331 Effects of Dried Distillers’ Grains Cube Supplementation Rate on Voluntary Intake and Digestibility of Bermudagrass Hay Fed to Growing Heifers

The objective of this study was to evaluate supplementation rates of dried distillers’ grains cubes (DDGS) on voluntary intake (DMI), rate and extent of digestibility, and blood parameters of growing Charolais-cross heifers (BW = 286 ± 28.9 kg) fed ad libitum bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay. For the 29-d study, heifers were randomly assigned to one of four supplementation treatments: 1) Control, no supplement (n = 6); 2) Low, supplemented 0.90 kg/d (n = 6); 3) Intermediate, supplemented 1.81 kg/d (n = 5); or 4) High, supplemented 3.62 kg/d (n = 6). Heifers were offered supplement each morning in individual stalls. From d 15 to 25, heifers were dosed twice daily with titanium dioxide in gelatin capsules (10 g/d), and fecal samples were collected via rectum at time of dosing from d 22 to 25 to estimate fecal output. Post-dosing, fecal sampling continued over 96-h from d 25 to 29 to determine passage rate (Kp) via titanium dioxide analysis. Blood was collected from each animal on d 26 via jugular venipuncture before supplementation, and 4 and 8-h post-supplementation for analysis of blood urea N (BUN), lactate, and glucose. Samples of feces, hay, and supplement were incubated in rumen-cannulated Holstein steers (n = 4; BW = 281 ± 29.5 kg) for 576-h to estimate digestibility with indigestible neutral detergent fiber as an internal marker. Data were analyzed by ANOVA using the mixed procedure of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc. Cary NC), with treatment least-squares means separated using orthogonal polynomial contrasts. Increasing DDGS linearly (P < 0.01) decreased forage DMI linearly, but linearly increased Kp, total diet DMI, and total diet digestibility. Linear increases (P ≤ 0.02) in glucose, lactate, and BUN were likewise observed with increasing DDGS. Increasing DDGS supplementation to growing calves consuming bermudagrass hay may increase productivity while reducing forage intake.

Productive parameters and carcass yield of rabbits supplemented with Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit., and Guazima ulmifolia Lam. foliage

Objective: To determine the effect of the addition of Leucaena leucocephala andGuazima ulmifolia foliage on the production parameters and carcass yield of NewZealand rabbits.Desing/methodology/approach: 30 rabbits (15 females and 15 males) of the NewZealand breed were used, distributed in three treatments (five females and five males),which consisted in feeding 200 g of concentrated food per day + 100 g of fresh L.leucocephala or G. ulmifolia foliage, and a control group with no supplementation.Results: The total voluntary intake was not affected by the treatments or gender of therabbits; an average value of 158.9 g day -1 was recorded. Weight gain was 27.2 g day -1on average. The average slaughter weight of the rabbits was 2523 g. The carcassweight was 1,297 g and the average carcass yield was 51.6%. The dissectable fat 2content was lower in rabbits on supplements (F = 6.70, P = 0.001) with values of 1.6, 1.8and 2.11% with fresh foliage of G. ulmifolia, L. leucocephala and withoutsupplementation, this variable was not affected by gender. The viscera proportion wason average 24.3%. The average meat: bone ratio was 5.6.Limitations on study/implications: It was not possible to carry out bromatologicalanalyzes of the foliages or their digestibility.Fingings/conclusions: Supplementation of rabbits with foliage of G. ulmifolia and L.leucocephala decreases the proportion of dissectable fat and did not affect theproduction parameters and carcass yield.

Voluntary intake of psychoactive substances is regulated by the dopamine receptor Dop1R1 in Drosophila

Dysregulated motivation to consume psychoactive substances leads to addictive behaviors that often result in serious health consequences. Understanding the neuronal mechanisms that drive drug consumption is crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster offers a unique opportunity to approach this problem with a battery of sophisticated neurogenetic tools available, but how they consume these drugs remains largely unknown. Here, we examined drug self-administration behavior of Drosophila and the underlying neuronal mechanisms. We measured the preference of flies for five different psychoactive substances using a two-choice feeding assay and monitored its long-term changes. We found that flies show acute preference for ethanol and methamphetamine, but not for cocaine, caffeine or morphine. Repeated intake of ethanol, but not methamphetamine, increased over time. Preference for methamphetamine and the long-term escalation of ethanol preference required the dopamine receptor Dop1R1 in the mushroom body. The protein level of Dop1R1 increased after repeated intake of ethanol, but not methamphetamine, which correlates with the acquired preference. Genetic overexpression of Dop1R1 enhanced ethanol preference. These results reveal a striking diversity of response to individual drugs in the fly and the role of dopamine signaling and its plastic changes in controlling voluntary intake of drugs.

Feed intake, morphological characteristics and economics of production of Red Sokoto goats fed urea treated ensiled cowpea husk based diets

Body dimension measurements have been used in estimating body weight and appropriate pricing of meat animals. Thus, 18 healthy intact growing Red Sokoto male goats, with 13.4±0.59 kg body weight (BW), were used in a completely randomized design to evaluate the inclusion rates of urea treated ensiled cowpea husk (UECH) at 0, 35 and 70% to replace 0, 50 and 100% of dried brewers' grains (DBG) on voluntary intake, body weight, morphological and testicular characteristics, and economics of production for 70 d. Daily intakes of dry matter (g/d and % BW), crude protein, organic matter, nitrogen free extract, neutral detergent fibre and lignin were not (p>0.05) affected by diets. Whereas intakes of ether extract and hemicellulose progressively decreased (p<0.05), intakes of cellulose and mineral contrastingly increased (p<005) with increasing UECH replacement for DBG. Intake of acid detergent fibre was greater (p<0.05) for the treatment diets relative to the control diet. Diet effects on the body weight, linear body measurements and testicular morphology of the goats were marginal (p>0.05), except for initial scrotal length which was markedly (p<0.05) affected. Cost of feeding declined with the increasing UECH rate in the diet. Cost of feed consumed/goat and cost of feeding/kg BW gain were higher (p<0.05) for the control diet than for the treatment diets. In contrast to savings on cost of feeding which was higher (p<0.05) for 70%UECHthan 35%UECH, differential and relative benefitswere outstanding (p<0.05) for 35%UECH. Value of chevon and net benefitwere greater (p<0.05) for 35% UECH relative to 0 and 70% UECH. These findings suggest that UECH can be safely used up to 70% level in a concentrate mixture for growing goats, completely substituting dried brewers' grains, without depressing voluntary intake, body weight, morphological and testicular parameters, and improve economic benefits to farmers. However, for better economic returns, 35%UECHis superior to70%UECH.

Intake, growth performance and economics of production of Yankasa rams fed ammoniated ensiled threshed sorghum top supplemented with varying concentrate regimes

The effects of feeding different levels of a concentrate supplement to growing rams fed ammoniated ensiled threshed sorghum top (AETST) as basal diet on voluntary intake and body weight changes were evaluated. The experiment consisted of four treatments: 0, 300, 450 and 550 g/d in a completely randomized design using 16 growing Yankasa rams. Data collected include feed intake, growth performance and economy of production. Except for AETST intake, and dry matter (DM) intake (% BW) and feed/gain ratio (F/G) which were higher (P<0.05) for the non-supplemented control, total DM, crude protein (CP) and organic matter (OM) intakes and average daily gain (ADG) were greater (P<0.05) for the supplemented diets. Among the supplemented groups, intakes of DM, OM and CP were higher (P<0.05) and F/G lower (P<0.05) for 450 and 550 g/d concentrate levels compared to 350 g/d level. Concentrate intake and ADG followed this rank order: 350 g/d < 450 g/d < 550 g/d P<0.05). Total cost of feed consumed/ram, weight gain (mutton) and monetary value (Naira) of mutton were higher (p<0.05) for T4 than for T1, T2 and T3 diets. Net benefit was higher (p<0.05) for T1, differential and relative benefits were superior (p<0.05) for T2. The study suggests that feeding ruminant animals with AETST supplemented with lower level of concentrate can improve voluntary intake, body weight and economic benefits to farmers. However, diet with 350 g (T2) concentrate supplementation had better economic benefit than other dietary treatments.

An alternative method for oral drug administration by voluntary intake in male and female mice

Drug administration to experimental rodents is often invasive and stressful, thus reducing animal welfare and potentially confounding experimental results. Methods of oral drug delivery in which rodents cooperate voluntarily minimize stress, pain and morbidity. We herein describe a method for oral administration through voluntary intake of strawberry jam, developed for C57BL/6J mice. During a 3-day habituation period, animals were placed in individual cages once daily and presented with a drop of jam. Five days later, the jam was again offered with admixed drug. Mice ingested it in less than 5 min, with latency times below 1 min, confirming the suitability of the administration method.

CARCASS WEIGHT OF BROILER GIVEN COCONUT MILKY JUICE AND BROWN SUGAR WATER AS DRINGKING WATER

To produce optimum carcass weight, broiler need an adequate ration which meet their nutrients requirement. This result in high feed cost which in turn increase cost of production. Therefore it is important to solve the problem by using non-conventional feedstuff such as agriculture by product or other ingredients. The aims of this study were : 1). To examine the effect of giving coconut milky juice and brown sugar water as drinking water on carcass weight and (2). To use by product of coconut milky juice as drinking water. Experimental design used was complete randomized design, with three treatments and five replications. Each replication consists of six chicken. The treatments were P0 (ration + plain water), P1 (ration + coconut milky juice (mature)) and P2 (ration + brown sugar water). Variables measured were: voluntary feed and drinking water intakes, carcass weight and percentage. Ration offered was commercial ration BR I produced by P.T Panca Patriot Prima Sidoarja. Chemical compositions of the ration were water content 12 %, minimum crude protein 21%, minimum crude lipid 6%, maximum crude fiber 5%, energy 3065 kcal/kg, ash 6,5%, calcium 0.9 -1.1%, phospor 0.7 - 0.9%, antibiotic bacitracin Methylene, Disalcylate, Coccodistat Monensin. 90 DOC broilers strain CP 707 were used. An adaptation period of 7 days allowed the animals to accustom to feed given and drinking water, and followed by 5 weeks measurement period. During the experiment the animals were fed twice daily at 07.00 and 16.00 h. The animal had free access to drinking water. The amount of drinking water and feed given was recorded daily. Drinking water and feed refusals were weighed every morning before the next feeding. Parameters measured were water and feed intakes, live and carcass weight, and carcass percentage. Drinking water and feed intakes were determined by subtracting water and feed refusal from water and feed offered. Slaughtered weight were determined by weighing live animals after 10 hours fasting. Carcass weight was determined by subtracting non carcass weight from slaughtered weight. Analyses of variance were done using the General Linear Model (GLM). Least squares means and standard error were produced. Main effects were detected using LSD. Voluntary intakes were 1805.69 g, 1799.14 g, and 1806.66 g for P0, P1 and P2 respectively. The result shows that the treatments does not affect voluntary intake significantly (P > 0.05). However, broilers drank more (P < 0.05) coconut milky juice (mature) (P1/10287.2 ml), than plain water (P0/9118.8 ml) or water contains brown sugar (P2/9081.8 ml). Slaughter and carcass weight of broilers are 1701.33 g,1849.40 g, 1847.27 g and 1263.87 g, 1386.00, 1379.90, for P0, P1 and P2 respectively. Statistical analysis show significant differences (P < 0.05) in slaughter and carcass weight among the treatments in which those parameters are higher for broilers received P1 and P2 than that of P0. Carcass percentage is the ratio of slaughter and carcass weight, which are 74.27%, 74.93 and 74.71 for P0, P1 and P2, respectively. No differences in carcass percentage were obtained (P > 0.05) among the treatments. In conclusion, the present study has shown that giving 1 % brown sugar in drinking water and coconut milky juice (mature) as drinking water has no significant effect on voluntary intake and carcass percentage. However, giving brown sugar water and coconut milky juice (mature) affect drinking water consumption, slaughter and carcass weight.