, fewer ear lesions (p < 0.05), less aggressive behavior (p < 0.001), higher enrichment exploration (p < 0.001) and lower cortisol levels (p < 0.01). Time effect was observed for tail lesions (p < 0.001) and behavioral observations (p < 0.001). Additional research is required to determine the effect of P. incarnata extract using a larger number of animals and longer period of supplementation when risks associated with tail biting are uncontrolled.

Decreasing the level of hemicelluloses in sow's lactation diet affects the milk composition and post-weaning performance of low birthweight piglets.

Hemicelluloses (HC) are polysaccharides constituents of the cell walls of plants. They are fermented in the gut to produce volatile fatty acids (VFA). The present study investigated the effects of decreasing HC level in sow's lactation diet on sow performances, offspring development and milk composition. From 110 days (d) of gestation until weaning (26±0.4 d post-farrowing), 40 Swiss Large White sows were assigned to one of the four dietary treatments: (1) T12 (HC: 120.6 g/kg), (2) T11 (HC: 107.6 g/kg), (3) T9 (HC: 86.4g/kg) and (4) T7 (HC: 71.9 g/kg). Milk was collected at 3 and 17d of lactation. At birth, piglets were divided into two groups according to their birthweight (BtW): normal (N-BtW; BtW > 1.20 kg) or low (L-BtW; BtW ≤ 1.20 kg). Decreased HC levels in the maternal diet linearly increased (P ≤ 0.05) the body weight of L-BtW piglets at two weeks post-weaning and linearly decreased (P ≤ 0.05) diarrhoea incidence and duration in this category. The concentrations of copper, threonine and VFA, as well as the proportion of butyrate, in milk linearly increased (P ≤ 0.05), whereas lactose content linearly decreased (P ≤ 0.05) with decreased HC in the maternal diet. The present study provides evidence that decreasing HC level in sow's lactation diet can positively affect the composition and VFA profile of milk and ultimately favour the growth and health of L-BtW piglets.

Physiology and bromatology of Oryctolagus cunicullus L. 1758 fed browse legume with enzyme levels

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of feeding rabbits with Maxigrain® (M) enzyme supplemented Gliricidia sepium leaf meal (GLM) on their physiology, performance characteristics, and nutrients digestibility. Twenty weaned rabbits of mixed sexes, 5-6 weeks old, were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments including 0 g M which was soybean without M (control) and GLM supplemented with M at 50, 100, 150 and 200 g M per kilogramme of GLM. There were four rabbits per treatment and one rabbit as replicate in a completely randomized design. There were no significant (p > 0.05) treatment effects in all physiological and performance indices as well as those of crude fat, fibre and NFE digestibilities. There were variations (p < 0.05) due to the treatment effects on dry matter, crude protein and ash digestiblities. This implies that the feeding of soft faeces directly from the caecum called coprophagy mechanism in rabbits has its concomitant nutritional benefits. This advantageous benefit can enable rabbit to effectively and efficiently utilize forage or forage-based diet with or without enzyme supplementation.

Rapid Communication: Ileal alkaline phosphatase is upregulated following functional amino acid supplementation in Salmonella Typhimurium-challenged pigs

We recently showed that functional amino acid (FAA) supplementation improves growth performance and immune status of Salmonella Typhimurium (ST)-challenged pigs which was further improved by a longer adaptation period. It is expected that the effects are associated with increased activity of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of FAA supplementation and adaptation period on the ileal, cecal, and colonic activity of IAP in weaned pigs challenged with ST. In Exp. 1, 32 mixed-sex weanling pigs were randomly assigned to dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with low (LP) or high protein (HP) content and basal (FAA–) or FAA profile (FAA+; Thr, Met, and Trp at 120% of requirements) as factors. In Exp. 2, a total of 32 mixed-sex weanling pigs were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments, being FAA- fed throughout the experimental period (FAA−) or a FAA profile fed only in the post-inoculation (FAA+0), for 1 wk pre- and post-inoculation (FAA+1), or throughout the experimental period (FAA+2). In Exp. 1 and 2, after a 7- and 14-d adaptation period, respectively, pigs were inoculated with saline solution containing ST (3.3 and 2.2 × 10 9 CFU/mL, respectively). Plasma alkaline phosphatase was measured on d 0 and 7 post-inoculation in Exp. 1, and IAP (ileum, cecum, and colon) was measured in Exp. 1 and 2. Correlations among ileal IAP and serum albumin and haptoglobin, plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced:oxidized glutathione (GSH:GSSG), ileal myeloperoxidase (MPO), ST shedding and ileal colonization, and post-inoculation average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (ADFI), and gain:feed (G:F) were also analyzed. In Exp. 1, plasma alkaline phosphatase was decreased with ST inoculation and overall content was increased in LP-FAA+ compared to LP-FAA- (P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, ileal IAP was increased in FAA+ compared to FAA- pigs in both studies (P &lt; 0.05) regardless of adaptation time (P &gt; 0.05). Intestinal alkaline phosphatase was positively correlated with MDA and ADFI and negatively correlated with SOD and ST shedding in Exp. 1 (P &lt; 0.05). These results demonstrate a positive effect of FAA supplementation, but not adaptation period, on ileal alkaline phosphatase activity in Salmonella-challenged pigs, which may be associated with improvements in antioxidant balance.

The Effect of Yeast and Roughage Concentrate Ratio on Ruminal pH and Protozoal Population in Thai Native Beef Cattle

The objective of this research is to investigate the effect of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) adding and roughage-to-concentrate ratio (R:C ratio) on nutrients utilization, rumen fermentation efficiency, microbial protein synthesis, and protozoal population in Thai native beef cattle. Four Thai native beef cattle, weighing an average of 120 ± 10 kg live weight, were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Factor A was the level of roughage-to-concentrate ratio (R:C ratio) at 60:40 and 40:60; factor B was the levels of live yeast (LY) supplementation at 0 and 4 g/hd/d; urea–calcium-hydroxide-treated rice straw were used as a roughage source. Findings revealed that total intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and crude protein (CP) were increased (p < 0.05) by both factors, being greater for steers fed a R:C ratio of 40:60 supplemented with 4 g LY/hd/d. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen, total volatile fatty acid (VFA), and propionate (C3) were increased (p < 0.05) at the R:C ratio of 40:60 with LY supplementation at 4 g/hd/d, whereas rumen acetate (C2) and the C2 to C3 ratio were decreased (p < 0.05). With a high level of concentrate, LY addition increased total bacterial direct counts and fungal zoospores (p < 0.05), but decreased protozoal populations (p < 0.05). High-concentrate diet and LY supplementation increased nitrogen absorption and the efficiency of microbial nitrogen protein production. In conclusion, feeding beef cattle with 4 g/hd/d LY at a R:C ratio of 40:60 increased C3 and nutritional digestibility while lowering protozoal population.

Nutritional evaluation of fish protein hydrolysate and its application in piglet production

This study was conducted to determine the digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and ileal digestibility of amino acids (AA) of fish protein hydrolysate (FPH), and to evaluate the effects of FPH on the performance of piglets. In Exp. 1, the available energy content of FPH was determined by difference methods: 12 barrows with an initial body weight (BW) of 40.0±2.1kg were randomly assigned into two dietary treatments with six replicates per treatment, the treatments contained a corn basal diet and an experimental diet in which 20% corn was replaced by FPH. The experiment was lasted for 12 days, with 7 days adaptation period followed by 5 days total collection of feces and urine. In Exp. 2, the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA in FPH by the N-free method was determined, 12 barrows (initial BW of 35.3±1.8 kg) with ileal T-cannulas were randomly allotted into two treatments with six replicates per treatment, the dietary treatments consisted of an experimental diet and a N-free diet. The experiment was lasted for 7 days, with 5 days adaptation period followed by 2 days collection of ileal digesta. In Exp. 3, the effect of FPH on the performance of piglets was conducted. 192 piglets (initial BW of 8.10±1.8kg) were randomly allotted into four treatments with six replicates per treatment. The treatments were a control diet with fish meal (FM) and part or all FM was replaced by FPH, got diets containing 2%, 3% or 5% FPH. The experiment lasted for 28 days. Results showed that: In Exp. 1, the DE and ME of FPH were 21.12MJ/kg and 20.28MJ/kg. In Exp. 2, the SID of Lys, Met, Thr and Trp were 79.99%, 87.17%, 68.29%, and 71.53% respectively. In Exp. 3, addition of 3% FPH increased nutrient digestibility and volatile fatty acid content in feces. Addition of 5% FPH increased the average daily feed intake (ADFI), significantly increased (P&lt;0.05) the activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and immunoglobulin A (IgA), while significantly decreased (P&lt;0.05) the average daily gain (ADG). In conclusion, FPH had a high value of digestible energy and ileal digestible essential amino acids, could improve nutrient digestibility, immunity, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health of piglets, while adverse to nitrogen deposition in piglets.

Ranking the dietary treatments of broiler chickens in order to reduce nitrogen pollution of the environment

The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology was used to rank the tested nutritional solutions and to choose the best nutritional solution in order to reduce environmental pollution with nitrogen. The evaluation methodology consisted in comparing by three evaluators the diets based on the zootechnical performances/thigh meat quality / environmental impact. The diets of tested nutritional solutions were contained either medicinal or aromatic plants (basil, thyme, sage) in a proportion of 1% (batch 2), respectively essential oils (0.05%) of the same plants (batch 1). The application of the AHP methodology indicated that the best nutritional alternative was obtained for basil, either in the form of essential oil or vegetal material.

Effect of Fermentation with Rumen Content on the Feeding Value of Boiled Iron Tree (Prosopis africana) Seedcoat on Haematology and Serum Biochemistry of Broiler Chickens

Aims: The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of inclusion of Prosopis seed coat fermented with rumen content at different levels as energy source on the serum biochemical composition and heamatological indices of broiler chickens. Study Design:Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance in a completely randomized design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Livestock Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. Between November 2016 and January 2017. Methodology: The study was in two phases; the starter and finisher phase, in each of the phases, there were five dietary groups and fermented Prosopis africana seed coat meal (FPASCM) was included at 0, 10, 15, 20 and 25% to replace maize. The total of two hundred and sixty (260), day- old Zartech broiler chicks were randomly distributed to five dietary treatments with four replicates of 52 chickens per treatment and each replicate had 13 birds. The birds were raised on deep litter and fed ad-libitum and drinking water provided daily and performance was monitored. At the end of the eight week, blood was collected via the wing web for serum and haematological assay. Results: The results of haematological parameters of broiler chickens fed varying levels of fermented Prosopis africana seed coat are presented in Table 3.There were no significant (P>0.05) differences between treatments for parameters measured except for PCV and haemogobin. The PCV values ranged from 25.00 -28.25% and haemoglobin values ranged from 8.35 -9.40g/dl. It was observed that most of the haematological indices measured fell within the normal reference range values. The results of serum biochemical assay revealed that serum glucose 45.85-107.22 mg/dl varied significantly (P<0.05) among the dietary treatments. Birds served 25% FPSCM had the highest value while those served 15% FPASCM recorded least value. Conclusion: Based on the observations from this study, it was concluded that FPASCM could be included in the diets of broiler chickens up to 25% without compromising the health of the birds.

Interaction of early metabolizable protein supplementation and virginiamycin on feedlot growth-performance and carcass characteristics of calf-fed Holstein steers

One hundred sixty-eight Holstein steer calves (133.4 ±7.9 kg) were used to evaluate the influence of virginiamycin (VM) supplementation on cattle growth performance and liver abscess incidence, and the effect of feeding 100% vs 87% of metabolizable protein (MP) requirements during the initial 112 d on growth performance, efficiency of energy utilization, and carcass characteristics. Steers were balanced by weight and assigned to 28 pens (6 steers/pen). During the initial 112-d feeding period, dietary treatments consisted of two levels of metabolizable protein (100 vs 87% of expected requirements during the initial 112 d feeding period; NASEM, 2000) supplemented with or without 22.5 mg/kg virginiamycin (Phibro Animal Health, Teaneck, NJ 07666) in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. There were no VM × MP supplementation interactions (P ≥ 0.14) on any of the parameters measured in both experiments. Calf-fed Holstein steers supplemented VM increased (P ≤ 0.03) overall ADG, G:F, observed/expected NE values for maintenance and gain, and final body weight (BW). Cattle fed VM also increased (P ≤ 0.04) carcass weight, dressing percent, and longissimus muscle area. However, there was no effect (P ≥ 0.22) of VM supplementation on any other carcass characteristics. Calf-fed Holstein steers fed 100% MP requirements during the initial 112 d feeding period had greater (P ≤ 0.02) ADG, G:F, observed/expected NE values for maintenance and gain, and live BW compared to steers fed 87% of the expected metabolizable protein requirements. However, there was no effect (P ≥ 0.17) of MP supply during the initial 112-d period on overall (342 d) growth performance measurements. The incidence of liver abscesses was low (averaging 7.7%) and not affected by dietary treatments. We conclude that independently of MP supplies, supplemental VM enhances overall growth performance and efficiency of energy utilization of calf-fed Holstein steers.

Effect of Replacing Bone Ash with Fresh Water Snail (Pila Ampullacea) Shell Ash on Serum Biochemical Indices of Weaned Rabbits

Twenty five (25) mixed breed weaned rabbits were utilized in 84-days experiment to investigate the effect of replacing bone ash with fresh water snail (Pila ampullacea) shell ash on the serum biochemical composition of weaned rabbits. The experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria for a period of 12 weeks. The rabbits were randomly assigned to the five dietary treatments and replicated five times giving a total of one rabbit per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Rabbits were raised intensively in hutches of about 4ft × 4ft. Five experimental diets tagged T1 to T5 were formulated such that fresh water snail (Pila ampullacea) shell ash replaced bone ash at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. Feed and water were served ad libitum. Bio sanitary and bio security measures were strictly adhered to. At the end of the feeding trial, three rabbits per treatment were selected for the evaluation of serum biochemistry. The parameters assayed for were: total serum protein, serum globulin, serum albumin, cholesterol, serum calcium, and serum phosphorus. The study showed that the serum biochemical indices were not influenced (P˃0.05) by the dietary treatments except for calcium which was significantly (P<0.05) influenced, however, calcium values were within the normal reference values for rabbits. This study had shown that fresh water snail (Pila ampullacea) shell ash can serve as a substitute for bone ash in weaned rabbit diet up to 100% inclusion levels without adverse effect on the serum biochemical indices.