Short Communication. Sodium chloride levels in pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) fingerling feeds free of fish meal

Aim of study: To evaluate the effects of increasing NaCl levels on the zootechnical performance of pacu fingerling. Area of study: The experiments were conducted at the Aquatic Organism Production and Reproduction Systems Laboratory belonging to the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), in the Palotina Sector, Paraná Estate, Brazil. Material and methods: Seven hundred and fifty fingerlings with an average weight of 3.41 ± 0.09 g were distributed in circular boxes, in a completely randomized design consisting of six treatments and five replications. Treatments comprised soybean- and maize-based diets containing increasing levels of NaCl (0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.25%). The experiments were conducted for 50 days. At the end of the experimental period the fish were fasted for 24 hours, anesthetized, weighed and measured to calculate zootechnical performances. Performance data were subjected to an analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s test when significant differences were found between the means (p<0.05). Main results: The influence (p<0.05) of dietary NaCl levels on final weight, feed intake, apparent feed conversion, specific growth rate, average weight gain, clean trunk production, head carcass yield, headless carcass yield, feed intake and survival was assessed. The results indicate that non-salt treated fingerlings along with the 0.25% salt inclusion treatment led to better feed use, as evidenced by apparent feed conversions of 1.64 and 2.02, respectively. Research highlights: The inclusion of NaCl in pacu fingerling soybean and maize-based diets is not recommended.

Growth performance and prediction of carcass production of captive javan porcupine (Hystrix javanica)

Porcupines are unique mammals, their upper body is covered with hard hair resembling sharp cylindrical spines and belongs to the order Rodentia. It has long been used as a source of animal protein. Javan porcupine (Hystrix javanica) is an endemic animal on Java and its population is estimated to continue, due to habitat destruction, poaching, and its use without a conservation. Observations on the growth of young javan porcupines were carried out for 12 months in Small Mammal Captivity, Research Center Biology - Indonesian Institute of Sciences. This study aims to determine the growth performance of young porcupines in captivity based on number of births, namely singles, twins, and triplets. The young will be with their mother for 3 months, they will be placed in individual cages. Weighing porcupines is done once a week. The results suggest that porcupines continue grow until they are 12 months old and probably continued. The average weight gain of single born was 30.31 g/day; birth of twins 29.65 g/day, 29.72 g/day; and birth of triplets were 29.57 g/day, 28.14 g/day, and 29.79 g/day. Prediction of 12-month-old porcupine carcass production for single, twins, and triplets, respectively, was 6740.86 g; 6593.15 g; and 6470.50 g.

​Study of the Zootechnical Performance of Tilapia cabrae and Oreochromis schwebischi in a Controlled Environment: The Case of the Mbolet Fish Farm in Lambaréné, Gabon

Background: The study of the zootechnical performance of Tilapia cabrae and Oreochromis schwebischi was carried out at the Mbolet fish farm in Lambaréné in Gabon in order to evaluate the growth and reproductive performance of these two species. Methods: For this purpose, 226 fish (113 of T. cabrae with an average weight of 30.55±9.5 g and 113 O. schwebischi with an average weight of 20.64±10.5 g), were distributed in four 6 m2 tanks with two replicates per species for the growing phase which lasted 60 days. For the reproductive phase, 42 selected mature fish, including 6 males and 36 females of each species, were placed in six 2 m2 ponds with three replicates per species for 78 days. Result: The survival rate, the number of reproductions per species and the absolute, relative and system productivities were determined. It was found that the average weight gain, daily individual growth and specific growth rate were significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in T. cabrae, 48.1±5.51 g, 0.8±0.092 g/day and 1.57±0.066% g/day respectively, than in O. schwebischi, 27.11±9.23 g, 0.45±0.15 g/day and 1.38±0.051% g/day respectively. At the end of reproduction, the absolute productivity of T. cabrae (234.75±24.71 larvae/female/egg-laying) was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than that of O. schwebichi (104.68±46.64 larvae/female/laying). System productivity was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) in O. schwebichi (11.34±2.29 larvae/m2/day) compared to that of T. cabrae (4.12±1.73 larvae/m2/day). Thus, on a fish farm, the use of these species may be possible.

Growth performance and haematological characteristics of pullet chickens fed different feed forms supplemented with or without Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

In a bid to decrease cost of production and increase performance in poultry, the study aimed at determining the growth performance and haematological characteristics of pullet chicken fed different feed forms supplemented with or without oyster mushroom (OM), three hundred and twenty (320) day old Harco Black pullet chicks were brooded for five weeks before they were allocated based on weight equalization on the basis of feed forms (mash and pellet) and OM supplementation (without and with 1g of OM per kg of feed) into four (4) treatments for an experiment which lasted for eleven weeks. Each treatment consisting of 80 birds was replicated eight (8) times with ten (10) birds per replicate. Data collected were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial layout and subjected to Analysis of Variance in a Completely Randomized Design. Final weight, average weight gain and average feed intake in the grower phase were significantly (p<0.05) higher (1244.69g, 11.13g and 106.11 g) in birds given pelletized feed and lower (1146.25g, 9.27g and 105.08 g) in birds fed mash. Also, PCV, WBC, and Hb obtained in the starter phase were significantly (p<0.05) higher (30. 00%, 2.70 x 10 /l and 10.10 g/dl, respectively) in pullet chicken fed diet supplemented with oyster mushroom than those (26.75%, 2.12 x 10 /l and 8.85 g/dl, respectively) recorded by birds fed diets without oyster mushroom. Therefore, improved weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and immunity can be achieved by feeding pullet chickens with pelletized feed supplemented with oyster mushroom. Dans le but de diminuer les coûts de production et d'augmenter les performances des volailles, l'étude visait à déterminer les performances de croissance et les caractéristiques hématologiques de poulettes nourries de différentes formes d'aliments supplémentées avec ou sans pleurotes (MO), trois cent vingt (320) jours de vieux poussins de poulettes Harco Black ont été couvés pendant cinq semaines avant d'être répartis sur la base d'une égalisation de poids sur la base des formes d'aliments (purée et granule) et d'une supplémentation en MO (sans et avec 1 g de MO par kg d'aliment) en quatre (4) traitements pour une expérience qui a duré onze semaines. Chaque traitement composé de 80 oiseaux a été répliqué huit (8) fois avec dix (10) oiseaux par répliquant. Les données recueillies ont été organisées selon une disposition factorielle 2 × 2 et soumises à une analyse de la variance dans un plan complètement randomisé. Le poids final, le gain de poids moyen et la prisealimentaire moyenne pendant la phase de croissance étaient significativement (p<0,05) plus élevés (1244,69 g, 11,13 g et 106,11 g) chez les oiseaux ayant reçu des aliments granulés et inférieurs (1146,25 g, 9,27 g et 105,08 g) chez les oiseaux. oiseaux nourris de purée. De plus, les PCV, GB et Hb obtenus lors de la phase de démarrage étaient significativement (p<0,05) plus élevés (30,00 %, 2,70 x 109/l et 10,10 g/dl, respectivement) dans le régime alimentaire des poulettes supplémentées en pleurotes que ceux (26,75 %, 2,12 x 109/l et 8,85 g/dl, respectivement) enregistrés par des oiseaux nourris avec des régimes sans pleurotes. Par conséquent, une amélioration du gain de poids, du taux de conversion alimentaire et de l'immunité peut être obtenue en nourrissant des poulettes avec des aliments granulés complétés aux pleurotes.

Enhancing performance of Murrah Buffalo through improved probiotic feed management in Kapau Village, Agam Regency

This study aims to improve the production performance of Murrah buffalo which covers average weight gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion by increasing probiotic feed. The research was conducted on the herd of Murrah buffalo at Kelok Rambai, Kapau Village, West Sumatera, Indonesia. Fifteen Murrah buffaloes with three to five years of age were used in the research. There were three treatments conducted including P1 = basal feed + probiotics; P2 = P1 + concentrate (cassava leaf pellet); and P3 = P1 + commercial concentrate (pellet). All three treatments were also given 7 cc/head/month of probiotics. The results of the study with probiotic feeding on Murrah buffalo showed the average feed consumption of P2 (36.55), P3 (35.99), P1 (35.74) and daily weight gain (DWG) P2 (1.09 kg/head/day), P3 (0.91 kg/head/day), P1 (0.55 kg/head/day) did not show a significant difference, while in feed conversion, P2 (0.68 ), P1 (0.46), P3 (0. 31) it showed a significant difference (p>0.05). This study concludes that the provision of basal ration plus cassava leaf pellets showed significant results on feed conversion in Murrah buffalo but did not show significant differences in feed consumption and DWG. However, it showed a substantial enough average of P2 that could be used as a feed supplement in Murrah buffalo.

Influence of Cage Shapes on Growth and Production of Silurid Catfish (Mystus cavasius) in Earthen Pond

Influence of three cage shapes viz (i) rectangular ii) square, and (iii) circular on growth and production of Mystus cavasius (local name: gulsha) was studied in earthen pond conditions for a period of 120 days. Each of nine cages, which were made of polyethylene nets, had same internal area (1.80 m3) and stocked with M. cavasius fry at the rate of 300 m-3, following a completely randomized design. Fishes were fed with a commercial floating pellet feed (Mega 002) initially at the rate of 25% of average body weight, with a gradual reduction to 8%. Significantly higher (P<0.05) average weight gain (AWG) of 13.49 ± 0.14 g, with specific growth rate (SGR) of 1.87% day-1, and the survival rate of 89.41% were recorded for gulsha reared in the circular cage compared to the other shapes. Rectangular and square cages resulted in a similar (P>0.05) AWG of 10.29 ± 0.10 and 10.43 ± 0.25 g with survival rate of 80 and 83.61%, respectively. A significantly higher (P<0.05) average total production of 4.05 ± 0.21 kg/m3 was obtained with circular cage compared to a similar production of 2.72 ± 0.28 and 3.08 ±0.29 kg/m3 (P>0.05) in rectangular and square cages, respectively. In case of lengthweight relationship (LWR), the coefficient of determination values (r2) was 0.86, 0.90, and 0.85 in square, circular and rectangular cages, respectively indicating a good linear regression between length and weight in circular cages than square and rectangular cages. Taken together, these results indicate that circular cage is the best for growth, survival and production of gulsha culture in pond condition. Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2020) 24(2): 59-68

Effect of oligochitosan supplementation on growth and innate immunity of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) at pond culture

Oligochitosan (COS) was prepared by gamma Co-60 irradiation of chitosan/H2O2 solutions and mixed with cornstarch to form the powder with content of 100 000 mg COS/kg. The striped catfish (P. hypophthalmus) was fed with diets containing 100 mg COS/kg feed for 9 months at pond culture. The effects of COS supplementation on growth performance, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and survival rate in striped catfish were investigated. The results indicated that the growth performance and survival rate of striped catfish fed with 100 mg COS/kg were significantly improved and the FCRdecreased. The average weight gain, survival rate and FCR of striped catfish fed with diets containing COS were 971 ± 85 gram, 83.19 ± 0.35 % and 1.477 ± 0.013 in comparison with 896 ± 78 gram, 78.43 ± 0.64 % and 1.578 ± 0.038 of control group, respectively. Thus, COS can be potentially utilized as immunostimulants and growth promoter for aquaculture.

Effect of Ethanol Extract of Aframomum angustifolium Seed on the Induction of Nephrotoxicity by Bromate in Wistar Rats

Background: The continued use of bromate due to its oxidizing property poses health hazards since it is an established nephrotoxic agent. Objectives: This study evaluated the capacity of the ethanol extract of Aframomum angustifolium seeds to ameliorate the nephrotoxicity of potassium bromate in Wistar rats. Methods: In stage I of this study, the main phytochemical groups in the seeds were quantified using spectrophotometric procedures. The acute and sub-chronic toxicities of the extract were studied by monitoring physical and biochemical parameters in stage II. In stage III, the reno-protective effect of the extract were determined by administering 350 and 750 mg/kg bw of the extract with 30 mg/kg bw potassium bromate orally. The reno-protective study lasted for 56 days and the effect of treatment on biomarkers was determined on days 28 and 56. Results: The phytochemical groups (i.e., alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, ascorbic acid, and alpha-tocopherol) were detected in the seeds. The acute and sub-chronic oral administration of the extract did not induce any significant toxic reactions across the studied concentrations. The sub-chronic administration of the extract reduced average weight gain in the treated groups. The obtained results in the reno-protective and histological studies indicated that the seed extract offers protection against the induced oxidative assault by bromate. Conclusion: In general, the co-administration of the ethanol extract of A. angustifolium seeds with bromate can reduce its nephrotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner.

PERFORMANCE OF FATTENING BUNAJI BULLS FED DIETS CONTAINING GRADED LEVEL OF PALM KERNEL CAKE

A fattening trial was conducted for 90 days using 20 Bunaji bulls with a live weight range of 190-200kg and aged 2-2.5 years to determine fattening performance. The bulls were fed diets containing varying levels of palm Kernel cake (PKC). Four bulls per treatment were allotted to 5 dietary treatments in Completely Randomised Design. Concentrate and basal diets of Digitaria smutsii were offered at 2% body weight. The data collected from the experiment were analysed using General Linear Model Procedure of SAS, (2002) The crude protein contents of the experimental diets varied between 15.63 and 20.31% while ME ranged from 11.75 to 11.78MJ/kg DM. The crude fibre varied from 13.92 to 23.31%. Average feed intake ranged between 8.67-9.11Kg/day with animals on 10, 20 and 40% PKC showed significant (P<0.05) difference across the treatments. Average daily weight gain was highest (1.33kg) for animal on 10% PKC followed by (1.31kg) on 30% PKC inclusion. No significant differences (P>0.05) was observed in average weight gain for animals on diets containing 0 20 and 40% PKC inclusions. All the experimental bulls attained an average weight gain of between 1.13Kg to 1.33Kg. Cost per Kg gain was highest at 0% PKC inclusion and lowest at 40% PKC. Net benefit (NB) and value of weight gain (VWG) were significantly (P<0.05) higher for bulls on 10 and 30% PKC inclusion. There was positive net benefit and Return to Investment (ROI) on feed across treatments. The inclusion of PKC lead to reduction in feed

Efektivitas pemberian temulawak dan madu terhadap peningkatan berat badan anak dengan status gizi kurang

Additional curcuma xanthorrhiza and honey supplement to poor nutritional status in childrenBackground: Based on data from the Central Lampung Health Office in 2018, 2226 of children (24.7%) finding malnourished. The results of the survey in 2019 of 15 children aged 4-5 years known (30%) their weight were ungrown per three months. The communities rarely used plants and natural resources around them to improve nutrition for their children.Purpose: To know effect of Additional curcuma xanthorrhiza and honey supplement to poor nutritional status in children.Method: Quantitative research with Quasy Experimental case-control and using T-Test Paired. The population is children aged 1-3 years with poor nutritional status at Raja Basa Indah Public health center. Sampling technique with a ratio of 1: 1, of 40 participants divided into two groups such as intervention group and control group. The research instrument used an observation sheet. Research has taken 15 days, the ending by evaluation (participants measured with bodyweight scale).Results: There was an increase in body weight in both groups, with a p-value of 0.003 (control group) and a p-value of 0.000 (intervention group).Conclusion: In the intervention group, the average weight gain was 0.66 Kg, while the control group had an average weight gain of 0.18 Kg. T-test with p-value 0.000, the results show that the correlation of the treatment group is stronger than the control groupKeywords: Curcuma xanthorrhiza; Honey; Supplement; Poor nutritional status; Children Pendahuluan: Berdasarkan data Dinas Kesehatan Lampung Tengah tahun 2018, sebanyak 2226 anak (24,7%) ditemukan gizi buruk. Hasil survei tahun 2019 terhadap 15 anak usia 4-5 tahun diketahui (30%) berat badannya tidak tumbuh per tiga bulan. Masyarakat jarang memanfaatkan tumbuhan dan sumber daya alam di sekitar mereka untuk meningkatkan gizi anak-anak mereka.Tujuan: Untuk mengetahui efektivitas pemberian temulawak dan madu terhadap peningkatan berat badan anak dengan status gizi kurang di Puskesmas Raja Basa Indah Bandar Lampung.Metode: Penelitian kuantitatif dengan Quasy Experimental case-control dan menggunakan T-Test Paired. Populasinya anak usia 1-3 tahun dengan status gizi buruk di Puskesmas Raja Basa Indah. Teknik pengambilan sampel dengan perbandingan 1:1, dari 40 partisipan dibagi menjadi dua kelompok yaitu kelompok intervensi dan kelompok kontrol. Instrumen penelitian menggunakan lembar observasi. Penelitian selama 15 hari dan diakhiri dengan evaluasi (partisipan diukur dengan timbangan badan).Hasil: Pemberian Temulawak dan madu efekif dalam meningkatan berat badan pada anak dengan status gizi kurang pada kelompok kasus dan kontrol, dengan p-value 0,000.Simpulan: Pada kelompok intervensi, kenaikan rerata berat badan yaitu 0,660, sedangkan pada kelompok kontrol pre-test dan posttest beberapa responden mengalami kenaikan berat badan dengan rerata 0,180.hasil uji t-tes dengan nilai p-value 0,000 hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa kelompok perlakuan korelasinya lebih kuat dibandingkan kelompok kontrol.