Sources of acid insoluble ash as marker of corn digestibility in broilers

The objective was to evaluate three sources of acid insoluble ash (AIA) (celite, kaolin, and sand), as indicators, to determine the apparent metabolizable energy of corn on a natural matter (AME) basis, dry matter digestibility coefficient (DMDC), and crude protein digestibility coefficient (CPDC) using total and partial excreta collection methods. Two hundred and ten Ross broiler chicks of 18 to 27 days of age were used. Broilers were adapted to experimental the diet for four days, and excreta were collected for 5 days. A reference diet (RD) based on corn and soybean meal was prepared to meet the nutritional requirements of the birds. A test diet was prepared with 40% replacement of RD with corn. The formulated diets were: D1, 99% Reference diet + 1% celite; D2, 59.4% RD + 39.6 % corn + 1% celite; D3, 99% Reference diet + 1% kaolin; D4, 59.4% RD + 39.6 % corn + 1% kaolin; D5, 99% Reference diet + 1% sand; D6, 59.4% RD + 39.6 % corn + 1% sand. The treatments were distributed in a completely randomized design, with six diets and five replicates of seven birds each in a 2x3 factorial arrangement. There were significant interactions for all variables investigated. It was observed that the AME and DMDC values of corn were similar in the two methods of collection, and PDC values using kaolin and celite makers were similar. However, the AME and CPDC of corn using sand with partial collection method were underestimated by 17.70 and 15.53%, respectively compared to those with the total collection method. The AME values of corn with the collection methods using celite and, the DMDC using celite and sand were significantly different. It was observed that the DMDC using celite and sand provided significantly lower values (4.67 and 5.15%), respectively, and the AME using celite was 2.86% lower than that obtained by total collection. To determine the EMA, DMDC, and CPDC in broilers, it is more efficient to use celiteTM and kaolin as markers with partial collection of excreta. Sand should not be used with partial excreta collection method, because it provides lower values of AME and CPDC compared to with total excreta collection method.

A Solution for Sustainable Utilization of Aquaculture Waste: A Comprehensive Review of Biofloc Technology and Aquamimicry

Biofloc technology (BFT) is gaining traction as a strategic aquaculture tool for boosting feed conversions, biosecurity, and wastewater recycling. The significant aspect of BFT is aquaculture with highest stocking density and minimal water exchange. It not only improves the water quality of a system by removing inorganic nitrogen from wastewater but also serves as a suitable feed supplement and probiotic source for cultured species. This technology is commonly used for shrimp and tilapia culture and can be used for both semi-intensive and intensive culture systems. Biofloc, when combined with formulated diets, forms a balanced food chain that improves growth performance. Nutrients in this system are continuously recycled and reused and form an efficient alternative system in aquaculture. In addition to the reduction in water exchange, it is also considered as a bio-security measure, since it prevents entry of disease from outside sources. Aquamimicry is an innovative concept that simulates natural estuarine conditions by developing copepods that act as supplementary nutrition especially for shrimp culture. The review highlights the process, significance, and development of BFT, its microbial interactions, nutritional value, transition from biofloc to copefloc, and concept of aquamimicry to sustainably improve aquaculture production.

A 90-Day Subchronic Toxicity Study of Consumption of GH-Transgenic Triploid Carp in Wistar Rats

Genetic modification (GM) offers an alternative strategy to conventional animal breeding. The present study was carried out to investigate the potential health effects of the consumption of growth hormone-transgenic triploid carp (GH-ttc) through a 90-day subchronic rodent feeding study. Wistar rats (n = 10/sex/group) were given formulated diets containing GH-ttc or non-GM carp at an incorporated rate of 2.5%, 5%, or 10% (w/w) for 90 days. An additional control group of rats (n = 10/sex/group) was fed a basic rodent diet. During the 90-day study, clinical observation, ophthalmic examination, body weight, and food intake were evaluated. At the end of the study, rats were killed, and the hematology, serum chemistry, urine test, necropsy, and histopathology were assessed. Compared with the non-GM carp and the basic control groups, no biologically significant differences were observed on clinical signs of toxicity, body weights, food intake, hematology, serum chemistry, urinalysis, organ weight, and histopathology on selected organs for the GH-ttc group. The results of this 90-day subchronic feeding study indicated that, at the dose level used in this study, consumption of GH-ttc showed no subchronic toxicity to Wistar rats.

Inflammatory Mediation of Heat Stress-Induced Growth Deficits in Livestock and Its Potential Role as a Target for Nutritional Interventions: A Review

Heat stress is detrimental to well-being and growth performance in livestock, and systemic inflammation arising during chronic heat stress contributes to these poor outcomes. Sustained exposure of muscle and other tissues to inflammation can impair the cellular processes that facilitate muscle growth and intramuscular fat deposition, thus reducing carcass quality and yield. Climate change is expected to produce more frequent extreme heat events, increasing the potential impact of heat stress on sustainable livestock production. Feedlot animals are at particularly high risk for heat stress, as confinement limits their ability to seek cooling from the shade, water, or breeze. Economically practical options to circumvent heat stress in feedlot animals are limited, but understanding the mechanistic role of inflammation in heat stress outcomes may provide the basis for treatment strategies to improve well-being and performance. Feedlot animals receive formulated diets daily, which provides an opportunity to administer oral nutraceuticals and other bioactive products to mitigate heat stress-induced inflammation. In this review, we examine the complex associations between heat stress, systemic inflammation, and dysregulated muscle growth in meat animals. We also present evidence for potential nutraceutical and dietary moderators of inflammation and how they might improve the unique pathophysiology of heat stress.

Effect of freeze-dried biofloc as A Dietary Supplement on Water Quality and Growth Performance of red Tilapia (Hybrid)

To investigate the effect of supplementation of dried biofloc produced by freeze-drying method on water quality and growth performance of red hybrid tilapia, two experimental diets (T0 treatment: 0 % biofloc; and T1 treatment: 4 % freeze-dried biofloc) were examined during 57 days of feeding trial. Diet T0 resulted in higher feed intake than T1 treatment (P < 0.05), while no significant differences were found between the two treatments in terms of weight gain, SGR, and FCR (P > 0.05). For water quality parameters, values of temperature, EC, TDS, ammonia and nitrate were significantly higher for T1 treatment (P < 0.05). While dissolved oxygen level was significantly lower for T1 treatment compared to T0 treatment (P < 0.05). Moreover, no significant differences were found for pH and salinity (P > 0.05). However, the two treatments showed water quality parameters levels within the range of standard levels of water quality for tilapia culture. In addition, proximate composition of experimental diets showed significantly higher lipid content for T0 treatment than T1 treatment (P < 0.05). While no significant differences were found between means of treatments for organic matter, protein, fiber, ash and energy contents (P > 0.05). Based on these results, a 4 % supplementation of freeze-dried biofloc can be successively included in formulated diets for red hybrid tilapia without any effects on growth in terms of weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and survival, and can result in acceptable water quality levels for red hybrid tilapia.

Nutrient Digestibility and Digestive Enzyme Activity in Fringe Lipped Carp, Labeo fimbriatus (Bloch, 1795), Fed Diets Containing Cottonseed Meal

Advanced fingerlings of Labeo fimbriatus (Bloch, 1795) were reared in aerated indoor plastic tanks to elucidate the dry matter and nutrient digestibility of cottonseed meal (CSM) in the feed. The fish were fed isocaloric formulated diets containing CSM replacing the main ingredients – groundnut cake and rice bran of the control diet at 10, 20, 30 and 40 % levels. Total dry matter digestibility and major nutrient digestibility were estimated using acid insoluble ash as the marker. In general, the digestibility of dry matter, protein, fat, and nitrogen-free extract was higher in CSM incorporated diets than the control diet. While the dry matter and nitrogen-free extract digestibility values were highest at 40 % CSM incorporation level, those for protein and fat digestibility were highest in 30 % and 10 % levels, respectively, showing an apparent reduction thereafter. The incorporation of CSM had a stimulatory effect on most of the intestinal digestive enzymes tested. Fish fed 20 % CSM diet recorded the highest activity of total protease and carboxypeptidases while those fed 30 % CSM diet had highest trypsin and amylase activities; all showing reducing trend consequently. In the case of hepatopancreas, the reducing trend in the activities of protease, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidase A, and lipase observed with increased incorporation levels of CSM was significant (P < 0.05) and the reduction in the activities of trypsin, amylase and cellulase in CSM fed fish was not significant (P > 0.05). The study indicates the possibility of incorporation of CSM in the diet of L. fimbriatus up to 40 % level without affecting nutrient digestibility.

Evaluation of nutritional compositions and haematological effect of locally produced fish feeds in Heterobranchus Bidorsalis (catfish) Fingerings

Background: The Insufficient feed availability in the natural or artificial environment of fish has resulted in their competition for survival. This has also brought about their poor yields and population depletion in their environment. Thus, supplementation of fish feed with cheap locally produced diets containing the essential nutrients needed for fish survival and growth is a necessity. In the present study, we evaluated the nutritional compositions and haematological effect of locally produced fish feed on Heterobranchus Bidorsalis (Catfish) fingerlings. Methods: Pearson’s square method was used to formulate three diets A, B and C using different fractions of local ingredients. A commercial feed (Coppens) was used as a control diet. The feeds were evaluated for proximate, minerals, and amino acid compositions. Forty fingerlings of 2 g body weight were divided into 4 groups consisting of ten fingerlings each. Groups A-C were fed the formulated diets while group D was fed with the commercial feed. Each group was fed 5 % of their average body weight twice daily in an aquarium for 49 days. Results: The results revealed a significant increase (p<0.05) in protein (44.12±0.15 %), amino acids and minerals contents of diet A than other formulated diets (B and C) but lower than the control diet. The results of haematological parameters showed that fingerlings fed formulated diet A was significantly higher in values for RBC, haemoglobin and PCV but lower in WBC contents than the groups fed formulated diets B and C. Conclusion: Formulated diet A yielded a better result in terms of protein content, and haematological status of the catfish. Therefore, formulated diet A is the most preferably alternative for catfish fingerlings rearing

Effects of attractants inclusion on the growth and survival of Channa striata

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different natural and artificial attractants in the diet of stripped snakeheads Channa striata. The experiment was conducted into two phases- Nursery and Grow-out. There were four treatments TC (Control), TG (Glycine), TA (Alanine) and TN (Nappi) for each phase with three replicates. In phase-1, the fry/fingerling were fed three times daily for four months; in phase-2, the fish were fed twice daily in the morning and afternoon for six months where the effects of formulated diets were compared with control (TC) which is locally available as commercial feed. In phase-1, significantly (p<0.05) lower FCR (1.58±0.13), higher individual weight gain (91.90 g), higher SGR (2.47±1.79 %/day), higher survival (90%), and higher feeding efficiency (57.60±5.54%) were found in the control (TC) compared to all other treatments. On the other hand, in phase-2, significantly (p<0.05) lower FCR (1.63±0.06), higher individual weight gain (299 g), and higher feeding efficiency (45.96±1.63%) were found in Nappi (TN) supplemented diet whereas significantly (p<0.05) higher survival (93.33%) and higher SGR (0.90±0.17 %/day) were found in Glycine (TG) supplement diet compared to the control (TC). Therefore, domestication and then the addition of natural and artificial attractants in formulated feeds may enhance the efficacy of formulated feeds for better growth and survival of the carnivorous fish like stripped snakeheads especially in grow-out phase. Hence, this finding will help to culture C. striata using protein-rich formulated feed adding attractants rather than depending on any live feed or formulated feed which is not commercially feasible.

Macromineral and trace element requirements for Santa Ines sheep

Minerals play an important role in animal metabolism. Knowledge of mineral requirements allows well-formulated diets to be provided, which is the main factor that affects performance. To determine the macromineral and trace element requirements for growth and maintenance, thirty-eight 2-month-old Santa Ines lambs with initial body weight (BW) of 13.0 ± 1.49 kg were distributed in a factorial design with feeding levels (ad libitum, 30% and 60% feed restriction) and sex classes [castrated (CM) and intact males (IM)]. The net mineral requirements for gain were higher (P < 0.05) with increasing BW and average daily gain, except for Ca and Na, which remained constant as the empty BW (EBW) increased. The macromineral net requirement for maintenance (g/kg EBW0.75) and the true retention coefficient (k; %) were 0.0784 and 65.2 for Ca, 0.0926 and 80.0 for P, and 0.0379 and 59.0 for K, respectively. The k of Mg was higher (P < 0.05) for IM (11.3 for IM and 7.9 for CM). Sex did not affect (P > 0.05) the maintenance requirement of the trace elements Co, Cu, Zn and Cr which were 0.0015, 0.037, 0.698, and 0.0055 (mg/kg EBW0.75), respectively. Our study indicated that the Santa Ines net mineral requirements are different from the main nutritional requirements established by committees for sheep, which may result in unbalanced diets.